ABOUT 

These “exquisite,” “spine-tingling” unaccompanied voices sing timeless, deeply moving a cappella music from across the ages. Their favourite genres include folk, contemporary covers, and contemplative classics, often featuring new arrangements. 

After singing together in other ensembles for many years, they came together during the pandemic to keep some musical proximity ("proximus!"). Their performances celebrate the power of music to connect one another and soothe the soul. In their inaugural year, they performed three concerts to sold-out audiences in Winnipeg; this year, they’ve taken their show on the road to the US Midwest and are delighted to be performing in Montreal for Podium.

BIOS

Scott Reimer, baritone and countertenor
​Scott grew up in a family in which singing together was second nature. Since moving to Winnipeg from the Gretna area, he has enjoyed a wealth of choral experience, having sung with many of Winnipeg's premier choirs, most notably Canzona, The Winnipeg Singers, and Dead of Winter (Camerata Nova). He has sung as a soloist with the Manitoba Chamber Orchestra and the Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra and has represented Manitoba in the National Youth Choir, as well as Canada in the World Youth Choir. He has also been active as a choral director for many years and currently works as a choral teacher, arranger, composer, and clinician.  ​​
Dan Rochegood, countertenor
Daniel Rochegood (née Peasgood) has been singing and working in Winnipeg since 2000. He has performed with numerous ensembles including The Winnipeg Singers, Camerata Nova, Canzona, The Canadian Chamber Choir, Antiphony, and Polycoro. Dan studied with Mel Braun at the University of Manitoba while completing his Bachelors of Music. In 2015 Dan was part of Manitoba Underground Opera's presentation of Massenet's Cendrillon. He also had the opportunity to sing in Laura Gow's world premiere of her one-person opera Morgues And Meows in 2016. Dan was the alto soloist in Handel's Messiah in 2017 with the Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra and performed the role again with the Okanagan Festival Singers in 2018. Dan has toured to multiple towns in Manitoba as a guest artist for the Manitoba Arts Network as part of the "Concert In Care" series. Dan enjoys singing in a variety of music groups, and is currently also part of a Mamas and Papas tribute band called 'The Very Groovy Things'. Peace on Earth and love to all!
James Magnus-Johnston, tenor
A versatile ensemble artist and soloist, James has sung with fellow Proximus singers Polycoro, the Winnipeg Singers, Dead of Winter, and Antiphony. He's also worked as a stage actor with Dry Cold Productions, Rainbow Stage, Shakespeare in the Ruins, and the Little Opera Company. He served as a cantor and music scholar with Holy Trinity Anglican Church and has been a soloist for First Mennonite Church, All Saints Anglican, and the Winnipeg Philharmonic Choir. James is a graduate of the University of Winnipeg’s Theatre program, and he has an MPhil in Economics from Cambridge University. During business hours, James is a professor at Canadian Mennonite University and the Director of their Centre for Resilience.
Paul Bruch-Wiens, baritone
Paul Bruch-Wiens is a baritone who has sung as a soloist and chorister with Manitoba Opera, Little Opera Company, the WSO, Canzona, Polycoro and Dead of Winter. He most recently sang the role of “Pilate” in the Saint John Passion in the Winnipeg Baroque Festival. Paul is a co-founder of Polycoro, and is currently the Vice-President of the Manitoba Opera Board of Trustees, as well as the President of the Board for Flipside Opera and Art Song Collective. Paul cares avidly for the performing classical arts, because it has enhanced and enriched his personal development. He believes that attendance in and the pursuit of a performing arts career positively shapes people’s lives. Paul is a Private Wealth Manager with Quadrant Private Wealth, where his practice works predominantly with incorporated professionals and business owners. He lives in Norwood Flats in Winnipeg, with his spouse Dawn Bruch-Wiens, their two young children, a dog and three cats.
Jereme Wall, bass
Jereme Wall is one of Winnipeg’s most sought after basses. Born and raised in Manitoba, Jereme has been singing and creating music since he was able. Beginning his professional career studying music in Brandon, MB, he now calls Winnipeg his home and is immensely involved within its choral scene. He has performed, recorded, and toured with various professional ensembles including Polycoro, Canzona, Dead of Winter, The Winnipeg Singers, and the juno-nominated Canadian Chamber Choir. When not performing, Jereme enjoys nurturing and expanding his love for food by baking, cooking, and eating his way through the food scene in various cities, most recently being Winnipeg and Vancouver. He’s always looking forward to the next travel adventure to experience new tastes and sounds.

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Proximus lives and works among the Anishinaabe, Cree, Oji-Cree, Dakota, Dene, and the Métis peoples, on their ancestral lands. We pursue meaningful collaborations with our friends and neighbours.