Camp Staff

Sean Goerzen is a K-8 music teacher in Kleefeld, Manitoba. He enjoys being involved in a variety of music activities from oratorio choir to university concert band. Besides music Sean enjoys researching family history and exploring more of Manitoba. Sean is looking forward to his third year at OMMC, directing the band and organizing other fun activities!

Erik Mohr recently graduated from the University of Waterloo with a degree in Computer Engineering. Though they are professionally a computer programmer, they devotes themself to their passions of music, writing, Dungeons & Dragons and spirituality in their free time. Erik has been playing acoustic guitar since 2008 and writing music since 2015. Additionally, Erik has used their musical talents to assist in worship leading since 2013. Erik comes from outside the Mennonite tradition, hailing originally from the Evangelical Missionary Church, and now regularly attends Catch The Fire Kitchener. Erik is passionate about how the church can create and engage with art in new ways. In addition to writing music, Erik writes poetry about topics such as spirituality, gender, and creation. They are passionate about inclusion and helping to make spiritual spaces accessible and safer for everyone, and intends to pursue a Masters of Divinity degree in the future.

Emily is thrilled to be returning to OMMC as piano instructor this summer after a few summers away.  Emily graduated from the Canadian Mennonite University in Winnipeg in 2019 with a Bachelor of Music and since then has worked in music, church, and educational settings in both Kitchener and Winnipeg. Since winter of 2021 she has been working as an Educational Assistant at Westgate Mennonite Collegiate in Winnipeg, and has enjoyed working with students from grades 6-12 in a variety of subjects, as well as collaborating with the school choirs and bands on piano and leading music in school chapels.

Emily’s favourite part of camp is the intersection of music, community, and play, and is looking forward to two weeks of fun this summer!

Chloe Shantz is a violinist and soprano vocalist. Raised in a musical family, choral and orchestral music has always been part of Chloe’s life. Her studies in violin led to many musical opportunities growing up, such as the Calgary Youth Orchestra, the Amici String Quartet program and the Calgary Performing Arts Festival. In High School, Chloe discovered a love for singing through school choirs, and was a member of the Alberta Youth Choir 2019 and Alberta Treble Choir 2022. Outside music, Chloe has a passion for reading and writing novels. She is now studying at the University of Waterloo with a double major in Music and English Literature. Chloe is looking forward to jumping into her first year at OMMC! 

Ben Thiessen is a 4th year student at Wilfrid Laurier University studying Economics and Political Science, and he is super excited to be working at OMMC this year! He attended music camp from 2014 - 2016 and is looking forward to creating the same memorable experience for this year's campers! As the Rec director, Ben is planning a host of games and activities for all the times the campers aren't making music. Ben has played music nearly his whole life, playing piano for 17 years and achieving his grade 10 RCM in 2017. He picked up the trumpet in Grade 6 to play in his school band, and has loved it ever since! When he isn't playing music, Ben enjoys indoor rock climbing, reading sci-fi novels, and watching movies. Ben is pumped to work with the other OMMC staff to build an awesome two weeks of camp!

Joanna is thrilled to be a part of the OMMC staff team again. She is entering her fourth year of voice performance at Canadian Mennonite University. Joanna was a camper at OMMC From 2010-2013. These are some of her fondest memories. Joannas favourite things about camp are the theme meals, and the musical production at the end! When Joanna isn’t doing musicy things she likes to hangout with her 2 hamsters, and pursue her passions in social justice work, specifically in the area of homelessness. 

Joel Woods just finished his 3rd year studying Statistics at the University of Waterloo and is thrilled to be working at OMMC this year! Joel has spent the last year living and working at Grebel as a residence don. He went to music camp for 5 years as a camper and is excited to be involved as the LIT Coordinator this year. His favourite part of camp is getting to meet new people and make music together. Joel's life is full of music, from music courses, to leading Grebel Hymn Sing, playing music for chapel services and singing with friends for fun. Joel studied RCM piano, has played in concert bands, jazz bands, and a jazz quartet, and has sung in choirs his whole life. Joel also plays trumpet and guitar, with a love for folk music, especially singing with friends. While not playing music, Joel loves curling, reading, baseball, and trivia. He is looking forward to a great two weeks of camp this year!