Dr. Jane Leibel, BMus ’83

Professor of Music, School of Music at Memorial

2017 Honouree

Dr. Jane Leibel always knew that her calling was music. Gifted with strong musical talents and supported by her parents and teachers, Jane decided to pursue a life inspired by music. Campion was the ideal fit to start that journey. Jane felt at home during her time at Campion. Her family was closely knit to the Jesuit community; her mother, Loretta, affectionately known as “Mom” to others, worked there for almost 30 years.

After obtaining a Bachelor of Music Voice Performance at the University of Regina in 1983, Jane went on to pursue a Master of Music in Voice Performance from the University of North Texas in 1985.  By 1988, she completed an opera diploma at the University of Toronto which culminated in her doctoral studies in Voice Performance/Opera at the University of Michigan in 1999.

Originally upon a friend’s urging, Dr. Leibel was encouraged to apply for a teaching position at Memorial University in St. John’s, Newfoundland. Thinking it would be a great opportunity for a few years, she decided to give it a try. She has been the professor of music (Voice/Vocal Pedagogy) at the School of Music at Memorial going 18 years strong, and has never looked back.

Outside the classroom, she works with youth at chamber music festivals and at a national boy’s choir camp in Gros Morne National Park, Newfoundland. Each September, she shows her support for mental health at World Suicide Prevention Day by holding the “Mysterious Barricades”.