Boreal is renowned for their exquisite 3-part harmonies, heartwarming stories, and unique ability to make everyone in the room feel like they’re part of the show.

Boreal is a powerhouse trio of Canadian singer-songwriters—Tannis Slimmon, Katherine Wheatley and Angie Nussey—blending distinct voices and styles into exquisite, dynamic musical arrangements. From delicate beauty to expansive, uplifting intensity, their stunning harmonies and masterful songwriting create a magical, deeply moving experience that leaves audiences spellbound. As David Francey says: “I was transported.”

www.borealsongs.ca

Boreal is a captivating musical collaboration featuring Canadian singer-songwriters Tannis Slimmon, Katherine Wheatley and Angie Nussey. With three uniquely different voices and styles, they create exquisite and unconventional vocal arrangements that go far beyond traditional harmonies. Their performances move fluidly from delicate and beautiful to uplifting intensity, showcasing the best of three acclaimed songwriters. Known for heartfelt storytelling and stunning vocal work, Boreal leaves audiences deeply moved. As David Francey said, “I was transported. They are a rare and wonderful band.”

www.borealsongs.ca

Boreal is a powerhouse trio of Canadian singer-songwriters—Tannis Slimmon, Angie Nussey, and Katherine Wheatley—each with a distinct voice, musical style, and instrument. Katherine brings warmth, colour, and rhythm on guitar, Tannis holds the heartbeat on percussion, mandolin, and guitar, and Angie adds rich textures on keyboard. There’s no designated lead singer; instead, they rotate the spotlight, each shaping their own songs with carefully crafted arrangements and harmonies. Their music is a seamless blend of three unique perspectives—one rooted in ethereal,sacred soundscapes, one in earthy folk with a voice like velvet, and one an untamed vocal force channeling Janis Joplin. The result is a sound that’s as cohesive as it is surprising—think Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young with a fresh, female energy and a modern edge. With roots in Manitoba, Parry Sound, and Sudbury, Ontario, they carry the stories of the places that shaped them, the people who touched their hearts, and the music that uplifts their spirits. Between them, they’ve released 15 solo albums—with some of their finest songs handpicked from their catalogues and reimagined together for performance and recording.” Their new album, “Winterbirds” was released March 2025. As David Francey says, “Magical’s the word. I was transported.”

www.borealsongs.ca

Boreal is a rare musical collaboration between three acclaimed Canadian singer-songwriters—Tannis Slimmon, Angie Nussey, and Katherine Wheatley—who come together to form a group greater than the sum of its parts. Each artist brings a distinct musical voice: Katherine’s warm guitar-driven storytelling, Tannis’s earthy folk rooted in mandolin and percussion, and Angie’s emotionally textured keyboard and vocals. One draws from sacred, ethereal sounds, one from velvet-toned folk traditions, and one from the raw, untamed spirit of rock and soul.

Rather than featuring a single frontwoman, Boreal thrives on shared spotlight and mutual creativity. With over 15 solo albums among them, they handpick and reimagine their strongest material through rich, unconventional harmonies and dynamic arrangements. Their performances balance delicate beauty with vocal fireworks, drawing audiences in with emotional depth, humour, and impeccable musicianship.

In the words of four-time Juno Award-winning songwriter David Francey:
“I’ll give you three good reasons for catching Boreal in concert. There are three wonderful writers in this band, and three beautiful voices. That’s two reasons. The third is the magic that happens when these three women combine those wonderful songs and voices on stage. Each brings their own brilliance to the whole. Magical’s the word. I was transported.”

Boreal first came together in 2006 with a shared vision for Songs for the Snowy Season, a winter-themed show that quickly blossomed into an annual touring tradition across Ontario. Their first album, Winter’s Welcome, followed in 2014. In 2019, after founding member Jude Vadala retired, Angie Nussey joined the group, contributing her own distinctive and creative flair. 

Their latest release, Winterbirds (March 2025), grew from long-distance collaboration into a powerful creative retreat—three immersive weeks writing and recording at Les Stroud’s home studio near Huntsville, Ontario. The album includes nine originals and a tender Gordon Lightfoot cover, all marked by harmony, heart, and the unmistakable chemistry of a band that listens deeply to each other.

Since the release, Boreal has toured widely across Ontario and Manitoba, bringing Winterbirds to festivals and theatres including Guelph’s Hillside Festival and Owen Sound’s Summerfolk. With a year-round touring schedule and ever-evolving musical synergy, Boreal continues to connect with audiences through powerful storytelling, shared artistry, and unforgettable live shows. For more, visit www.borealsongs.ca.

Click here to visit Boreal’s tour page for shows and ticket info

Click here to see their video for their latest single “Shepherd of the Road”

KATHERINE WHEATLEY grew up, number 4 of 6 kids, in Parry Sound, Ontario. Acoustic roots with catchy melodies, arresting vocals, great guitar playing, lyrics that get you and that you get – these are all things that have been written over and over again about her music. She sings truth, bravely, and in detail. Katherine has won awards for composition, arranging and songwriting. In addition to touring across Canada, the U.S. and Europe as a solo singer/songwriter, Katherine is a member of the Toronto band “Betty and The Bobs” and plays regularly in the hilarious and moving duo “Wendell and Wheat”. She has written and recorded over 200 songs with kids through her Youthsongs program and is in high demand for her innovative songwriting and music workshops. Katherine works as a singer and zodiac driver on board The MS Expedition as it plies the seas of Antarctica and the Norwegian Arctic. www.katherinewheatley.com

“Wheatley, sporting a beautiful voice and heady guitar work, brought the house down with her stunningly intimate musical meanderings. Her voice and guitar work drew the crowd in from the moment she started to sing. Her witty repartee gave these songs a footing from whence to fly. And fly she did!” —THE EXAMINER, Peterborough, ON

TANNIS SLIMMON grew up in a large musical family on a farm in Manitoba and moved to Guelph, Ontario in 1980 where she soon became known on the Canadian music scene as a member of the critically acclaimed Bird Sisters. Her exceptional voice “full of gentle grace and unobtrusive dignity” (Penguin Eggs) can be heard on over 100 albums including those by Willie P. Bennett, Valdy, David Francey and Rheostatics. Tannis is the 2020 recipient of the prestigious Estelle Klein Award, Ontario’s highest folk honour.  In 2008 she was honoured with the Contemporary Vocalist of the Year at the Canadian Folk Music Awards for “Lucky Blue”. www.tannis.ca

ANGIE NUSSEY is an award-winning Canadian recording artist and producer from Orillia, Ontario. Since 1999, she has released six full-length albums and won over 15 industry awards for songwriting, vocals, and performance. She is probably best known for her emotional, philosophical and at times autobiographical ballads, but she doesn’t miss an opportunity to poke fun at everyday situations and the human condition, not to mention herself. In 2021, Angie began releasing her solo project, “I Have No Idea What I’m Doing”, which is a collection of autobiographical songs and stories released on a monthly basis. Angie is downright funny and a moving, beautiful musician.www.angienussey.com

“Her command of the stage and her rapport with her audience was nothing short of masterful. Nussey’s songs are both powerful and entertaining and I for one would go to a festival just to see her.” – Heather Bishop, CM, OM, LLD(Hon)