Deanna Gestrin (she/her) is a vocalist, choral conductor, composer, and music educator. She performs traditional and contemporary Indigenous music and sings in classical and jazz settings as well. As an educator, she works as a Faculty Associate at Simon Fraser University in the teacher education program, where she leads the Indigenous Perspectives Teacher Education Module.

A proud member of the Xaxli’p First Nation in the St’at’imc territory, Deanna has dedicated much
of her career to K-12 music education with the Burnaby School District. In addition to her educational roles, Deanna is a registered clinical counsellor who provides support in individual, group, and community settings. As a presenter, she offers workshops on various topics, such as Wellness, Cultural Sensitivity, Cultural Safety, Indigenous Music, and Indigenous Education. Through her healing circle program, Sing-Share-Connect, Deanna fosters empathy, resilience, connection, and communication through Medicine Wheel teachings, drumming, singing, dance, and storytelling. Deanna also facilitates song-creation workshops and works as a commissioned composer.

Deanna is the Program Lead of VYC Kindred, an intergenerational Indigenous drumming and singing program, and branch of the Vancouver Youth Choir organization. This free program brings together immigrant and Indigenous youth with Indigenous leaders to connect through hand drumming, singing, and Indigenous culture. Through her educational, musical, and intercultural work, Deanna aims to promote community wellness by building cross-cultural, intergenerational bridges between individuals, families, and communities.