JEANINE AMBLER 

Jeanine Ambler was born in the Lloydminster hospital in September,1965 daughter of Ray and Helen Ambler. The farm south of Lloydminster where the Amblers took their new baby had been in the family since 1909. Here Jeanine spent her childhood.

Jeanine began taking piano lessons from a neighbour lady when she was five years old. Since she didn’t start school until she was six, it is likely that she read music before she could read words. Jeanine continued piano lessons with a number of different teachers including Mrs. Pat Larsen and Mrs. J. C. Smith.  She soon discovered that Mrs. Larsen also gave singing lessons, and thought she would like to try voice too. Although she continued in piano, singing was what Jeanine most enjoyed and excelled in. She soon found herself singing at a variety of functions in Lloydminster, including Rotary banquets, church services, graduation ceremonies, weddings, and of course, participating in the local music festival. She represented the Lloydminster and District Music Festival at the provincial level for two consecutive years, winning at that level one of those two years.

In 1983 Jeanine moved to Saskatoon where she earned her Bachelor of Music degree in voice performance at the University of Saskatchewan. During her stay in Saskatoon she participated in the Saskatoon Music Festival, and in 1987 represented Saskatchewan in the National Music Festival held in Newfoundland. She also sang with the Saskatoon Opera Association. Jeanine moved to Edmonton after completing her music degree and sang with the Edmonton Opera.

While in Edmonton Jeanine became engaged to Marty Hatchard. They both agreed that the place they would set down roots was the place they had both grown up - Lloydminster. Here there were some farming opportunities for Marty and Lloydminster was certainly in need of a singing teacher. In 1989 Marty & Jeanine set up house "on Jeanine's parent's farm". They now have their own home place and are farming both land and cattle. Jeanine is still teaching at the Lakeland College Conservatory of Music and enjoys it immensely.

Jeanine continues to sing in the community. She can be seen performing with the Conservatory of Music staff and with the Lloydminster Musical Theatre group. She has performed for Jazz on the Border benefits and for the 1997 Summer Games Opening Ceremonies. She also sings regularly for church services, weddings and for the meetings of Christian Women's Club. Marty and Jeanine have been blessed with three boys, Cole born in 1994, and Troy, born in 1996 and .... It seems they, too, may read music before reading at school.

Between the children, farming, teaching and performing Jeanine leads a busy life.  And although music and farming are a strange combination Jeanine finds it works for her. She is often reminded of a folksong:

                            "...bind me not to the pasture
                            Chain me not to the plow.
                            Let me free to find my calling
                            And I'll return to you somehow.
            
Yes, Jeanine has returned ... somehow.