Stephanie Mainville is respected as an engaging worship leader and passionate musician. Her songs are filled with the sounds that express the heart of Atlantic Canada and draw the listener to worship the Lord of every nation.  Whether playing a medley of fiddle jigs and reels or an intimate song of devotion, the audience responds with enthusiasm.

Born in New Brunswick, Stephanie began writing songs while in her church choir and later joined a band in the early 80's that played for youth events in Southern New Brunswick.  She played violin with both the New Brunswick and Nova Scotia youth orchestras, and has since traveled many countries of the world playing formally and on mission outreaches.  She has sung on CBC Radio, played fiddle on a number of Maritime artists' recording projects, and enjoyed many opportunities leading worship in local churches and gatherings. 

In 2004, she released her debut CD, "Family", an accomplished collection of 14 original compositions/arrangements which showcase her increasing musical maturity and Celtic roots.

Growing up in a musical family that encouraged the expression of your relationship with the Lord through worship has shaped who Stephanie Mainville is today. With a mom as a music teacher and a father who sang “The Old Rugged Cross” like none other, there was lots of meaningful music echoing from their country home on the Kingston Peninsula.

“I love the fact that I was raised in the country. What a wonderful community to grow up in. The friends in my community are still dear to me and the rest of my family. Yes, we did have a party line, and no, we did not have cable. So consequently you had to nurture creativity to survive!”

Stephanie did not only survive but thrive as she began taking piano lessons at age 6. (She says she quit a couple of years later, but the real story is that her piano teacher quit because Steph wouldn’t practice.) Her mother taught her how to play chords and she was off and running, writing her own tunes. Born with the ability to fake, she could read chord charts and musically fill in the gaps when she lacked the ability to read the black dots. Stephanie’s mom wrote a Christmas Cantata for their church when she was 12 and asked her to put music to the lyrics. It won the bicentennial prize for the Kingston Peninsula. What a duo!

At the age of 9, Steph began taking violin lessons at her school in the first class of children starting a new string program and played until her graduation in 1988. She is grateful to her violin teacher and high school teacher for recognizing her gifting and providing opportunities for her to grow in her musical experiences.

“Both of these special teachers have become my friends. I consider them both a gift from God at the perfect time.”

At the age of 15, Stephanie was asked to play keyboard and sing in the band “Blessed Hope”, a band directed by her youth leaders that played contemporary Christian music and led worship at different churches and youth events.

“This was an excellent experience for me where our goal was to encourage those who listened to nurture their expression of worship to the Lord. My confidence grew under the band leaders’ leadership and I knew that this focus was important and something to continue to give myself to.”

Another significant moment for Stephanie was when she participated in a King’s Kids Camp during the summer of 1987.

“We toured all over the Maritimes and it was really then that I started to have a love for our region. The Lord connected all the dots for me and I realized this was really who He was making me to be: someone with a hunger to know Him more, who would humbly give of herself and her talents, in order to share His love with anyone I meet.”

Stephanie married Kenn in 1989, started a family in 1993, and together they have the pleasure of raising four great kids. They both are leaders in their church, with a heart for families, their region, and the nations of the world.

This CD “Family” is a culmination of many years of devotion, passion, and a heart for things eternal. This recording is filled with songs that express a heart for our region, the nations, the love of family and a desire to worship with greater passion. The sound of the fiddle echoes through many of the tracks, anchoring us to the familiar sounds of “home”.

“It was time. Time to go for it, rise up and not shrink back, to believe for all the things God had spoken over us on the Atlantic Coast. May our shores be full of His presence and glory as we acknowledge the unique people He has made us to be and celebrate together.”

We’re with you all the way, Steph!

Stephanie is a mother of four and lives with her husband Kenn on Darlings Island, New Brunswick.

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Send mail to info@4Shore.ca with questions or comments about this web site.  Copyright © 2008 Stephanie Mainville.  Last modified: May 28, 2008