2024 Adjudicators & Clinicians

Andy Morris

Director

As owner of Woodshed Percussion, Andy Morris has been a freelance musician in the Toronto area for over 20 years.  Because of his extensive experience in the music business, he is able to offer sound advice on choosing the right instrument for a group or individual.

Andy is sponsored by Woodshed Percussion

Bob Denney

Bob Denney was the Head of Fine Arts and Technology at John McCrae S.S in Ottawa. The JMSS Guitar Ensemble was awarded the Canadian Music Educators’ Association Wilfred Harvey Small Ensemble of the Year award in 2007. Bob served for 9 years as the Canadian Representative and Lead Instructor for Teaching Guitar Workshops Canada, where he instructed guitar pedagogy and technique to music educators. Bob continues to promote guitar education as a guest lecturer at the University of Ottawa Faculty of Education.

Brent Adams

Brent Adams has held the Principal Tuba position for the Niagara Symphony for many years and performs regularly with several orchestras throughout Ontario, including the Hamilton Philharmonic Orchestra, Orchestra London Canada, Windsor Symphony Orchestra and the Hannaford Street Silver Band.  As a member of the Niagara Brass Ensemble, Brent has recorded for Analekta and Echiquier recording companies as well as CBC radio. As a member of Brass Rings, he has toured extensively through Canada and the United States.  Currently, Brent is a faculty member (Tuba & Euphonium) at Western University, Don Wright Faculty of Music.

Learn more about Brent at Brent Adams

Brent is sponsored by Western University

Bryan Stovell

President

Bryan taught music in Nanaimo for 50 years. Since 1997 he served as Chair of MusicFest Canada’s Jazz and Concert Band Divisions and is currently a Board member. He also taught Jazz Pedagogy at Vancouver Island University and was Chairman of the Music Department until he retired again in 2015. Bryan is a MusicFest Canada Hall of Fame member, recipient of the Marshall McLuhan Distinguished Teacher Award for both BC and Canada, BCMEA’s Professional Music Educator Award, and the City Of Nanaimo Excellence in Culture Award.

Learn more about Bryan at Bryan Stovell

Cheryl Ferguson

Co-Director, Canadian Honour Band Project

Christine Jensen

Montreal-based saxophonist and composer Christine Jensen has been described as, “an original voice on the international jazz scene… [and] one of Canada’s most compelling composers,”- The Globe and Mail. According to Downbeat Magazine, “Jensen writes in three dimensions, with a quiet kind of authority that makes the many elements cohere. Wayne Shorter, Maria Schneider and Kenny Wheeler come to mind.” Jensen took home the 2024 Jazz Album of the Year (s0lo) for Day Moon and the 2011 Juno Award for Contemporary Jazz Album of the Year for Treelines. She currently holds the position of conductor of the orchestre national de jazz de Montréal, and is on faculty at University of Sherbrooke and McGill University, where she teaches composition and small and large ensembles.

Learn more about Christine at christinejensenmusic.com

Christine Vlajk

Violist Christine Vlajk has performed extensively in North and South America, Europe, much of China, Hong Kong and New Zealand. Originally from Denver, Colorado, Vlajk has Bachelor degrees in Viola Performance (B.M.) and Music Education (B.M.E.) from the University of Colorado in Boulder and a Masters degree in Viola Performance (M.M.) from the University of Wisconsin in Milwaukee.  She has been guest soloist with the West Virginia Symphony, Hamilton Philharmonic, Peterborough Symphony and the Kitchener Waterloo Symphony Orchestra.

Learn more about Christine at Christine Vlajk

Christine is sponsored by Laurier University

Colin Clarke

Director

Colin is in demand as a guest conductor, clinician, adjudicator and composer/arranger. His conducting credits include collaboration with world-renowned artists and ensembles including the Hamilton Philharmonic Orchestra, the New Symphony Orchestra of Sofia, Bulgaria, United States Air Force Band of Liberty, the Toronto Mendelssohn Choir, the Canadian Brass and the U.S. Army Herald Trumpets, the official fanfare ensemble for the President of the United States. Colin was recognized in 2017 as a Molson Great Canadian, celebrating Canadians citizens who made a difference in their community, and was recently given an Honorary Lifetime Membership Award by the Ontario Band Association.

Colin est en grande demande en tant que chef d’orchestre invité, clinicien, juge et compositeur/arrangeur. Ses crédits de direction musicale incluent des collaborations avec des artistes et des ensembles de renommée mondiale, notamment l’Orchestre Philharmonique de Hamilton, le New Symphony Orchestra de Sofia, en Bulgarie, le United States Air Force Band of Liberty, le Toronto Mendelssohn Choir, le Canadian Brass ainsi que le U.S. Army Herald Trumpets, l’ensemble de fanfare officiel du président des États-Unis. En 2017. Colin s’est vu octroyé le prix Molson, célébrant les citoyens canadiens qui ont fait une différence dans leur communauté, et a récemment reçu un prix de membre honoraire à vie de l’Ontario Band Association.

Learn more about Colin at Colin Clarke

Cynthia Peyson Wahl

Born and raised in Saskatchewan, Cynthia Peyson Wahl holds a Bachelor of Music Education (University of Regina), a diploma in Contemporary Music, Jazz Voice (Grant MacEwan University), and a Master of Music Education (University of Toronto). For fourteen years she taught choir, vocal jazz, and musical theatre at Daniel McIntyre Collegiate Institute in Winnipeg, Manitoba, and directed the jazz choir at Canadian Mennonite University. She currently teaches choir, orchestra, vocal jazz and musical theatre at Campbell Collegiate in Regina, Saskatchewan.  She teaches piano and voice at the Conservatory of Performing Arts at the University of Regina.  Cynthia is the recipient of numerous scholarships and awards for choral excellence, and is published in two books – The Palgrave Handbook on Race and the Arts in Education, and Teaching Music Through Performance in Choir, vol. 5. She is also on faculty with the School for Music Vocations Jazz Choir camps and International Music Camp summer faculty. Cynthia enjoys a busy schedule as a clinician/workshop.

Learn more about Cynthia at Cynthia Peyson Wahl

Darryl Ferguson

Co-Director, Canadian Honour Band Project

Darryl Ferguson received a Bachelor of Music (Applied Trumpet) from Brandon University, a Master’s of Music (Trumpet Performance) from the University of South Florida, and a Bachelor of Education (After Degree) from the University of Manitoba. He currently teaches at Acadia Junior High School in Winnipeg, MB, where he directs four concert bands and a jazz ensemble.  In 2021, Darryl was awarded the Manitoba Band Association’s Award of Distinction in recognition of his outstanding contribution to music education in Manitoba. In 2018, Darryl was awarded the Fort Richmond MLA Community Hero Certificate for his service in the community. Darryl is involved in many Manitoba Band Association  initiatives, including serving as the MBA representative for the Tempo Music Conference, chairperson for the Manitoba provincial Junior and Intermediate Honour Bands, chairperson for the MBA Jazz Festival, and co-chair of the MBA’s Solo Challenge.

​Learn more about Darryl at Darryl Ferguson

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Dr. Bobbi Thompson

Saxophonist Bobbi Thompson currently serves as Assistant Professor of saxophone at Western University. She has performed with a wide range of organizations including Orchestra London (Canada), Irving Symphony Orchestra, Plano Chamber Orchestra, Toronto Wind Orchestra, Dallas Jazz Orchestra, Grand Theatre (Canada), Drayton Entertainment, and the world-famous University of North Texas Lab Bands.  Outside of her role as a performer and educator, Dr. Thompson serves on the Editorial Board of the North American Saxophone Alliance’s journal The Saxophone Symposium. She previously taught saxophone and chamber music at The Royal Conservatory of Music in Toronto. She holds the Doctor of Musical Arts from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro, graduate Music Certificate from Bowling Green State University, Master of Music Education from the University of North Texas, and Bachelor of Music in Instrumental Performance from the University of Idaho.

Bobbi is sponsored by Western University

Dr. Denis Jiron

Dr. Denis Jiron is currently principal trombone of the Jackson Symphony and Midland Symphony orchestras.  He has also held positions with the Los Angeles Philharmonic, Riverside Philharmonic and the Hofer Symfoniker, and has been guest trombonist with the LA Opera, Sapporo Symphony, Philharmonie Luxembourg, Pacific Symphony, and Detroit Symphony orchestras. He has also appeared with many artists, including: Stevie Wonder, Aretha Franklin, Queen Latifah, Kanye West, Andrea Bocelli, Sting, Gladys Night, Al McKay-Earth Wind and Fire Experience and many others. In 2004 he founded and directed the Afro-Cuban orchestra, Rumbankete, which released its first album in 2011. He has held adjunct trombone professor positions at California State University Los Angeles and California State University San Bernardino. Denis earned his BM degree from California State University Northridge and his MFA degree from California Institute of the Arts, as well as studying at the Staatliche Hochschule für Musik Trossingen and later the Hochschule für Musik und Datsellende Kunst Mannheim. Dr. Jiron earned his DMA degree from Michigan State University as a University Distinguished Fellow. Denis Jiron is a Conn-Selmer (Vincent Bach) Performing Artist.

Denis is sponsored by Western University

Dr. Dylan Maddix

Originally from Summerside, Prince Edward Island, Dr. Dylan Rook Maddix is Assistant Professor of Instrumental Conducting and Community Engagement at Memorial University in St. John’s, NL, where he conducts the Memorial University Wind Ensemble and teaches undergraduate and graduate conducting. Prior to this appointment, he served as Professor of Music and head of wind and brass studies at Cambrian College in Sudbury, Ontario, where he conducted the wind ensemble, taught music theory, wind/brass methods, and pedagogy courses. He also served on the conducting faculty of Laurentian University. Maddix received his Bachelor of Music from Mount Allison University, a Master of Music in Trumpet Performance from the University of Toronto, and completed his Doctorate of Musical Arts in Conducting at Arizona State University.

Originaire de Summerside à l’Île-du-Prince-Édouard, le Dr Dylan Rook Maddix est professeur adjoint de direction d’orchestre et d’engagement communautaire à l’Université Memorial de St. John’s, Terre-Neuve-et-Labrador. Il y dirige l’orchestre à vents et enseigne la direction d’orchestre au premier cycle et au cycle supérieur.  Avant de gagner ce poste, M. Maddix a été professeur de musique et responsable du département d’instruments à vents, volet cuivres,  au Cambrian College de Sudbury, où il a dirigé l’ensemble à vent, enseigné la théorie, les méthodes de vents et de cuivres en plus de cours de pédagogie. Il a également siégé à la faculté de direction d’orchestre de l’Université Laurentienne.  Maddix détient son baccalauréat en musique de l’Université Mount Allison, une maîtrise en interprétation de la trompette de l’Université de Toronto et a complété son doctorat en arts musicaux, direction d’orchestre, à l’Arizona State University.

Learn more about Dylan at Dr. Dylan Maddix

Dr. Elroy Friesen

Described as “innovative, expressive, and dynamic,” Dr. Elroy Friesen is Director of Choral Studies at the University of Manitoba, where he conducts numerous choirs and teaches graduate conducting. His award-winning ensembles tour nationally and internationally, and are frequently recorded and broadcasted by the CBC.  Friesen’s award-winning ensembles tour nationally and internationally, and are frequently recorded and broadcasted by the CBC. He has appeared as guest conductor with the Winnipeg Symphony and the National Arts Centre Orchestras.

Friesen is in demand as a clinician, adjudicator, and conductor throughout North America and Northern Europe. He is the co-founder and Artistic Director of Schooner Cove Singers, a professional chamber choir based in Parksville, B.C. He is the co-founder of fikamusik, a Choral Conducting Intensive taught in the Desautels Faculty of Music. Friesen is also the past Artistic Director of Prairie Voices and has held positions of Artistic Director of the Mennonite Community Orchestra, Director of Choirs at St. Matthew Lutheran Church in Urbana, Illinois, and Director of the University Chorus in Champaign, Illinois. He is in demand as a clinician, adjudicator, and guest conductor throughout Canada, the United States, and Northern Europe.

Dr. Gillian MacKay

Denis Wick Canadian Wind Orchestra Director

Dr. Gillian MacKay holds degrees and diplomas from the  University of Lethbridge, McGill University, the University of Calgary, and Northwestern University.  Previously, she served as Instructor of Brass at Medicine Hat College, and Director of the School of Music at the University of Windsor. Gillian MacKay is an Associate Professor of Music of the University of Toronto, where she conducts the Wind Ensemble and teaches conducting and trumpet.  She is also Associate Dean of Graduate Education.  An award-winning teacher, Gillian has an active professional career as a trumpeter, conductor, adjudicator, and clinician.

Learn more about Gillian at Gillian MacKay

Dr. Gina Ryan

Dr. Gina Ryan is a professor at the department of music at the University of Quebec in Montreal. As a composer and percussionist, she has performed her works in Canada, the United States, Thailand, Mexico, France, Japan, and China. As an active YouTuber, she has published over 80 videos on her channel, including performances and tutorials. Dr. Ryan is regularly invited to give workshops and masterclasses and to serve as an adjudicator both in Canada and abroad.  She has has been published in a range of journals and magazines, including International Journal of Music Education, Psychology of Music, Research Studies in Music Education, Percussive Notes, and Canadian Music Educator.

Gina Ryan est professeure au département de musique de l’Université du Québec à Montréal. En tant que compositrice et percussionniste, elle a interprété ses œuvres au Canada, aux États-Unis, en Thaïlande, au Mexique, en France, au Japon et en Chine. YouTubeuse active, elle a publié plus de 80 vidéos sur sa chaîne, notamment des performances et des tutoriels. Le Dr Ryan est invitée régulièrement à donner des ateliers et des classes de maître ainsi qu’à siéger à titre de membre du jury au Canada et à l’étranger. Gina a été publiée dans diverses revues et magazines, notamment le International Journal of Music Education, Psychology of Music, Research Studies in Music Education, Percussive Notes, and Canadian Music Educator.

Learn more about Gina at Gina Ryan

Dr. Jacqueline Dawson

Dr. Jacqueline Dawson is in demand as a guest conductor, clinician and adjudicator across Canada and the United States, appearing at numerous festivals and conferences coast to coast. 

She is currently an Associate Professor and the Director of Bands at the University of Manitoba Desautels Faculty of Music where she conducts the Concert Band and Wind Ensemble, teaches courses in music education and oversees the graduate wind conducting program. Prior to her appointment at the University of Manitoba, she taught in the public school system for twenty years and served as a sessional instructor at the University of Manitoba.  Jacquie is the one of the founders of the Winnipeg Youth Wind Ensemble and is the founder of the newly formed Winnipeg Chamber Winds Collective. She recently served as ‘Artist in Residence’ with the RCAF Band. 

La Dre Jacqueline Dawson est recherchée en tant que chef d’orchestre invité, clinicienne et évaluatrice partout au Canada et aux États-Unis, participant à de nombreux festivals et conférences d’un océan à l’autre.  Elle est professeure agrégée et directrice des orchestres à la Faculté de musique de l’université du Manitoba où elle dirige l’harmonie et l’ensemble à vent, enseigne des cours d’éducation musicale et supervise le programme d’études supérieures en direction d’instruments à vent. Avant sa nomination à l’Université du Manitoba, elle a enseigné dans le système scolaire public pendant vingt ans et a été chargée de cours à l’Université du Manitoba.  Jacquie est l’une des fondatrices de l’Ensemble à vent pour les jeunes de Winnipeg et fondatrice  du Winnipeg Chamber Winds Collective. Elle fut récemment artiste en résidence au sein de la Musique de l’Aviation Royale Canadienne.

Learn more about Jacquie at Jacquie Dawson

Dr. Janet Song Kim

Dr. Janet Song Kim serves as the Director of Wind Bands at the University of Connecticut where they are the director and conductor of the UConn Wind Ensemble, while teaching private lessons in conducting, instrumental pedagogy and literature. Kim is an active guest conductor and clinician who works with schools, honour bands, music camps, and also leads clinics in the United States, Canada, and South Korea.  Janet earned their doctorate in conducting from The Herb Alpert School of Music at the University of California.  They also led a fully virtual ensemble through the pandemic. 

Le Dr Janet Song Kim est directrice des orchestres d’harmonie de l’Université du Connecticut. Dans ce rôle, elle est professeure adjointe de musique, directrice et chef d’orchestre de l’UConn Wind Ensemble.  De plus, le Dr Kim donne des cours privés de direction d’orchestre, de pédagogie et de littérature instrumentale. Chef d’orchestre invité et clinicienne en demande, le Dr Kim travaille dans les écoles, dirige des groupes honorifiques, participe à des camps musicaux et donne des cliniques aux États-Unis, au Canada aussi bien qu’en Corée du Sud. Kim a obtenu son doctorat en direction d’orchestre à la Herb Alpert School of Music de l’Université de la Californie.  Janet a aussi dirigé un ensemble entièrement virtuel pendant la pandémie.

Learn more about Janet at Janet Kim

Dr. Jeff Reynolds

Dr. Jeffrey Reynolds is recently retired from the Faculty of Music, University of Toronto, where he conducted major ensembles and taught trumpet, conducting, Jazz education and history as well as chamber music for over 40 years.  He holds a Ph.D. in the philosophy of music education and a Master of Music in trumpet performance.  Dr. Reynolds has performed and recorded many orchestral, chamber and solo performances.  Dr. Reynolds is the author of a trumpet pedagogy book titled Trumpet for Dummies, has recently completed the compilation of trumpet repertoire for the Royal Conservatory of music, along with Dr. Gillian Mackay, and contributes articles to several journals. He was recently honoured with Lifetime Membership from the Ontario Band Association.

Jeffrey Reynolds a récemment pris sa retraite de la Faculté de musique de l’Université de Toronto où il a dirigé de grands ensembles et enseigné la trompette, la direction d’orchestre, l’éducation et l’histoire du jazz ainsi que la musique de chambre pendant plus de 40 ans.  Titulaire d’un doctorat en philosophie de l’éducation musicale et d’une maîtrise en interprétation de la trompette, le Dr Reynolds a joué et enregistré de nombreuses performances orchestrales, de musique de chambre ainsi qu’en solo.  Il est l’auteur d’un livre pédagogique sur la trompette intitulé Trumpet for Dummies, a récemment terminé la compilation du répertoire de trompette pour le Conservatoire Royal de Musique, avec le Dr Gillian Mackay, et rédige des articles dans plusieurs revues. On lui a récemment octroyé le titre de membre honoraire à vie de l’Ontario Band Association.

Learn more about Jeffrey at Jeff Reynolds

Dr. Mark Hopkins

Director

Currently, Dr. Hopkins is an Assistant Professor in the School of Music at Acadia University in Wolfville, Nova Scotia. He is responsible for overseeing the Music Education area, teaching conducting, and is Director of Bands at Acadia University. Dr. Hopkins is very active as a guest conductor of professional and collegiate ensembles, having led performances across Canada and the United States, Bermuda, Hong Kong, China, Japan, Italy, Switzerland, and Romania.

Learn more abotu Mark at Dr. Mark Hopkins

Dr. Noam Lemish

Dr. Noam Lemish holds a Doctor of Musical Arts (DMA) in Jazz Performance and a Masters degree in Composition from the University of Toronto. He joined York University as Assistant Professor of Jazz Instruction and Pedagogy in 2020.  He has appeared in numerous performances and conducted workshops across Canada, the US, Europe, Israel, and in Bhutan and has released multiple albums, including most recently Pardes (2018) and Sonic Truffles (2018). His teaching interests cover a wide variety of areas within jazz studies, composition, Jewish music, polyidiomatic improvisation and the practice of Deep Listening.

Learn more about Noam at Noam Lemish

Noam is sponsored by York University

Dr. Tony Leong

Chair, Orchestra/Strings

Educator and conductor, Dr. Tony Nam-Hai Leong completed his Ph.D. at the University of Toronto. An advocate for well-being and social change through accessible and lifelong music-making, community engagement is central to his work. Dr. Leong serves as MusicFest Canada’s Chairman of the Orchestra/Strings Division; Executive Member of the Canadian Music Educators’ Association; Past-President and member of the Ontario Music Educators’ Association Board of Directors; co-founding director of the Ontario Strings Association; Conn-Selmer Educational Clinician; and past Board Member of the Coalition for Music Education in Canada. With a passion for public and post-secondary education, Dr. Leong is an assistant professor, teaching stream at the University of Toronto Scarborough; an instructor at Queen’s University; and Head of the Arts Department at Sir Oliver Mowat C.I.. His research includes the intersections of string music education, technology, adolescents, and community music.

Learn more about Tony at Dr. Tony Nam-Hai Leong – Biography (tonyleong.ca)

Dr. William Lake

Dr. Lake earned his Doctorate of Musical Arts in Instrumental Conducting from The University of North Carolina. As a graduate student, he was the principal and guest conductor of many ensembles. He is presently the newly appointed Director of Concert Bands at the Reva and Sid Dewberry Family School of Music at George Mason University for the upcoming academic year. In this role, he will conduct the George Mason University Wind Symphony and Symphonic Band. He will also teach conducting and wind literature classes. He is a collaborating author for two books on teaching instrumental music and stories of pandemic teaching and transformative change. Dr. William Lake is a passionate advocate for diversity, equity, and inclusion and has presented many seminars about inclusive practices in music education and performance.​

Le Dr Lake a obtenu son doctorat en direction instrumentale de l’Université de la Caroline du Nord. En tant qu’étudiant diplômé, il a été chef principal et chef invité de nombreux ensembles. Pour la prochaine  année universitaire, il sera le nouveau directeur des orchestres d’harmonie de la Reva and Sid Dewberry Family School of Music de l’Université George Mason où il y dirigera l’orchestre symphonique à vents et l’orchestre d’harmonie. Il y donnera également des cours de direction et de répertoire pour orchestre à vents. Il est auteur collaborateur de deux livres. Le Dr William Lake est un ardent défenseur de la diversité, de l’équité et de l’inclusion et a présenté de nombreux séminaires sur les pratiques inclusives dans l’éducation et l’interprétation musicales.​

Learn more about William at Dr. William Lake

Francois Dorion

François Dorion has been the Director of Music of the Regimental Band of Les Voltigeurs de Québec since 1997 and of L’Harmonie de Charlesbourg, which he founded in 1993. He is also a published composer of music for beginning bands. M. Dorion has conducted and recorded works for both symphony orchestra and string ensemble. He is the conducting instructor for reservists at the Canadian Forces School of Music, and teaches the Master’s Degree in Conducting program at Université Laval. Champion of new music, he commissioned many works from renowned composers including Jan Van der Roost and Philip Sparke. 

François Dorion est directeur musical de la Musique régimentaire des Voltigeurs de Québec depuis 1997 et de L’Harmonie de Charlesbourg qu’il a fondée en 1993.  Lui-même compositeur, M. Dorion a publié plusieurs de ses œuvres de musique pour groupes débutants. Il a de plus dirigé et enregistré des œuvres pour orchestre symphonique et ensemble à cordes. François enseigne la direction d’orchestre pour les réservistes à l’École de musique des Forces canadiennes ainsi qu’au niveau de la maîtrise à l’ Université Laval. Champion de musique nouvelle, il a commandé de nombreuses œuvres à des compositeurs de renom dont Jan Van der Roost et Philip Sparke. 

Learn more about François at François Dorion

Greg Jasperse

Adjudicator/Concert Artist/Clinician

A world-renowned composer, arranger, vocalist and pianist, Greg Jasperse is the Director of Vocal Jazz at Western Michigan University.  He is also the director of the award-winning Gold Company vocal jazz ensemble.  His credits include numerous movie soundtracks including “Jurassic World”, “Epic”, “Oz, The Great and Powerful”, “The Campaign”, “Star Trek” and “Star Trek 2” as well as the Red Hot Chili Pepper’s “Monarchy of Roses” and “The 2nd Law”, the recent release from Muse.  His conducting credits include all-state jazz choirs in Pennsylvania, Wisconsin, Arizona, North Dakota, New York, California, Oklahoma, Indiana, Missouri, Colorado, New Hampshire, Illinois, Iowa as well as the British Columbia Honors Jazz Choir and Musicfest Canada’s Ellison Honour Choir,

Learn more about Greg at Greg Jasperse

Heather Bambrick

Heather Bambrick is a JUNO-nominated vocalist who has collaborated with Phil Nimmons, Fred Hirsch, Gene DiNovi, Guido Basso, Lea Delaria, Rob McConnell, Peter Appleyard, the Toronto Symphony Orchestra, the Newfoundland Symphony Orchestra, and others. She has released three solo recordings, including You’ll Never Know, which was nominated for Vocal Jazz Recording of the Year at the 2017 JUNO Awards and Jazz Recording of the Year at the
2018 East Coast Music Awards. Heather hasbeen a featured guest on numerous projects, and has been awarded Canada’s National Jazz Award for Vocalist of the Year. Beyond singing, Heather is an award-winning broadcaster on JAZZ.FM91 (Canada’s only all-Jazz radio station), and a highly regarded adjudicator and clinician, working at schools and festivals across Canada.

Learn more about Heather at Heather Bambrick

Jennifer Bell

Jennifer Bell , multi-instrument artist, plays saxophone, clarinet, flute, is a conductor and a mainstay on the Montréal scene for over 37 years. She is the co-leader of both Streetnix and Altsys Jazz Orchestra. Jennifer is a prolific recording artist and recipient of numerous grants from the Conseil des Arts et Lettres du Québec, the Canada Council for the Arts as well as a Prix Opus for Jazz Concert of the Year (1998) and the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal. A course lecturer at the Schulich School of Music, 

Saxophoniste, clarinettiste, flûtiste et chef d’orchestre, Jennifer Bell est active sur la scène musicale montréalaise depuis 37 ans. Fondatrice des groupes Streetnix et Altsys Jazz Orchestra avec lequel elle s’est méritée un Prix Opus en 1998 pour le concert jazz de l’année. Jennifer a partagé la scène avec des artistes internationaux tels que Kenny Wheeler, Ray Anderson, Tim Hagans, Donny McCaslin et Maria Schneider. De plus, elle est chargée de cours à l’école de musique Schulich.

Jeremy Bell

A native of Toronto, violinist Jeremy Bell earned a B. Mus degree from the University of Toronto, and from the State University of New York at Stony Brook, he received his Masters and Doctor of Music.  Dr. Bell is a recipient of numerous grants from the Ontario Arts Council and the Canada Council for the Arts and is a prize winner of the Eckhardt Grammatté National competition and the Conseil Québécois’ Prix Opus. He has studied with David Zafer, George Neikrug, Joyce Robbins, Metro Kozak and with members of the Orford, Juilliard, Tokyo, and Orion string quartets. Joining the Penderecki String Quartet in 1999, Dr. Bell is Artist in Residence at Wilfrid Laurier University where he teaches violin and chamber music.

Learn more about Jeremy at Jeremy Bell

Jeremy is sponsored by Laurier University

Jerzy Kaplanek

Jerzy is an Associate Professor, Violin, Strings and Chamber Music, and the String Coordinator at Wilfred Laurier University.  He a member of the Penderecki String Quartet, artist in residence.  Jerzy was born in Poland and began his musical training at the age of six on piano and transitioned to the violin at age ten. He received a Bachelor of Music degree from the Conservatory in Bytom and a Master’s Degree in Arts from the Karol Szymanowski Academy of Music in Katowice.

Learn more about Jerzy at Jerzy Kaplanek

Jerzy is sponsored by Laurier University

Joe Sullivan

Joe is an associate professor at the Schulich School of Music of McGill University, where he teaches jazz composition, arranging and trumpet. Part of a musical family, Joe played the piano as a child and took up the trumpet in high school, going on to study classical trumpet at the University of Ottawa. His interest in jazz led him to Boston where he first studied at the Berklee School of Music, and then at the New England Conservatory of Music with George Russell and Jimmy Giuffre, receiving a Master’s degree in Jazz Studies. Since then, he has lived in the Montreal area, where he is an active performer, composer, arranger and bandleader. A prolific composer, Sullivan directs a jazz sextet and The Joe Sullivan Big Band, and has eight albums to his name as a leader, the most recent being Whiskey Jack Waltz with his small group, and Unfamiliar Surroundings with his big band.

Learn more about Joe at Joe Sullivan

Joe is sponsored by McGill University

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John Chalmers

Chair, Choral/Vocal Jazz

John is active as an adjudicator and clinician throughout North America and has been a member of the Board of Directors of the Ontario Vocal Festival and part of the Executive Committee of MusicFest Canada for over 30 years. He taught music at Humberview SS, Central Peel SS, Mayfield SS, Humber College and the University of Toronto Jazz Performance Program where his groups received national and international recognition, winning nine DOWN BEAT Magazine Student Music Awards. John has received the I.A.J.E. “Outstanding Jazz Director Award” for Canada, the Jazz Report Award for “Best Secondary School Jazz Program” and was inducted into the MusicFest Canada “Hall of Fame” for outstanding service to young Canadian musicians.

Josh Rager

Josh Rager is a pianist, arranger, composer, and teacher based in Montreal. In 2005, he was nominated for the Prix du Festival at the Montreal International Jazz Festival. In 2007, he played at Carnegie Hall with Nikki Yanofsky, and also appeared on her Juno-nominated release “Ella… Of Thee I Swing”. He also received a commission from the European Broadcasting Union in 2009 to compose a jazz suite for two pianos entitled “Menuet and Duo”, which was recorded by CBC at its premiere at Montreal’s Pollack Hall and broadcast internationally.   Josh is an assistant professor in jazz studies at Concordia University, and his most recent CD, “Dreams and Other Stories” features new original music for his quintet. He has performed and recorded with Ingrid Jensen, Walt Weiskopf, Donny McCaslin, Joe Morello, Pat LaBarbera, Kevin Dean, Ranee Lee, and Dawn Tyler Watson.

Learn more about Josh at Josh Rager

Josh is sponsored by Concordia University

Karl Silveira

Karl Silveira is a Juno Nominated (Lemon Bucket Orkestra 2013) Trombonist from Toronto. He completed a Master of Music in Jazz Performance and Composition from the University of Toronto in 2019. Aside from his work as a freelance trombonist, Karl is a composer, educator and bandleader as well. Karl composes for and leads The Karl Silveira Quintet featuring Allison Au, Matt Newton, Dan Fortin and Nico Dann. He recently released his Debut album “A Porta Aperta” in April 2022. Karl is a devout educator and is an applied teacher in the Jazz Program at The University of Toronto where he has been teaching since 2019.

Learn more about Karl at Karl Silveira

Karl is sponsored by the University of Toronto

Katie Schlaikjer

Katie is Artist-in-Residence (Penderecki String Quartet), Cello, Strings and Chamber Music Instructor at Wilfred Laurier University.  She received her Doctoral and Master’s degrees from Stony Brook University and Bachelor’s degree from the New England Conservatory. Katie taught cello at the University of Connecticut from 2010-2013 while maintaining a private teaching studio in Stony Brook, NY for seven years.

Learn more about Katie at Katie Schlaikjer

Katie is sponsored by Laurier University.

Kelsley Grant

Chair, Instrumental Jazz

Trombonist, composer and arranger Kelsley Grant received his Bachelor of Music from McGill University and completed his graduate studies at the Manhattan School of Music.  Shortly after leaving New York, he joined Maynard Fergusonʼs Big Bop Nouveau and toured the United States, Germany, Switzerland and England. Kelsley has performed with Aretha Franklin, Jackie Richardson, Frank Sinatra Jr., Michael Buble, Maria Schneider, Michel Legrand, Nicholas Payton, Sophie Milman, Ranee Lee, and Nikki Yanofsky. Kelsley has been twice nominated for trombonist of the year by the National Jazz Awards. The Jefferson-Grant Quintet won an Opus Award for their first recording and was nominated as Acoustic Ensemble of the Year by the National Jazz Awards.Kelsley has served as a faculty member at McGill University, University of Montreal, and University of Toronto. He is the musical director of the JAZZ.FM91 Youth Big Band. He has given master classes and clinics at universities across Canada and is currently the coordinator of Humber College’s introduction to commercial jazz music program.

Learn more about Kelsley at Kelsley Grant

Kent Sangster

Kent Sangster has been a prominent member of Canada’s jazz scene for over twenty-five years. Kent is a highly respected saxophonist, educator, bandleader, composer-arranger, and producer.  His “Obsessions Octet” has performed at Carnegie Hall, The Rochester International Jazz Festival and completed 2 extensive tours in Europe. The European tours included performances in UK, Hungary, The Czechoslovakia, Greece and Poland. He has released 7 recordings, 4 of which are with the Obsessions Octet. In addition to the Juno nomination, Kent is a Western Canadian Music Award winning artist. Kent holds an Assistant Professorship at MacEwan University, in the areas of Jazz composition, arranging, improvisation and performance. Kent is also the executive and artistic director of the Edmonton International Jazz festival.

Kent is sponsored by Grant MacEwan University

Kevin Hamlin

Adjudicator/Clinician

Kevin Hamlin was appointed as Yamaha Music Canada’s first Educator-in-Residence, providing workshops and clinics for high school music programs and bands throughout North America. Kevin was awarded the Keith Mann Outstanding Band Director award in 2015, as chosen by MusicFest Canada.  He also participates regularly at numerous music conferences throughout the country,  providing workshops for school boards and universities, as well as adjudicating at Regional Festivals from coast to coast. Kevin received the Collingwood Arts Award in 2015 as well as the Order of Collingwood in 2016.

Kevin Hamlin fut choisi comme premier éducateur en résidence pour la compagnie Yamaha Music Canada. À ce titre, il offre des ateliers et des cliniques pour les programmes de musique et les groupes de musique dans des écoles secondaires partout en Amérique du Nord. En 2015, Kevin a reçu le prix Keith Mann, dûment octroyé par MusicFest Canada, pour la direction d’orchestre. Il participe également régulièrement à de nombreux concerts conférences à travers le pays, présente aussi des ateliers aux conseils scolaires et universités, en plus de siéger au sein de jurys lors de festivals régionaux d’un océan à l’autre. Kevin a reçu le Prix des Arts de Collingwood en 2015 ainsi que l’Ordre de Collingwood en 2016.

Learn more about Kevin at Kevin Hamlin

Kevin is sponsored by Yamaha Canada Music

Maria Conkey

A native of Newfoundland and Labrador, Maria Conkey is an inspiring and innovative conductor, clinician, and pedagogue. In addition to beginning her Doctorate of Musical Arts (D.M.A.) at the University of Toronto, she is the Artistic Director of the Oakville Choir for Children & Youth and the Outreach Co-ordinator at St. Michael’s Choir School. Maria is also the 2023-24 recipient of the Elmer Iseler National Graduate Fellowship in Choral Conducting, and a nominee for the 2023 Leslie Bell Prize for Choral Conducting. She has also received the Beryl Barnes Memorial Graduate Award and the Andreas Barban Memorial Scholarship. Past engagements include the Artistic Director of Young Voices Toronto, the Conductor of the award-winning senior choirs at St. Bonaventure’s College (NL), and the Choral Director at the Basilica of St. John the Baptist (NL). She has also worked with Shallaway – Newfoundland Youth in Chorus and several children’s, youth, and adult choirs, including the Alberta Youth Choir and the University of Alberta Madrigal Singers.

Learn more about Maria at Maria Conkey

Mark Caswell

Mark Caswell is recently retired after a lifetime career of teaching music at Markham District High School, home to several concert bands, jazz ensembles, choirs and chamber music ensembles, consistently earning Gold awards when attending Nationals at Musicfest Canada. Their senior tour bands travelled to more than twelve countries across North America and Europe. Mark is a founding member of the Ontario Band Association, serving as President as well as continuing his role as Festival coordinator for the Provincial Band Festival for more than 20 years. He has also been an active adjudicator, conductor and clinician across the province for many years.He has published many articles and  led workshops on student leadership at the OMEA conferences. Mark was recently presented with the Canadian Sovereign’s Medal for Volunteers at Rideau Hall in Ottawa.

Mark Caswell a récemment pris sa retraite après une carrière en enseignement de la musique à la Markham District High School, où évoluent plusieurs orchestres d’harmonie, d’ensembles de jazz, de chorales et d’ensembles de musique de chambre remportant régulièrement le niveau or aux Finales Nationales de Musicfest Canada. Leurs ensembles seniors ont voyagé dans plus de douze pays en Amérique du Nord et en Europe. Mark est un membre fondateur de l’Ontario Band Association où il a servi à titre de président et où il continue son rôle de coordonnateur du festival provincial de musique depuis plus de 20 ans. Il est également un juge, un chef d’orchestre et un clinicien en demande dans toute la province depuis plusieurs années. Mark a publié de nombreux articles et animé des ateliers sur le leadership étudiant lors des conférences de l’OMEA. Il a récemment reçu la Médaille du souverain canadien pour les bénévoles à Rideau Hall, Ottawa.

Learn more about Mark at Mark Caswell.

Megan Collings

Megan Collings teaches music at Central Peel Secondary School in Brampton, Ontario where she is the head of the Arts Department and responsible for the Regional Strings program. She is the Executive Director of the Ontario Vocal Festival and a Regional Coordinator for the Concert and Chamber Festival West.  Megan believes that music can create an equitable, inclusive and diverse community where student ownership can lead to student empowerment.

Michele Jacot

Michele Jacot is a musician with an active schedule. She performs regularly in symphony orchestras and pit orchestras,including Mirvish Productions and the Shaw Festival. She plays in chamber ensembles and as a soloist in addition to conducting, adjudicating and teaching privately.  Besides being in demand for her skills as a clarinettist, Michele is equally at home as a saxophonist and flutist. Michele has been the Artistic Director of Toronto’s Wychwood Clarinet Choir since its inception in 2009.  She is proud to be a Yamaha Canada Spotlight Artist, and an Artist at Vandoren, Paris, France.

Michele Jacot est une musicienne à l’horaire chargé. Elle se produit régulièrement dans des orchestres symphoniques et des orchestres de fosse, notamment pour Mirvish Productions et le Shaw Festival. Elle joue aussi pour des ensembles de musique de chambre et comme soliste en plus de diriger, de siéger au sein de jurys lors de festivals et d’enseigner en privé. En grande demande pour ses compétences de clarinettiste, Michele est également à l’aise comme saxophoniste et flûtiste.  Elle est la directrice artistique du Chœur de clarinettes Wychwood de Toronto depuis sa création en 2009. Elle est fière d’être artiste vedette pour Yamaha Canada, et artiste  chez Vandoren, Paris, France.

Learn more about Michele at Michele Jacot

Moeen Hosain

Moeen Hosain is the District Manager for  Canada for Conn-Selmer Musical Instruments.  He has been involved in the many facets of the music industry and music education for over 20 years. He is a sought after Wind Ensemble and Jazz Ensemble clinician in Quebec.  He has also worked in for the Canadian Armed Forces as a Brass Instructor at CFB Borden, Ontario (1991-92). Presently Moeen Hosain is on the Board of the NSMEAC (Nova Scotia Music Educators Association Conference)

Learn more about Moeen at Moeen Hosain

Pratik Gandhi

Vice-Chair, Concert Band

Pratik Gandhi is a conductor, clinician, and researcher based in Toronto. He currently serves as vice-chair of the concert band division of MusicFest Canada, as well as music director of the Rouge River Winds, a group he has led for over ten years. He is also a sessional lecturer in the Faculty of Music at the University of Toronto, where he directs the Wind Symphony. Pratik is engaged in doctoral studies at York University in Toronto, investigating issues of equity and representation among wind band composers in Canada. He has shared his research through articles and presentations for the Canadian Band Association, the Canadian University Music Society, and the World Association of Symphonic Bands and Ensembles. He also recently launched a free, public, searchable database of recent Canadian wind band repertoire. Pratik holds degrees in music education and instrumental conducting from Western University. 

Pratik Gandhi est un chef d’orchestre, clinicien et chercheur torontois. Il est vice-président de la division orchestre d’harmonie de MusicFest Canada, ainsi que directeur musical du Rouge River Winds, un groupe qu’il dirige depuis plus de dix ans. Il est également chargé de cours à la Faculté de musique de l’Université de Toronto où il dirige la Symphonie à vents. Pratik poursuit des études doctorales à l’Université York à Toronto où il étudie les questions d’équité et de représentation parmi les compositeurs d’orchestres à vent au Canada. Il a partagé ses recherches et fait des présentations pour l’Association canadienne des harmonies, la Société de musique des universités canadiennes et l’Association mondiale des orchestres et ensembles symphoniques. Il a également récemment lancé une base de données gratuite, publique et consultable sur le répertoire récent des orchestres d’harmonie canadiens.. Pratik est titulaire de diplômes en éducation musicale et en direction instrumentale de l’Université Western.

Learn more about Pratik at Pratik Gandhi, Conductor

Rebecca Hennessy

Rebecca Hennessy is an award-winning Canadian trumpeter, vocalist, composer and bandleader. She has jazz performance degrees from University of Toronto and Vancouver Island University. As a leader and co-leader, Rebecca has released eight albums to date and has toured Mexico, Panama, Sri Lanka, Europe, USA and extensively in Canada.  In June 2018, Rebecca was presented with the Toronto Arts Foundation Emerging Jazz Artist Award. In July 2016, Rebecca Hennessy’s FOG Brass Band was nominated for both the Montreal Jazz Festival’s Grand Prix de Jazz and the Galaxie Rising Star Award at the Halifax Jazz Festival. Rebecca co-leads Way North, which features herself on trumpet, Petr Cancura on tenor saxophone, Michael Herring on bass and Richie Barshay on drums. In 2016, Way North was invited to perform and teach workshops at Danilo Perez’s Jazz Festival in Panama. Rebecca is also a co-leader and composer of Toronto’s chamber-jazz quartet, Hobson’s Choice. Hobson’s Choice has been performing and recording since 2008 and has since released three independently funded EP’s and a full length album “Of The Waves” released on Barnyard Records with the support of the OAC. “Of The Waves” was rated 4/4 by Toronto’s Now Magazine.

Learn more about Rebecca at Rebecca Hennessy

Rebecca is sponsored by the University of Toronto

Rich Brown

Along with being one of the most called upon electric bass players in Canada, Rich Brown is a composer, producer, bandleader, educator and clinician, broadcaster, and voiceover artist. He has recorded three albums as a leader, including his critically acclaimed album of solo bass compositions ‘Between Heaviness & Here.’ Rich appears on a plethora of recordings ranging from Jazz to traditional Arabic and Asian music. Rich leads two groups—rinsethealgorithm and The Abeng —and was nominated for a Juno Award in 2016 for his latest album, ‘Abeng.’ As an educator, Rich Brown is well-known for his work as a faculty member with the popular online bass education website Scott’s Bass Lessons. He teaches at the University of Toronto. You can also hear Rich every Saturday as the host of his own show ‘New Origins’ on jazzcast.ca.

Learn more about Rich at Rich Brown

Rich is sponsored by the University of Toronto

Ron George

Ronald George is a musician in a variety of roles: teacher, soloist, chamber and orchestral player. He has been principal horn with Orchestra London (Canada) since 1979 and appeared as soloist with the orchestra numerous times.  Born in San Francisco, Ron’s studies began with Earl Saxton and Robert Creech through high school in Vancouver. At the University of Toronto, he studied with Eugene Rittich. In Germany he worked with Hermann Baumann.  He is a Lecturer at Western University in London, ON

Learn more about Ron at Ron George

Ron is sponsored by Western University

Scott Leithead

Vice Chair, Choral/Vocal Jazz

Scott Leithead is the founder and Artistic Director of Edmonton’s Korora Choir Association and TIME Association. Under his direction, Korora was the winner of both the 2015 CBC National Competition for Canadian Amateur Choirs and both the 2015 and 2016 Canadian National Music Competition.  In the summer of 2019, Korora was invited to perform at the IFCM World Choral Expo in Portugal, where they represented Canada on the world stage. Scott has a passion for music from southern Africa, and he has been invited to work with choirs in South Africa and Namibia on numerous occasions. In 2008–2009, Scott was on sabbatical in Namibia, where he worked with the Mascato Youth Choir and many other choirs in southern Africa. In February 2023, he conducted the ISSEA Mass Choir in Johannesburg, South Africa, featuring international schools from across the African continent. In 2015, Scott was awarded Choir Alberta’s top honour, the Richard S. Eaton Award. He also received Edmonton’s Salute to Excellence award in 2016.  In 2024, he will conduct the 40th Anniversary Manitoba Sings Adult Choir, the Ellison Canadian Honour Choir (Toronto), the Eastman Honour Choir and the Nova Scotia Youth Choir.  He will also adjudicate the 2024 Ontario Vocal Festival.

Learn more about Scott at Scott Leithead

Scott is sponsored by Korora Choirs

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Sharon Fitzsimmins

Chair, Concert Band

Sharon Fitzsimmins, Mus. Bac, B.Ed, is a respected educator, international adjudicator, clinician and conductor. She is past president of The Ontario Music Educators’ Association (OMEA) and was co-editor of The Recorder for 8 years, conductor at National Music Camp of Canada and examiner for The Royal Conservatory of Music. She taught for thirty years at Barrie North Collegiate where she conducted award winning bands and choirs. She has written three teacher resources and is working on a fourth.

Learn more about Sharon at Sharon Fitzsimmins

Shelley Heron

Shelley Heron was a member of the Detroit Symphony Orchestra’s oboe section for almost 30 years. She participated in more than forty recordings with the DSO and the Detroit Chamber Winds and Strings on the Chandos, Naxos and DSO Live labels and has toured the United States, Europe and Japan on numerous occasions. Shelley has extensive experience working with students of all ages and abilities in private lessons, master classes and sectionals. She has conducted classes at The Glenn Gould School of Music, Interlochen Arts Camp, Western Michigan University, Michigan State University, University of Michigan, Detroit Symphony Civic Youth Ensembles and the Banff International Festival of Youth Orchestras and Wind Ensembles. In addition, Shelley co-founded and organized AVANTI Summer MusicFest, a week-long workshop for Metro Detroit students (13-18 yrs old) coached by Detroit Symphony musicians. For more than a decade she also collaborated with Sarnia high school music teachers resulting in over 400 students attending summer music camp.  Shelley received a Bachelor of Music in Performance degree from the University of Toronto and Master of Music from Western University.

Shelley is sponsored by Western University

Stephen Tam

Canadian flautist Stephen Tam is equally comfortable as soloist, chamber musician or orchestral player, performing repertoire ranging from the baroque to the contemporary.  First-Prize Winner of the 32nd CBC/Radio-Canada National Competition for Young Performers, Stephen has appeared as concerto soloist in recent seasons with the Canadian Sinfonietta, the Ontario Philharmonic and Counterpoint Community Orchestra. Past concerto engagements included collaborations with the Calgary Philharmonic, the Banff Festival Orchestra and the Toronto Senior Strings.

Learn more about Stephen at Stephen Tam

Stephen is sponsored by Western University

Tara Davidson

Tara Davidson is a JUNO Award-winning alto and soprano saxophonist who has performed around the world at such prestigious venues as New York City’s Carnegie Hall, the acclaimed North Sea Jazz Festival in the Netherlands, the JZ Jazz Club in Shanghai, China, and The Kennedy Center, in Washington, D.C.  As a bandleader, Davidson has produced seven recordings since 2004 and performed on approximately forty recordings as a side musician. Five of her seven recordings as a leader or co-leader (Carn Davidson 9) have been nominated by the JUNO Awards for “Jazz Album of the Year”. In 2020, Davidson won a JUNO Award for Jazz Album of the Year: Group as a member of Ernesto Cervini’s Turboprop. Tara also enjoys a diverse freelance career as a woodwind player (saxophones, clarinet, and flute). She has worked with musical theatre companies such as the Stratford Festival, the Musical Stage Company, and Drayton Entertainment, and with such symphonies as the Toronto Symphony Orchestra and the National Ballet Orchestra. ​Tara is an active educator on faculty at the University of Toronto and York University.

Learn more about Tara at Tara Davidson