2025 Adjudicators & Clinicians

Aaron Bell

Aaron Bell, from the Parry Sound area, is a passionate music educator with 24 years of experience teaching high school instrumental music in the Simcoe County District School Board. He currently teaches Grade 7/8 instrumental music in Parry Sound, where his energy, humor, and creativity inspire students to explore the joy of music. Throughout his career, Aaron has led award-winning instrumental ensembles to success at festivals across North America. A skilled multi-instrumentalist, choral director, and worship leader, he brings a wealth of musical expertise to his students. His experience extends beyond the classroom—Aaron served as a Regional Festival Director for MusicFest Canada in Collingwood and has adjudicated at the Golden Horseshoe Regional Music Festival in Burlington. Aaron is also a licensed Realtor, helping clients find their dream homes with the same enthusiasm and dedication he brings to teaching. He combines his passion, commitment, and humor in everything he does.

Aaron Bell, de la région de Parry Sound, est un éducateur passionné avec 24 ans d’expérience dans l’enseignement de la musique instrumentale au secondaire au sein du conseil scolaire de Simcoe. Il enseigne actuellement la musique instrumentale en 7e et 8e année à Parry Sound, où son énergie, son humour et sa créativité incitent les élèves à explorer les joies de la musique. Tout au long de sa carrière, Aaron a mené avec succès des ensembles instrumentaux dans des festivals partout en Amérique du Nord. Multi-instrumentiste talentueux et chef de chœur, il apporte une abondance d’expertise musicale à ses musiciens. Son expérience s’étend au-delà de la salle de classe. Aaron a été directeur régional du festival MusicFest Canada à Collingwood et juge au Golden Horseshoe Regional Music Festival à Burlington. Aaron est également un agent immobilier agréé qui injecte sa passion, son engagement et son humour à tout ce qu’il fait.

Aaron Hodgson

Trumpeter Aaron Hodgson has been praised for his “exquisite musicianship and assured composure” (International Trumpet Guild) and his “outstanding lyrical trumpet playing” (Hartford Courant). A prize-winner in the Ellsworth Smith and OSM Standard Life competitions, Aaron has been broadcast nationally as a soloist by CBC Radio and featured as a concerto soloist with l’Orchestre de la Francophonie at Canada’s National Arts Centre. His orchestral performances include appearances with the New Jersey Symphony Orchestra and the Calgary Philharmonic. He can be heard on Naxos and Analekta records as principal trumpet for recordings of Bach’s Magnificat, Berlioz’s Symphonie Fantastique and the complete symphonies of Beethoven and Brahms.

Committed to expanding the trumpet’s capabilities and audiences, Aaron is a founding member of the Reveille Trumpet Collective (reveilletrumpet.org). Reveille has presented engaging, multimedia performances at the Banff Centre and the Sound Symposium Festival, and contributed to the commissioning of many new solo and chamber works for trumpet. Aaron is also a member of Reverb Brass, a quintet dedicated to exciting performances of contemporary works. After several years at Memorial University of Newfoundland, in 2012 Aaron joined the faculty of the Don Wright School of Music, Western University. Aaron holds a Doctor of Musical Arts from Yale University.

Aaron is sponsored by the Don Wright Faculty of Music, Western University

Adam Mason

Adam Mason serves as Director of Percussion at the University of Lethbridge in Alberta, Canada. He is an internationally active performer, adjudicator and clinician. Engagements have taken him to Beijing, Hong Kong, Brazil, London, Trinidad & Tobago, Japan, Shanghai, Hawaii, Amsterdam, Ghana, throughout the United States and across Canada, including multiple Percussive Arts Society International Conventions. Professor Mason is the founder and Director of U of L Global Drums. This group tours globally and features two Steel Bands, Chinese Drumming Ensemble, Polynesian Ensemble, two Taiko Ensembles, Samba Batteria, African Music and Dance Ensemble and Percussion Ensemble. Adam’s dedication and passion for teaching have been recognized by being selected as Teaching Fellow with the U of L Teaching Centre (2015-2017) and by receiving the ULSU Teaching Excellence Award 2016-17.

Adam is sponsored by the University of Lethbridge

Aleh Remezau

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

Barbara Ackerman

Barbara Ackerman, free-Lance flutist, Instructor, and administrator, has been teaching music for many years. As a Contract Faculty member at York University,   in addition to private flute instruction, she assists with coaching chamber music ensembles, and previously was Course Director of a large mixed level flute class, a woodwind ensemble course, and a woodwind education course. Barbara also teaches private flute lessons and beginner piano at her home and has worked with all ages and levels of students. She has taught at several music camps and has given many clinics in schools throughout the GTA. Her freelance performing career has been eclectic, performing with symphony orchestras, chamber groups, choral concert orchestras, musical theatre productions, recordings for film, television and commercials, and performed at hundreds of weddings and receptions. She also contracted and worked in administration for choirs, musical theatre orchestras, and other events.

Bradley Barnham

Brad is a conductor, composer and adjudicator from Burlington, Ontario. He is currently the music director of Wavestage Theatre Company in north Toronto, assistant director of the Bach Chamber Youth Choir, and assistant music director for Christ’s Church Cathedral in Hamilton. Brad graduated in 2016 with a master’s degree in choral conducting from the University of Toronto.

Learn more about Brad at Brad Barnham

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

Brian O’Kane

Brian O’Kane has performed and recorded with groups including the Rob McConnell Tentet, The Boss Brass, John MacLeod’s Rex Hotel Jazz Orchestra, Hilario Duran’s Latin Jazz Big Band as well as the Barry Elmes Quintet. He has also performed at many jazz festivals across Canada and abroad. Brian has backed up a lengthy list of international artists including Paul Anka, Barbra Streisand, Aretha Franklin, Frank Sinatra Jr., Diana Krall, and has appeared on many theatre productions in Toronto, the Shaw Festival, and has played on numerous records/CDs, radio and television shows and commercial jingles.

Brian has also performed with classical ensembles including the Toronto Symphony Orchestra, National Arts Centre Orchestra, Hannaford Street Silver Band, the Hamilton Philharmonic Brass Ensemble, and True North Brass. Along with being hired as the Head of the Brass Department at Toronto’s Humber College, he has been featured as an artist/clinician at various universities and colleges in Canada and has performed as a featured soloist at the International Trumpet Guild Conference. As well being a Yamaha Canada Artist, Brian is an endorsing artist for Gard Bags.

Cathrie Yuen

Cathrie Yuen is a Vancouver based choral conductor who serves as the the Associate Conductor of the Vancouver Bach Symphonic Choir and the Cantabile Choir, and is a Sessional Instructor at the Trinity Western University music department, and the Artistic Director of the MGV Lyra men’s choir. She was selected as a Conducting Fellow for the Vancouver Chamber Choir’s Conducting Symposium and was also among the finalists at the 2019 World Choral Conducting Competition. Cathrie holds a Master’s Degree in Choral Conducting from the University of British Columbia and obtained her Bachelor’s Degree in Music from Trinity Western University.

Learn more about Cathrie at Cathrie Yuen

Cheryl Ferguson

Cheryl Ferguson received a Bachelor of Arts in Music Performance (French horn) and a Bachelor of Science in Music Education from the University of Mary (Bismarck, ND).  She has also done graduate work at Southern Oregon University, and has earned a Master in Curriculum Studies (Music Education) at Acadia University (Nova Scotia).  Cheryl has taught music at every level, including K-6 general music classes, ten years running junior high band programs, and has been in her current position as Director of Bands at Fort Richmond Collegiate since 2006.  Cheryl is also the Director of Concert Band at Canadian Mennonite University.  In 2013, Cheryl received the Manitoba Band Association Award of Distinction recognizing an individual who has made an outstanding contribution to music education in Manitoba.  In 2014, she received the I. Keith Mann Outstanding Band Director Award. Cheryl was also awarded the Community Hero Award from the Manitoba Legislative Assembly in 2018.

Learn more about Cheryl at Cheryl Ferguson

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

Dale Sorensen

Dale Sorensen is a versatile trombonist with extensive experience in a variety of musical genres. A frequent soloist and enthusiastic promoter of Canadian music, Dale has premiered more than 25 solo trombone pieces and dozens of chamber works, and recorded an all-Canadian album of music for trombone. He is a proud Yamaha Artist and plays Yamaha instruments exclusively. Dale is a member of the Charlottetown Festival Orchestra, the PEI Symphony Orchestra, the Maritime Brass Quintet, and a regular guest with Symphony Nova Scotia. Previously he held positions with the Windsor Symphony and Hamilton Philharmonic Orchestra, and has freelanced with groups such as the Toronto Symphony Orchestra, Tafelmusik Baroque Orchestra, Kitchener-Waterloo Symphony, Winnipeg Symphony, National Ballet of Canada, and Opera Atelier in a 3-week, 8-city tour of Japan. A dedicated educator, Dale is currently Assistant Professor of Brass and director of the Wind Symphony at the University of Prince Edward Island. He regularly serves as an adjudicator and clinician at music festivals and workshops throughout the Maritimes and Ontario.

Learn more about Dale at Dale Sorensen

Dale is sponsored by Yamaha Canada Music

Dan Horner

Dan Horner is the Head of Music at St. Andrew’s College in Aurora, Ontario. He earned his degree from Queen’s University, where he served as assistant conductor of the Queen’s Symphony Orchestra and performed with the Kingston Symphony Orchestra. With 30 years of teaching experience, Dan spent the bulk of his career at Bayview Secondary School, where he directed five symphonic bands and led a department of 500 students, building a highly regarded music program. He co-founded the York Music Camp and has directed the Toronto Youth Symphonic Winds for over 15 years, collaborating with a wide range of distinguished composers and performers. Dan has adjudicated at MusicFest Canada’s National Finals, the Golden Horseshoe Music Festival, and Music Alive, contributing his expertise to support young musicians and their development. 

Dan Horner est à la tête du département de musique au Collège St. Andrew d’Aurora, en Ontario. Il a obtenu son diplôme de l’Université Queen’s, où il a été chef adjoint du Queen’s Symphony Orchestra et a joué avec l’Orchestre symphonique de Kingston. Ferré de 30 ans d’expérience en enseignement, Dan a passé la majeure partie de sa carrière à l’école secondaire Bayview, où il a dirigé cinq harmonies et guidé un département de 500 étudiants, créant ainsi un programme de musique on ne peut plus réputé. Il a cofondé le York Music Camp et a dirigé le Toronto Youth Symphonic Winds pendant plus de 15 ans, collaborant avec un large éventail de compositeurs et d’interprètes distingués. Dan a été membre du jury d’évaluation lors des finales nationales de MusicFest Canada, au Golden Horseshoe Music Festival et à Music Alive, partageant son expertise afin soutenir les jeunes musiciens dans leur développement. 

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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Dave Neill

Adjudicator

A full-time professor at Humber Polytechnic, saxophonist Dave Neill teaches a variety of courses, and he functions as lead for the woodwind area. Working as a performer, adjudicator and clinician in Toronto, Dave is active on the freelance scene, including shows with Johnny Mathis, Wayne Newton, Frankie Valli, Regis Philbin and Nikki Yanofsky. He has adjudicated at festivals across Ontario, including the national Musicfest finals, and has given a clinic at OMEA entitled “Breaking Down Barriers for Jazz Improvisation.”

Dave holds a Master’s in Jazz Performance from the University of Toronto, and has released two CDs as a leader. His debut quartet CD All In featured his original compositions, while his follow-up CD Daylight was named as one of the top Canadian Jazz CDs of the year by Peter Hum of the Ottawa Citizen.

David Lum

Following a 30-year career with the Toronto District School Board, David Lulm retired in February 2021. Currently, David teaches for the Faculty of Education and the Faculty of Arts, Media, Performance and Design at York University. He is a recipient of MusicFest Canada’s Keith Mann Award and is a Laureate of the Legion of Honour for the John Philip Sousa Society. David is a Founding Director and Honorary Life Member of the Ontario Band Association and served on the Board of Directors of the Ontario Music Educators’ Association for 15 years. During his time with the OMEA, he initiated the Awards and Scholarships program and was awarded an Honorary Life Membership in 2022. David is Conductor of the East York Concert Band, and maintains a busy schedule as a clinician, adjudicator and guest conductor. David serves as a Conn-Selmer Educational Clinician.

Après une carrière de 30 ans au sein du Toronto District School Board, David a pris sa retraite en février 2021. Il enseigne actuellement à la Faculté d’éducation et à la Faculté des arts, des médias, de la performance et du design de l’Université York. Il est récipiendaire du prix Keith Mann de MusicFest Canada et est lauréat de la Légion d’honneur de la Société John Philip Sousa. David est directeur fondateur et membre honoraire à vie de l’Ontario Band Association et a siégé au conseil d’administration de l’Ontario Music Educators’ Association pendant 15 ans. Au cours de son mandat à l’OMEA, il a lancé le programme de prix et de bourses et a reçu le titre de membre honoraire à vie en 2022. David est chef d’orchestre de l’East York Concert Band et maintient un emploi du temps chargé en tant que clinicien, juge et chef invité. David est clinicien pédagogique Conn-Selmer.

Learn more about David at David Lum

Dean McNeill

Dean McNeill has been contributing to the Canadian music scene in a variety of capacities for decades as an award-winning musician/educator and arts administrator. As Professor of Brass & Jazz for 25 years at the University of Saskatchewan (9 of which also serving as Head of the Music Department) Dean is the recipient of the UofS’s Dwaine Nelson Teaching Award, USASK Student’s Union Teaching Excellence Award, the Saskatchewan Jazz Festival’s Special Recognition Award, Saskatchewan Choral Federation’s Outstanding Administrator’s Award, and, the Queen Elizabeth II Platinum Jubilee Medal (Saskatchewan). Dean is honored to have shared the stage with the likes of Jon Ballantyne, Tommy Banks, David Braid, Dee Daniels, Phil Dwyer, Hugh Fraser, Mark Fewer, Guy Few, Wycliffe Gordon, Kelly Jefferson, Ingrid Jensen, Michael Kaeshammer, Alastair Kay, Bob Mintzer, PJ Perry, Maria Schneider, Denzal Sinclaire, and Brad Turner. Dean was a member of the Saskatoon Symphony for 23 seasons. He is currently the A.D. of the Saskatoon Jazz Orchestra which is in its 11th season. Dean has been involved in many interdisciplinary projects and CDs, most notably six USASK Jazz Ensemble ‘Bumper Crop’ CDs (as conductor), various Western Canadian Music Awards-nominated CDs (e.g. The Saskatchewan Suite: The Story of Us (performer), The Complete Rebirth Of The Cool (performer), and *O Music (performer)).*Won a Western Canadian Music Award for classical composition of the year. Dean attended MacEwan University (M.dip.), McGill University (B.Mus.Jazz), and the University of North Texas (M.Mus.Jazz). He continues to study privately with a variety of teachers/mentors.

Learn more about Dean at Dean McNeill

Douglas Umana

Douglas Umana is currently an active freelance musician and clinician in Calgary, where he performs regularly as a substitute/extra horn with the Calgary Philharmonic Orchestra and as 2nd Horn of the Red Deer Symphony Orchestra. In addition, Douglas is the Instructor of Horn at the University of Lethbridge. Before coming to Calgary, Douglas was based in Dallas, TX where he maintained a private teaching studio and was a horn instructor for the Richardson and Allen Independent School Districts. Douglas also performed regularly with the Dallas Symphony, Fort Worth Symphony, and Plano Symphony Orchestra. Originally from Miami, Florida, Douglas received his Bachelor of Music degree from Southern Methodist University and Master of Music degree from the Yale School of Music at Yale University.

Douglas is sponsored by the University of Lethbridge

Dr. Angela Schroeder

Dr. Angela Schroeder is a Professor of Music at the University of Alberta where she is the Director of Bands, the Director of Undergraduate Programs and Conductor of the Symphonic Wind Ensemble and Summer Band. Recipient of numerous teaching awards, she teaches courses in instrumental conducting and music education. Angela also conducts the St. Albert Community Band. She led the ensemble on their first European tour of Germany and Austria in July 2015.  Angela completed her undergraduate studies in Music Education with performance studies in piano and trumpet at the University of Calgary. She received her Master of Music in Conducting from Northwestern University and her Doctor of Musical Arts in Wind Band Conducting from the University of North Texas. Angela has presented, guest conducted and adjudicated numerous school bands in festivals and clinics throughout the world. 

Angela Schroeder est professeure de musique à l’Université de l’Alberta, où elle est directrice des orchestres, directrice des programmes de premier cycle et chef de l’ensemble à vent symphonique ainsi que de l’harmonie d’été. Récipiendaire de nombreux prix d’enseignement, elle donne des cours de direction instrumentale et d’éducation musicale. Angela dirige également le St. Albert Community Band et a dirigé l’ensemble lors de sa première tournée européenne en Allemagne et en Autriche en juillet 2015.  La Docteure Schröder a complété ses études de premier cycle en éducation musicale comprenant un volet en interprétation piano et trompette à l’Université de Calgary. Elle a obtenu sa maîtrise en musique, direction d’orchestre de l’Université Northwestern et son doctorat en arts musicaux, direction d’orchestre à vent de l’Université de North Texas. Angela a présenté, dirigé et jugé de nombreux groupes scolaires dans des festivals et des cliniques à travers le monde. 

Learn more about Dr. Schroeder at Angela Schroeder

Dr. Chee Meng Low

Chee Meng Low enjoys a diverse career as a conductor, educator, administrator, and performing on saxophone as an orchestral, chamber, and solo musician. Chee Meng is Assistant Professor of Music at the University of Lethbridge, where he conducts the Wind Orchestra, teaches saxophone performance, conducting and musicianship skills. He has performed as a soloist, chamber musician and guest conduct in North America, Europe and Asia.   A recipient of the University of Alberta FS Chia Doctoral Scholarship, Chee Meng holds a Doctor of Music degree from the University of Alberta. Chee Meng was the host for the 2019 Region 9 North American Saxophone Alliance regional conference, a member of the International Committee, World Saxophone Congress (2006-2009), regional representative of the Asia Pacific Band Directors’ Association (2007-2010), and current member of the North American Saxophone Alliance.

Dr. Colleen Richardson

Adjudicator/Clinician

Dr. Colleen Richardson is Coordinator of Bands at Western University, where she directs the Wind Ensemble and teaches courses in conducting and ensemble pedagogy. In addition, she co-supervises the Young Winds Program, an enrichment program for local band students taught by Western’s undergraduate music students. Besides judging at the World Music Contest in Kerkrade, the New York International Music Festival at Carnegie Hall, and the Singapore International Band Festival, her work has taken her to Brazil, Ireland, The Netherlands, Switzerland, Italy, Taiwan, Indonesia, Japan, South Korea, Singapore, Wales, and the US. From 2022-2024, she served as the President of the World Association for Symphonic Bands and Ensembles. She has presented at the Midwest Band and Orchestra Clinic in Chicago, and her publications include nine study guides for the Teaching Music Through Performance in Band series.

Colleen Richardson est coordonnatrice des orchestres à l’Université Western, où elle dirige l’ensemble à vent et enseigne des cours de direction d’orchestre et de pédagogie d’ensemble. De plus, elle co-supervise le programme Young Winds, un programme d’enrichissement pour jeunes musiciens, enseigné par les étudiants de premier cycle en musique de Western U. En plus d’avoir été juge au World Music Contest de Kerkrade, au New York International Music Festival at Carnegie Hall et au Singapore International Band Festival, son travail l’a menée au Brésil, en Irlande, aux Pays-Bas, en Suisse, en Italie, à Taïwan, en Indonésie, au Japon, en Corée du Sud, à Singapour, au Pays de Galles et aux États-Unis. De 2022 à 2024, elle a été présidente de l’Association mondiale des harmonies et ensembles symphoniques. La docteure Richardson a présenté à la Midwest Clinic de Chicago et ses publications comprennent neuf guides d’étude. 

Learn more about Colleen at Colleen Richardson

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. Erin Bodnar

Dr. Erin Bodnar is Associate Professor of Music and Director of Bands and Orchestras at the University of North Florida, where she teaches and coordinates the UNF Conducting Symposium. Under her leadership, the UNF Wind Symphony performed at the World Association of Symphonic Bands and Ensembles in Spain. She also co-directs the UNF NuMIX ensemble, which performed at the College Band Directors National Association Southern Division Conference in 2022. Dr. Bodnar previously served as Director of Bands at Graceland University and conductor at Mahidol University in Thailand. In Alberta,she taught middle and high school band, received the Keith Mann Young Band Director’s Award and the Edwin Parr First Year Teacher Award. An avid runner, she has completed 55 marathons, including six Boston marathons, ten 50 km races, and one 100 km race.

La Dre Erin Bodnar est professeure agrégée à l’Université de la Floride du Nord où elle enseigne la direction d’orchestre, dirige l’harmonie et l’orchestre à vent en plus de coordonner le Symposium de direction d’orchestre de l’UNF. Sous sa direction, l’Orchestre à vent de l’UNF s’est produit à l’Association mondiale des groupes et ensembles symphoniques en Espagne. Elle codirige également l’ensemble UNF NuMIX, qui s’est produit à la conférence College Band Visitors National Association en 2022. Le Dr Bodnar a été directrice des harmonies de l’Université Graceland et chef d’orchestre à l’Université Mahidol en Thaïlande. En Alberta, elle a enseigné la musique instrumentale dans les écoles intermédiaires et secondaires, se méritant le Keith Mann Young Band Director’s Award et le Edwin Parr First Year Teacher Award. Passionnée de course à pied, elle a complété 55 marathons, dont six marathons de Boston, dix courses de 50 km et une course de 100 km.

Learn more about Dr. Erin Bodnar at Erin Bodnar

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. Holly De Caigny

Holly De Caigny is a contemporary saxophonist who strives to collaborate with a variety of artists. She has performed publicly across Canada, the United States, as well as in Slovenia, France, and Thailand. Most recently, she has toured Eastern Canada with Proteus Quartet, performed online and in person with Timepoint Ensemble, performed in free improvisation concerts with Secret Lady Project and Bug Incision, and has collaborated with composers including Colin Labadie, Vincent Ho, Jordan Nobles, and Laurie Radford. Holly maintains a busy teaching schedule at the University of Lethbridge, Mount Royal Conservatory and serves as Director of Music in the King’s Own Calgary Regiment Band.  She earned a Doctor of Music degree with Dr William Street at the University of Alberta, a masters degree from the University of Calgary, a bachelors degree from the University of British Columbia, and two artist diplomas from the Conservatoire Regional de Rayonnement de Boulogne-Billancourt, France.

Holly is sponsored by the University of Lethbridge

Dr. Josh Davies

Dr. Josh Davies is a Yamaha Performing Artist and two-time Grammy nominated performer that enjoys a diverse career as a versatile performer and educator. He has performed extensively throughout the United States, Mexico, Canada and Europe in venues such as Carnegie Hall, The Kennedy Center, the Meyerson Symphony Center in Dallas, the Conexus Arts Centre in Regina, and the Jubilee Auditoriums in Calgary and Edmonton. Josh’s discography spans many genres from classical to jazz, baroque to contemporary, and rock to funk. He regularly performs with the Monterrey Symphony Orchestra in Monterrey, Mexico, where he held the position of co-principal trumpet for the 2009-2010 season.  He has performed with over 20 symphony orchestras throughout North America and Haiti. As an educator, Josh is the trumpet professor and director of the U of L Jazz Ensemble at the University of Lethbridge. Previous positions include Temple College, The University of Texas at Austin, Concordia University-Texas and Texas State University.  Josh holds degrees from The University of Texas at Austin and The University of North Carolina at Greensboro. An avid patron of the arts, Josh has served on many boards of arts organizations, including The World Trumpet Society, and The Lethbridge Jazz Society.  

Josh is sponsored by the University of Lethbridge

Dr. Leah McGray

A dynamic conductor of both wind band and orchestral ensembles, Dr. Leah McGray is currently the Conductor of the Wind Orchestra at Wilfrid Laurier University in Waterloo. Previously, she was the Director of Instrumental Studies for the State University of New York at Geneseo, and Rhodes College in Memphis TN, conducting their Wind Ensembles and Symphony Orchestras as well as teaching classes in conducting and musicianship. Dr. McGray earned her degrees from Northwestern University in Evanston, Illinois, the University of Toronto, and Acadia University. She is in demand internationally as an adjudicator across the United States, South Korea, and Canada, and has been guest conductor for a variety of youth orchestras and honour bands, including the 2023 National Youth Band of Canada. Twice awarded major research grants, her scholarship explores techniques of non-verbal leadership, and wind ensemble repertoire by traditionally underrepresented composers.

Chef d’orchestre dynamique, la Dre Leah McGray est chef de l’Orchestre à vent de l’Université Wilfrid Laurier à Waterloo. Auparavant, elle a été directrice des études instrumentales à l’Université de l’État de New York et au Rhodes College du Tennessee, où elle a dirigé les ensembles à vent et orchestres symphoniques ainsi que donné des cours de direction d’orchestre et de d’expression musicale. La Dre McGray est diplômée de l’Université Northwestern, de l’Université de Toronto et de l’Université Acadia. Elle est sollicitée à l’échelle internationale pour siéger sur des jurys d’évaluation aux États-Unis, en Corée du Sud et au Canada. De plus, elle a été invitée à diriger divers orchestres de jeunes et groupes honorifiques, y compris l’Orchestre national des jeunes du Canada en 2023. Leah est deux fois récipiendaire d’importantes subventions de recherche qui lui permettent d’explorer les techniques de leadership non verbal et le répertoire d’ensembles à vents.

Learn more about Leah at Leah McGray

Dr. Leandro Cardoso

Leandro Cardoso is a celebrated Brazilian conductor and the Assistant Conductor in Residence at the Orchestre Symphonique de Québec, working closely with maestro Clemens Schuldt. He also serves as Assistant Conductor for the Orchestre à Vents Non Identifié, mentored by maestro Jonathan Dagenais. Mr Cardoso earned his Doctorate in Orchestral Conducting from McGill University’s Schulich School of Music, under the guidance of maestro Alexis Hauser. He also holds a Master’s degree from the University of Kansas, where he studied with Dr. Carolyn Watson. Leandro’s international experience includes the Domaine Forget Music Academy where he learned from Yannick Nézet-Séguin, Cabrillo Music Festival , mentored by Cristian Măcelaru, and the Monteux Music Festival , where he worked with Kensho Watanabe, and Tiffany Liu. Initially trained in trumpet performance at the Federal University of Minas Gerais, he studied conducting with Brazil’s renowned maestro Marcos Arakaki, shaping his artistry through a rich global journey.

Leandro Cardoso est un chef d’orchestre brésilien célèbré ainsi que le chef adjoint en résidence à l’Orchestre Symphonique de Québec, travaillant en étroite collaboration avec le maestro Clemens Schuldt. Il est également chef adjoint de l’Orchestre à Vents Non Identifié, soutenu par Jonathan Dagenais. M. Cardoso a obtenu son doctorat en direction d’orchestre de l’Université McGill, sous la tutelle du maestro Alexis Hauser. Il est titulaire d’une maîtrise de l’Université du Kansas, où il a étudié avec la Dre Carolyn Watson. L’expérience internationale de Leandro comprend l’Académie de musique du Domaine Forget avec comme mentor, Yannick Nézet-Séguin, le festival de musique de Cabrillo, avec Cristian Măcelaru, et le festival de musique de Monteux avec Kensho Watanabe, et Tiffany Liu. Formé à la trompette à l’Université fédérale du Minas Gerais, il a aussi étudié la direction d’orchestre avec Marcos Arakaki, polissant son art à travers un riche parcours mondial.

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. Nick Sullivan

After beginning his musical education in Lethbridge, Alberta, Nick Sullivan received a fellowship to undertake graduate studies at the University of Victoria. Nick returned to B.C. to continue his studies at the University of British Columbia, completing a Doctor of Musical Arts degree. Currently, Nick is on faculty at the University of Lethbridge teaching the low brass studio, and serves as the Recruitment and Retention Specialist for the Faculty of Fine Arts. Nick has a passion for brass chamber music, and has performed in numerous chamber music settings. In 2007, his quintet was featured in the Canadian premiere performance of Eric Ewazen’s Shadowcatcher, a concerto for brass quintet and wind orchestra. He is a founding member of Aeris Brass (formerly the U of L Faculty Brass Quintet), as well as the Southern Alberta Trombone Collective (SATbC). Nick regularly performs as a recitalist throughout Western Canada, and has been featured as a soloist with the Lethbridge Symphony Orchestra, Lethbridge Community Gold Band, and the University of Lethbridge Wind Orchestra. Active as an orchestral musician, Nick has worked with several orchestras across Canada, such as the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra and the Calgary Philharmonic Orchestra, and presently performs with the Lethbridge Symphony Orchestra and the Symphony of the Kootenays.  Nick Sullivan is a performing artist for Michael Rath Trombones.

Nick is sponsored by the University of Lethbridge

Dr. Pierre Long-Tao Tang

Dr. Pingyi Song

Dr. Pingyi Song serves as Associate Director of Choral Activities at Stetson University, FL. and previously served as the Director of Choral Activities at Coker University, S.C. Her most recent research study “Gender Issues and Introduction to Choral Literature by Eastern Asian Female Composers” was invited to present at National and International Conferences such as 2024 SRCS (Symposium on Research in Choral Singing), 2023 ACDA (American Choral Directors Association), 2023 NCCO (National Collegiate Choral Organization), and the 2023 ACMI (Asian Classical Music Initiative) Conferences. Dr. Song also serves as a National Board Member and International Student and Faculty Affinity Group Leader for NCCO, Chair of World Music & Cultures and a Board member of South Carolina ACDA. Pingyi holds a Choral Summer School Certificate from Oxford University, U.K., a D.M.A. Degree in Choral Conducting and a Post-Bachelorette Certificate in Music Education from the University of North Carolina, Greensboro, and Master and Bachelor degrees from West Virginia University, Mansfield University of Pennsylvania, and Guangzhou University, China.

Learn more about Pingyi at Dr. Pingyi Song

Dr. Ricardo Brown

Ricardo T. Brown serves as the Associate Director of Athletic Bands and Wind Band Studies as well as Director of the University Symphonic Band at the University of Connecticut.  Dr. Brown began his teaching career at the high school and middle school level. He then became the graduate assistant for the Norfolk State University Spartan Legion band program.  Dr. Brown then joined the faculty at Prairie View A&M University as the Assistant Director of Bands/Band Business Manager and later was appointed Associate Director of Bands. After serving as Interim director of the University Wind ensemble and director of the university Concert Band, he has returned as director of the University Symphonic Band.  Dr. Brown received a Bachelor in music education and master’s degrees in trumpet performance from Norfolk State University. He received his Doctorate degree in Conducting from the University of Connecticut. 

Ricardo T. Brown est directeur associé des orchestres sportifs et de l’orchestre à vent ainsi que le directeur de l’harmonie symphonique à l’Université du Connecticut.  Il a commencé sa carrière d’enseignant au niveau secondaire et intermédiaire pour ensuite devenir assistant diplômé pour le programme de musique Spartan Legion de l’Université Norfolk State. Le Dr Brown s’est ensuite joint à la faculté de la Prairie View A&M University en tant que directeur adjoint et directeur commercial des harmonies et a ensuite été nommé directeur associé. Après un stage de direction par intérim de l’ensemble à vent et de l’orchestre d’harmonie de l’université, il est revenu cette année en tant que directeur de l’harmonie symphonique.  Le Dr Brown détient un baccalauréat en éducation musicale et une maîtrise en interprétation de la trompette de la Norfolk State University ainsi qu’un doctorat en direction d’orchestre de l’Université du Connecticut. 

Learn more about Dr. Brown at Ricardo Brown

Dr. Shirantha Beddage

Vice Chair, Instrumental Jazz

Dr. Shirantha Beddage is a baritone saxophonist, composer and educator from Toronto, Canada.  He has released three critically-acclaimed albums as a leader: Roots and Branches, Identity (2013 JUNO nominee) and Momentum (2017 JUNO nominee). His compositional skills have won him accolades such as the Montreal Jazz Festival Galaxie Rising Star Award, recognitions at the Canadian Songwriting Competition, and placements in the Emmy-winning TV series “Fargo”.  Dr. Beddage currently serves as an Assistant Professor of Jazz in the University of Toronto Faculty of Music. He was previously Director of Jazz Studies at the Columbus State University Schwob School of Music (Columbus, Georgia, USA) and a Professor in the Humber College Bachelor of Music program. He holds a Doctor of Musical Arts degree in Jazz Studies from the Eastman School of Music (New York, USA), a Master of Music degree in Jazz Studies from William Paterson University (New Jersey, USA), and a Bachelor of Music degree from Humber College.

Learn more about Shirantha at Shirantha Beddage.

Shirantha is sponsored by the University of Toronto

Dr. Sundar Viswanathan

JUNO-winning saxophonist/vocalist/composer Dr. Sundar Viswanathan has performed extensively in Europe (including with Grammy-nominated Charles Tolliver Big Band), Japan, South Africa, Canada, the Caribbean, and the USA. Musical associations have included Wynton Marsalis, Kenny Wheeler, Jaffa Road, Kiran Ahluwalia, Rez Abbasi, Luciana Souza, John Abercrombie, Terry Clarke, George Cables, Joe Lovano, Sun Ra, John Hicks, Cecil McBee, Dave Holland, Billy Hart, and Jim McNeely. In 2022 Sundar’s world-jazz group Avataar took home the JUNO award for Best Jazz Album (Group), for their work on the stunning album Worldview. He has been commissioned tocompose and perform with Dance companies in Canada and the USA, including Sampradaya Dance Creations, Arzoo Dance Theater, MOSAIC and Trilok Fusion. Sundar currently lives in Toronto and serves on the music faculty of York University as Associate Professor of Jazz. His work can be seen and heard at www.sundarmusic.com

Learn more about Sundar at Sundar Viswanathan

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

Ernesto Cervini

Ernesto Cervini is a drum instructor at the University of Toronto and a guest lecturer at Humber College and York University. In addition to his performing career, he founded Orange Grove Publicity in 2014 and quickly became one of the most sought-after jazz publicists in Canada. Guitarist Alex Goodman, saxophonist Allison Au and bandleader/composer Chelsea McBride’s Socialist Night School are just some of the many highly respected artists represented by Orange Grove.

Learn more about Ernesto at Ernesto Cervini

Ernesto is sponsored by the University of Toronto.

Hana Hubley

Hana Hubley (She/They) is an active performer and dedicated musician, whose passion extends to teaching and higher education. They are a freelance tuba player based out of Calgary, Alberta, and holds a Bachelor of Music degree from the University of Lethbridge. She primarily studied with Dr. Nick Sullivan, but has also learned from instructors from across the globe. Including Øystein Baadsvik (NAM), Velvet Brown (Penn State), Pierre Beaudry (OSM), and Peder MacLellan (UBC/VSO).  Hana’s passion for wind band music and has led her to play with many local ensembles, including: Southern Winds Wind Orchestra, Calgary Wind Symphony, and the Alberta Wind Symphony. Notably, she will be a featured soloist in the upcoming Calgary Westwinds Wind Orchestra concert, performing the Gregson Tuba Concerto.  While balancing her role as part of ULethbridge’s Strategic Enrolment Team, Hana frequently conducts low brass clinics for middle school and high school bands; and works as a private tuba/euphonium instructor in Calgary and the area.

Hana is sponsored by the University of Lethbridge

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.Heather 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 has been a featured guest on numerous projects, and has been awarded Canada’s National Jazz Award for Vocalist of the Year.  Beyond singing, Heather is one of Canada’s top voice actors, voicing characters for commercial campaigns and several animated series including Emmy-nominated Wild Kratts, Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood, and Justin Time. She is also 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

Isabelle Brassard-Porter

Vice-Chair, Concert Band

Isabelle Brassard-Porter has had a long musical career as a performer, conductor, clinician and educator. As a professional flutist and piccoloist, performing with the Ottawa Symphony Orchestra for thirty-two seasons. Ms. Brassard-Porter was the head of the instrumental music program at the Béatrice-Desloges High School Specialized Arts Program where she conducted numerous ensembles including the Béatrice-Desloges Senior Wind Orchestra which has won the highest honours at numerous festivals in Canada, the United States and Europe. She recently was guest conductor for  the O.C.D.S.B. Senior All-Star Band and the Capital Region Junior Winds Honour Band.  She is a recipient of  MusicFest Canada’s Keith Mann Outstanding Director Award of Excellence. Over the course of her career, Isabelle has inspired countless young people to discover the joy and benefits of making music and is happy to continue this mission at MusicFest Canada .

Interprète, chef d’orchestre, clinicienne et éducatrice sont quelques-uns des rôles assumés par Isabelle Brassard-Porter au cours d’une longue carrière musicale. Flûtiste et piccoliste professionnelle, elle a joué avec l’Orchestre symphonique d’Ottawa pendant trente-deux saisons. Madame Brassard-Porter a été à la tête du programme de musique instrumentale de l’École secondaire Béatrice-Desloges où elle a dirigé de nombreux ensembles dont l’Orchestre à vent senior Béatrice-Desloges qui a remporté les plus hauts honneurs à de nombreux festivals au Canada, aux États-Unis et en Europe. Récemment, elle a dirigé les ensembles honorifiques O.C.D.S.B. Senior All-Star Band et Capital Region Junior Winds Honour Band.  MusicFest Canada a reconnu madame Brassard-Porter en lui décernant le prix d’excellence Keith Mann Outstanding Director Award. Au cours de sa carrière, Isabelle a inspiré d’innombrables jeunes à découvrir la joie et les bienfaits de faire de la musique et est heureuse de continuer cette mission à MusicFest Canada, and is happy to continue this mission at MusicFest Canada .

James MacDonald

James MacDonald earned his BA from Queen’s University and his M. Mus from Western University, where he completed his master’s thesis ‘Virtuosi and the horn repertoire.’ His teachers included Eugene Rittich in Toronto (1970-1), Frantisek Solc at the Janáček Academy of Music, Brno, Czechoslovakia, and Barry Tuckwell in London. He also studied in 1978 with Wilhelm Lansky-Otto in Stockholm, Sweden.

In 1974, James began teaching part-time at York University.  He joined the Boss Brass in 1972. He has been a member of the CJRT Orchestra, the Kingston Symphony, the Mississauga Symphony Orchestra and Sinfonia, the National Ballet of Canada orchestra, the Niagara Symphony Orchestra, and the Windsor Symphony Orchestra. He also has played in the Hannaford Street Silver Band and the Brigham Phillips Big Band, and since 2001 has been a member of the Rex Hotel Jazz Orchestra.

James is sponsored by York University

James Pinhorn

James Pinhorn moved to Toronto, Ontario in 1985 and completed a Bachelor of Music in Vocal Performance at the University of Toronto.  During a year of Special Studies in Elementary Education and Choral Conducting at the University, James served as the Assistant Conductor of the Concert Choir conducted by Doctor Doreen Rao.  During that season he was invited by Dr. Rao to conduct the choir in a performance of ‘Sharon Fragments’ at a gala concert honouring Canadian composer John Beckwith.  That same year James was invited by Robert Cooper to conduct the back-stage chorus in three performances of Ravel’s ballet ‘Daphnis et Chloe’ for the National Ballet of Canada.  He served as conductor of the University Chorus at the University of Toronto for two years before accepting the position of conductor of the University Women’s Chorus, a post he held for 6 years.  

James was also a Tenor/Bass voices vocal coach for the Toronto Mendelssohn Youth Choir and was the guest chorus conductor for Robert Cooper in two performances of the opera ‘Marina’ for the Opera in Concert Chorus. James has been invited many times over the years as a presenter at the Ontario Music Educators Association Conference, where he has given presentations on the state of music education in our public schools, on rehearsal techniques for young Tenor and Bass singers, and on issues of intellectual and artistic copyright in today’s music. James also had the honour of conducting the Massed Choir for 15 seasons at the Ontario Educational Leadership Centre in the Intermediate Arts Emerging Leadership Course for Grade Seven students and also served as a Course Administrator for this course for five years. James is recently retired as Curriculum Leader of Music at Agincourt Collegiate Institute in the Toronto District School Board where he taught both Vocal Music and Computers and Music courses.  His auditioned choir at the school, the Agincourt Madrigal Singers was awarded the Leslie Bell Choral Award for the best choir at the Canadian Music Educators recorded competition, and won National Gold Awards for live performances at MusicFest Canada a total of nine times. Under his leadership Agincourt’s Choral ensembles were twice awarded the Ed Bolsby Trophy for the top High School Ensemble in the local Toronto Kiwanis Music Festival, both in 2012 and in 2014.  In the Spring of 2014, The Agincourt Men’s Chorus also won the City Of Lincoln prize for Best TB Chorus at the National Kiwanis Festival in British Columbia.  In 2015, The Agincourt Madrigals Singers also won the Paul J. Bourret Prize for best SATB Chorus in The National Music Festival Association’s recorded competition, held in Edmonton, Alberta. Under James’ baton, the Agincourt Choirs were featured in their own noon hour concerts both at Roy Thomson Hall in Toronto, and for the Toronto Music Monday organization in 2016.   In April 2017, The Agincourt Madrigal Singers travelled to Banff, Alberta for the Rocky Mountain Music Festival, where they performed their very own showcase concert to a sold out and very appreciative audience.

 From 2017-2020 James took the post as conductor of the Bach Chamber Youth Choir in Toronto from their previous conductor Linda Beaupre, the choir is currently on hiatus.  In his very first season, the choir (also known as the BCYC) competed a ‘clean sweep’, winning first place in each Provincial category they entered in the recorded competition of the Canadian Music Festival Association, and also won first in each class they entered at the National level.  They were awarded the ‘Diane Loomer Choral Award’ for Best Overall Performance by a Choir in the festival.

Jennifer Bell

Saxophonist, clarinetist, flutist and conductor Jennifer Bell has been active on the Montréal scene since 1985. Jennifer is the co-founder of the groups Streetnix, (FIJM 1987-2024) and Altsys Jazz Orchestra, with whom she has performed hundreds of concerts throughout North America and Europe as well as producing and performing on numerous CDs. Jennifer Bell is also an active clinician and adjudicator.  Jennifer is a sessional lecturer at the Schulich School of Music of McGill University and taught at the McGill Conservatory of Music (1985-2022). Jennifer has received grants from the SOCAN Foundation, the conseil des arts et lettres du Québec and the Canada Council for the Arts as well as awards from the Conseil Québecois de la Musique, the Women’s Y foundation and the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee medal.

Saxophoniste, clarinettiste, flûtiste et chef d’orchestre, Jennifer Bell est active sur la scène montréalaise depuis 1985. Elle est fondatrice des groupes Streetnix (FIJM 1987-2024) et Altsys Jazz Orchestra, avec lesquels elle a donné des centaines de concerts en Amérique du Nord et en Europe, tout en produisant et en jouant sur de nombreux DC. Jennifer Bell est également une adjudicatrice recherchée.  Elle est chargée de cours à l’École de musique Schulich de l’Université McGill et a enseigné au Conservatoire de musique de McGill (1985-2022). Jennifer a reçu des bourses de la Fondation SOCAN, du conseil des arts et lettres du Québec et du Conseil des arts du Canada, ainsi que des prix du Conseil québécois de la musique, de la fondation Y des femmes et de la médaille du jubilé de diamant de la reine Élisabeth II.

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

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John Chalmers

Chair, Choral/Vocal Jazz

John Chalmers was a secondary school music educator for 28 years before moving into high school administration. He taught music at Medway H.S., Mayfield S.S.and Humberview S.S. and directed ensembles at Humber College and the University of Toronto. His groups, both high school and university, received national and international recognition, performing at conferences and festivals throughout Canada and the United States and winning nine Downbeat Magazine Student Music Awards. John has received the International Association of Jazz Educators “Outstanding Director for Canada” award, the Jazz Report Award for “Best Secondary Jazz Program” and was inducted into the Music Canada “Hall of Fame” for outstanding service to young Canadian musicians. John has presented workshops at music conferences and universities, adjudicated at music festivals and guest conducted honour ensembles across Canada and the United States. He serves on the boards of many music festivals including the Ontario Vocal Festival, MusicFest Canada, the Kaleid Choral Festival and the Canadian Rocky Mountain Festival.

Jonathan Dagenais

Adjudicator

Jonathan Dagenais conducts several esteemed ensembles throughout Canada and is an internationally recognized composer and arranger. He teaches conducting at McGill University (Schulich School of Music) and composition at the Université de Sherbrooke. As a highly sought-after adjudicator and clinician, he participates in numerous music festivals and serves as a guest conductor for honour ensembles across North America. A well-respected educator and public speaker, he is a Yamaha Canada Master Artist Educator, and he collaborates with Twigg Musique and the Fédération des Harmonies and Quebec Symphony Orchestras. Additionally, he holds the position of General and Artistic Director of MusicFest Québec.Jonathan Dagenais est un chef d’orchestre, compositeur et arrangeur de renom, reconnu pour son rôle de directeur musical et artistique au sein de plusieurs ensembles prestigieux au Canada. Il enseigne la direction d’orchestre à l’Université McGill (Schulich School of Music) et la composition à l’Université de Sherbrooke. Chaque année, il siège sur des jurys d’évaluation pour des concours de haute distinction et est fréquemment sollicité pour diriger des ensembles honorifiques en Amérique du Nord. En tant que pédagogue et communicateur reconnu, il est également directeur général et artistique du MusicFest Québec, ainsi que chef partenaire et formateur en direction et pédagogie musicale pour Twigg Musique et la Fédération des Harmonies et Orchestres Symphoniques du Québec. En outre, il occupe le poste d’Artiste Maître Éducateur pour Yamaha Canada.

Learn more about Jonathan at Jonathan Dagenais

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

Linda Wharton

Linda Wharton has an honours Music Degree from Western University and an Education Degree from Althouse College. She taught secondary school instrumental music for 32 years in St. Thomas and London. Her bands won many awards locally, regionally, and nationally. Linda also won many teaching awards, including the Award of Distinction from the Thames Valley District School Board and a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Jack Richardson Music Awards. She served on the Ontario Music Educators’ Association Board for 6 years. Linda is currently teaching Conducting and Instrumental Rehearsal Techniques at Western University and loves adjudicating around the province and on the East Coast. She gets to travel the world with her competitive Dragon Boat team.

Linda Wharton est titulaire d’un diplôme spécialisé en musique de l’Université Western et d’un diplôme en éducation de Althouse College. Elle a enseigné la musique instrumentale au secondaire pendant 32 ans à St. Thomas et à London. Ses groupes ont remporté les plus hauts honneurs dans des concours au niveau local, régional et national. Linda a reçu de nombreux prix d’enseignement, notamment le prix de distinction du conseil scolaire du district de Thames Valley ainsi que le prix Jack Richardson Music Award reconnaissant l’ensemble de sa carrière. Elle a siégé au conseil d’administration de l’Ontario Music Educators’ Association pendant 6 ans. Linda enseigne actuellement les techniques de direction d’orchestre et de répétition d’ensemble à l’Université Western et adore siéger sur des jurys d’évaluation dans toute la province de l’Ontario et sur la côte est. Elle voyage à travers le monde avec son équipe compétitive de bateau-dragon.

Learn more about Linda at Linda Wharton

McKenna Stenson

As an innovative conductor, teacher, and vocalist, McKenna Stenson has built a career inspiring students to sing with confidence and motivating communities to create lasting change through song. Her energetic demeanor permeates positivity throughout the ensemble, creating a community of compassion, trust, and resilience. Stenson currently serves on the faculty at Florida State University where she teaches courses in graduate and undergraduate choral techniques and conducts Levana, an advanced treble ensemble. Prior to her appointment at Florida State University, Stenson served as Assistant Professor on faculty at the University of Kansas (KU) where she served as Associate Director of Choral Activities. She conducted the KU Glee Club and Oread Singers. In addition to leading ensembles, she taught classes in choral methods, undergraduate and graduate conducting, and voice.

Stenson enjoys serving as a guest conductor, clinician, presenter, and adjudicator for choirs throughout the United States and abroad. Recent engagements include teaching internationally with The Cornish-American Song Institute “Music Across the Pond,” where she taught seminars in choral conducting and choral masterclasses, adjudicating the Canadian Candando Choral Festivals, and directing the KU Glee Club at the Kansas Music Educator’s Association State Conference. She has served in state leadership roles and presented sessions at state, regional, and international conferences including the World Symposium on Choral Music (Istanbul, 2023). Stenson was nationally recognized as a Country Music Award Foundation Music Teacher of Excellence for 2020. She was recently named a National Finalist for the 2023 American Prize Conducting Competition and Choral Performance Competition. Stenson earned the Doctor of Musical Arts in Choral Conducting from the University of North Texas, Master of Music in Choral Conducting from Michigan State University, and Bachelor of Music in Music Education and Bachelor of Music in Vocal Performance from Ohio State University. Stenson enjoyed serving as a public-school teacher as the Choral Director and CFPA Vocal Director at Charles J. Colgan High School. Stenson, named “New Faculty Member of the Year” in 2017, directed five choirs during the day and three after-school ensembles at Colgan High School. Under the direction of Stenson, the Colgan Choral Ensembles were invited to perform at venues such as the Kennedy Center Millennium Stage and served as arts ambassadors throughout the Virginia Commonwealth. In 2018, the Colgan High School Chamber Ensemble was selected to perform at the Virginia Music Educators Association conference and received a standing ovation for their performance. Stenson also enjoys amplifying the voices of women conductors on her podcast, conduct(her), with co-founder (and sister) Kyra Stahr.

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.

Meijun Chen

Meijun Chen is the Director of Concert Winds at the University of British Columbia while finishing her final year of Doctor of Music degree in Wind Band Conducting at the University of Alberta under the supervision of Dr. Angela Schroeder. An active conductor, clinician, and adjudicator, Meijun has worked with collegiate and school bands across Canada, held conducting roles with Edmonton Opera and the Edmonton Youth Orchestra, and guest-conducted the United States “Pershing’s Own” Army Band in 2023. She has received numerous awards and scholarships to further her conducting studies in Austria and the U.S., including winning the Absolute First Prize in Conducting at the 2023 UK International Music Competition. Selected as a Conducting Fellow at prestigious masterclasses including Domaine Forget and the University of Cincinnati CCM International Wind Festival, in conjunction with “The President’s Own” United States Marine Band, Meijun’s conducting mentors include Yannick Nézet-Séguin, Travis Cross, Jerry Junkin, Emily Threinen, Bruce Pulver, Kevin Holzman, and Jason Fettig. Meijun holds dual Master of Music degrees in Wind Band Conducting and Clarinet Performance from the University of Alberta and is the guest clarinetist with the Royal Canadian Artillery Band.

Learn more about Meijun at Meijun Chan

Mike Cadó

Mike Cadó received his Bachelor of Fine Arts and Education at York University and completed his Master’s Degree in Jazz Composition under the supervision of Professor David Mott.  He performed on and produced a recording with jazz vocalist Sherie Marshall entitled The Sweetest Sounds that features Pat Collins, Guido Basso and various other jazz notables.  The Mike Cadó Tentet features a collection of Toronto’s finest musicians that performs the music of Phil Nimmons, as well as compositions by various group members. Mike has performed with such musical luminaries as New-York based organist Mike LeDonne, Don Thompson, Chase Sanborn, Perry White, Terry Promane, Barry Romberg, and Richard Whiteman. Mike has been a guest clinician for many high schools across Toronto and has adjudicated groups and soloists for various music academies including Cosmo Music, Arcadia Music and the York University Jazz Festival since 2010.  Mike is currently pursuing his PhD in Ethnomusicology and is a current faculty member at York University where he teaches composition, several jazz workshops, as well as, guitar lessons, musicianship and directs the York University Jazz Orchestra, The Oscar Peterson Jazz Scholarship Ensemble, and “Soul Collective,” an 18-piece soul and R&B ensemble. In addition, he has presented his research at various conferences including the Canadian University Music Society, the American Association of Geographers, and the Harvard Graduate Music Forum Conference. 

Mike is sponsored by York University

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

Patricia Wait

Professor Patricia Wait is a clarinetist with extensive performance credits as a soloist, orchestral and chamber musician. She has appeared with many leading Canadian artists and ensembles, including pianist Anton Kuerti and clarinetist James Campbell; the St. Lawrence String Quartet, Prague String Quartet and Purcell String Quartet; and the Canadian Opera Company Orchestra. She has earned a BMus (Toronto), MMus (Western Ontario), DMA (ABD) (Cincinnati).

Learn more about Patricia at Patricia Wait.

Patricia is sponsored by York University.

Peggy Mezei

Margaret (Peggy) Mezei is currently a sessional instructor for the University of Lethbridge Department of Music teaching clarinet where she has taught for over 30 years. A native of Southern Alberta, Peggy earned a Bachelor of Music degree in clarinet performance from Washington State University (cum laude) and a Master of Music (magna cum laude) in Clarinet Performance and Pedagogy from Michigan State University where she studied with Dr. Elsa Ludwig-Verdehr.  She has been a recipient of Canada Council Arts Awards, performance scholarships, and was named Pi Kappa Lambda by the American National Music Honors Society. Peggy maintains an active career as a clarinetist, clinician and adjudicator. Peggy is past principal clarinetist with the Lethbridge Symphony Orchestra a position she held for over 30 year and member of the Red Deer Symphony Orchestra, a position she held for 18 years. She has appeared several times as soloist with the Lethbridge Symphony and the resident string quartet, Musaeus. Peggy is a valued Arts Administrator; a former Director of the Conservatory of Music, a position she held for over 25 years.

Peggy is sponsored by the University of Lethbridge

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

Sarah MacDonald

Sarah MacDonald is a Juno-nominated artist with extensive experience as a soloist, orchestral player, and chamber musician. Born and raised in Calgary, Sarah holds a BMus from the University of Calgary, MMus from the Royal Northern College of Music in Manchester England and an Artist Diploma from the College-Conservatory of Music, University of Cincinnati. She plays regularly with the Calgary Philharmonic Orchestra as a guest musician and has served as acting assistant principal flute for several seasons. Sarah’s reputation as a teacher extends throughout Alberta. She has served as the flute instructor for the University of Lethbridge since 2008. Many of Sarah’s students have gone on to pursue both undergraduate and graduate degrees at some of Canada’s finest institutions. Sarah is the co-founder of Green Banana Flute Studios, a partnership with CPO principal flutist Sara Hahn-Scinocco, committed to exploring excellence and wellness in the music industry. Sarah has served as the woodwind facilitator for the Academy at APP program at Mount Royal University, since the fall of 2022. 

Sarah is sponsored by the University of Lethbridge

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

Terry Porter

Performer, conductor and educator; Terry Porter began as a freelance clarinettist, performing with the Vancouver Symphony, Ottawa Symphony, Royal Winnipeg Ballet and Mel Torme Orchestras. As a conductor, Captain Porter served for twelve years as Director of Music of the Governor General’s Foot Guards Band where he led performances supporting local events and those of all levels of government in Canada.  Mr. Porter taught Music in Ottawa high schools for thirty years; during which time, he led ensembles, both student and professional, in performances abroad including nine European tours. As an educator, he has helped generations of young people discover the joys and benefits we all share when music is part of our lives. Terry Porter is thrilled to be part of the adjudication team again at MusicFest Canada.

Interprète, chef d’orchestre et éducateur; Terry Porter a débuté comme clarinettiste indépendant, se produisant avec l’Orchestre symphonique de Vancouver, l’Orchestre symphonique d’Ottawa, le Royal Winnipeg Ballet et l’orchestre Mel Torme. Chef d’orchestre, le capitaine Porter a été pendant douze ans directeur musical du Governor General’s Foot Guards Band, où il a dirigé des spectacles soutenant des événements locaux et de tous les niveaux de gouvernement au Canada.  M. Porter a enseigné la musique dans les écoles secondaires d’Ottawa pendant trente ans. Durant cette période, il a dirigé des ensembles étudiants et professionnels lors de spectacles à l’étranger, dont neuf tournées européennes. Éducateur, il a aidé des générations de jeunes à découvrir la joie et les avantages qui nous sont impartis lorsque la musique s’intègre à nos vies. Terry Porter est ravi de faire à nouveau partie de l’équipe des jurys d’évaluation de MusicFest Canada.

Travis Harrison

Hailing from Toronto, Canada, Travis Harrison teaches double bass at the University of Toronto. He is in high demand as a freelance soloist, chamber musician, and section leader in the Southern Ontario region, having served as guest Principal Bass with the National Arts Centre and Canadian Opera Company Orchestras, among others. His deep love of music led him to his Toronto Symphony debut at age 18, and to a tenured position with the Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra from 2013-2019. He has served the bass community as a Board Chair of the International Society of Bassists; is a consultant for tonebase where he is responsible for their double bass content and platform curation.; and co-authored “The Canadian School of Double Bass” technique books with his mentor, Joel Quarrington. He proudly performs on a bass commissioned from Montreal master luthier Mario Lamarre and bows by Ottawa’s Bernard Walke.

Learn more about Travis at Travis Harrison.

Travis is sponsored by the University of Toronto

Wallace Halladay

Canadian saxophonist Wallace Halladay holds a Bachelor’s degree in Performance and Composition from the University of Toronto, a Master’s from New England Conservatory in Boston, and a doctorate from the Eastman School of Music. Wallace also studied at the Conservatorium van Amsterdam with internationally acclaimed virtuoso Arno Bornkamp with a grant from the Canada Council for the Arts. He has previously taught at Memorial University of Newfoundland and the Eastman School of Music, and is presently Assistant Professor of Saxophone at the University of Toronto, where he is Chair of the Woodwind Department, Director of the Contemporary Music Ensemble, and was the inaugural winner of the faculty’s Teaching Award. Wallace was the 2009 winner of the Virginia Parker Prize from the Canada Council for the Arts. Awarded for outstanding musicianship, Wallace remains the only woodwind player to receive the prize in its 30 year history, and he joins such luminary Canadian laureates as Jon Kimura Parker, James Ehnes, and Yannick Nézet-Séguin.  Wallace recorded the two saxophone Sequenzas of Luciano Berio and the Colgrass concerto for NAXOS Records. He can also be heard with the Toronto Symphony, Canadian Opera Company, and National Ballet Orchestras. Wallace is a Conn-Selmer Artist and plays Selmer (Paris) saxophones.

Wallace is sponsored by the University of Toronto

Yuhan Zhou

Yuhan is a Chinese-born composer and pianist based in Toronto. She recently won the Ann H Atkinson Prize in 2023 and currently serves as the composer-in-residence at the University of Toronto Wind Symphony and Chamber Choir. Her winning composition, performed with the Bedford piano trio, titled “The Not-yet,” premiered at the 2023 UofT New Music Festival. Yuhan’s work has been showcased across East Asia and North America, including soundtracks for visual media like Hulu’s 2021 id Artists showcase advertisement, as well as award-winning films such as “Oop” and “Gamble”. Yuhan is presently pursuing a composition doctorate at the University of Toronto.”