Summer Music Faculty

Here are the amazing faculty who will share their talents and love of music with us for one wonderful week in 2023.

Main Faculty

Artistic Director - Childrens Programs - Christine Mensher

Artistic Director - Instrumental Programs - Lauren Helmer

Lauren Helmer is a secondary school educator from Kitchener Ontario, Canada. She has been the Associate Director of Bands of Eastwood Collegiate Institute’s Integrated Arts Magnet Program since 2018. Previously, Lauren taught at Preston High School, and Bluevale CI in Cambridge, ON, and Waterloo, ON, respectively. Her bands have consistently achieved the highest honours at the provincial and national level, competing at various festivals, and competitions, both locally and abroad.

As a performer, Lauren was the associate principal trombonist, and 2nd trombonist of the Guelph Symphony Orchestra for 8 years before joining the Stratford Symphony Orchestra in 2012. After 14 years of service, Lauren retired from the Canadian Army Reserve Forces in 2020. She was the trombone section commander of the internationally honoured Royal Hamilton Light Infantry Band since 2007. Prior to joining the RHLI, Lauren spent four summers performing on Parliament Hill in Ottawa, with the Band of the Ceremonial Guard, from 2007-2010.

As a conductor, Lauren is excited to announce that she is the newly appointed Artistic Director for the Guelph Concert Band! She has studied wind ensemble conducting with Dr. Denise Grant, the late Michael Purves-Smith, and has attended conducting clinics throughout North America. Lauren also holds the position as the Assistant Conductor of the Kitchener-Waterloo Youth Concert Band, she is the Artistic Director for “Summer Music” Camp in Southampton Ontario, is the Brass coach for the Grand River Blues Camp, and has co-directed the “Intro to Jazz” Camp through the Beckett School at Laurier.

Lauren is a member of the Canadian Band Association, the Ontario Band Association, the Ontario Music Educators’ Association, and is the Provincial Chair of Ontario for the Women Band Directors’ International.

When she is not teaching, Lauren enjoys both performing with, and directing local wind ensembles, big bands, and brass groups. Lauren holds an Honours Bachelor of Music Education from Wilfrid Laurier University, and a Bachelor of Education from the University of Western Ontario.

Lauren spends her free time with her incredibly supportive husband and daughter, running, lifting weights, snowboarding, hitting the links, reading a good book, or enjoying a cup of coffee.

Recreation Director - Carson McNeice

Recreation Director - Assistant - Chelby Morris

Sound Technician - Bryan Mombourquette

Born and raised in Southampton, Ontario, Bryan is currently working as a technician for the Unifor Family Education Center. He is a free-lance sound technician, actively employed by local AV and production companies, including Gary Byers Sound and Lighting. Bryan has gained incredible knowledge and experience of sound by working with such groups as Walk Off The Earth, Sloan, David Usher and Rita McNeil.

	Artistic Director - Childrens Programs - Christine Mensher
	Artistic Director - Instrumental Programs - Lauren Helmer Lauren Helmer is a secondary school educator from Kitchener Ontario, Canada. She has been the Associate Director of Bands of Eastwood Collegiate Institute’s Integrated Arts Magnet Program since 2018. Previously, Lauren taught at Preston High School, and Bluevale CI in Cambridge, ON, and Waterloo, ON, respectively. Her bands have consistently achieved the highest honours at the provincial and national level, competing at various festivals, and competitions, both locally and abroad. As a performer, Lauren was the associate principal trombonist, and 2nd trombonist of the Guelph Symphony Orchestra for 8 years before joining the Stratford Symphony Orchestra in 2012. After 14 years of service, Lauren retired from the Canadian Army Reserve Forces in 2020. She was the trombone section commander of the internationally honoured Royal Hamilton Light Infantry Band since 2007. Prior to joining the RHLI, Lauren spent four summers performing on Parliament Hill in Ottawa, with the Band of the Ceremonial Guard, from 2007-2010. As a conductor, Lauren is excited to announce that she is the newly appointed Artistic Director for the Guelph Concert Band! She has studied wind ensemble conducting with Dr. Denise Grant, the late Michael Purves-Smith, and has attended conducting clinics throughout North America. Lauren also holds the position as the Assistant Conductor of the Kitchener-Waterloo Youth Concert Band, she is the Artistic Director for “Summer Music” Camp in Southampton Ontario, is the Brass coach for the Grand River Blues Camp, and has co-directed the “Intro to Jazz” Camp through the Beckett School at Laurier. Lauren is a member of the Canadian Band Association, the Ontario Band Association, the Ontario Music Educators’ Association, and is the Provincial Chair of Ontario for the Women Band Directors’ International. When she is not teaching, Lauren enjoys both performing with, and directing local wind ensembles, big bands, and brass groups. Lauren holds an Honours Bachelor of Music Education from Wilfrid Laurier University, and a Bachelor of Education from the University of Western Ontario. Lauren spends her free time with her incredibly supportive husband and daughter, running, lifting weights, snowboarding, hitting the links, reading a good book, or enjoying a cup of coffee.
	Recreation Director - Carson McNeice
	Recreation Director - Assistant - Chelby Morris
	Sound Technician - Bryan Mombourquette Born and raised in Southampton, Ontario, Bryan is currently working as a technician for the Unifor Family Education Center. He is a free-lance sound technician, actively employed by local AV and production companies, including Gary Byers Sound and Lighting. Bryan has gained incredible knowledge and experience of sound by working with such groups as Walk Off The Earth, Sloan, David Usher and Rita McNeil.

Musical Theatre

- Amie Debrone

Amie Debrone is a cross-over singer, actor & in-demand teacher and coach whose students can be found on screens and stages across Canada. She received her Honours BMus in voice from Wilfrid Laurier University and has completed additional training at NYU, The Banff Centre, Stratford Festival, and more. In May 2023, Amie became the first and currently only person in Canada to be certified by The Singing Athlete which uses neuroscience to create lasting change for singers and actors of all levels. Performance highlights in theatre, musical theatre, pop & opera include shows with Drayton Entertainment, Spiritus Ensemble, WLU Opera, The KW Symphony and Lost & Found Theatre, among others. Amie is passionate about voice, body and brain science, and encourages young performers and teachers to become unique and elite artists and coaches.

- Angela Burns-Crowley

Originally from Port Elgin, Angela is a singer, actor, and voice teacher based in Ottawa. After studying with Summer Music Founding Director Jeanette Steeves, she went on to complete her Bachelor in Voice Performance and Diploma in Opera from Wilfrid Laurier University. Her continued pursuit of education has brought her to Opera Nuova, St Andrews by the Sea, the Casalmaggiore International Music Festival in Italy,

Queen of Puddings Music Theatre, and the Bel Canto Can Belto Workshop at Penn State University. She also holds Certifications in yoga and kids yoga, and most recently a Level 1 certification in Special Music Education from the Lotus Centre in Ottawa.

With over 15 years of running a busy private voice studio, she has enjoyed seeing studio alumni perform with various companies including Drayton Entertainment, the Stratford Festival, Mirvish Productions, Netflix, Ottawa Bluesfest, Ryerson University, Western University, Sheridan University, the Charlottetown Festival, and CBC just to name a few. Her teaching is focused on fostering the enjoyment and love of music while

achieving the highest level of vocal ability unique to each student. As a vocal coach and music director Angela has worked with The Singers Theatre, Stagecraft Musical Theatre, Cantabile Singers of Kingston, Ottawa Childrens Theatre and Canterbury High School. She is the current Secretary for the National Capital Branch of the National Association of Teachers of Singing. Some favourite performance credits include Cinderella(Into the Woods), Maria (The Sound of Music), L Enfant (L Enfant et les Sortileges), Belinda (Dido and Aeneas) Laurey (Oklahoma), Kim (Bye Bye Birdie) and The Granddaughter (And the Rat Laughed).

Angela has enjoyed watching her vision of a fun week of vocal freedom and performance at Summer Music blossom over the past decade into two full ensembles and lots of happy confident singers! See you in the summer!

- Erin Milley Patey

Soprano Erin Milley-Patey has established herself as a sought-after soloist and teacher since moving to Bruce County from Newfoundland in 2010. Along with owning a private music studio, Erin is a member of the Ontario Registered Music Teachers Association, The Speakeasy Cooperative, and acts as Rural Teacher Liaison for the National Association of Teachers of Singing Ontario Chapter. As a teacher, adjudicator, music director and soloist, Erin’s focus is on diving deep into the musical score and using the voice to tell meaningful stories in each performers own distinctive way.

Erin holds a Bachelor of Music (Honours) from Memorial University of Newfoundland and a Master of Music in Opera Performance from the University of British Columbia. Erin was also a participant at the inaugural seasons of Opera on the Avalon and The Elora Festival Academy of Music, as well as being the Vocal Representative for Newfoundland and Labrador at the National Music Festival in 2009.

- Anne Little

- Sean Winchester

Sean Winchester is a singer, pianist, and music educator who is currently teaching high school music in Guelph, Ontario. He has a Bachelor of Music and Bachelor of Education degree from the University of Toronto and Queens University, respectively. Following his studies, he jumped

on a plane and taught vocal and instrumental music internationally for more than 10 years in Saudi Arabia, China, Sudan, and Qatar. In February 2020, shortly before returning to Canada, Sean led his ensemble in taking home the top prize in the Qatar School Choir of the Year competition.

He currently sings with the Grand Philharmonic Choir and has been involved in the musical end of numerous choral and instrumental ensembles over the years as director, performer, composer, arranger, and accompanist.

	- Amie Debrone Amie Debrone is a cross-over singer, actor & in-demand teacher and coach whose students can be found on screens and stages across Canada. She received her Honours BMus in voice from Wilfrid Laurier University and has completed additional training at NYU, The Banff Centre, Stratford Festival, and more. In May 2023, Amie became the first and currently only person in Canada to be certified by The Singing Athlete which uses neuroscience to create lasting change for singers and actors of all levels. Performance highlights in theatre, musical theatre, pop & opera include shows with Drayton Entertainment, Spiritus Ensemble, WLU Opera, The KW Symphony and Lost & Found Theatre, among others. Amie is passionate about voice, body and brain science, and encourages young performers and teachers to become unique and elite artists and coaches.
	- Angela Burns-Crowley Originally from Port Elgin, Angela is a singer, actor, and voice teacher based in Ottawa. After studying with Summer Music Founding Director Jeanette Steeves, she went on to complete her Bachelor in Voice Performance and Diploma in Opera from Wilfrid Laurier University. Her continued pursuit of education has brought her to Opera Nuova, St Andrews by the Sea, the Casalmaggiore International Music Festival in Italy, Queen of Puddings Music Theatre, and the Bel Canto Can Belto Workshop at Penn State University. She also holds Certifications in yoga and kids yoga, and most recently a Level 1 certification in Special Music Education from the Lotus Centre in Ottawa. With over 15 years of running a busy private voice studio, she has enjoyed seeing studio alumni perform with various companies including Drayton Entertainment, the Stratford Festival, Mirvish Productions, Netflix, Ottawa Bluesfest, Ryerson University, Western University, Sheridan University, the Charlottetown Festival, and CBC just to name a few. Her teaching is focused on fostering the enjoyment and love of music while achieving the highest level of vocal ability unique to each student. As a vocal coach and music director Angela has worked with The Singers Theatre, Stagecraft Musical Theatre, Cantabile Singers of Kingston, Ottawa Childrens Theatre and Canterbury High School. She is the current Secretary for the National Capital Branch of the National Association of Teachers of Singing. Some favourite performance credits include Cinderella(Into the Woods), Maria (The Sound of Music), L Enfant (L Enfant et les Sortileges), Belinda (Dido and Aeneas) Laurey (Oklahoma), Kim (Bye Bye Birdie) and The Granddaughter (And the Rat Laughed). Angela has enjoyed watching her vision of a fun week of vocal freedom and performance at Summer Music blossom over the past decade into two full ensembles and lots of happy confident singers! See you in the summer!
	- Erin Milley Patey Soprano Erin Milley-Patey has established herself as a sought-after soloist and teacher since moving to Bruce County from Newfoundland in 2010. Along with owning a private music studio, Erin is a member of the Ontario Registered Music Teachers Association, The Speakeasy Cooperative, and acts as Rural Teacher Liaison for the National Association of Teachers of Singing Ontario Chapter. As a teacher, adjudicator, music director and soloist, Erin’s focus is on diving deep into the musical score and using the voice to tell meaningful stories in each performers own distinctive way. Erin holds a Bachelor of Music (Honours) from Memorial University of Newfoundland and a Master of Music in Opera Performance from the University of British Columbia. Erin was also a participant at the inaugural seasons of Opera on the Avalon and The Elora Festival Academy of Music, as well as being the Vocal Representative for Newfoundland and Labrador at the National Music Festival in 2009.
	- Anne Little
	- Sean Winchester Sean Winchester is a singer, pianist, and music educator who is currently teaching high school music in Guelph, Ontario. He has a Bachelor of Music and Bachelor of Education degree from the University of Toronto and Queens University, respectively. Following his studies, he jumped on a plane and taught vocal and instrumental music internationally for more than 10 years in Saudi Arabia, China, Sudan, and Qatar. In February 2020, shortly before returning to Canada, Sean led his ensemble in taking home the top prize in the Qatar School Choir of the Year competition. He currently sings with the Grand Philharmonic Choir and has been involved in the musical end of numerous choral and instrumental ensembles over the years as director, performer, composer, arranger, and accompanist.

Conductors

Festival Winds - David Leach

David Leach has been Director of Bands at Ann Arbor Pioneer High School since 2002. He received his bachelors and masters degrees in Music Education at Eastern Michigan University. He began his teaching career at Ypsilanti High School in 1988 and spent fourteen years there before coming to Ann Arbor. He was appointed Chair of the Pioneer High School Performing Arts Department in 2006, and Fine Arts Department Chair in 2013, serving in that position until 2021.

Leach sustains the long tradition of quality performance and repertoire in the Pioneer Bands. During his 19 years at Pioneer, his Concert and Jazz Bands have received consistent top ratings at district, state, and national festivals. His Symphony, Concert, and Jazz Bands have won overall festival championships at every national event entered. Leach wrote curriculum for and introduced a ninth-grade Jazz Lab, increased student numbers, and enhanced his students personal success in music with a high percentage of his graduates going on to study for careers in music education and performance. Under his baton, the Pioneer Symphony Band has performed three times at Carnegie Hall, twice at the Mid-Europe Music Conference in Schladming, Austria and performed on tour in China. In 2014 and 2016 the Pioneer Symphony was selected a New Music National Winner in the Mark of Excellence National Wind Band Honors project. In 2021, Mr. Leach and the Pioneer Symphony Band was invited to be part one of the feature ensembles and clinicians in GRAMMY Museum new initiative GRAMMY in the Schools Fest.

Mr. Leach has won the praise of international composers such as Michael Daugherty, John Mackey, Thomas Duffy, Alfred Reed, Jan Van der Roost and others for his insightful conducting of their compositions. Mr. Leach has attended the Wind Conducting Symposium with John L. Whitwell and studied conducting with the University of Michigan Director of Bands Michael Haithcock, and Maestro Michael Adleson; former conductor with the New York Philharmonic. In 2019 Mr. Leach was named Fellow for the H. Robert Reynolds Conducting Institute at the Midwest Clinic.

Mr. Leach is a proud member of the Pioneer High School Music Department, which has earned GRAMMY Signature School honors during his tenure there. In 2004, 2005, 2010, and 2015 the department achieved GRAMMY Signature School Gold status as one of the top two public high school music programs in the nation. In 2006 and 2011 the Pioneer Music Department was named the National GRAMMY Signature School as the top public high school music program in the nation, making it the first program ever honored twice by the GRAMMY Foundation. Currently, Mr. Leach is a past member of the GRAMMY Museums Music Educator Award screening panel; tasked with selecting candidates for the GRAMMY Teacher of the Year finalists, and this spring is a featured clinician (along with the Pioneer Symphony Band) in the GRAMMY Museums new initiative GRAMMY In the Schools Fest - a four-day virtual festival celebrating music and music education broadcast online the week leading up to Musics Biggest Night - the GRAMMY awards

Mr. Leach is the Conductor of the Festival (faculty) Winds at the Summer Music Camp in Saugeen Shores, a position he has held since 2013.

Beginning Band - Kirk Kiernander

Kirk Kiernander has been a middle school band director in the Waterloo Region since 2018 where each year he is presented with approximately 150 students that have never played an instrument before; confidently taking them from those beginning sounds to creatively brave musicians.

Previous to working with middle school bands in the Waterloo Region, Kirk taught music in Brampton (2009-2018) with Kindergarten to grade 8 students. He even taught music for a few years at an international summer camp in Switzerland.

After starting to play instruments in grade 9, Kirk fell in love with all things music and went through high school playing and singing in every ensemble. Knowing music was a very important part of his life, Kirk went to Wilfrid Laurier University where he completed his Honours

Bachelor of Music (Education) on saxophone, and received a Bachelor of Education from Nipissing University.

Kirk has started composing for Concert Band as a creative outlet and is excited to get back to performing in groups soon. When he is not teaching, Kirk spends his days with his wife and two kids making food, going on bike rides and building Ikea furniture (I think I am becoming a pro!).

Kirk is looking forward to teaching at Summer Music and continuing to build a love of music with the campers.

Beginning Band - Jennifer Pigott

Jenny Pigott is a flautist and music educator currently teaching K-8 Music at her school in Guelph. She holds her Bachelors of Music from the University of Toronto and her Bachelors of Education from Queens University. Her career as a music educator has quite literally taken her around the world. She has traveled to 34 different countries and been a music teacher for concert band, choir, and guitar classes in well-recognized international schools in Saudi Arabia, China, Sudan, and Qatar. Jenny is thrilled to be part of the Summer Music faculty and looks forward to getting to know the campers and getting them excited about band this summer!

Intermediate Band - Ryan Meeboer

Ryan Meeboer is a music educator, who obtained his degree through the Ontario Institute for Studies in Education at the University of Toronto. As a composer, he has written and arranged many pieces for concert band, jazz band, and small ensembles. His young band pieces, including Last Voyage of the Queen Annes Revenge and The Siege, have been well received by performers, educators, and audiences, and some of his pieces have been found on festival syllabuses. As a performer, he has had experience in several groups, including concert and stage bands, chamber choir, vocal jazz ensemble, acoustic duets, and the Hamilton based swing group - The Main Swing Connection.

Ryan began studying music at the age of seven through private guitar lessons. During his years in elementary and secondary school, he gained experience in several families of instruments. Focusing on music education and theory (including composition and orchestration), he attended McMaster University to achieve his honours degree in music. Ryan is currently a teacher at Viola Desmond Public School in Milton, Ontario, where he continues his practices in composing and arranging.

Senior Band - Erin Probst

Erin Probst is currently the Head of Music at Laurel Heights Secondary School in Waterloo, Ontario. She spends her days happily in band-land, teaching a full range of music courses and leading many extra-curricular ensembles, ranging from concert band to jazz bands to chamber groups and choir! Before her position at LHSS, Erin taught music in many of the high schools in the Waterloo Board,

where she has been teaching since 2011.

Currently, Erin plays saxophone with the Wellington Winds in Waterloo, and enjoys subbing in where possible with the Big Band Theory out of Waterloo. She has also been a member of Waterloo-area choirs Kokoro, Age of Majority Singers, and Kanto. Erin was also a member of the Canadian Armed Forces Reserves as a Musician from 2009-2021. During her time with the reserves, Erin performed with the Royal Hamilton Light Infantry Band, and appeared with the Band of the Ceremonial Guard for two summers. She taught saxophone at the CAF School of Music at Base Borden for a summer as well.

A life-long fan of summer camps, Erin has taught for two summers at the Ontario Educational Leadership Course at their Music Leadership Week, and many years ago attended OELC as a student for Music Week. She holds an Honours Bachelor of Music Education degree from The University of Western Ontario (2010), and a Bachelor of Education (2011) from The University of Western Ontario.

	Festival Winds - David Leach David Leach has been Director of Bands at Ann Arbor Pioneer High School since 2002. He received his bachelors and masters degrees in Music Education at Eastern Michigan University. He began his teaching career at Ypsilanti High School in 1988 and spent fourteen years there before coming to Ann Arbor. He was appointed Chair of the Pioneer High School Performing Arts Department in 2006, and Fine Arts Department Chair in 2013, serving in that position until 2021. Leach sustains the long tradition of quality performance and repertoire in the Pioneer Bands. During his 19 years at Pioneer, his Concert and Jazz Bands have received consistent top ratings at district, state, and national festivals. His Symphony, Concert, and Jazz Bands have won overall festival championships at every national event entered. Leach wrote curriculum for and introduced a ninth-grade Jazz Lab, increased student numbers, and enhanced his students personal success in music with a high percentage of his graduates going on to study for careers in music education and performance. Under his baton, the Pioneer Symphony Band has performed three times at Carnegie Hall, twice at the Mid-Europe Music Conference in Schladming, Austria and performed on tour in China. In 2014 and 2016 the Pioneer Symphony was selected a New Music National Winner in the Mark of Excellence National Wind Band Honors project. In 2021, Mr. Leach and the Pioneer Symphony Band was invited to be part one of the feature ensembles and clinicians in GRAMMY Museum new initiative GRAMMY in the Schools Fest. Mr. Leach has won the praise of international composers such as Michael Daugherty, John Mackey, Thomas Duffy, Alfred Reed, Jan Van der Roost and others for his insightful conducting of their compositions. Mr. Leach has attended the Wind Conducting Symposium with John L. Whitwell and studied conducting with the University of Michigan Director of Bands Michael Haithcock, and Maestro Michael Adleson; former conductor with the New York Philharmonic. In 2019 Mr. Leach was named Fellow for the H. Robert Reynolds Conducting Institute at the Midwest Clinic. Mr. Leach is a proud member of the Pioneer High School Music Department, which has earned GRAMMY Signature School honors during his tenure there. In 2004, 2005, 2010, and 2015 the department achieved GRAMMY Signature School Gold status as one of the top two public high school music programs in the nation. In 2006 and 2011 the Pioneer Music Department was named the National GRAMMY Signature School as the top public high school music program in the nation, making it the first program ever honored twice by the GRAMMY Foundation. Currently, Mr. Leach is a past member of the GRAMMY Museums Music Educator Award screening panel; tasked with selecting candidates for the GRAMMY Teacher of the Year finalists, and this spring is a featured clinician (along with the Pioneer Symphony Band) in the GRAMMY Museums new initiative GRAMMY In the Schools Fest - a four-day virtual festival celebrating music and music education broadcast online the week leading up to Musics Biggest Night - the GRAMMY awards Mr. Leach is the Conductor of the Festival (faculty) Winds at the Summer Music Camp in Saugeen Shores, a position he has held since 2013.
	Beginning Band - Kirk Kiernander Kirk Kiernander has been a middle school band director in the Waterloo Region since 2018 where each year he is presented with approximately 150 students that have never played an instrument before; confidently taking them from those beginning sounds to creatively brave musicians. Previous to working with middle school bands in the Waterloo Region, Kirk taught music in Brampton (2009-2018) with Kindergarten to grade 8 students. He even taught music for a few years at an international summer camp in Switzerland. After starting to play instruments in grade 9, Kirk fell in love with all things music and went through high school playing and singing in every ensemble. Knowing music was a very important part of his life, Kirk went to Wilfrid Laurier University where he completed his Honours Bachelor of Music (Education) on saxophone, and received a Bachelor of Education from Nipissing University. Kirk has started composing for Concert Band as a creative outlet and is excited to get back to performing in groups soon. When he is not teaching, Kirk spends his days with his wife and two kids making food, going on bike rides and building Ikea furniture (I think I am becoming a pro!). Kirk is looking forward to teaching at Summer Music and continuing to build a love of music with the campers.
	Beginning Band - Jennifer Pigott Jenny Pigott is a flautist and music educator currently teaching K-8 Music at her school in Guelph. She holds her Bachelors of Music from the University of Toronto and her Bachelors of Education from Queens University. Her career as a music educator has quite literally taken her around the world. She has traveled to 34 different countries and been a music teacher for concert band, choir, and guitar classes in well-recognized international schools in Saudi Arabia, China, Sudan, and Qatar. Jenny is thrilled to be part of the Summer Music faculty and looks forward to getting to know the campers and getting them excited about band this summer!
	Intermediate Band - Ryan Meeboer Ryan Meeboer is a music educator, who obtained his degree through the Ontario Institute for Studies in Education at the University of Toronto. As a composer, he has written and arranged many pieces for concert band, jazz band, and small ensembles. His young band pieces, including Last Voyage of the Queen Annes Revenge and The Siege, have been well received by performers, educators, and audiences, and some of his pieces have been found on festival syllabuses. As a performer, he has had experience in several groups, including concert and stage bands, chamber choir, vocal jazz ensemble, acoustic duets, and the Hamilton based swing group - The Main Swing Connection. Ryan began studying music at the age of seven through private guitar lessons. During his years in elementary and secondary school, he gained experience in several families of instruments. Focusing on music education and theory (including composition and orchestration), he attended McMaster University to achieve his honours degree in music. Ryan is currently a teacher at Viola Desmond Public School in Milton, Ontario, where he continues his practices in composing and arranging.
	Senior Band - Erin Probst Erin Probst is currently the Head of Music at Laurel Heights Secondary School in Waterloo, Ontario. She spends her days happily in band-land, teaching a full range of music courses and leading many extra-curricular ensembles, ranging from concert band to jazz bands to chamber groups and choir! Before her position at LHSS, Erin taught music in many of the high schools in the Waterloo Board, where she has been teaching since 2011. Currently, Erin plays saxophone with the Wellington Winds in Waterloo, and enjoys subbing in where possible with the Big Band Theory out of Waterloo. She has also been a member of Waterloo-area choirs Kokoro, Age of Majority Singers, and Kanto. Erin was also a member of the Canadian Armed Forces Reserves as a Musician from 2009-2021. During her time with the reserves, Erin performed with the Royal Hamilton Light Infantry Band, and appeared with the Band of the Ceremonial Guard for two summers. She taught saxophone at the CAF School of Music at Base Borden for a summer as well. A life-long fan of summer camps, Erin has taught for two summers at the Ontario Educational Leadership Course at their Music Leadership Week, and many years ago attended OELC as a student for Music Week. She holds an Honours Bachelor of Music Education degree from The University of Western Ontario (2010), and a Bachelor of Education (2011) from The University of Western Ontario.

Instrumental

Brass - Euphonium/Tuba - Low Brass - Eric Probst

Eric Probst moved to Kitchener in 2017 after completing a Master of Music in Tuba Performance and Pedagogy at Memorial University of Newfoundland, during which time he also held the position of Principal Tuba for the Newfoundland Symphony Orchestra. Eric also earned a Bachelor of Music Performance from the University of Toronto, and attended the Glenn Gould School at the Royal Conservatory of Music. Although a native of the GTA, where Eric worked as a freelance tuba player and military musician, he now performs most often with the Wellington Wind Symphony of Kitchener-Waterloo, Brassroots of London, and the Weston Silver Band of Toronto. Eric also occasionally plays with the Niagara Symphony Orchestra.

As a Sergeant in the Canadian Army Reserves, Eric has taught a number of Basic Military Qualification courses, instructed tuba at the Canadian Forces School of Music (CFB Borden), and has spent 12 summers in Ottawa performing with The Band of The Ceremonial Guard for the Changing of the Guard Ceremony in many various roles, including Group Sergeant and Assistant Band Sergeant Major. He has also performed with The Royal Canadian Artillery Band in Edmonton, and Royal Hamilton Light Infantry of Hamilton, Ontario.

Eric currently works as Recruiter for the Canadian Army Primary Reserves in the Kitchener-Waterloo-Cambridge-Guelph area, and teaches privately.

Brass - Euphonium/Tuba - Low Brass - Carina Lam

Carina Lam is the first Canadian euphoniumist to study at the Royal Northern College of Music (RNCM). She attained her Masters degree in EuphoniumPerformance under the tutelage of world-renowned soloist, Steven Mead. Carina completed her Honours Bachelor degree in Music Education at Wilfrid Laurier University in Waterloo, Ontario, after which she received a Bachelor in Education at the University of Toronto and became a certified teacher. She has been a member in the Band of the Ceremonial Guard and the Royal Hamilton Light Infantry(RHLI), where she performed for notable figures such as Her Majesty the Queen, the Emperor the Japan, and the Prime Minister of Canada. While deciding to specialize in music education, performance remained a major priority for Carina and she decided to pursue a Masters at the RNCM to explore the diversity of music that the brass band world has to offer in the United Kingdom. Both in the UK and at home, Carina has performed with and been featured as a soloist with numerous well-respected ensembles. While at the RNCM, Carina won the Terence Nagle Prize in the RNCM Solo Competition performing a piece that she commissioned, which was published shortly after it was premiered. She presented at the International Womens Brass Conference in 2017. Carina is the Artistic Director of the Toronto Tuba Euphonium Symposium (TOTES), which was piloted in March 2018. Currently, she performs throughout the Greater Toronto Area, as a member of the Euba Quartet, the RHLI Band, and the Hannaford Street Silver Band. Carina is also a Buffet Crampon/Besson Artist and a LeFreQue Artist.

Brass - French Horn - Emily Whittaker

Emily Whittaker is a freelance horn player and educator in the Chicagoland area. Throughout her time in Chicago, Emily has played with many orchestras and ensembles, including the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, Music of the Baroque, Civic Symphony Orchestra, Dubuque Symphony Orchestra, Gargoyle Brass Ensemble, 5th Wave Collective, and many more.

Emily maintains a private studio and is a guest clinician, and judicator, for high schools and middle schools in the Chicago metropolitan area. She dedicates her teaching to inspiring and empowering students while instilling positivity, knowledge, and confidence in each lesson.

Born and raised in Orillia, Ontario, Emily began her formal horn studies at York University studying with James MacDonald where she discovered her love of playing the horn and performing. She transferred to the University of Toronto and studied under Gabriel Radford and graduated with a Bachelor of Music in French Horn Performance and a minor in Indigenous Studies. She then earned her Master of Music from DePaul University in Chicago, studying with James Smelser, and a Post-Masters Performance Certificate at DePaul University working with Oto Carrillo.

Brass - Trombone - Nate Fanning

Nate Fanning is Principal Trombone of the Kitchener-Waterloo Symphony, a position he has held since 2019. Nate has played with some of the leading orchestras in Canada including but not limited to the Toronto Symphony Orchestra, Canadian Opera Company, Orchestre Symphonique de Québec, Opera de Québec, Orchestre Classique de Montreal, the Hamilton Philharmonic Orchestra, Thunder Bay Symphony Orchestra and the London Symphonia.

Nate attended Wilfrid Laurier University, the University of Toronto and the prestigious Glenn Gould School. While at U of T, Nate was a winner of the concerto competition in 2009. A member of the National Academy Orchestra of Canada under the direction of the late Boris Brott for the 2009 and 2010 summer seasons, Nate has often been used as a mentor with the orchestra since.

In 2015 Nate had the privilege of playing with Album and Group of the year winners The Arkells at the Juno awards in front of a nationally televised audience. Other artists Nate has shared the stage with include Roger Hodgson (Supertramp), Grammy winners Evanescence and Sarah McLachlan, Billboard and Teen Choice Award winner Lindsey Stirling, Juno winner Johnny Reid, and Il Divo. A big highlight of his career was playing in the pit while his father John Fanning sang the lead role in the world premiere of the Brian Finley opera The Pencil Salesman under the direction of Dan Warren at the Westben Arts Festival in 2016. The music director and Organist for Knox United Church in the town of Ayr, Nate is also currently on faculty at Wilfrid Laurier University where he teaches the Trombone students.

When not practicing, performing or teaching, Nate loves watching sports (especially his beloved Blue Jays, Maple Leafs, Browns, Tiger- Cats and Norwich FC) and spending time with his wife Amy and children Maggie and Matthew.

Brass - Trumpet - Eric Dettweiler

Eric Dettweiler is a trumpeter and music educator from Kitchener, ON. He holds a Bachelor of Music from Wilfrid Laurier University, where he studied under Guy Few and Larry Larson. Eric is the principal trumpet of the Wellington Wind Symphony, and lead trumpet in the Purpletones

Rhythm and Blues band. Eric is a high school teacher with the Waterloo Region District School Board, and maintains a busy studio of trumpet students at the Beckett School at Laurier.

Outside of the music scene, Eric enjoys spending his time biking, camping, and juggling. On occasion, Eric can be seen playing trumpet on top of a 6 foot unicycle.

Brass - Trumpet - Martin Lacoste

Martin recently retired as Head of Music at Bluevale Collegiate Institute in Waterloo in. A graduate of Wilfrid Laurier University, he is currently the director of the Galt Kiltie Band and Soul Sauce Vocal Jazz Ensemble, and he has performed with many ensembles of all kinds, including Big Band Theory and Wellington Winds and Windjammers.

He has served as musical director for several productions including Guys and Dolls, Cabaret (JM Drama), 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee (JM Drama), Princess Ida (Waterloo Regional G & S Society), Evita (JM Drama), Jesus Christ Superstar: The Concert Event (KWMP) and The Addams Family (KWMP).

When not involved in musical endeavours, Martin enjoys squash, hockey, slo-pitch, biking, swimming and following the Jays rise back to dominance.

Percussion - Amy Stephen

Amy Stephen holds a Bachelor of Music Performance from Wilfrid Laurier University, and a Bachelor of Education from Nipissing University. She has taught K-8 music in the Bluewater District School Board for the last 20 years. Amy has previously played with the Wellington Winds, Georgian Bay Symphony, and she currently plays with the Southampton Concert Band, as well as being a church musician.

Percussion - Marlee MacDougall

Marlee MacDougall is a Percussionist and Ontario Certified Teacher in the Hamilton-Wentworth District School Board where she is the department head of the Music program at her school. Marlee earned her Bachelor of Music (Hons.) from the University of Western Ontario in 2012, her Bachelor of Education from Lakehead University in 2017, and her Master of Music Education from the University of Western Ontario in 2020. She teaches instrumental music and special education music classes in the secondary system.

Marlee directs the Stage Band and Percussion Ensemble at her school, and assists the 2 Concert Bands. Marlee is a member of the Music Education team at the Burlington Sound of Music Festival, she performs with the Burlington Concert Band in her free time, and has previously worked as percussion staff at the National Music Camp of Canada.

Percussion - Victoria Sparks

Victoria Sparks is a Winnipeg based percussionist who performs as principal Timpani/Percussion with the Manitoba Chamber Orchestra and regularly works with other Manitoban arts organizations, including the Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra and the Groundswell New Music Series. An avid solo and chamber musician, Victoria performs with the clarinet/percussion duo Viðarneisti alongside Catherine Wood. She recently premiered a new percussion concerto Waking the Lion by renowned Canadian composer Alexina Louie. Victoria is the Percussion Area Head for the Desautels Faculty of Music at the University of Manitoba, teaching lessons, directing the percussion ensemble and teaching percussion techniques.

She is the founder and director of the MBA Prairie Percussion Workshop (since 2012), an annual education and performance event for percussion students. She serves as the President of the executive board of Groundswell Inc and as Treasurer for the University of Manitoba Faculty Association. Victoria is a Yamaha Artist and proud to support their creative and educational projects.

Woodwinds - Bassoon - Jodi Merritt

Jodi Merritt has been a proud member of the Southampton Festival Winds since 2017. She studied at Wilfrid Laurier University with Cedric Coleman where she earned her Honours Bachelor of Music Education degree in 1996. She went on to become a graduate of Western University, earning her Bachelor of Education degree.

She has freelanced with the Stratford Symphony, KW Chamber Orchestra, Guelph Symphony Orchestra, North Bay Symphony Orchestra, Waterloo Chamber Players, KW Community Orchestra, Spiritus Ensemble, Royal City Musical Production of Sweeney Todd, the Toronto Festival Winds, and the Windjammers Wind Ensemble. She performed on such W.W.E. CDs as Swingphonic (2000) and Broadway Baby (2002) and has

recorded under producer Steve Wingfield of Revolution Studios in Toronto.

Today she teaches instrumental music and visual arts at Huron Heights Secondary School where she conducts the Junior band, Jazz Band, and produces the Musical Youth Articulating Raw Talent (MYART) show every year.

Woodwinds - Clarinet - Christine McLean

Canadian musician Christine McLean is an orchestral clarinetist, pianist, and music educator in Owen Sound, Ontario who participates in concerts, workshops, and seminars throughout Ontario and the United States. She has been a member of the Stratford Symphony Orchestra since 2006 and the Georgian Bay Symphony since 2008. Her freelance orchestral experience has included the Toronto Sinfonietta, the

Scarborough Philharmonic, Arcady, and the Toronto Mandolin Orchestra.

Originally from Guelph, Ontario, Christine began studying piano at the age of 7, then added clarinet at age 12. While in high school, Christine was invited to numerous community ensembles, where she had the privilege to work with conductor Colin Clark and juno nominated jazz musician Brent Rowan. She then completed an Honours Bachelor of Music Performance on clarinet, from Wilfrid Laurier University, where she studied with Ross Edwards, the principal clarinetist of the Kitchener-Waterloo Symphony. She has since also studied with Dr. Jana Starling from Western University and worked with Dr. Wesley Ferreira and Dr. Wonkak Kim in Colorado, at Lift Clarinet Academy. While in University, Christine worked as a Yamaha music teacher, receiving training for five of their international group music programs, igniting a passion for teaching and music education. This passion and dedication to music education earned her the highly prestigious Evelyn Mae Scholarship at Wilfred Laurier University.

Christine shares her love for music education with students of all ages on both clarinet and piano, and has been sought after for consultation on instrumental pedagogy by individuals such as Christopher Norton and been published in ORMTAs Notes Magazine. Her students participate in studio performances, local festivals, RCM/CNCM examinations, masterclasses, studio recordings, composition and other community events. Her students have earned regional, provincial and national awards, have produced their own music which can be heard on Spotify, created music for local advertising reels, successfully completed university auditions at top schools in the country and been invited to participate in music festivals across Canada.

In the community, Christine is the president of the Ontario Registered Music Teachers Association and has been on council since 2012, an organization that supports local festivals like the Grey County Kiwanis Music Festival and the Canadian National Conservatory of Music Summer Sizzle Keyboard Kamp and plans fundraisers, regional competitions and the Canada Music Week concert each year. Christine is also the chair for the Education Outreach Committee with the Sweetwater Music Festival directed by Edward Huizinga, and is enjoying the opportunity to enrich musical connection and opportunities in Grey Bruce County with the Next Wave Showcase for emerging artists, Access Music events for local

music groups and organizers, and outreach to local schools.

Christine lives in Owen Sound, and is a mother to three school aged children. She enjoys getting outside and being active, and is very excited to be returning to Summer Music on the clarinet faculty!

Woodwinds - Clarinet - Rob Tite

Robert discovered the joys of clarinet music in 1989 at the age of 12. He has since gone on to study with Charles Bell who is the leader of the former Stardust Big Band and the Charlie Bell Trio, Terrance Basom who is the clarinet and sax professor at Mohawk College, Hamilton, and Peter Stoll who is a clarinet and chamber performance professor at U of T. Robert has a Clarinet dipl.A.A. (Mohawk College), and a Mus.Bac.Perf.(University of Toronto). Robert has had the benefit also of several master classes with Order of Canada

recipient James Campbell. Currently the Principal Clarinet of the Georgian Bay Symphony Orchestra since 2003, Robert continually strives for artistic excellence. Contributing also to the enrichment of cultural appreciation in Owen Sound by founding the Georgian Bay Symphony Clarinet Choir in 2005, Robert furthered the GBS mission of growth and development of regional community orchestra. In 2013, Robert also founded the Great Lake Winds concert band as an inclusive venue for players of all ages and levels with a focus on improving musically in a friendly environment. As the director of the Encore! male barbershop chorus, he is the local ambassador for the joy of singing and ringing chords together in four-part barbershop harmony. Currently, Robert is also the director of the Saugeen Bach Choir, and in this capacity he fulfills his mandate to bring classical choral music to the Saugeen area.

Robert is an experienced guest clinician who is proven to provide fresh perspectives and reinforce basic concepts to enhance school music programs. Robert teaches private lessons on Clarinet, Saxophone and recorder out of Owen Sound and via Zoom and finds great satisfaction in witnessing students achieve personal and musical growth. As the Royal Conservatory of Music Representative for Owen Sound, he facilitates access to Canadas national standard of musical excellence. Robert performed at the iconic Glenn Gould Studio in Toronto, the world debut of an original work for solo clarinet by Steven Hobé. A particular joy for Robert over the last few years is performing in the GBS chamber concert series which allowed him to participate in the presentation of diverse repertoire in a chamber group setting, and he performed the Copland Clarinet Concerto with the Georgian Bay Symphony which is considered one of the most difficult in the clarinet repertoire.

Woodwinds - Flute - Meryl Gillmore

Meryl Gillmore, B.Mus, B.Ed, ARCT Flute Performance, has been part of Summer Music since it’s early years. She is a retired music teacher of the Bluewater School Board, where she cultivated dynamic and award winning bands at Northport Elementary and G.C. Huston Public School. She is principal flute for the Georgian Bay Symphony, a founding member of the Georgian Bay Woodwind Quintet and performs regularly in the Greg/Bruce area. Starting students on instruments has been a highlight of her teaching and she looks forward to the challenge of the Beginning Band Program.

Woodwinds - Flute - Aaron Haydon

Aaron Haydon has been teaching and performing woodwinds for over 15 years. He studied flute and piccolo at McMaster University with Dr. David Gerry, and is also proficient on clarinet, saxophone, and oboe. Aaron has since gone on to freelance with various professional and amateur ensembles. He has spent the majority of his musical career as a woodwind doubler playing in pit orchestras, and military bands.

In his youth, Aaron played baritone saxophone with the George Rose Big Band and can be heard on several of their recordings. In addition to his instrumental career, Aaron is an avid vocalist and holds international champion medals for Barbershop chorus singing and acapella. Aaron is currently a parapro instructor at Eastwood Collegiate Institute in Kitchener and loves helping young musicians find their love of playing.

Aaron currently resides in Hamilton Ontario with his cat Peanut, and is very passionate about coffee and food culture. This is Aaron’s third year with Summer Music, and couldn’t be happier to again join such an incredibly passionate and talented group of artists.

Woodwinds - Saxophone - Tracey Frank

Tracey has been teaching and performing woodwinds for over 20 years, and currently runs her own private teaching studios in Woodstock and Stratford, ON. In addition to this, she is an avid musical theatre musician, plays flute and saxophone with singer/songwriter Leanne Mayer and the Wellington Wind Symphony, coaches the Stratford Symphony Youth Orchestra woodwinds, and behaves herself reasonably at her day job (most of the time…)

She holds a Bachelor of Music (Honours) in Music History from Western University, where she was a student of Ryan Fraser, a Bachelor of Music Education from University of Regina, and a Master of Music in Saxophone Performance from Duquesne University (Pittsburgh, PA), where she studied with James Houlik, Mike Tomaro, and Sean Jones. After graduate school, Tracey pursued further studies at Humber College with Mark Promane and Alex Dean.

Outside of music, Tracey is particularly enthusiastic about coffee, cats, and gardening. She is looking forward to returning to Summer Music this year for a sixth year of saxophone shenanigans!

Woodwinds - Saxophone - Cassandra Muraca

Cassandra Muraca is a Hamilton native who began her musical adventure at age four studying Suzuki Violin. Since then, she has become proficient on many different instruments but still maintains that saxophone is her favorite. During her time as a musician Cassandra has been fortunate to enjoy many wonderful musical experiences such as performing at the Montreux Jazz Festival in Switzerland, the Vienne Jazz Festival in France, the ZMF Jazz Festival in Germany, at the Canadian Embassy in Paris, as well as being a part of the first Canadian band to play at the

Juno Beach Memorial in Normandy, France. For seven years Cassandra performed as a saxophonist and flautist for Celebrity Cruises and Holland America Cruise Lines allowing her to travel the world all while playing music and meeting many amazing people. Locally she has performed with various ensembles including the Hamilton Philharmonic Orchestra, the military band of the RHLI, the Cambridge Symphony Orchestra, Wellington Winds, and Theatre Ancaster, among others.

As an educator, Cassandra has worked with Ukulele Kids, taught private lessons on strings and woodwinds, and is currently a middle school music teacher with the HamiltonWentworth District School Board. Cassandra holds an Honours Bachelor of Music from Wilfrid Laurier University and a B.Ed from Brock. She is extremely excited to be returning for her third year at Summer Music Camp where she can’t wait to share the week with so many amazing students and faculty!

	Brass - Euphonium/Tuba - Low Brass - Eric Probst Eric Probst moved to Kitchener in 2017 after completing a Master of Music in Tuba Performance and Pedagogy at Memorial University of Newfoundland, during which time he also held the position of Principal Tuba for the Newfoundland Symphony Orchestra. Eric also earned a Bachelor of Music Performance from the University of Toronto, and attended the Glenn Gould School at the Royal Conservatory of Music. Although a native of the GTA, where Eric worked as a freelance tuba player and military musician, he now performs most often with the Wellington Wind Symphony of Kitchener-Waterloo, Brassroots of London, and the Weston Silver Band of Toronto. Eric also occasionally plays with the Niagara Symphony Orchestra. As a Sergeant in the Canadian Army Reserves, Eric has taught a number of Basic Military Qualification courses, instructed tuba at the Canadian Forces School of Music (CFB Borden), and has spent 12 summers in Ottawa performing with The Band of The Ceremonial Guard for the Changing of the Guard Ceremony in many various roles, including Group Sergeant and Assistant Band Sergeant Major. He has also performed with The Royal Canadian Artillery Band in Edmonton, and Royal Hamilton Light Infantry of Hamilton, Ontario. Eric currently works as Recruiter for the Canadian Army Primary Reserves in the Kitchener-Waterloo-Cambridge-Guelph area, and teaches privately.
	Brass - Euphonium/Tuba - Low Brass - Carina Lam Carina Lam is the first Canadian euphoniumist to study at the Royal Northern College of Music (RNCM). She attained her Masters degree in EuphoniumPerformance under the tutelage of world-renowned soloist, Steven Mead. Carina completed her Honours Bachelor degree in Music Education at Wilfrid Laurier University in Waterloo, Ontario, after which she received a Bachelor in Education at the University of Toronto and became a certified teacher. She has been a member in the Band of the Ceremonial Guard and the Royal Hamilton Light Infantry(RHLI), where she performed for notable figures such as Her Majesty the Queen, the Emperor the Japan, and the Prime Minister of Canada. While deciding to specialize in music education, performance remained a major priority for Carina and she decided to pursue a Masters at the RNCM to explore the diversity of music that the brass band world has to offer in the United Kingdom. Both in the UK and at home, Carina has performed with and been featured as a soloist with numerous well-respected ensembles. While at the RNCM, Carina won the Terence Nagle Prize in the RNCM Solo Competition performing a piece that she commissioned, which was published shortly after it was premiered. She presented at the International Womens Brass Conference in 2017. Carina is the Artistic Director of the Toronto Tuba Euphonium Symposium (TOTES), which was piloted in March 2018. Currently, she performs throughout the Greater Toronto Area, as a member of the Euba Quartet, the RHLI Band, and the Hannaford Street Silver Band. Carina is also a Buffet Crampon/Besson Artist and a LeFreQue Artist.
	Brass - French Horn - Emily Whittaker Emily Whittaker is a freelance horn player and educator in the Chicagoland area. Throughout her time in Chicago, Emily has played with many orchestras and ensembles, including the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, Music of the Baroque, Civic Symphony Orchestra, Dubuque Symphony Orchestra, Gargoyle Brass Ensemble, 5th Wave Collective, and many more. Emily maintains a private studio and is a guest clinician, and judicator, for high schools and middle schools in the Chicago metropolitan area. She dedicates her teaching to inspiring and empowering students while instilling positivity, knowledge, and confidence in each lesson. Born and raised in Orillia, Ontario, Emily began her formal horn studies at York University studying with James MacDonald where she discovered her love of playing the horn and performing. She transferred to the University of Toronto and studied under Gabriel Radford and graduated with a Bachelor of Music in French Horn Performance and a minor in Indigenous Studies. She then earned her Master of Music from DePaul University in Chicago, studying with James Smelser, and a Post-Masters Performance Certificate at DePaul University working with Oto Carrillo.
	Brass - Trombone - Nate Fanning Nate Fanning is Principal Trombone of the Kitchener-Waterloo Symphony, a position he has held since 2019. Nate has played with some of the leading orchestras in Canada including but not limited to the Toronto Symphony Orchestra, Canadian Opera Company, Orchestre Symphonique de Québec, Opera de Québec, Orchestre Classique de Montreal, the Hamilton Philharmonic Orchestra, Thunder Bay Symphony Orchestra and the London Symphonia. Nate attended Wilfrid Laurier University, the University of Toronto and the prestigious Glenn Gould School. While at U of T, Nate was a winner of the concerto competition in 2009. A member of the National Academy Orchestra of Canada under the direction of the late Boris Brott for the 2009 and 2010 summer seasons, Nate has often been used as a mentor with the orchestra since. In 2015 Nate had the privilege of playing with Album and Group of the year winners The Arkells at the Juno awards in front of a nationally televised audience. Other artists Nate has shared the stage with include Roger Hodgson (Supertramp), Grammy winners Evanescence and Sarah McLachlan, Billboard and Teen Choice Award winner Lindsey Stirling, Juno winner Johnny Reid, and Il Divo. A big highlight of his career was playing in the pit while his father John Fanning sang the lead role in the world premiere of the Brian Finley opera The Pencil Salesman under the direction of Dan Warren at the Westben Arts Festival in 2016. The music director and Organist for Knox United Church in the town of Ayr, Nate is also currently on faculty at Wilfrid Laurier University where he teaches the Trombone students. When not practicing, performing or teaching, Nate loves watching sports (especially his beloved Blue Jays, Maple Leafs, Browns, Tiger- Cats and Norwich FC) and spending time with his wife Amy and children Maggie and Matthew.
	Brass - Trumpet - Eric Dettweiler Eric Dettweiler is a trumpeter and music educator from Kitchener, ON. He holds a Bachelor of Music from Wilfrid Laurier University, where he studied under Guy Few and Larry Larson. Eric is the principal trumpet of the Wellington Wind Symphony, and lead trumpet in the Purpletones Rhythm and Blues band. Eric is a high school teacher with the Waterloo Region District School Board, and maintains a busy studio of trumpet students at the Beckett School at Laurier. Outside of the music scene, Eric enjoys spending his time biking, camping, and juggling. On occasion, Eric can be seen playing trumpet on top of a 6 foot unicycle.
	Brass - Trumpet - Martin Lacoste Martin recently retired as Head of Music at Bluevale Collegiate Institute in Waterloo in. A graduate of Wilfrid Laurier University, he is currently the director of the Galt Kiltie Band and Soul Sauce Vocal Jazz Ensemble, and he has performed with many ensembles of all kinds, including Big Band Theory and Wellington Winds and Windjammers. He has served as musical director for several productions including Guys and Dolls, Cabaret (JM Drama), 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee (JM Drama), Princess Ida (Waterloo Regional G & S Society), Evita (JM Drama), Jesus Christ Superstar: The Concert Event (KWMP) and The Addams Family (KWMP). When not involved in musical endeavours, Martin enjoys squash, hockey, slo-pitch, biking, swimming and following the Jays rise back to dominance.
	Percussion - Amy Stephen Amy Stephen holds a Bachelor of Music Performance from Wilfrid Laurier University, and a Bachelor of Education from Nipissing University. She has taught K-8 music in the Bluewater District School Board for the last 20 years. Amy has previously played with the Wellington Winds, Georgian Bay Symphony, and she currently plays with the Southampton Concert Band, as well as being a church musician.
	Percussion - Marlee MacDougall Marlee MacDougall is a Percussionist and Ontario Certified Teacher in the Hamilton-Wentworth District School Board where she is the department head of the Music program at her school. Marlee earned her Bachelor of Music (Hons.) from the University of Western Ontario in 2012, her Bachelor of Education from Lakehead University in 2017, and her Master of Music Education from the University of Western Ontario in 2020. She teaches instrumental music and special education music classes in the secondary system. Marlee directs the Stage Band and Percussion Ensemble at her school, and assists the 2 Concert Bands. Marlee is a member of the Music Education team at the Burlington Sound of Music Festival, she performs with the Burlington Concert Band in her free time, and has previously worked as percussion staff at the National Music Camp of Canada.
	Percussion - Victoria Sparks Victoria Sparks is a Winnipeg based percussionist who performs as principal Timpani/Percussion with the Manitoba Chamber Orchestra and regularly works with other Manitoban arts organizations, including the Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra and the Groundswell New Music Series. An avid solo and chamber musician, Victoria performs with the clarinet/percussion duo Viðarneisti alongside Catherine Wood. She recently premiered a new percussion concerto Waking the Lion by renowned Canadian composer Alexina Louie. Victoria is the Percussion Area Head for the Desautels Faculty of Music at the University of Manitoba, teaching lessons, directing the percussion ensemble and teaching percussion techniques. She is the founder and director of the MBA Prairie Percussion Workshop (since 2012), an annual education and performance event for percussion students. She serves as the President of the executive board of Groundswell Inc and as Treasurer for the University of Manitoba Faculty Association. Victoria is a Yamaha Artist and proud to support their creative and educational projects.
	Woodwinds - Bassoon - Jodi Merritt Jodi Merritt has been a proud member of the Southampton Festival Winds since 2017. She studied at Wilfrid Laurier University with Cedric Coleman where she earned her Honours Bachelor of Music Education degree in 1996. She went on to become a graduate of Western University, earning her Bachelor of Education degree. She has freelanced with the Stratford Symphony, KW Chamber Orchestra, Guelph Symphony Orchestra, North Bay Symphony Orchestra, Waterloo Chamber Players, KW Community Orchestra, Spiritus Ensemble, Royal City Musical Production of Sweeney Todd, the Toronto Festival Winds, and the Windjammers Wind Ensemble. She performed on such W.W.E. CDs as Swingphonic (2000) and Broadway Baby (2002) and has recorded under producer Steve Wingfield of Revolution Studios in Toronto. Today she teaches instrumental music and visual arts at Huron Heights Secondary School where she conducts the Junior band, Jazz Band, and produces the Musical Youth Articulating Raw Talent (MYART) show every year.
	Woodwinds - Clarinet - Christine McLean Canadian musician Christine McLean is an orchestral clarinetist, pianist, and music educator in Owen Sound, Ontario who participates in concerts, workshops, and seminars throughout Ontario and the United States. She has been a member of the Stratford Symphony Orchestra since 2006 and the Georgian Bay Symphony since 2008. Her freelance orchestral experience has included the Toronto Sinfonietta, the Scarborough Philharmonic, Arcady, and the Toronto Mandolin Orchestra. Originally from Guelph, Ontario, Christine began studying piano at the age of 7, then added clarinet at age 12. While in high school, Christine was invited to numerous community ensembles, where she had the privilege to work with conductor Colin Clark and juno nominated jazz musician Brent Rowan. She then completed an Honours Bachelor of Music Performance on clarinet, from Wilfrid Laurier University, where she studied with Ross Edwards, the principal clarinetist of the Kitchener-Waterloo Symphony. She has since also studied with Dr. Jana Starling from Western University and worked with Dr. Wesley Ferreira and Dr. Wonkak Kim in Colorado, at Lift Clarinet Academy. While in University, Christine worked as a Yamaha music teacher, receiving training for five of their international group music programs, igniting a passion for teaching and music education. This passion and dedication to music education earned her the highly prestigious Evelyn Mae Scholarship at Wilfred Laurier University. Christine shares her love for music education with students of all ages on both clarinet and piano, and has been sought after for consultation on instrumental pedagogy by individuals such as Christopher Norton and been published in ORMTAs Notes Magazine. Her students participate in studio performances, local festivals, RCM/CNCM examinations, masterclasses, studio recordings, composition and other community events. Her students have earned regional, provincial and national awards, have produced their own music which can be heard on Spotify, created music for local advertising reels, successfully completed university auditions at top schools in the country and been invited to participate in music festivals across Canada. In the community, Christine is the president of the Ontario Registered Music Teachers Association and has been on council since 2012, an organization that supports local festivals like the Grey County Kiwanis Music Festival and the Canadian National Conservatory of Music Summer Sizzle Keyboard Kamp and plans fundraisers, regional competitions and the Canada Music Week concert each year. Christine is also the chair for the Education Outreach Committee with the Sweetwater Music Festival directed by Edward Huizinga, and is enjoying the opportunity to enrich musical connection and opportunities in Grey Bruce County with the Next Wave Showcase for emerging artists, Access Music events for local music groups and organizers, and outreach to local schools. Christine lives in Owen Sound, and is a mother to three school aged children. She enjoys getting outside and being active, and is very excited to be returning to Summer Music on the clarinet faculty!
	Woodwinds - Clarinet - Rob Tite Robert discovered the joys of clarinet music in 1989 at the age of 12. He has since gone on to study with Charles Bell who is the leader of the former Stardust Big Band and the Charlie Bell Trio, Terrance Basom who is the clarinet and sax professor at Mohawk College, Hamilton, and Peter Stoll who is a clarinet and chamber performance professor at U of T. Robert has a Clarinet dipl.A.A. (Mohawk College), and a Mus.Bac.Perf.(University of Toronto). Robert has had the benefit also of several master classes with Order of Canada recipient James Campbell. Currently the Principal Clarinet of the Georgian Bay Symphony Orchestra since 2003, Robert continually strives for artistic excellence. Contributing also to the enrichment of cultural appreciation in Owen Sound by founding the Georgian Bay Symphony Clarinet Choir in 2005, Robert furthered the GBS mission of growth and development of regional community orchestra. In 2013, Robert also founded the Great Lake Winds concert band as an inclusive venue for players of all ages and levels with a focus on improving musically in a friendly environment. As the director of the Encore! male barbershop chorus, he is the local ambassador for the joy of singing and ringing chords together in four-part barbershop harmony. Currently, Robert is also the director of the Saugeen Bach Choir, and in this capacity he fulfills his mandate to bring classical choral music to the Saugeen area. Robert is an experienced guest clinician who is proven to provide fresh perspectives and reinforce basic concepts to enhance school music programs. Robert teaches private lessons on Clarinet, Saxophone and recorder out of Owen Sound and via Zoom and finds great satisfaction in witnessing students achieve personal and musical growth. As the Royal Conservatory of Music Representative for Owen Sound, he facilitates access to Canadas national standard of musical excellence. Robert performed at the iconic Glenn Gould Studio in Toronto, the world debut of an original work for solo clarinet by Steven Hobé. A particular joy for Robert over the last few years is performing in the GBS chamber concert series which allowed him to participate in the presentation of diverse repertoire in a chamber group setting, and he performed the Copland Clarinet Concerto with the Georgian Bay Symphony which is considered one of the most difficult in the clarinet repertoire.
	Woodwinds - Flute - Meryl Gillmore Meryl Gillmore, B.Mus, B.Ed, ARCT Flute Performance, has been part of Summer Music since it’s early years. She is a retired music teacher of the Bluewater School Board, where she cultivated dynamic and award winning bands at Northport Elementary and G.C. Huston Public School. She is principal flute for the Georgian Bay Symphony, a founding member of the Georgian Bay Woodwind Quintet and performs regularly in the Greg/Bruce area. Starting students on instruments has been a highlight of her teaching and she looks forward to the challenge of the Beginning Band Program.
	Woodwinds - Flute - Aaron Haydon Aaron Haydon has been teaching and performing woodwinds for over 15 years. He studied flute and piccolo at McMaster University with Dr. David Gerry, and is also proficient on clarinet, saxophone, and oboe. Aaron has since gone on to freelance with various professional and amateur ensembles. He has spent the majority of his musical career as a woodwind doubler playing in pit orchestras, and military bands. In his youth, Aaron played baritone saxophone with the George Rose Big Band and can be heard on several of their recordings. In addition to his instrumental career, Aaron is an avid vocalist and holds international champion medals for Barbershop chorus singing and acapella. Aaron is currently a parapro instructor at Eastwood Collegiate Institute in Kitchener and loves helping young musicians find their love of playing. Aaron currently resides in Hamilton Ontario with his cat Peanut, and is very passionate about coffee and food culture. This is Aaron’s third year with Summer Music, and couldn’t be happier to again join such an incredibly passionate and talented group of artists.
	Woodwinds - Saxophone - Tracey Frank Tracey has been teaching and performing woodwinds for over 20 years, and currently runs her own private teaching studios in Woodstock and Stratford, ON. In addition to this, she is an avid musical theatre musician, plays flute and saxophone with singer/songwriter Leanne Mayer and the Wellington Wind Symphony, coaches the Stratford Symphony Youth Orchestra woodwinds, and behaves herself reasonably at her day job (most of the time…) She holds a Bachelor of Music (Honours) in Music History from Western University, where she was a student of Ryan Fraser, a Bachelor of Music Education from University of Regina, and a Master of Music in Saxophone Performance from Duquesne University (Pittsburgh, PA), where she studied with James Houlik, Mike Tomaro, and Sean Jones. After graduate school, Tracey pursued further studies at Humber College with Mark Promane and Alex Dean. Outside of music, Tracey is particularly enthusiastic about coffee, cats, and gardening. She is looking forward to returning to Summer Music this year for a sixth year of saxophone shenanigans!
	Woodwinds - Saxophone - Cassandra Muraca Cassandra Muraca is a Hamilton native who began her musical adventure at age four studying Suzuki Violin. Since then, she has become proficient on many different instruments but still maintains that saxophone is her favorite. During her time as a musician Cassandra has been fortunate to enjoy many wonderful musical experiences such as performing at the Montreux Jazz Festival in Switzerland, the Vienne Jazz Festival in France, the ZMF Jazz Festival in Germany, at the Canadian Embassy in Paris, as well as being a part of the first Canadian band to play at the Juno Beach Memorial in Normandy, France. For seven years Cassandra performed as a saxophonist and flautist for Celebrity Cruises and Holland America Cruise Lines allowing her to travel the world all while playing music and meeting many amazing people. Locally she has performed with various ensembles including the Hamilton Philharmonic Orchestra, the military band of the RHLI, the Cambridge Symphony Orchestra, Wellington Winds, and Theatre Ancaster, among others. As an educator, Cassandra has worked with Ukulele Kids, taught private lessons on strings and woodwinds, and is currently a middle school music teacher with the HamiltonWentworth District School Board. Cassandra holds an Honours Bachelor of Music from Wilfrid Laurier University and a B.Ed from Brock. She is extremely excited to be returning for her third year at Summer Music Camp where she can’t wait to share the week with so many amazing students and faculty!

Jazz

Director - Summer Music Jazz Program, Improvisation, Bass and Sax - Mike Grace

Mike Grace has been a professional musician most all of his life. From playing with Dixieland and Country & Western bands in Texas to touring the world with his trio or quartet Mike has made performing classical and jazz music his passion. Along the way Mike found an excitement in teaching and when asked by former university colleagues to join the local faculties he readily began a career in teaching with the same passion he had for performance.

Combining university and public school teaching allowed Mike 35 years in music education, all the while continuing a vigorous performance schedule covering many parts of the world. His college and university students as well as his high school graduates became many of the worlds finest performers and teachers. It is difficult to separate Mikeʼs teaching and performing accomplishments as they are so melded together.

Among Mikeʼs most treasured moments in education is being named a Disney-McDonalds Performing Arts Teacher in 1996. And, being named University of Michigan Musical Society Educator Of The Year, the year after retiring from the Ann Arbor, Michigan, Public Schools make these two honors highlights of his professional life. But, the Community High School Jazz Program will alway remain his favorite educational

accomplishment, a program of many combos which rose to a level of over 300 performances annually, winning almost every award at jazz festivals world-wide.

Among the many performers Mike has had the great fortune to perform with are Dave Brubeck, Dizzy Gillespie, Mel Torme, Rob McConnell, Roger Williams, Urbie Green, Billy Taylor, Clark Terry, Dee Dee Bridgewater, Henry Mancini, Jimmy Forrest, Peter Appleyard, Randy Brecker, Rosemary Clooney and Sonny Stitt.

Instrumental - Perrin Grace

Brooklyn based musician Perrin Grace has offered an array of talents and skills as a bassist, band-leader and disc jockey. A native of Ann Arbor, Michigan, Perrin immediately took part in as many musically related extra curricular activities as possible, both officially and otherwise. By the age of 13 there was not a day spent without an instrument in hand or music on the mind. No matter the genre there was always a performance on the horizon and the resulting gratification was addicting to say the least. By the age of 18 it was time to go to college and drop the juggling act as captain of the high school golf team, mock trial competitor and participant in more bands than one could count.

After completing his Bachelors from the University of North Texas Perrin leaned in to developing his co-led group AMP Trio along side Addison Frei and Matt Young. This group, now in its twelfth year has been the cornerstone of Perrins creative outflow after releasing 5 records, organizing numerous tours across the US, Canada, China and Japan and working alongside renowned artists such as Tahira Clayton, Drew Zaremba, Tim Green, John Raymond and Quamon Fowler. Performing at high profile venues BMCC Tribeca Performing Arts Center, Washington D.C. Jazz Festival, Jacksonville Jazz Festival and many more AMP Trio brings a rich take on jazz in the modern era. With a sixth EP recorded AMP Trio is excited for an upcoming release and tour, for when they come together to perform it is a magical experience felt by all.

Along with passionately contributing to AMP Trio Perrin enjoys a broad spectrum of musical work and play offered by the many scenes in the New York City area. From the late night jazz jam sessions where players comes to sharpen their edge to the corporate world of providing

the best musical services for any occasion. He’s been fortunate to follow his dreams of performing or recording with some of his musical heroes such as Benny Bennack III, John Riley, Amina Figarova, Takuya Kuroda, Jake Hertzog, Michael Mayo, Sirintip, Zach Brock, Glad Hekselman and performing at renowned NYC venues such as Smalls Jazz Club, The Jazz Gallery and 55 Bar, crossing paths with legends long established and up-and-coming.

More recently Perrin has pursued some unexpected passions as well. To start, Perrin took up learning Japanese after taking many trips to Japan and seeing the unending appreciation for his gift of jazz and culture. To deepen his message he spent 3 years in an intense daily study of reading, writing, listening and speaking. Eventually his efforts led to an in-Japanese interview for NHK Radio. There he spoke on his cultural exchange with the coastal city of Ofunato, Japan and how AMP Trio dedicated their record “Go Naive” to the city as a blessing to their continued recovery after the great tsunami disaster of 2011.

Over the past year with the night life of New York City reopened Perrin has been enjoying Brooklyns electronic music scene, catching DJs as they spin underground house and techno through top notch sound systems to ecstatic dance floors under a dazzling lighting display. An environment perfectly suited to the most visceral of intentions. With his long experience as a performer and drive to provide meaningful experiences, Perrin is excited to continue his development as a selector of great music to bring people together.

Instrumental - Ian Burbidge

Ian Burbidge has had the privilege of making music in Bruce County for almost 40 years now. As a composer, arranger, conductor, teacher, sideman and bandleader, Ian has learned from the many, many talented musicians in the area. Ian is looking forward to being involved in the Summer Music camp again with his debut with the jazz program this summer.

Instrumental - Scott Neary

Scott Neary is an international touring musician and award winning guitarist/composer/arranger. He is a graduate of the University of North Texas Master of Music program, where he was a member of the six time Grammy Nominated One OClock Lab Band, and can be heard on their recording Lab 2013. As a member of One OClock Lab band played alongside Peter Erskine, Frank Greene, Denis DiBlasio, and Stockton Helbing, among others.

Scott has a Masters of Music in Jazz Guitar Performance from the University of North Texas, and a Bachelors of Music (Jazz Studies) with Honours from St. Francis Xavier University. He also holds a Grade 10 in Piano from the Royal Conservatory of Music. He has worked as a private music educator for 20 years. He worked as an adjunt professor of music at St. Francis Xavier University from 2010-2011, a teaching assistant at the University of NorthTexas from 2011-2013, and as a full time music professor from 2013-2014 at the Universidad de las Americas in Quito, Ecuador.

He has been a professional performing musician since 2003 and has maintained an active role as a performer ever since. Living in Toronto from 2013 to 2020, he was an in demand gigging and recording guitarist, vocalist, and pianist, of all styles. He has performed with Jully Black, Unidentifed Funk Object, Pheonix Jazz Quartet, Ilios Steryanis, After Funk, Larry Graves, Surefire Sweat, The Hit Pickers, Floral Marks, Sundar Viswanathan, Max Senitt, Selcuk Suna, Eric St. Laurent, among many others.

Since 2020, Scott has returned to his hometown of Wabush, Labrador, where he has maintained a busy schedule as a performer, private music educator, and member of the acoustic based trio Ptarmageddon. As a member of the local arts community, he has helped create a local open mic/songwriters night, been an instructor in summer music camps, and has become a staple in the Labrador West music scene.

Instrumental - Don Buchanan

As a keyboardist, saxophonist or clarinetist, Don has been apart of the Grey Bruce music scene for over 35 years. He has mostly worked with

the local Jazz and Big Band scene but enjoys all forms of music. He has composed and arranged Big Bands and Jazz groups in the area and

has written for the Georgian Bay Symphony as well. Along with performing concerts or engagements Don as done extensive work for the OSLT either playing or composing scores for their productions.

Over the last 10 years, his main focus and love has been performing as a pianist with small jazz combos with his major focus as an accompanist for the finest vocalists and jazz instrumentalists in the area. Don has begun his 23rd year as organist and c/o director of music and Liturgy at St. Marys and continues to perform throughout the area when called upon.

Percussion - Stephen Wood

Stephen Wood is a librarian by day and musician by night. He has performed with many groups including the Noodle Factory Jazz Project, Bobby Dean Blackburn, Bruce Worthington, Georgian Bay Symphony, Will Currie & the Country French, and the Orchid Trail Quartet. He has been fortunate to share the stage with groups such as Sloan, David Wilcox, the Arkells, Tokyo Police Club, Our Lady Peace, Said the Whale, and Dan Mangan.

Vocal - Vanisha Gould

Vanisha Gould came to New York in 2015 from Simi Valley, California. Inspired by artists like Billie Holiday, Nina Simone, Joni Mitchell, Carmen McRae and Ella Fitzgerald, Vanisha has successfully curated her own sound as a composer and band leader. Performing originals and music from the Great American Songbook on several groundbreaking stages both in New York and overseas, she aspires to continue sharing her voice with audiences in New York and beyond.

	Director - Summer Music Jazz Program, Improvisation, Bass and Sax - Mike Grace Mike Grace has been a professional musician most all of his life. From playing with Dixieland and Country & Western bands in Texas to touring the world with his trio or quartet Mike has made performing classical and jazz music his passion. Along the way Mike found an excitement in teaching and when asked by former university colleagues to join the local faculties he readily began a career in teaching with the same passion he had for performance. Combining university and public school teaching allowed Mike 35 years in music education, all the while continuing a vigorous performance schedule covering many parts of the world. His college and university students as well as his high school graduates became many of the worlds finest performers and teachers. It is difficult to separate Mikeʼs teaching and performing accomplishments as they are so melded together. Among Mikeʼs most treasured moments in education is being named a Disney-McDonalds Performing Arts Teacher in 1996. And, being named University of Michigan Musical Society Educator Of The Year, the year after retiring from the Ann Arbor, Michigan, Public Schools make these two honors highlights of his professional life. But, the Community High School Jazz Program will alway remain his favorite educational accomplishment, a program of many combos which rose to a level of over 300 performances annually, winning almost every award at jazz festivals world-wide. Among the many performers Mike has had the great fortune to perform with are Dave Brubeck, Dizzy Gillespie, Mel Torme, Rob McConnell, Roger Williams, Urbie Green, Billy Taylor, Clark Terry, Dee Dee Bridgewater, Henry Mancini, Jimmy Forrest, Peter Appleyard, Randy Brecker, Rosemary Clooney and Sonny Stitt.
	Instrumental - Perrin Grace Brooklyn based musician Perrin Grace has offered an array of talents and skills as a bassist, band-leader and disc jockey. A native of Ann Arbor, Michigan, Perrin immediately took part in as many musically related extra curricular activities as possible, both officially and otherwise. By the age of 13 there was not a day spent without an instrument in hand or music on the mind. No matter the genre there was always a performance on the horizon and the resulting gratification was addicting to say the least. By the age of 18 it was time to go to college and drop the juggling act as captain of the high school golf team, mock trial competitor and participant in more bands than one could count. After completing his Bachelors from the University of North Texas Perrin leaned in to developing his co-led group AMP Trio along side Addison Frei and Matt Young. This group, now in its twelfth year has been the cornerstone of Perrins creative outflow after releasing 5 records, organizing numerous tours across the US, Canada, China and Japan and working alongside renowned artists such as Tahira Clayton, Drew Zaremba, Tim Green, John Raymond and Quamon Fowler. Performing at high profile venues BMCC Tribeca Performing Arts Center, Washington D.C. Jazz Festival, Jacksonville Jazz Festival and many more AMP Trio brings a rich take on jazz in the modern era. With a sixth EP recorded AMP Trio is excited for an upcoming release and tour, for when they come together to perform it is a magical experience felt by all. Along with passionately contributing to AMP Trio Perrin enjoys a broad spectrum of musical work and play offered by the many scenes in the New York City area. From the late night jazz jam sessions where players comes to sharpen their edge to the corporate world of providing the best musical services for any occasion. He’s been fortunate to follow his dreams of performing or recording with some of his musical heroes such as Benny Bennack III, John Riley, Amina Figarova, Takuya Kuroda, Jake Hertzog, Michael Mayo, Sirintip, Zach Brock, Glad Hekselman and performing at renowned NYC venues such as Smalls Jazz Club, The Jazz Gallery and 55 Bar, crossing paths with legends long established and up-and-coming. More recently Perrin has pursued some unexpected passions as well. To start, Perrin took up learning Japanese after taking many trips to Japan and seeing the unending appreciation for his gift of jazz and culture. To deepen his message he spent 3 years in an intense daily study of reading, writing, listening and speaking. Eventually his efforts led to an in-Japanese interview for NHK Radio. There he spoke on his cultural exchange with the coastal city of Ofunato, Japan and how AMP Trio dedicated their record “Go Naive” to the city as a blessing to their continued recovery after the great tsunami disaster of 2011. Over the past year with the night life of New York City reopened Perrin has been enjoying Brooklyns electronic music scene, catching DJs as they spin underground house and techno through top notch sound systems to ecstatic dance floors under a dazzling lighting display. An environment perfectly suited to the most visceral of intentions. With his long experience as a performer and drive to provide meaningful experiences, Perrin is excited to continue his development as a selector of great music to bring people together.
	Instrumental - Ian Burbidge Ian Burbidge has had the privilege of making music in Bruce County for almost 40 years now. As a composer, arranger, conductor, teacher, sideman and bandleader, Ian has learned from the many, many talented musicians in the area. Ian is looking forward to being involved in the Summer Music camp again with his debut with the jazz program this summer.
	Instrumental - Scott Neary Scott Neary is an international touring musician and award winning guitarist/composer/arranger. He is a graduate of the University of North Texas Master of Music program, where he was a member of the six time Grammy Nominated One OClock Lab Band, and can be heard on their recording Lab 2013. As a member of One OClock Lab band played alongside Peter Erskine, Frank Greene, Denis DiBlasio, and Stockton Helbing, among others. Scott has a Masters of Music in Jazz Guitar Performance from the University of North Texas, and a Bachelors of Music (Jazz Studies) with Honours from St. Francis Xavier University. He also holds a Grade 10 in Piano from the Royal Conservatory of Music. He has worked as a private music educator for 20 years. He worked as an adjunt professor of music at St. Francis Xavier University from 2010-2011, a teaching assistant at the University of NorthTexas from 2011-2013, and as a full time music professor from 2013-2014 at the Universidad de las Americas in Quito, Ecuador. He has been a professional performing musician since 2003 and has maintained an active role as a performer ever since. Living in Toronto from 2013 to 2020, he was an in demand gigging and recording guitarist, vocalist, and pianist, of all styles. He has performed with Jully Black, Unidentifed Funk Object, Pheonix Jazz Quartet, Ilios Steryanis, After Funk, Larry Graves, Surefire Sweat, The Hit Pickers, Floral Marks, Sundar Viswanathan, Max Senitt, Selcuk Suna, Eric St. Laurent, among many others. Since 2020, Scott has returned to his hometown of Wabush, Labrador, where he has maintained a busy schedule as a performer, private music educator, and member of the acoustic based trio Ptarmageddon. As a member of the local arts community, he has helped create a local open mic/songwriters night, been an instructor in summer music camps, and has become a staple in the Labrador West music scene.
	Instrumental - Don Buchanan As a keyboardist, saxophonist or clarinetist, Don has been apart of the Grey Bruce music scene for over 35 years. He has mostly worked with the local Jazz and Big Band scene but enjoys all forms of music. He has composed and arranged Big Bands and Jazz groups in the area and has written for the Georgian Bay Symphony as well. Along with performing concerts or engagements Don as done extensive work for the OSLT either playing or composing scores for their productions. Over the last 10 years, his main focus and love has been performing as a pianist with small jazz combos with his major focus as an accompanist for the finest vocalists and jazz instrumentalists in the area. Don has begun his 23rd year as organist and c/o director of music and Liturgy at St. Marys and continues to perform throughout the area when called upon.
	Percussion - Stephen Wood Stephen Wood is a librarian by day and musician by night. He has performed with many groups including the Noodle Factory Jazz Project, Bobby Dean Blackburn, Bruce Worthington, Georgian Bay Symphony, Will Currie & the Country French, and the Orchid Trail Quartet. He has been fortunate to share the stage with groups such as Sloan, David Wilcox, the Arkells, Tokyo Police Club, Our Lady Peace, Said the Whale, and Dan Mangan.
	Vocal - Vanisha Gould Vanisha Gould came to New York in 2015 from Simi Valley, California. Inspired by artists like Billie Holiday, Nina Simone, Joni Mitchell, Carmen McRae and Ella Fitzgerald, Vanisha has successfully curated her own sound as a composer and band leader. Performing originals and music from the Great American Songbook on several groundbreaking stages both in New York and overseas, she aspires to continue sharing her voice with audiences in New York and beyond.

Music and Art Exploration

- Christina Edwards

Christina Edwards is head school administrator, store manager and piano teacher at Blackboard Sound in Port Elgin. She holds a PATM in piano performance from Cambrian College (Sudbury) and a BMus in Collaborative Piano Performance from Brandon University. She is the pianist for Chantry Singers, and a co-founder of classical music trio Aria21, finding many performance opportunities in beautiful Saugeen Shores and surrounding areas.

- Liz Coates

Liz Coates graduated from Wilfrid Laurier University with a Bachelor’s of Music Education (Voice). She has since established a music studio in Kincardine. She is invigorated by education and spreading her love of music throughout the community. As such, Liz co-founded the trio Aria 21 to have a platform for Classical song in her community. In her spare time, Liz and her partner David are doing their best to raise a sassy corgi and a cat who eats pencils.

- Virginia Szulist

Virginia Szulist began her musical career learning to play the accordion at the young age of 7, switching to the piano at the age of 15. She has completed the Royal Conservatory of Music Certificate Program and is currently a piano teacher with Blackboard Sound. Virginia’s loves teaching many different genres and passing on her passion for music to her students in a way that motivates them, tailoring their lessons to meet their needs and goals. She works in a school setting and has accompanied the junior choir for assemblies and church services. She looks forward to helping students of all ages and skill levels achieve their musical goals and is looking forward to being a part of Summer Music 2023.

- Cydney Morris

Cydney is a mezzo-soprano from Port Elgin, Ontario and has been active in many aspects of the music community, sharing her love of music with audiences at schools, community events, conferences, and churches. She has studied classical voice and piano and has sung in various

community and school choirs. She has experience in and loves exploring and teaching music curricula and is very passionate about the voice, mind, body, and cultural music history.

This past year she studied in the Voice department at Wilfrid Laurier University under Kimberly Baber and will be continuing her education in Sciences and Political Studies. She is excited to be a part of students journey exploring arts & music.

- Faith Ducker

Hi! I am Faith - lead singer/songwriter for Port Elgins very own -Nuclear Vibes-. I started singing when I started talking and gave my first performance at the young age of 3 where I sang -Jesus Loves Me- for my church.

I have lived in Bruce County for the majority of my life. I work as a Vocal Coach and as a supply Educational Assistant. I have two young children who keep me on my toes. My grandma always wanted me to be a teacher, and since working at a school, I discovered I wanted to be one too. I have always loved to sing, so being able to teach others how to sing is a dream come true!

	- Christina Edwards Christina Edwards is head school administrator, store manager and piano teacher at Blackboard Sound in Port Elgin. She holds a PATM in piano performance from Cambrian College (Sudbury) and a BMus in Collaborative Piano Performance from Brandon University. She is the pianist for Chantry Singers, and a co-founder of classical music trio Aria21, finding many performance opportunities in beautiful Saugeen Shores and surrounding areas.
	- Liz Coates Liz Coates graduated from Wilfrid Laurier University with a Bachelor’s of Music Education (Voice). She has since established a music studio in Kincardine. She is invigorated by education and spreading her love of music throughout the community. As such, Liz co-founded the trio Aria 21 to have a platform for Classical song in her community. In her spare time, Liz and her partner David are doing their best to raise a sassy corgi and a cat who eats pencils.
	- Virginia Szulist Virginia Szulist began her musical career learning to play the accordion at the young age of 7, switching to the piano at the age of 15. She has completed the Royal Conservatory of Music Certificate Program and is currently a piano teacher with Blackboard Sound. Virginia’s loves teaching many different genres and passing on her passion for music to her students in a way that motivates them, tailoring their lessons to meet their needs and goals. She works in a school setting and has accompanied the junior choir for assemblies and church services. She looks forward to helping students of all ages and skill levels achieve their musical goals and is looking forward to being a part of Summer Music 2023.
	- Cydney Morris Cydney is a mezzo-soprano from Port Elgin, Ontario and has been active in many aspects of the music community, sharing her love of music with audiences at schools, community events, conferences, and churches. She has studied classical voice and piano and has sung in various community and school choirs. She has experience in and loves exploring and teaching music curricula and is very passionate about the voice, mind, body, and cultural music history. This past year she studied in the Voice department at Wilfrid Laurier University under Kimberly Baber and will be continuing her education in Sciences and Political Studies. She is excited to be a part of students journey exploring arts & music.
	- Faith Ducker Hi! I am Faith - lead singer/songwriter for Port Elgins very own -Nuclear Vibes-. I started singing when I started talking and gave my first performance at the young age of 3 where I sang -Jesus Loves Me- for my church. I have lived in Bruce County for the majority of my life. I work as a Vocal Coach and as a supply Educational Assistant. I have two young children who keep me on my toes. My grandma always wanted me to be a teacher, and since working at a school, I discovered I wanted to be one too. I have always loved to sing, so being able to teach others how to sing is a dream come true!

Tots ´n Tunes

- Hayley Burgess

Hayley teaches music to students in grades 1-8 at her school in Waterloo. She loves getting to interact with all the different age groups and seeing students grow as musicians and people. Hayley has played with a variety of musical groups in the KW area and currently plays with Ebytown Brass. Hayley’s love of band began as a kid through the Acton Citizen’s Band where she learned to play the cornet. She quickly switched to the French horn (to be different from her brothers) and never looked back! She is thankful to community music groups for giving people an opportunity to become music makers.

Outside of music, Hayley enjoys being outside, playing ultimate frisbee, and spending time with her cat Chewy.

- Victoria Boucher

- Heather Gilcreest

Heather Gilcreest received her Bachelor of Music from Western University and her Bachelor of Education (with qualifications in Primary, Junior, Intermediate and Senior) from Nipissing University. Heather currently leads the music program at Arran Tara Elementary School, where she

teaches music from K-8.

She enjoys conducting band and choir and loves rallying for the renewal of equipment for music programs in small towns. At home, Heather loves to sing and play the piano. She has a young son and daughter who keep her very busy!

- Hayley Burgess

Outside of music, Hayley enjoys being outside, playing ultimate frisbee, and spending time with her cat Chewy.

- Victoria Boucher

- Heather Gilcreest

teaches music from K-8.

July 17th to 21st 2023

Thursday Lunch Concert & Festival Winds Concert

Gala Concert Day! Friday Performances by all the Summer Music Groups

July 17th to 21st 2023

Thursday Lunch Concert & Festival Winds Concert

Gala Concert Day! Friday Performances by all the Summer Music Groups

Summer Music Faculty

Summer Music Faculty

Here are the amazing faculty who will share their talents and love of music with us for one wonderful week in 2023.

Main Faculty

Artistic Director - Childrens Programs - Christine Mensher

Artistic Director - Instrumental Programs - Lauren Helmer

Recreation Director - Carson McNeice

Recreation Director - Assistant - Chelby Morris

Sound Technician - Bryan Mombourquette

Artistic Director - Childrens Programs - Christine Mensher

Artistic Director - Instrumental Programs - Lauren Helmer

Recreation Director - Carson McNeice

Recreation Director - Assistant - Chelby Morris

Sound Technician - Bryan Mombourquette

Musical Theatre

- Amie Debrone

- Angela Burns-Crowley

- Erin Milley Patey

- Anne Little

- Sean Winchester

- Amie Debrone

- Angela Burns-Crowley

- Erin Milley Patey

- Anne Little

- Sean Winchester

Conductors

Festival Winds - David Leach

Beginning Band - Kirk Kiernander

Beginning Band - Jennifer Pigott

Intermediate Band - Ryan Meeboer

Senior Band - Erin Probst

Festival Winds - David Leach

Beginning Band - Kirk Kiernander

Beginning Band - Jennifer Pigott

Intermediate Band - Ryan Meeboer

Senior Band - Erin Probst

Instrumental

Brass - Euphonium/Tuba - Low Brass - Eric Probst

Brass - Euphonium/Tuba - Low Brass - Carina Lam

Brass - French Horn - Emily Whittaker

Brass - Trombone - Nate Fanning

Brass - Trumpet - Eric Dettweiler

Brass - Trumpet - Martin Lacoste

Percussion - Amy Stephen

Percussion - Marlee MacDougall

Percussion - Victoria Sparks

Woodwinds - Bassoon - Jodi Merritt

Woodwinds - Clarinet - Christine McLean

Woodwinds - Clarinet - Rob Tite

Woodwinds - Flute - Meryl Gillmore

Woodwinds - Flute - Aaron Haydon

Woodwinds - Saxophone - Tracey Frank

Woodwinds - Saxophone - Cassandra Muraca

Brass - Euphonium/Tuba - Low Brass - Eric Probst

Brass - Euphonium/Tuba - Low Brass - Carina Lam

Brass - French Horn - Emily Whittaker

Brass - Trombone - Nate Fanning

Brass - Trumpet - Eric Dettweiler

Brass - Trumpet - Martin Lacoste

Percussion - Amy Stephen

Percussion - Marlee MacDougall

Percussion - Victoria Sparks

Woodwinds - Bassoon - Jodi Merritt

Woodwinds - Clarinet - Christine McLean

Woodwinds - Clarinet - Rob Tite

Woodwinds - Flute - Meryl Gillmore

Woodwinds - Flute - Aaron Haydon

Woodwinds - Saxophone - Tracey Frank

Woodwinds - Saxophone - Cassandra Muraca

Jazz

Director - Summer Music Jazz Program, Improvisation, Bass and Sax - Mike Grace

Instrumental - Perrin Grace

Instrumental - Ian Burbidge

Instrumental - Scott Neary