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Growing up in Nova Scotia, music was a huge part of daily life, learning and performing on clarinet, violin and piano. Finding my voice and space in the music of the wind ensemble, I am delighted to continue my professional work and studies as a conductor of wind and orchestral groups. I am the the director of the Wind Orchestra and will also be teaching classes in conducting and community music. Previously, I was the director of Instrumental Studies for the State University of New York at Geneseo, and Rhodes College in Memphis TN, conducting orchestra, wind ensemble, and teaching classes in conducting and theory.
Guest conducting has taken me around the world, including the Memphis Symphony Orchestra, Memphis Youth Symphony Orchestra, Rochester Philharmonic Youth Orchestra, Penfield Symphony Orchestra, the 2023 National Youth Band of Canada, and for International Schools, honour bands, and music camps as far ranging as South Korea, California, and Alaska.
I started my professional path in the Bachelor of Music and Bachelor of Education degrees from Acadia University, and taught in Ontario, New Brunswick, and Nova Scotia school music programs before earning my Master of Music from University of Toronto, and DMA in conducting at Northwestern University in Evanston, Illinois.
- Chapter in an upcoming textbook exploring "Developing Collaborative Leadership" with Dr. Armand Hall and Dr. Gregory Whitmore (ed.). Instrumental Music Teaching in a Changing Society: The Professional Educator at the Intersection of Culture, Artistry, and Music Program Development.
- Contributor for two chapters of repertoire guides for works by composers Barbara York and Charles O’Neill for an upcoming book, Canadian Wind Band Resource, edited by D. Oehlerking.
- "Powerful: The Techniques of Creating Responsive Gestures," professional development presentation for conductors to examine and refine their non-verbal communication.
- "Modern Music for the Modern Student," professional development presentation for educators to explore non-traditional works in the school band and orchestra curriculum repertoire.
- "Diversity in Ensembles" (with Dr. Armand Hall),professional development presentation to examine practices for educators to create authentic and engaging experiences that center diverse racial, cultural, and gender perspectives.
- Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council Doctoral Fellowship – Doctoral Fellowship grant of $40,000 (May 2012) to aid in completion of Doctoral dissertation, Facets of a Gem: The Compositional Language of Joel Puckett Through Comparison of Three Works for Winds.
- Joseph-Armand Bombardier Canada Graduate Scholarship – Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council grant of $17,500 (May 2009) to aid in completion of Master of Music.
I love the challenge as a musician and conductor to create an environment where students are engaged with music of the best artistic quality representing the diversity of our community. Concert designs that can engage students integrate the traditional core repertoire combined with newer or experimental styles, designed to strengthen individual development of technique while providing a space to develop ensemble listening and trust in your personal musical intuition. Delving into music by composers from diverse and traditionally under-represented populations allows the deeper exploration of an emotional relationship with music, and strengthens our musical heritage, forging new connections to the struggles of contemporary society.
- Leah McGray, conductor and the 2023 National Youth Band of Canada – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Acfl-3YFx9I&t=3308s
- Viet Cuong’s Diamond Tide with the Geneseo Symphony Orchestra and the Eastman Educators Wind Ensemble – https://youtu.be/NGWWIZ98Yis
- Elisha Denberg’s Hashivenu at the University of Toronto – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eF4psYkND9g
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