What's Your Forte?

Today, we're speaking with Laurier alum Mason Micevski on the importance of arts education, getting a Masters degree and the value of community. Mason Micevski is a recent graduate from Wilfrid Laurier University with a Masters in Community Music. Apart from his studies, he is a professional musical theatre performer, playwright and the Creative Director of Emerson Arts in Hamilton, Ontario. Mason has danced with the National Ballet. and performed on stages from Niagara to Belleville. He is also the creator of the best selling book ‘The Stage Light Flickers.' Facebook: facebook.com/BandologyCA Instagram: instagram.com/bandologyca TikTok: tiktok.com/@bandologyca Apple Music: https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast... Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0AdF8rn... YouTube:    / @bandologyca   #SpotifyPodcast #ApplePodcast #YouTubePodcast #MusicPodcast #MusicInterview #MusicianInterview #Interview #Podcast #MusicMajor #PostSecondary #UniversityLife #MusicEd #MusicEducation

It's time for another episode of What's Your Forte! Today, Tamara Djuknic speaks with Olivia Vaughan, a graduate of Western University's Bachelor of Arts program, double majoring in English and Music. Olivia provides useful insights for students who are passionate about music but may not want a career in it. And you won't want to miss her tips on dealing with the workload of being a double major!

Passionate about music but not interested in becoming a music teacher or a performer? Erin White received her Bachelor's of Music from Wilfrid Laurier University, but now she's preparing to become a lawyer! In this insightful conversation with Tamara Djuknic, Erin talks about how her background in music made her stand out as a law student at the University of Ottawa and how studying music has changed her life. This is a great episode of the podcast that you definitely won't want to miss!

It's time for another episode of What's Your Forte! In this captivating episode, Tamara speaks with percussionist Madison Keats about what it means to really lean into your craft. Madison also delves into the heart of percussion ensembles, sharing her profound insights on the value of teamwork and trusting your fellow percussionists. Madison Keats (she/her) describes her interest in music beginning with a feeling of finally fitting in and strives to ensure she conveys that feeling to everyone she meets. As a female percussionist she hopes to inspire girls to take a chance on percussion and aspires to make music more accessible to larger audiences. Madison holds a Bachelor of Music in Performance with a minor in Psychology from Wilfrid Laurier University. Madison has participated in many clinics, seminars, and ensembles such as WASBE (World Association for Symphonic Bands and Ensembles) Youth Wind Orchestra, Stratford Symphony, and Torq Percussion Seminar, among others. Using her various experiences, Madison hopes to inspire the next generation of musicians. Follow Bandology on all social media! Facebook: facebook.com/BandologyCA Instagram: @BandologyCA TikTok: @BandologyCA

Welcome back to another season of What's Your Forte? This season is all about different and unique careers someone can have with a background in music. To kick off the season, Tamara Djuknic interviewed Karen and Sara, two music therapy students at Laurier University. Sara Thoeny (all pronouns) is a music educator, performer and composer. Sara has been playing piano since the age of five years old and has since learned to play guitar, ukulele, double bass and French horn. Sara has completed RCM level 10 piano and is working on her Community Music/Music Therapy degree at Wilfrid Laurier University. She is originally from Langley, B.C., and has performed in group settings in Hawaii, the Royal Nova Scotia Tattoo, the 25th Annual Stratford Music Festival, Kiwanis Music Festival, Fort Langley Jazz Festival and many other festivals and music events across Canada and the United States. Karen Guan (she/her) is a Music Therapy student at Wilfrid Laurier University. Her journey with music started at the age of 5 and has continued to grow ever since. She has played the flute in many concert bands over the years and enjoys singing various styles of music in choirs across Ontario. Karen also sings in an acapella ensemble and has been the president of this group since 2023.

On our last episode of 2023, Sandy and Ryan talk about the lessons they learned in 2023 and preview the exciting things to come at Bandology in 2024!

On our penultimate episode of What's Your Forte? for 2023, Sandy and Ryan, our Community Programs Manager, sit down and review Bandology's best year yet and answer questions from our Executive Director Lisa Michaels. Part Two comes out on Saturday, December 30, 2024. (Pictured, L-R: Ryan MacKinnon, Sandy Wright and Sara Thoeny, our Programming Team.)

Our guest this week is Amanda Kind, the Artistic Director of KW Glee, as well as a singer, songwriter, and commercial and musical theatre voice teacher based in Waterloo! She joins Sandy on What's Your Forte? to talk about her unique career path and the importance of lifelong learning. Watch now on YouTube or listen on your preferred podcast platform! Amanda has released a wide variety of music including country singles “Slow Dance” (#1 on SiriusXM Top of the Country), “The Good Fight” and many others. She is a member of the Songwriter's Association of Canada, SOCAN, and the Canadian Country Music Association. She spent her teenage years obsessed with everything from Ella Fitzgerald to Shania Twain to Broadway, so it's no wonder that she has sung everything from opera, jazz and musical theatre to pop, rock and country. As an evidence-based commercial voice specialist, Amanda works with a broad range of clients including professional singers, label and indie artists and aspiring performers in many genres. She teaches commercial music at Wilfrid Laurier University and has been a guest lecturer, adjudicator and workshop facilitator for many other music education programs. Amanda is on the board for the National Association of Teachers of Singing in Ontario. Her education includes a Musical Theatre Diploma from Canadian College of Performing Arts, a music certificate from Kwantlen College, a Bachelor's degree from the University of Waterloo, and professional development in vocal pedagogy at the Boston Conservatory, Shenandoah University (Levels, I, II, II at the CCM Institute) and Evidence-Based Pedagogy certification from MTVS. For more about Amanda, visit www.amandakind.com.

This week we welcome Dr. Rebekah Jordan-Miller to our What's Your Forte? podcast! Rebekah is the Director of the Laurier Academy of Music and Arts (LAMA) and an instructor at Wilfrid Laurier University's Faculty of Music (WLU). She joins our Education Manager Sandy Wright to talk about her journey in music, the importance of music education and our collaboration on March Break Music Camp! Rebekah is a seasoned piano pedagogue, accredited music therapist and pianist who has performed widely, both as a soloist and collaborative artist throughout Canada, the United States, Austria, Australia and Norway. She holds a Doctor of Musical Arts degree in piano performance and piano pedagogy from the University of Oklahoma, a Masters degree in Music Therapy from Wilfrid Laurier University and a Bachelor's degree in Piano Performance from the Eastman School of Music. In addition to her role as Director, Rebekah is a music therapist and piano instructor at LAMA, as well as a contract faculty member of music therapy courses at WLU. Her current music therapy practice at LAMA consists of a diverse client population with everything from adapted music lessons for children with cognitive and/or physiological challenges to Neurological Music Therapy sessions for adults with traumatic brain injuries. Rebekah is an active adjudicator, RCM examiner and clinician. She previously held academic positions at Oklahoma City University, Shorter University in Rome, Georgia and Western University in London, Ontario.

Our season finale of What's Your Forte, with special guest Cynthia Johnston Turner, is out now! She and Sandy talk about her journey from small-town Ontario to conducting bands with jets flying overhead, ways you can differentiate yourself as an artist and the best parts of being the Dean of Laurier's Faculty of Music. The first in her family to attend university, Cynthia received her B.Mus. and B.Ed. from Queen's University, a M.Ed. at the University of Victoria and a D.M.A. (Conducting) from the Eastman School of Music. She has received numerous teaching, research, and leadership awards in Canada and the United States. Cynthia was appointed Dean—Faculty of Music at Wilfrid Laurier University on July 1, 2021. She also oversees the Laurier Academy of Music and the Arts, a community-based school serving hundreds of children and their families in the region. Cynthia has guest conducted bands, music ensembles and orchestras at several universities and conservatories as well as state honor bands in the United States and abroad. She continues to actively promote commissions by today's leading and emerging composers around the world with a focus on underrepresented voices. She is published in several notable journals and has recorded CDs with the Innova and Albany labels. Cynthia has served as a board member with the World Association of Symphonic Bands and Ensembles (WASBE) and currently serves on the board of the Western International Band Clinic (WIBC).

This week, Kathryn talks to oudist and quantum computing student Manar Naeem about her earliest experiences in music, favourite career moments and the importance of music education. Listen now or watch on YouTube or Facebook! Manar Naeem is a self-taught, Syrian-born oudist. She graduated with a physics degree with math and computer science minors from Wilfrid Laurier University, and is now pursuing her Master's degree in Quantum Computing at the University of Waterloo. Manar performs with the Canadian Arabic Orchestra, and works as an oud teacher for children and adults at the Canadian Arabic Conservatory of Music. In 2020, she was the first oudist to be featured in CBC's 30 Hot Canadian Classical Musicians Under 30 list. Manar has performed across Canada and experienced first-hand how music is a global language of love that can bring different cultures and communities together.

Conductor Colin Clarke joins us this week on What's Your Forte, out now on YouTube, Facebook and wherever you get your podcasts! A sought-after clinician and adjudicator, Colin is best known for his work with the multi-award winning Toronto Youth Wind Orchestra. Having started the ensemble as a high school student, today TWYO enjoys a reputation nationwide as one of the leading performance ensembles of its kind in Canada. Under Colin's baton, it has performed internationally, including at Carnegie Hall. This summer, they performed a concert with the National Youth Band of Canada. Colin is the newly-appointed Artistic Director of the Oscar Peterson Program at the Royal Conservatory of Music. As the Music Director of the Oakville Symphony Youth Orchestra, his ensemble uses the same facility as our Band Camps! Photo by Stuart Lowe/Royal Conservatory of Music.

This special episode of What's Your Forte? is a group interview on the many ways to work in the music industry! Our guests today are at different stages of their music careers, and talk about their winding paths towards what they do, a typical day at work and the most exciting (and most challenging) aspects of their work. Meet our panelists: Michael Yates (he/him) is a dedicated educator who has worked for the Halton District School for the past nine years. He designed and implemented an instrumental music program built around high standards, engagement and student excellence. Michael's musical journey began at Mohawk College where he completed a three-year diploma in jazz performance. In 2011, he obtained his Honours Bachelors of Music from McMaster University and completed his B.Ed. at Nipissing University in 2013. Michael is currently teaching Grade 6/7/8 instrumental music at Pilgrim Wood Public School, and is also a steady gigging musician in the GTHA. Shana Bates (she/her) and her husband own KAOS Music Lesson Studios, a community-centric music school located in southeast Oakville. Shana started her working career with IBM but quickly moved into the world of recording studios where she and a previous partner created, developed and ran one of the city's most successful independent recording studios. Shana went on to work in the event production business. Shana now spends her days and nights as a full time mom and business owner. She is a community go-getter and can often be found volunteering at schools and working at various events in the community. Ryan MacKinnon (he/him) is the Camp and Workshop Coordinator with Bandology, an Oakville-based music non-profit, and teaches privately and with the Burlington Teen Tour Band. Ryan started playing guitar at eight years old and switched over to drum kit when he was 10. Upon entering high school he found a new love in playing classical percussion instruments and completed a Bachelor of Music in Self-Directed Performance at Wilfrid Laurier University. He has played with the Guelph Symphony Orchestra, Stratford Symphony Orchestra and Grand Philharmonic Choir. Ryan loves to share all the things that he has learned on his journey to help young musicians excel.

Julia Jung, high school music teacher at St. Aloysius Gonzaga Secondary School, is our guest on What's Your Forte this Week! She and former student Kirsten chat about her winding path into teaching, career highlights and their mutual favourite film score.

Our newest interview is out! This week, Lucas talks to Dr. Draw about his busking origins, the music that moves him and what some of his favourite performances are. Watch now or listen to What's Your Forte on your favourite podcasting platform! Dr. Draw is the stage name of Moscow-born and Israel-raised electric violinist Eugene Draw. After moving to Canada with his family in 1992, Dr. Draw learned his craft busking on the streets of Toronto. For more than two decades, he has regularly performed internationally, including at the World Trade Center 9/11 memorial, the Canadian Embassy in Washington, D.C., and the Sovereign Art Foundation's Art Fund in Hong Kong. Dr. Draw has also opened for many artists including John Legend, Mariah Carey and Drake. Dr. Draw recently composed a song for Canada's National Ballet School's country-wide initiative Sharing Dance. He has assisted in the scoring of several independent films and for projects including the BBC documentary ‘Death on the I-95' about the U.S. opioid crisis. In 2022 Dr. Draw is releasing two more albums including a debut album for his project Nemesis, with Canadian beatboxing champion Scott Jackson, featuring sound ranging from Middle Eastern-influenced folk music to old school hip hop to Mongolian chant. They performed at Parliament Hill for the Canada 150 celebrations, at the Montreal Grand Prix and for the half-time show at the Toronto Raptors' infamous Game 7 buzzer-beater in 2019. #Bandology #TalentedMusicians #YoutubeMusic #FacebookLive #MusicPodcast #TorontoMusic #CanadianMusic #Podcast ##electricviolin

On this week's episode of What's Your Forte, Kathryn talks to guest Rachel Campbell about her life growing up around music, why she loves playing in so many different genres and the importance of putting yourself out there. Rachel is a musician from Alexandria, ON, who plays a variety of instruments including the harp, violin, piano, mandolin, voice and guitar. She plays in bands that range from celtic punk to classical as well as performing solo as an indie folk-rock artist. Rachel has performed in venues all over, ranging from Montreal to Toronto, and she teaches music in a local music school. She also collaborates with musicians around the world, co-writing and recording songs. With a deep love for music, she's always happy to share any of her experiences in the music field, as well as learn from others. #Bandology #Podcast #WhatsYourForte

Today we are incredibly excited to be releasing an interview with Tyler Shaw for the latest episode of What's Your Forte! This week, Tyler chats to Lucas about his tour routines, songwriting process and favourite concerts. Check it out on YouTube and Facebook (link in stories)! Tyler Shaw is a multi-Platinum-selling artist, producer, and actor. The Chinese-Canadian musician from Vancouver released his hit song “Kiss Goodnight” in 2012, quickly hitting Platinum sales. In 2014, Tyler earned a JUNO Award nomination for ‘Breakthrough Artist of the Year' and released certified Platinum track “House of Cards” and Gold “Wicked” from his 2015 debut album Yesterday. Tyler's breakout hit “With You,” from his 2018 sophomore album, Intuition, reached Double Platinum status, and he was nominated for a JUNO Award for ‘Pop Album of the Year' in 2019. Shaw has opened for massive international artists, including Shawn Mendes and Alessia Cara, and toured with Selena Gomez. In 2021, Tyler spearheaded (with Fefe Dobson) the collective artist initiative ArtistsCAN to raise funds for COVID-19 relief in Canada. The pair gathered other musicians from across the country, including Justin Bieber, Michael Bublé and Marie-Mai, to cover the classic single “Lean On Me,” with proceeds going to the Canadian Red Cross COVID relief fund. Tyler's eponymous third studio album was released in 2021 and features the top 10 hit pop single “I See You.” Most recently, Tyler released his viral rendition of GAYLE's No. 1 hit “abcdefu.” “Love You Still” (abcdefu Romantic Version), started as a TikTok duet in late January. To date there are over 4 billion views of videos with the audio on TikTok, 14.5 million streams and more than 1 million videos created using the song. https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Tyler-Shaw-Photoshoot-Cover.jpg Mwik10, CC BY-SA 4.0 , via Wikimedia Commons

What's Your Forte returns after a one-week break! This week's guest is  Sarah Hagan, a music industry consultant and artists relations expert  with 20 years of experience. She talks about her career, the joy of live  music returning and gives advice on how to break into the industry. Sarah started drumming at ten years old and began teaching drum lessons  at the age of sixteen, continuing over the years as a way to fund her  way through college. She completed a double-major in English and  Criminal Justice, and was on her way to law school for an Entertainment  Law degree when she was offered her first job in the music business.  Sarah spent sixteen years at the Zildjian Company in the Artist  Relations department, and also on the R&D team and product  development teams, ending her time there as Director of Artist Relations  for Zildjian and Vic Firth. Currently, Sarah hosts a music industry podcast called Sarah Hagan  Backstage, holds the position of First Vice President and Treasurer for  the Percussive Arts Society Executive Board, and is on the Board of  Directors for Hit Like A Girl. Through her business, Sarah Hagan Media  and Consulting, she provides marketing and artist relations consulting  for multiple music industry brands including Gruv-X Percussion and  Musora Media, who own Drumeo and Pianote.

“The thing about music, there's this nurturing of our souls.” Karen Donnelly, principal trumpet for the National Arts Centre Orchestra, is our guest on What's Your Forte this week! She and Kathryn talk about touring Canada, the moment she realized the depth to which music could impact you, the best gig she's ever seen and some key advice for the next generation of players. Karen Donnelly was unanimously appointed principal trumpet of the National Arts Centre Orchestra of Canada in October 1999, following three successful seasons as acting principal trumpet, and continues to enjoy playing with this wonderful ensemble. A native of Regina, Saskatchewan, Karen started the trumpet in elementary school, which propelled her into a Bachelor of Arts in Music at the University of Regina, followed by a Master of Music degree at McGill University. While freelancing in Montreal, she quickly became in demand, performing with many ensembles in the area including the Orchestre Symphonique de Montréal. Karen has given master classes and workshops in Europe, China, the United States, the United Kingdom and coast-to-coast in Canada. She is part of the coaching team for both the trumpet section and chamber music for Canada's National Youth Orchestra. In 2002, she joined the teaching staff at the University of Ottawa, and has been assisting with their Orkidstra program, inspired by Sistema, since 2009. Most recently, Karen spearheaded the Canadian Women's Brass Collective. This group of talented musicians presented concerts, master classes and lectures in Toronto during January 2019 over a five-day conference to great acclaim. During the pandemic, the collective curated an extensive series of online sessions to support musicians to create healthy and effective practice strategies.

Our guest this week is JUNO-award winning drummer Ernesto Cervini. He and Kirsten talk about the best gigs he's ever played, winning an award during a pandemic and the inspirations for his next album. He also gives his best advice on practicing and avoiding comparing yourself to others, and talks about the ways in which music makes a difference for students. Watch now on YouTube (link in stories)! Juno Award winner Ernesto Cervini is a sought-after drummer, composer and bandleader and an influential presence on Canada's modern jazz scene and beyond. He has documented his vision with the Ernesto Cervini Quartet (featuring Joel Frahm), the innovative sextet Turboprop, numerous co-led trio projects including MEM3, Myriad3 and TuneTown, and also the quartet Tetrahedron, featuring acclaimed guitarist Nir Felder, electric bassist Rich Brown and alto saxophonist Luis Deniz. Ernesto's album Abundance won the 2020 Juno Award for Jazz Album of the Year: Group. In addition to his performing career, he founded Orange Grove Publicity in 2014 and has quickly become one of the most sought-after jazz publicists in Canada. He is also co-founder of Three Pines Records and is on faculty at the University of Toronto.

Shaun and Naomi from The Queer Songbook Orchestra are our guests on What's Your Forte this week! They chat to Kathryn and Kirsten about the importance of music in building an uplifting community, as well as the ensemble's history and their new Queer Songbook Youth Orchestra program. They also give advice on charting a career in music and geek out about jazz, My Chemical Romance and their favourite gigs. If you'd like to play with the youth orchestra, check out queersongbook.com/qsyo. Founded by Shaun in 2014, the Queer Songbook Orchestra is a 14-piece chamber pop ensemble dedicated to expressing and uplifting 2SLGBTQ+ narratives, while providing opportunities for mentorship and other supports to queer, trans, questioning and allied youth. A collaborative, community-based project, the Queer Songbook Orchestra have worked with 200+ collaborators, toured extensively throughout Canada and were longlisted for the 2018 Polaris Prize for their collaborative album with Vivek Shraya. Watch it on YouTube, and subscribe for more! Shaun Brodie (he/him) is a classically trained trumpet player with a performance degree from the University of Victoria, and extensive experience as a session and freelance musician. Performing live and in-studio with acts such as Basia Bulat, Broken Social Scene, Father John Misty and many others, Shaun has toured internationally and appeared on a wide spectrum of stages including The Late Show with David Letterman and the Glastonbury Festival. Naomi McCarroll-Butler (she/her/ze/zir) is a saxophonist, clarinetist and instrument maker from Toronto. She is interested in the overtone series, breathwork in the unique somatic journey of trans and gender-non-conforming people, and the creation of aural trance environments. An active collaborator, Naomi plays with many artists including Jeremy Dutcher, and her work as a composer and improviser has been featured by the Canadian Music Centre, Women From Space Festival and the Guelph Jazz Festival. Her piece CHRYSALIS was premiered in July as the Artist in Residence for the 2022 Toronto Jazz Festival.

“We call it playing for a reason!” What's Your Forte returns for Season 4! Our first guest this season is Adina V, a singer-songwriter, teacher and Humber College grad based in Toronto. On this episode, she and Sandy discuss her favourite artists, unique journey into music and give some much-needed advice to budding guitarists everywhere. A previous Play A Gig guest, Adina V is a singer-songwriter whose style ranges from catchy indie-rock tunes to introspective folk ballads. She recently graduated with honours from Humber College's Bachelor of Music program and has been teaching music and performing around the GTA ever since. Her original music has caught the attention of many and this past year she won both a songwriting award and a MARTY from the Mississauga Arts Council. Merging 90s-infused nostalgia with intimate folk songs, she takes a conversational approach to lyricism while singing about love, loss and being a young adult in today's day and age. She has an EP as well as three singles available on all streaming platforms, with more to come in the near future!

Our final guest for What's Your Forte Season 3 is Brent Rowan! Brent Rowan is a professional community musician and director of the Guelph Youth Big Band, New Horizons Band Guelph and member of the Juno-nominated world music band eccodek! A saxophonist based in Guelph, Ontario, Brent performs in a wide variety of musical collaborations including 2009 and 2015 Juno-nominated eccodek, big bands, jazz combos and creative music ensembles. He is the founding director of both the Guelph Youth Jazz Ensemble and the New Horizons Band for Guelph, and is the jazz saxophone instructor at the University of Guelph. A clinician and adjudicator at music camps and festivals throughout southern Ontario, Brent specializes in saxophone and improvisation concepts. Fun fact - our summer Band Camp is coming to the Guelph area - registration is now open for kids in grades 1-12 this July.

Lee Willingham is our guest for episode 10 of What's Your Forte's Season Three! Dr. Lee Willingham is the Professor of Music Education at Wilfrid Laurier University, where he runs the Music Education program, the Master of Arts program in Community Music and the Laurier Centre for Music in the Community. He co-authored the 2017 book “Engaging in Community Music, An Introduction” as well as the 2021 edited volume “Community Music at the Boundaries”. Lee was editor of the Canadian Music Educators' Association/ACME's journal The Canadian Music Educator/Musicien éducator au Canada for ten years and co-edited the book “Creativity and Music Education”. He is a past president and honourary life member of the OMEA - Ontario Music Educators' Association. We are delighted to talk to Lee about his musical journey, research in the field and community music.

This week's guest on What's Your Forte is Tim Louis! Currently the Member of Parliament for Kitchener-Conestoga, Tim Louis is also an award-winning songwriter and musician. His constant writing and recording - four albums and counting - have created a collection of original tunes. He has performed in solo shows and small jazz combos, as the guest vocalist for the Canadian Big Band, and has arranged and orchestrated scores for his performances with the Kitchener-Waterloo Symphony. Whether putting on shows for the Canadian Armed Forces overseas, touring Canada coast-to-coast or performing right here at home, Tim has gained a deeper appreciation for the values that make us proud to be Canadian. He currently sits on the Heritage Committee and is a strong advocate for the arts sector.

Dr. Chris Cigolea is our guest for episode eight of What's Your Forte Season 3! Chris is the Music Director and Conductor of the Guelph Concert Band, Music Director for St. John's-Kilmarnock School and C.I.G. School of the Performing Arts, and enjoys a busy international performing schedule as a trumpet player, guest conductor and clinician. Born in Romania, Chris studied at the National University of Music in Bucharest before moving to Canada in 1996. He completed his Master of Music in Performance in 2001 and his Doctoral of Musical Arts in 2014 at the University of Toronto. Chris is the recipient of the 2016 Guelph Mayor's Award, founding conductor of the Guelph Youth Symphony Orchestra and founder of Focsani Blues Festival. He is also the inventor of the Staccator, the only practice tool that allows wind and brass players to practice articulation techniques without an instrument. Fun fact - Band Camp Grand River is being hosted at St. John's-Kilmarnock School this summer! Registration is now open for kids in grades 1-12 this July. Available on anchor.fm/bandology or wherever you like to listen!

Dan Austin has taught instrumental and vocal music for 21 years and is currently the Instrumental Music Teacher and Band Director at Guelph Collegiate Vocational Institute (GCVI). He is one of the only high school music directors in Canada to conduct an ensemble to a gold medal in every division of Musicfest Canada - Wind Ensemble, Jazz Band, Choir and Strings/Orchestra. A graduate of York University's Jazz Music program, Dan has developed and built strong music programs at both the elementary and secondary levels at Twin Lakes Secondary School (SCDSB), Glenhaven Senior Public School (PDSB), Mitchell Woods Public School and GCVI (UGDSB). In 2020 Dan was named the inaugural winner of the prestigious Beckwith Award by the Canadian Music Centre. More about Bandology - bandology.ca Instagram: instagram.com/BandologyCA Facebook: facebook.com/BandologyCA

Steve Butterworth joins for episode 6 of Season 3 of What's Your Forte! Steve is a music industry professional with an extensive background in music education, performance and business leadership in marketing. His education includes Jazz Studies at Humber College and a B.A in Music from McMaster University where he studied conducting and music education. Steve served with the Naval Reserve Band at HMCS Star for more than two decades as a section leader, soloist and conductor with the National Band of the Naval Reserve / Musique Nationale de la Réserve Navale. He was a founding director of the Ontario Band Association and serves on the board of advisors for Humber Music. He remains active as a clinician for brass performance, concert band and jazz bands as well as adjudicating in regional music festivals and performing with R&B band The Community Soul Project. Steve is the Vice President of Yamaha Canada Music Ltd. Musical Instruments Group.

Our fifth episode of What's Your Forte Season 3 is out! Our guest is Evan Teti, a drummer and Band Camp alumnus. Evan has been playing drums for 12 years and is in grade 12 at Oakville Trafalgar High School, where he is a member of the school jazz band. He's also a member of the audition-only High Rendition Jazz Band. He loves producing music using programs like Logic Pro and learning to play other instruments including bass, guitar and piano. Evan plans to study percussion in a Bachelor of Music program and has recently applied to University of Toronto Faculty of Music and Humber Music. Listen at anchor.fm/bandology or your favourite podcast app! We are lucky that Evan has been both a camper and a music mentor for Bandology! To learn more about our Band Camp programs, available in both Oakville and Kitchener-Waterloo/Guelph, check out https://bandology.ca/band-camps.

Join us for an Interview Series premiere featuring Bill and Shana Bates, co-owners of KAOS Music Centre! KAOS Music is both a music store and school with locations in Etobicoke and Oakville, Ontario. Bill started the business in 1989 and it has evolved into a first-class music equipment store and one of the west end's most successful music schools. Along the way, he met his wife Shana, who has helped improve his business with her ongoing support and advice. After getting her degree in music education from the University of Western Ontario, Shana created, developed and ran one of the city's most successful, independent recording studios with a previous partner. Since selling her portion of the studio, Shana now spends her days as a homeschooling mom and business owner. Tune in to hear all about their journey of creating and growing their music school.

The Oakville Symphony Youth Orchestra (OSYO), a youth award winning orchestral ensemble, joins us for an Interview Series premiere! Executive director Alan Montgomery and current members Dania and Jens talk about the ensemble and the musical opportunities it provides. More about Bandology - bandology.ca Instagram: instagram.com/BandologyCA Facebook: facebook.com/BandologyCA

High Rendition Jazz Band is an auditioned youth jazz ensemble from Oakville. High Rendition's music director Carmen Gassi and members Simone and Zania discuss about the ensemble and the opportunities it provides for teens to make music in the Halton community. More about Bandology - bandology.ca Instagram: instagram.com/BandologyCA Facebook: facebook.com/BandologyCA

The Burlington Teen Tour Band, a youth award winning marching band, joins us for an Interview Series premiere! Managing director Rob Bennett and past/current members Luke and Grace talk about the ensemble and the musical opportunities it provides. More about Bandology - bandology.ca Instagram: instagram.com/BandologyCA Facebook: facebook.com/BandologyCA

Tricia Howe joins us for an Interview Series premiere! Tricia Howe has worked with music educators and organizations across North America for over 20 years and is the Regional Manager of Educational Services for the Prairies with Long & McQuade Musical Instruments. She has presented at conferences and universities across Canada on building musical communities and repertoire selection. Tricia produces the Canadian Band Association's Canadian Repertoire Feature, and has served on the boards of the Alberta Band Association, Canadian Band Association, Visiting Bands Committee for the Calgary Stampede, Music Mentors International, the Alberta International Band Festival, MBA Optimist Committee, Phi Beta Mu – Mu Alpha Chapter, Women Band Directors International, the Coalition for Music Education in Canada and Music Conference Alberta. She was honoured with the 2011 Manitoba Band Association Award of Distinction and in 2014 honourary membership in Phi Beta Mu, and was awarded the Alberta Band Association Award of Distinction for 2020. She is currently the vice president of the Canadian Band Association. More about Bandology - bandology.ca Instagram: instagram.com/BandologyCA Facebook: facebook.com/BandologyCA

Winnipeg-based British composer Peter Meechan's music has been extensively performed throughout the world. His music has been commissioned, recorded, broadcast and performed by some of the world's leading symphony orchestras, wind orchestras, brass bands, conductors and soloists, including the BBC Concert Orchestra and the Edmonton Symphony Orchestra. Meechan's music is featured on over 130 commercial recordings and has been performed at festivals and clinics globally, including the The Midwest Clinic, and he was the first ever Young Composer in Association with the prestigious Black Dyke Band from 2003-2006, where he also went on to serve as their Composer in Residence for a further season. In October 2020, Meechan was awarded the Canadian Composers Award by the Canadian Band Association (CBA), the 9th recipient since the award's inception in 1991. Bandology is a Canadian non-profit dedicated to more music for more kids via education, collaboration and community. You can find out more about this series and our organization at bandology.ca which features info about research, advocacy and music education, and our Band Camp and Play A Gig programs. More about Bandology - bandology.ca Instagram: instagram.com/BandologyCA Facebook: facebook.com/BandologyCA

Rajaei Qubrosi is a cybersecurity analyst and musician based in Kitchener-Waterloo. With a background in health science, he recently moved into the financial sector, all while making music in his free time. He is the lead singer of the band Adult Recreation Centre, has sung in community choirs and studied violin for many years. Bandology is a Canadian non-profit dedicated to more music for more kids via education, collaboration and community. You can find out more about this series and our organization at bandology.ca which features info about research, advocacy and music education, and our Band Camp and Play A Gig programs. More about Bandology - bandology.ca Instagram: instagram.com/BandologyCA Facebook: facebook.com/BandologyCA

Emily Wood is a musician and PhD student at McMaster's Institute for Music and the Mind. Emily shares info about the lab, its research and the value of music in all of our lives. Bandology is a Canadian non-profit dedicated to more music for more kids via education, collaboration and community. You can find out more about this series and our organization at bandology.ca which features info about research, advocacy and music education, and our Band Camp and Play A Gig programs. More about Bandology - bandology.ca Instagram: instagram.com/BandologyCA Facebook: facebook.com/BandologyCA

Neil Yorke-Slader is the Associate Director and Chair of the Instrumental Jazz Division of MusicFest Canada. He taught music at the elementary and secondary levels for 17 years and has been the director of the nationally acclaimed Nepean All-City Jazz Band for 34 years. He is active as a jazz adjudicator and clinician throughout North America, and has published over 50 compositions for jazz ensembles. He was one of the eight contributing composers to the inaugural Canadian “New Sounds of Learning Project.” In 2020, Neil was named an Honorary Life Member of the Ontario Music Educators Association. Bandology is a Canadian non-profit dedicated to more music for more kids via education, collaboration and community. You can find out more about this series and our organization at bandology.ca which features info about research, advocacy and music education, and our Band Camp and Play A Gig programs. More about Bandology - bandology.ca Instagram: instagram.com/BandologyCA Facebook: facebook.com/BandologyCA

Rubix is a Filipino-Canadian hip hop artist known for his poetically cultured approach to the craft. He is a well versed rapper, song writer, producer, host and b-boy. When he's not shaking a live crowd with his head-bopping rhymes, he is educating youth on how the passion for hip hop can give them confidence to express themselves and become impactful leaders and individuals. A role model to many, he continues to use his skills to strengthen the community and uplift those around him. Bandology is a Canadian non-profit dedicated to more music for more kids via education, collaboration and community. You can find out more about this series and our organization at bandology.ca which features info about research, advocacy and music education, and our Band Camp and Play A Gig programs. More about Bandology - bandology.ca Instagram: instagram.com/BandologyCA Facebook: facebook.com/BandologyCA

Brian Vincent is an educator at the International Community School in Addis Ababa and the former director of bands at T. A. Blakelock High School. Learn more about Brian's music journey and experiences that brought him to where he is today. Bandology is a Canadian non-profit dedicated to more music for more kids via education, collaboration and community. You can find out more about this series and our organization at bandology.ca which features info about research, advocacy and music education, and our Band Camp and Play A Gig programs. More about Bandology - bandology.ca Instagram: instagram.com/BandologyCA Facebook: facebook.com/BandologyCA

Guy Few is a Canadian multi-instrumentist who has performed with many Canadian and United States symphonies as a trumpet, piano, corno and vocal soloist. Learn about his music journey and experiences that brought him to where he is today. Bandology is a Canadian non-profit dedicated to more music for more kids via education, collaboration and community. You can find out more about this series and our organization at bandology.ca which features info about research, advocacy and music education, and our Band Camp and Play A Gig programs. More about Bandology - bandology.ca Instagram: instagram.com/BandologyCA Facebook: facebook.com/BandologyCA Guy Few - guyfew.com Instagram: @guy.few Twitter: twitter.com/guyfew Guy Few, Arnaud Schotte & Stephanie Mara Recital: https://youtu.be/xloAOV3qOhE Guy Few, Rachel Thomas & Stephanie Mara Recital: https://youtu.be/D00KUA1N8fU

Dr. Jessica Kun is the conductor and artistic director of the Richmond Hill Philharmonic Orchestra and an associate professor of music at Wilfrid Laurier University, where she teaches courses in conducting, orchestration and conducts the Wilfrid Laurier University Wind Orchestra. Learn more about Dr. Kun's music journey and experiences that brought her to where she is today. Bandology is a Canadian non-profit dedicated to more music for more kids via education, collaboration and community. You can find out more about this series and our organization at bandology.ca which features info about research, advocacy and music education, and our Band Camp and Play A Gig programs. More about Bandology - bandology.ca Instagram: instagram.com/BandologyCA Facebook: facebook.com/BandologyCA Richmond Hill Philharmonic Orchestra - rhpo.ca

Francis Smith is the fifth ever Musical Director of the Burlington Teen Tour Band, Canada's oldest and largest youth marching band. Learn more about Francis' music journey and experiences that brought him to where he is today, including the Stevie Wonder concert that led him to his first teaching position. Bandology is a Canadian non-profit dedicated to more music for more kids via education, collaboration and community. You can find out more about this series and our organization at bandology.ca which features info about research, advocacy and music education, and our Band Camp and Play A Gig programs. More about Bandology - bandology.ca Instagram: instagram.com/BandologyCA Facebook: facebook.com/BandologyCA Burlington Teen Tour Band - teentourband.org

Cait Nishimura is a Canadian composer, songwriter and music educator based in Toronto. She has quickly established herself as a prominent voice in the concert band community. Learn about Cait's musical journey and experiences within the Canadian music education and composing world. Bandology is a Canadian non-profit dedicated to more music for more kids via education, collaboration and community. You can find out more about this series and our organization at bandology.ca which features info about research, advocacy and music education, and our Band Camp and Play A Gig programs. More about Bandology - bandology.ca Instagram: instagram.com/BandologyCA Facebook: facebook.com/BandologyCA More on Cait Nishimura - caitnishimura.com Instagram: @composer_cait/ Facebook: facebook.com/caitnishimuramusic

David Lum is a Canadian music educator and conductor. Learn more about the ins and outs of a music teacher's career and David's own experiences with Agincourt Collegiate, Toronto Youth Wind Orchestra, the Ontario Band Association Awards and Scholarships Committee and more! Bandology is a Canadian non-profit dedicated to more music for more kids via education, collaboration and community. You can find out more about this series and our organization at bandology.ca which features info about research, advocacy and music education, and our Band Camp and Play A Gig programs. More on Bandology https://bandology.ca Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bandology_music Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bandology.ca

Ryan Meeboer is a music educator and 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 Anne's Revenge' and 'Through the Eye of the Storm', have been well received by performers, educators and audiences. Some of his pieces have been found on festival syllabuses. Learn more about Ryan's experiences that brought him to where he is today. Bandology is a Canadian non-profit dedicated to more music for more kids via education, collaboration and community. You can find out more about this series and our organization at bandology.ca which features info about research, advocacy and music education, and our Band Camp and Play A Gig programs. More about Bandology - bandology.ca Instagram: instagram.com/BandologyCA Facebook: facebook.com/BandologyCA

Leslie Ashworth is a Canadian violinist, violist, pianist and composer. She has performed for audiences in Canada, the United States, France and Italy. Leslie is also the founder and director of the Suite Melody Care program, which involves talented, young musicians giving back to their community by sharing themed, interactive performances in local hospitals, long-term care and retirement homes in Ontario as well as Iowa. Learn about Leslie's experiences and education and listen to her original composition My Forever Friend. Bandology is a Canadian non-profit dedicated to more music for more kids via education, collaboration and community. You can find out more about this series and our organization at bandology.ca which features info about research, advocacy and music education, and our Band Camp and Play A Gig programs. More about Bandology - bandology.ca Instagram: instagram.com/BandologyCA Facebook: facebook.com/BandologyCA More on Leslie Ashworth leslieashworth.ca suitemelodycare.com Facebook: facebook.com/violinistleslieashworth/ YouTube: youtube.com/user/ashworthproductions/

Ramera Abraham is a London-based vocal producer, sound engineer, songwriter, drummer and vocalist. Listen as Ramera discusses the world of music production and sound engineering. Bandology is a Canadian non-profit dedicated to more music for more kids via education, collaboration and community. You can find out more about this series and our organization at bandology.ca which features info about research, advocacy and music education, and our Band Camp and Play A Gig programs. More about Bandology - bandology.ca Instagram: instagram.com/BandologyCA Facebook: facebook.com/BandologyCA More on Ramera Abraham: Instagram: @rameraaa

Dr. Kathryn Ladano, an award-winning Canadian bass clarinet player from Kitchener-Waterloo, Ontario. She has recorded three albums and has performed across Canada and internationally. She teaches improvisation at Wilfrid Laurier University and is the Artistic Director of NUMUS which is one of Canada's foremost new music organizations based out of Kitchener-Waterloo. Listen to this episode to hear more about her creative and educational work! Bandology is a Canadian non-profit dedicated to more music for more kids via education, collaboration and community. You can find out more about this series and our organization at bandology.ca which features info about research, advocacy and music education, and our Band Camp and Play A Gig programs. More about Bandology - bandology.ca Instagram: instagram.com/BandologyCA Facebook: facebook.com/BandologyCA More on Kathryn Ladano: kathrynladano.com numus.on.ca

Dylan Rook Maddix is host of The Band Room Podcast and a professor of music at Cambrian College in Sudbury, Ontario, where he conducts the wind ensemble, teaches music theory and serves as the Head of Winds and Brass. He also teaches conducting at Laurentian University and maintains an active career as a sought-after adjudicator, clinician, conductor and performer across Canada. Bandology is a Canadian non-profit dedicated to more music for more kids via education, collaboration and community. You can find out more about this series and our organization at bandology.ca which features info about research, advocacy and music education, and our Band Camp and Play A Gig programs. More about Bandology - bandology.ca Instagram: instagram.com/BandologyCA Facebook: facebook.com/BandologyCA More about Dylan Rook Maddix: The Band Room Podcast: bandroompod.com Instagram: @drmaddixmusic