MILT ALLEN

Dr. Milt Allen has worked with hundreds of schools, community groups and organizations, reaching thousands of students, directors and community members during his career. He is often credited as being one of the most creative, innovative, inspiring and non-traditional music educators today. Conductor, clinician, speaker, author and tireless advocate on behalf of music education, his passion for reaching more musicians at a grass-roots level includes extensive experiences in both public schools and universities in addition to founding his non-profit, The Music Guerrilla, which works with underfunded/under-serviced programs in Rwanda, Zambia, Haiti and Compton, CA. Dr. Allen is an educational artist for Jupiter Instruments while also serving as a clinician for the Hal Leonard Corporation and Meredith Music Publications.

BOB BAILEY

Bob Bailey has taught all levels of school band for 35 years, the last 30 of which have been in his hometown of Camrose where he maintains a thriving middle school music program including award-winning concert bands at each grade level as well as choral, jazz, and chamber ensembles. Bob is in demand as an adjudicator across the province and has been a guest conductor and clinician most notably at Sifton Summerfest, Grande Prairie Regional College Summer Band Camp, Adventures in Summer Music, and MusiCamp Alberta.  In 2005, Bob was invited by the Alberta Band Association to conduct the Southern Alberta Junior High Honour Band.  He was co-recipient of the inaugural University of Alberta (Augustana) Fine Arts Achievement Award, and received an Excellence in Teaching Award.  Bob received the Elkhorn Band Director of the Year and is a member of the International Bandmasters' Fraternity Phi Beta Mu.

ALYSSA BERRY

With 20 years of communications experience in government, culture, and tourism, Alyssa Berry owns a boutique firm specializing in creating powerful and impactful storytelling for purpose-driven brands. Alyssa has developed experiential tourism marketing strategies for Travel Drumheller, HeliCat Canada and Alberta Food Tours as well as worked with various local non-profit cultural organizations including Calgary Opera, JazzFest, Marda Loop BIA, Tourism Calgary, YMCA Calgary, Calgary 2026- Olympic Bid, WordFest, Calgary Stampede, Alzheimer Society of Calgary, Spirit North, Calgary Chamber of Voluntary Organizations and City of Calgary. As an award-winning communicator, Alyssa is the co-founder of s.m.a.r.t. academy and co-host of the Ladies Who Launch podcast. In 2018, she was featured as one of 100 Calgary women entrepreneurs “to know” in the inaugural edition of the KNOW book. 

ESTHER BING 

In the past few years, Esther Bing has been interested in movement as it applies to the life of a pianist. She is certified in Natural Movement, and received her Personal Trainer Certificate this March. Her goal is to change the way pianists/teachers are taught about pain, strain and injuries through her platform, MoveMuse (website - Aug. 2021). Esther maintains a Calgary-based piano and movement studio. Her students are consistent winner of RCM Medals, ARMTA and festival scholarships, national and international awards.

JEAN-LOUIS BLEAU

Jean-Louis Bleau has been involved in the Calgary and area arts scene for a number of years, organizing numerous concerts and music festivals while maintaining a successful career as a choral conductor. In addition to his role as Interim Director of Mount Royal Conservatory, he is also the artistic director of Choral Programs and conducts Mount Royal Artio. A sessional Instructor at the University of Calgary, Bleau directs the University of Calgary Chamber Choir and teaches courses in interdisciplinary engagement and collaboration. ​

VICTORIA BOLER

Victoria Boler is a leading elementary general music educator and curriculum designer. In addition to general music, Victoria has taught orchestra, choir, and percussion ensembles, and served as Fine Arts Coordinator, leading the arts at a programmatic level. She holds a Masters in Music Education from the University of Florida and has completed three levels of Orff certification, as well as Kodaly level one. She publishes general music curriculum and instructional materials at victoriaboler.com, where she serves and collaborates with educators in their journeys to create grounded and artistic music curriculum for their unique teaching scenarios. Victoria is a lesson author for Hal Leonard's Essential Elements Music Class.

SCOTT CAMPBELL

Over the span of twelve years, Scott Campbell built a thriving music program at MidSun School. Under his tutelage, Midsun School bands won the Floyd Williamson Trophy for Most Outstanding Junior High Concert Band twice, and the Quan Le Directors' Choice Award at the Alberta International Band Festival ​in Calgary. He has served on the board of the Alberta Band Association, coordinating the Southern Alberta Junior Honour Band, and, currently serves on the faculty of the Vic Lewis Festival and the Calgary Regional Summer Band Workshop. He was inducted to the Phi Beta Mu Bandmasters Fraternity and nominated for the Alberta Excellence in Teaching Awards. He currently teaches at Lord Beaverbrook School.

MEGAN EMMETT

Megan Emmett has had a lifelong love of music, singing, and teaching. She studied at McGill University, doing graduate work in Musicology and a BA in Music, and at the University of Calgary, completing a BEd. Megan worked for the Calgary Board of Education as a classroom teacher and music specialist for 10 years, at the innovative W.H. Cushing Workplace School downtown, and at Hugh A Bennett School, where she served as a Learning Leader and produced the school’s opening ceremony in 2017.
Megan has now embarked on a career in leadership as the CEO of the Youth Singers of Calgary. A strong believer in the value performing arts bring to young people, Megan has also served as a board member for the Mountain View International Festival of Song and Chamber Music and Evergreen Theatre. Megan is thrilled to bring her background in administration and education to steward the Youth Singers into their next chapter.

CATHERINE GLASER-CLIMIE

Catherine Glaser-Climie has nurtured and inspired singers of all ages through her acclaimed work with choirs and singers for more than thirty years. Choirs under her direction have won awards at the local, provincial and national level and have regularly performed with Calgary Opera, the Calgary Philharmonic Orchestra and are frequently heard on radio and television. In addition, her choirs have been invited to perform at many prestigious events and have toured extensively throughout Canada, the United States and Europe. Her choirs have twice performed for Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II and HRH Prince Philip in Edmonton and in Ottawa. Currently she is Founder / Artistic Director of the Cantaré Children’s Choir in Calgary, a nationally-acclaimed programme of one hundred and fifty singers ages six to eighteen. She also serves as Minister of Music at Evangelical Lutheran Church of the Cross. Catherine’s contribution to Canada’s musical community has been acknowledged with special awards from Choral Canada, Choir Alberta, Alberta Kodaly Association, and the City of Calgary.

KIMBERLY HALL

​Kimberly Hall is a K-9 music specialist with Edmonton Public Schools. Kimberly received her Honours Bachelors of Arts in Music and Bachelors of Education from Lakehead University. Kimberly has been a music educator for over 30 years in many capacities as a private instructor, adjudicator, clinician, preschool music educator, band director and has established and directed various local children’s choirs. Kimberly is passionate about education and lives by the philosophy that “All students are learners, and all students can learn.” She runs a highly inclusive program with a distinct focus on all students' unique needs and growth through the power of music. When she’s not teaching, she enjoys spending time with her husband, two boys, and two fur babies. ​

​NICOLE HOUNJET

Nicole Hounjet has been a music director with the CBE and Foothills School Divisions for the past 17 years. During her teaching career, she has built, developed, and grown programs based on community, culture, and artistry. Ms. Hounjet also conducts with the Westwinds Music Society, an organization focused on adult music education. She is the former Vice President of Programs and Projects for Choir Alberta, committed to helping facilitate vibrant and enriching programs for singers and conductors at every age and stage. An accomplished musician, Ms. Hounjet completed her music degree at the University of Alberta and education degree at the University of Calgary. Since her time at the U of A, she has continued to develop herself as a musician and artist by studying with choral leaders including James Jordan, James Whitbourn, Gregory Boers, Richard Nace, and Rodney Eichenberger. As an educator and conductor, Ms. Hounjet empowers her musicians to fully engage in the music by building a community of mutual trust, respect and empathy within the ensemble. She believes that by setting high expectations and providing the tools to ensure success, musicians of any age can find their voice.

MICHAEL IERLULLO

Since 1998, Michael Ierlullo has enjoyed working with some of the world’s finest musicians in the most prestigious concert halls. His client list contains some of the most talented classical, contemporary & jazz players who perform locally, nationally and internationally. He began playing the piano at the age of 4, developed a love of music and went on to complete ARCT in piano performance at the Royal Conservatory of Music in Toronto. After 13 years of teaching and playing professionally, he became intent on pursuing the study of building and restoration at George Brown College in its Piano Technology Program. While in college, he augmented studies by apprenticing with one of the world’s top concert piano tuners, Wayne Chen. He is now owner of Toronto's Piano Boutique, a “word-of-mouth”, friendly and honest piano shop, where the art and craft of pianos and the high standards of passionate players are its guiding principles. His client base includes some of the most talented players in and around Toronto, such as professional players, composers, music teachers, music students, serious amateurs, piano lovers, performance venues, recording studios and churches. The Piano Boutique offers many services that any pianist would need from time to time, from complete rebuilds and restorations to refinishing, tunings, maintenance and consignment, as well as buying, selling and renting.

LAEL JOHNSTON

Lael Johnston is a percussionist, conductor and educator. After completing a Masters of Music Performance from the University of Alberta, Lael spent several years touring North America with a variety of musical groups, covering a spectrum of musical styles. Returning to Calgary to pursue a career in Education he spent the past two decades with Rocky View Schools as the Music Director at Chestermere H.S.  This program included Concert Band, Jazz Ensemble, New Music Ensemble, Strings and Drumline. These groups have received international recognition with performances at the Harrogate Youth Festival in England and the Wurzburg Festival in Germany.

HEATHER KIRK

In 1997, Heather Kirk founded Immedia to become a client partner that lives and breathes both story and results. Experience, deep credentials and pleasant to work with, Heather is known for bringing PR creativity, professional ethics and strategy to her award winning communications agency that has served hundreds of Canadian and international clients from the Human Genome Conference to British Airways to the Government of the Northwest Territories diamond division to the Royal Conservatory of Music. Her experienced public relations and marketing communications team includes event experts, content creators, designers and social media managers. Across her team niche expertise includes: community events, celebrated personalities, real estate developers, luxury brands, travel and tourism, food and drink, retail, design, entertainment, technology, health and wellness and sports. Her experience in arts and culture includes showcasing Canadian talent in New York at private media events for Destination Canada as well as Canada Day celebrations in Central Park; cross-marketing campaigns with Diana Krall for her Holiday Album debut, organizing a mini-Calgary Stampede in Toronto to promote the event nationally and more. A trailblazer in the social media space, she founded her own social media professional network in 2001 that now has more than 25,000 journalism and brand members, called KITI Social. She is based in Toronto and Las Vegas. 

LAURIE MATIATION

Originally from Brandon, Manitoba, Laurie Matiation is currently Artistic Director of the Academy and Advanced Program at Mount Royal University Conservatory - a unique program specifically designed for students who wish to work on their performance skills and self confidence. A passionate teacher, Laurie believes that all can achieve their goals and dreams with proper guidance, inspiration and support. She has appeared as a soloist with the Calgary Philharmonic Orchestra, conducts workshops and clinics, and is one of the founding members of HornFest, an annual horn workshop. She is also teacher of horn at Mount Royal University Conservatory and the University of Calgary.

Laurie began her professional career in 1978 as second horn of the Atlantic Symphony Orchestra, and joined the Calgary Philharmonic Orchestra in 1983. In June of 2019, Laurie retired from the CPO after 41 years of service in the orchestra business. She is excited about her next musical journey and adventure, and will continue to support and be an advocate for the Arts community and music education in the schools. In her down time, Laurie enjoys gardening, cooking, camping and spending quality time with family.

JEFFREY ALLEN MURDOCK

​Dr. Jeffrey Allen Murdock is internationally known as a conductor, clinician, and music educator. He currently serves as Coordinator of Choral and Vocal Studies, Associate Professor of Music, and Director of the Black Music Institute at the University of Arkansas. He is a 2016 Connor Endowed Faculty Fellow in the J. William Fulbright College of Arts and Sciences, a 2018 recipient of the Golden Tusk Award, the 2019 Most Outstanding Faculty Member among all university faculty, and the 2021 GRAMMY Music Educator of the Year. Dr. Murdock’s love of scholarship and performance has led him to study and perform around the world. As a music educator, he loves to invest his knowledge and experience in the next generation of young musicians through clinic opportunities with secondary choral programs, conducting honor choruses, and mentoring choral music educators. He has been invited to present at the National Research Conference for the National Association for Music Education (NAfME) as well as two World Conferences of the International Society for Music Education (ISME) – (Glasgow, U.K., and Helsinki, Finland). Dr. Murdock holds both Bachelor of Music Education and Master of Music in Conducting degrees from the University of Southern Mississippi and the Doctor of Philosophy degree in Music Education from the University of Memphis. 

LAUREL NIKOLAI

Laurel Nikolai is an arts educator who has taught students from pre-K through graduate students. Her teaching career has spanned Canada, Switzerland, and the United Arab Emirates. Laurel holds her Master of Education degree from the University of Alberta where she has taught many courses in music and dance pedagogy. She is currently the elementary music specialist at Victoria School of the Arts with Edmonton Public Schools, and the President of the Alberta Orff Chapter. 

CARMEN SO

Carmen So fell in love with the world of choral music at first sing! Experiencing human connection through voices in harmony inspired her to pursue a career in music education. Ms. So is the founding director of Kokopelli's award-winning children's choir, Kikimasu. In her eleventh year with the Edmonton Public School Board, she is currently the music specialist at Rutherford School. Ms. So attained her Bachelor of Music/Bachelor of Education combined degrees (2004) and Master of Education degree specializing in Elementary Music (2015) from the University of Alberta. She holds level III certification in both Kodály and Orff Schulwerk. As a lifelong learner, she is always searching for opportunities to learn and adores all things involving creative pedagogical practices. Carmen currently serves on the board of the Alberta Orff Chapter.

JOHN WIEBE

Dr. John Wiebe is an award‐winning conductor and pianist working in Camrose and Edmonton, Alberta, where he is the Director of Music and of Choral Activities at the University of Alberta‐Augustana Campus and the Artistic and Executive Director of the Edmonton Youth & Children’s Choirs. Known for the energy, craftsmanship and passion he brings to his music making, choirs under his dynamic leadership have recorded six CD’s, performed coast‐to‐coast across Canada and around the world (Europe, Russia, South America, China and South Africa), and have received numerous awards for their performances locally, nationally and at the Langollen Music Festival and the World Choir Games. Dr. Wiebe is active in the choral community as a clinician and adjudicator for events as diverse as the Western Canadian Music Awards, Kiwanis Music Festivals and Edmonton Arts Council. John has served on numerous boards and is a past president of Choral Canada. When not busy making music, John enjoys spending time hiking with his family, golfing, and running.