Yukon Summer Music Camp

Faculty


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Katie Avery

Teaches: Violin, String Ensemble

Years Experience: 15


Katie was born in Guelph Ontario where she studied violin at the Suzuki school. She graduated from U of T in 2010 with a Bachelor of Music Education. She then moved to Whitehorse to teach violin, viola and cello. She has played in many orchestras, including the Peterborough, Guelph, and University of Toronto Symphonies, as well as the Problematic Orchestra here in Whitehorse. She has been teaching private and group strings classes for 15 years.

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Renn Madeleine Bibeau

Teaches: Voice, Ukulele, Piano


Renn was trained in piano from the age of four, under the tutelage of Jocelyn Savage (piano), and in voice from the age of fourteen with Elaine Case, and later with Dr. Reid Spencer (voice). Renn also explored percussion, clarinet, saxophone, ukulele, and guitar in junior and high school band and private lesson settings. She performed regularly across her home province of Alberta with a variety of bands, festivals, and theatre companies. Renn is well versed in classical music, musical theatre, and contemporary commercial music (CCM), and thrives on the diverse nature of her students’ interests.


Renn holds a Bachelor of Music, majoring in Vocal Performance. She received her Associate’s Degree from Mount Royal University before transferring to the University of Victoria, where she worked with a number of incredible educators, coaches, choirs and vocal jazz ensembles. An ardent lifelong learner, she has continued her professional development with many tremendous educators across the globe. Renn has completed Levels I, II, and III through the LoVetri Institute for Somatic Voicework™ (via Baldwin Wallace University), which explores an organized method of vocal training for contemporary commercial music (CCM) styles, based upon somatic (physical) awareness and aural discernment. She has trained in the Feldenkrais Method®, and has studied with Dr. Shannon Coates (The Vocal Instrument 101).


Renn is a member of the Somatic Voicework™ Teachers Association, NATS (National Association of Teachers of Singing), and is a registered teacher with the Royal Conservatory of Music.


An active performing and recording musician and composer, Renn has contributed to artistic endeavours worldwide. Renn’s folk-rock project Fox Glove has released three albums and performs in festivals and concerts nation-wide. She performs regularly as a soloist and collaborates extensively with other artists. She can be heard on recordings with outfits such as Astrocolor, Carmanah, and Alan Doyle of Great Big Sea.

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Barbara Chamberlin

Teaches: Voice


Barbara Chamberlin has always loved choirs and vocal music. She has been the choir director for the Whitehorse Community Choir since 2005. She has studied conducting with Rodney Eichenberger, Adam Conn, Bruce Pullen, Brainerd Blyden-Taylor, and Debra Cairns plus voice with Lisa Popeil, Tim Carson, and David Kyle among others. Barbara understands community choirs well and will guide you through the songs to a blended, beautiful sound.

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Lianne Cranfield

Teaches: Voice, Musical Minds


Lianne Cranfield has been singing since age 3 and has performed thousands of shows. She has played in pubs and cafes, on big stages, at festivals, large private events and most notably, played while touring for an extended period of travel in New Zealand and Australia.  Upon her return to Canada, she conducted research on music’s effects on the developing brain as a component of her Masters of Education.


 She came to the Yukon in 2012 where she became a mother and a counsellor at a local highschool. During this time, Lianne offered a children’s music program, Musical Minds Yukon, and continued to develop her vocal coaching and art therapy program, Find Your Voice. 

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Madison Dixon

Teaches: Rockband


Madi Dixon is a 23 year old Indigenous singer/songwriter and multi-instrumentalist. She is a 5th generation born and raised Yukoner and could never imagine living anywhere else. Madi grew up in a very musical family and started performing on stage at the young age of just 5 yrs old. Throughout the years Madi has performed at large scale events such as The Adaka Cultural Festival, BlueFeather Music Festival, Atlin Arts and Music Festival, Frog Mountain Music Festival, Sunstroke Music Festival and many more. In 2018 Madi graduated from the Music and Technology Program at Selkirk College in Nelson B.C. majoring in Music Performance. She returned home to the Yukon where she has been performing regularly as well as teaching music lessons. Madi plays classical, acoustic, electric and bass guitars, piano and her Ludwig double bass drum kit. Madi’s solo performances see her singing both cover and original songs while accompanying herself on guitar and foot drums. Blues infused country and classic rock and roll are her favourite genres to play.

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Rachel Grantham

Teaches: Cello


Rachel is a graduate in music education, having majored in viola and minored in an array of other musical instruments, including cello under Christine Newland. She settled in the Yukon in 1989 after 5 years of teaching string music in Ontario schools. In 1991, she began instructor training in Suzuki method under leading pedagogues such as Daphne Hughes and Ed Kreitman. In 1992, Rachel joined forces with Trish Barclay in what is considered the founding of the Suzuki program in Whitehorse. Rachel also has a Master’s degree in choral conducting from the University of Alberta, and is former director of the Whitehorse Community Choir, the Persephone Singers and the Borealis Children’s Choir. Her current choir, the Messiah Chorale, has been on a pandemic hiatus. She is grateful to all the parents that made it possible for their children to pursue strings instruction in the Yukon.

Courses Offered:

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Caity Gyorgy

Teaches: Vocal Jazz


Caity Gyorgy (pronounced like George) is a JUNO Nominated Toronto and Montreal based vocalist, composer, and lyricist who is known for singing bebop and swing music.

Being called one of JazzFM91’s 8 Canadian Women in Jazz You Need to Know, Caity has performed at popular clubs and jazz festivals across Canada including the Toronto Jazz Festival, the Calgary Jazz Festival, the Medicine Hat Jazz Festival, and the Jazz Bistro in Toronto, Upstairs Jazz in Montreal, and Frankie's Jazz in Vancouver.


Caity has worked and recorded with many luminaries in the Canadian jazz scene including Allison Au, Pat LaBarbera, Jocelyn Gould, Don Thompson, Christine Jensen and Virginia MacDonald.  


 In addition to performing, Caity runs an instagram account entitled "@Liftaday" where she has gained global recognition from her transcription videos of iconic Jazz solos that are viewed daily by thousands of people. She has posted over 200 videos since 2018. She is also an avid writer and composes songs in the style of the Great American Songbook. Her compositions have been sung by other vocalists around the world, and she was recently crowned the Grand Prize Winner of the 2021 John Lennon Songwriting Contest in the Jazz category for her song "Secret Safe”. 


 She has independently released one self titled EP, several singles and her debut album “No Bounds”, that features guitarist Jocelyn Gould. On July 9th, 2021 she released an EP of original music arranged for large ensemble under Brooklyn based label La Reserve called “Now Pronouncing”. “Now Pronouncing” was selected as CBC Music’s Top 15 Canadian Jazz Albums of 2021.  This album is also nominated for Vocal Jazz Album of the Year at the 2022 JUNO awards. Her next album, entitled "Featuring”, will be released on November 4th, 2022 and each of the thirteen tracks will feature a guest soloist.

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Calvin Laveck

Teaches: Musical Theatre

Years Experience: 15


Since this born and raised Yukoner left the Yukon in 2010, Calvin graduated from the Music Theatre Department at the Sheridan Institute in Ontario, Canada. Stage credits in chronological order include; Georg Zirschitz in Spring Awakening, Amos in Chicago, Joe Josephson in Merrily We Roll Along(Sheridan theatre); Leading Singer & Vocal Captain (Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines); Trevor the Dog in Dogtown(Nakai); Jerry Lee Lewis in Million Dollar Quartet(Magnus Theatre); Aemon in Once (Neptune Theatre); Jerry Lee Lewis in Million Dollar Quartet(Thousand Islands Playhouse); Jerry Lee Lewis in Million Dollar Quartet (Sudbury Theatre Centre); Pure 90's (Stage West); Anne and Gilbert (The Guild Theatre), and he was the accompanist for a Toronto based show, Belle Darling Klondike Queen at the Alumnae Theatre Company in downtown Toronto. Where he played such musical styles as ragtime and stride. Since being back in the Yukon, Calvin go to be apart of a staged reading of Peter Jicklings, Syphilis: A Love Story at The Guild Theatre. He is also very excited to be writing a new Canadian musical called Klondike The Musical with his friend and colleague Kevin McLachlan.

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Matthew Lien

Teaches: Write a Song. Build a Demo.

Years Experience: 35


Matthew Lien is a producer, composer, performer and sound artist. With a passion for field recording, he often seeks out remote destinations from the arctic to the tropics, mountain peaks to underwater volcanoes, in search of sound, music and inspiration.


His first international release “Bleeding Wolves” became a multi-platinum legend in Southeast Asia where his music remains popular today. He was the first foreigner to perform at Mandarin Asia's Grammy-equivalent, first nominated, and first to win the award. He's since garnered six nominations, while his contributions to television and radio have earned him the region's Emmy-equivalent and four nominations.


In recognition of Matthew’s effort to promote indigenous and traditional culture through music andsound, he's been appointed Ambassador and Honourary Citizen by several regional governments, Cultural Ambassador by the ROC government, and Esquire magazine named him Man of the Year.


Back home in Canada, he's been awarded Best Yukon Artist and received two nominations at the Western Canadian Music Awards. He was awarded the Parliamentary Certificate of Honour, and appointed Special Envoy to Taiwan.


Matthew’s twenty solo albums, concerts, soundtracks, sound art, commissioned works, documentaries, and the television series he hosts, all retain an emphasis on culture and the environment.

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Erica Mah

Teaches: Pop Choir

Years Experience: 15


Erica Mah is the founder and director of the Whitehorse Pop Choir. She holds a B.Ed. from OISE/UT, and has taught music at YSMC, the Heart of Riverdale, and Girls Rock Camp. Erica fell in love with Pop Choirs while singing in East Vancouver's Kingsgate Chorus. She has worked with singers of all ages and levels, and is in love with arranging vocal harmonies.

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Scott Maynard

Teaches: Bass, Rockband

Years Experience: 25


Over the past thirty years, Scott Maynard has been in dozens of bands, contributed to countless recordings, and toured extensively through Canada, the US, and Europe. He has been a professional singer, and plays multiple instruments, including guitar, drums, and keys, but his main instrument has been the electric bass. At past Yukon Summer Music Camps, Scott has taught vocal masterclass, choir, theory, and audio tech. This year he will be offering bass lessons again, and is excited to teach intermediate rock band for the first time.

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Hannah Mazurek

Teaches: Guitar, Music Composition



Hannah Mazurek is a Canadian songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, sound designer, and educator. Now based out of Whitehorse, Hannah is a graduate of the University of Toronto school of music and has shared their love of sound in all its forms across Canada from the East coast to the West. They have composed music for diverse classical ensembles but have an abiding love of roots music, American folk, and bluegrass. 

 

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Andrea McColeman

Teaches: Piano, Accordion

Years Experience: 30


Andrea has been part of the vibrant Whitehorse music community for over 3 decades. She is a multi- instrumentalist, arranger, composer and teacher. Andrea got the music bug from her piano playing grandmother, then went on to received her Bachelor of Music in performance(percussion and piano) from Wilfrid Laurier University and began her lifelong study of jazz piano at Humber College shortly thereafter. Since moving to the Yukon in 1991 she has played, recorded and toured with countless groups, even snagging a Juno award in 1995 as a member of Jerry Alfred and the Medicine Beat. Andrea has been referred to as “Whitehorse’s musical Swiss army knife” and loves to be part of any musical puzzle no matter what the style. When not teaching at music camp Andrea teaches piano and drums privately, is a percussionist in the Problematic Orchestra and collaborates musically any chance she gets in the Yukon and beyond!

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Ben McGrath

Teaches: Drum Kit


Ben’s drumming journey began while growing up in south-western Ontario, establishing strong foundations playing snare drum in a cadet marching band, while letting the speed and energy of punk rock and funk jams shape his musical identity.  In 2004, Ben moved up to Dawson City and his drumming style broadened while performing ragtime and jazz at the Diamond Tooth Gerties can-can show from 2006-07.   Academic pursuits led Ben and his growing family to Victoria BC, where his dynamic style found him gigging and recording with the two-drummer, six-piece, power rock ensemble “Rugged Uncle”. 

​Now based in Whitehorse, you can find Ben playing drum kit, congas or djembe, sitting in on sessions with some of Whitehorse's favourite local players.  Ben’s greatest musical asset may be his ear-playing ability, which lets him compliment whomever he accompanies and feel at home on the festival stage, in a coffee house or jam room.

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Kieran Poile

Teaches: Fiddle, Bluegrass and Old Time Jams

Years Experience: 15


Hailing from Whitehorse, Yukon, Kieran Poile is an active fiddler and composer. 


He has performed with such artists as country icon Paul Daraiche (over 2 million albums sold), and Sara Dufour (nominated for l’ADISQ in 2017, 2019). Kieran is a member of Veranda, a Franco-bluegrass band (winner of a GAMIQ for “Best Country Album in 2020), Notre Dame de Grass, a Montreal-based Bluegrass band (nominated for a Canadian Folk Music Award in 2015), and Li’l Andy, an alternative country band (voted best Country act in Montreal four consecutive times by CULT MTL)


In 2018, Kieran composed the violin score for Silver Arrow, a new musical at the Citadel Theatre in Edmonton with Canadian rock singer-songwriter Hawksley Workman (Juno award winner 2002, Juno nominated 2009). In 2019, Kieran composed the violin score for A Walk in the Woods, an art exhibit at the Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art in Bentonville, Arkansas alongside The Barr Brothers. Kieran was also a musician in the film The U.S vs. Billie Holiday by Academy Award winning director Lee Daniels.


In the Yukon, Kieran played with Ryan McNally (nominated for a Western Canadian Music Award in 2017) and with The Lucky Ones, a country band comprising of members from across the territory.  He also performed with the Frantic Follies Vaudeville Revue (Canada’s longest running independent theatre show, 1969-2016).


More recently, Kieran released an album in February 2020 with Little Misty, an alternative prog-rock/folk band.   Originaire de Whitehorse, au Yukon, Kieran Poile est un violoniste et un compositeur actif.


Il s'est produit avec des artistes tels que l'icône country Paul Daraîche (plus de 2 millions d'albums vendus) et Sara Dufour (nominée à l'ADISQ en 2017, 2019). Kieran est membre de Notre Dame de Grass, un groupe bluegrass basé à Montréal (nominé pour un Canadian Folk Music Award en 2015), Veranda, un groupe franco-bluegrass (gagnant d’un GAMIQ en 2020 pour « Album country de l'année”) et Li'l Andy, un groupe country alternatif (élu meilleur groupe country à Montréal quatre fois de suite par CULT MTL).


En 2018, Kieran a composé la partition de violon pour Silver Arrow, une nouvelle comédie musicale au Citadel Théâtre d'Edmonton avec l'auteur-compositeur de rock Canadien Hawksley Workman (lauréat d'un prix Juno 2002, nominé pour le Juno 2009). En 2019, Kieran a composé la partition pour violon pour A Walk in the Woods, une exposition d'art au Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art à Bentonville, Arkansas aux côtés des Barr Brothers. Plus tard en 2019, Kieran est apparu dans le film The U.S vs Billie Holiday, le prochain film du réalisateur lauréat d'un Oscar Lee Daniels.


Au Yukon, Kieran a joué avec Ryan McNally (nominé pour un Western Canadian Music Award en 2017) et avec The Lucky Ones, un groupe country composé de membres de partout sur le territoire. Il a également joué avec la Frantic Follies Vaudeville Revue (le plus ancien spectacle de théâtre indépendant au Canada, 1969-2016).


Plus récemment, Kieran a sorti un album en février 2020 avec Little Misty, un groupe alternatif de rock progressif / folk.

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Nico Rhodes

Teaches: Piano, Jazz, Musical Theatre, Composition

Years Experience: 20



Born in Vancouver in 1989, Nico was raised on the road, touring with his parents and a quartet of musicians who nurtured his musical upbringing ‘by osmosis’. By the age of 16 he had won several classical piano and jazz saxophone competitions. At 17, he was introduced to musical theatre and he has since directed, arranged and/or composed for more than 40 stage productions across Canada.

At the age of 25, he orchestrated two symphonic shows, one being his Mother, Joelle Rabu’s nationally treasured musical drama ‘Tonight…Piaf’. Praises include Jessie and Ovation Theatre Award nominations for innovative music direction in Vancouver’s theatre community, and Nanaimo’s Emerging Cultural Leader Award. His career also includes performing with songstress Joelle Rabu, his Mother and being the other half of Roots & Grooves with the iconic Rick Scott.

Nico is currently composing the music for the epic Off the Beaten Path musical: An International multi-platform theatrical experience like no other. He has also created a solo piano concert series The Art of Ragtime, featuring the many treasured songs and fascinating stories of the Ragtime era.

Nico is sought after as a music director, composer and arranger of musical theatre, orchestral and choral works. One of his dreams is to create several community choirs, each celebrating life’s many diverse ages, genders and abilities while promoting inclusivity for all. He is also a devotee of the Elders’ community; fundraising, knitting, playing for them in support of Mental Health awareness.

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Elayne Sayner

Teaches: Harp

Years Experience: 13


Elayne was born in Dublin, Ireland. During her early school years, Gaelic and Harp were mandatory subjects along with the choice of Irish Step Dancing or the Irish Pipes. She studied all four until she passed her A-levels in England. Then, for a change of scene, she moved to Virginia in the USA where she completed two degrees along with an Associate in Music.


After university, her friends and teachers from Ireland, the United States and Canada all encouraged her to revisit the harp. Elayne has taught Royal Conservatory piano and theory in Whitehorse for the past thirteen years, and harp for the last seven. “Caol lorg duilleoga ar geroi egus cinamada" “Music leaves footprints on our hearts and souls.

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Julie Scott

Teaches: Concert Band, Drumming


Julie Scott is an energetic performer, director and teacher in the Edmonton area. She has a love for all that is music, especially percussion!  Julie studied under the direction of Adam Mason at the University of Lethbridge, focusing on African, Samba, Taiko, Steel Drumming and Conducting while pursuing her Bachelor of Music and Education.


As an Educator, Julie’s favourite thing is working with new groups in new communities. She loves working with those who are brand new to music, those who are returning to music after a long hiatus, those who are working on a secondary instrument…..all the way up to the intermediate and advanced players who always want a good challenging (and fun) piece of music!  


Prior to having her two beautiful children, she thoroughly enjoyed performing with the Lethbridge Symphony Orchestra, Global Drums Percussion Ensemble and Steel Drum Band, University of Lethbridge Wind Ensemble, Isshin Taiko Ensemble (Hamamatsu, Shizuoka, Japan) and pit percussion for various musical theatre productions.  Julie is an active percussion and guest conductor throughout Alberta, who has had the pleasure of conducting the Edmonton Catholic School Jr. All-City Band, the Cosmopolitan Music Society Percussion Ensemble and various other small ensembles throughout the Edmonton area.   


 


Julie is currently the Fine Arts Lead Teacher and Music Director for ECSD’s new school, École St. John XXIII, where she teaches Music in both English and French. 

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Andrew Scott

Teaches: Rockband, Drumming


Andrew Scott is a musician, educator, podcaster and father based in Beaumont, Alberta. He is currently teaching classroom music, band and guitar at Riverview Middle School in Devon, Alberta and is super excited to be headed north to spend time with the Yukon students!


 

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Steve Slade

Teaches: Guitar, Harmonica, Smart Chords, Ukulele

Years Experience: 35


Steve Slade is an accomplished vocalist, guitarist and harmonica player with a “big” voice. Steve performs on concert hall, festival and coffee house stages from northern Yukon to Newfoundland. For the past 18 years his summer months have been spent at home in Whitehorse producing the concert series, Arts in the Park. He has taught in schools and workshops from coast to coast to coast.

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Andy Slade

Teaches: Piano and Music Theory

Years Experience: 15


Andy Slade - Hailing from the Cowichan valley on beautiful Vancouver Island, BC, Andy Slade is a force on the piano. With a Bachelor’s degree in classical music from the University of Victoria and a Masters of Music in jazz from the University of Toronto, he is quickly becoming well known on the Toronto music scene. As a performer, Andy has worked in nearly every style of music, playing in Pop, Hip-hop, Orchestral, Funk, Choral, Folk, and Jazz projects across Canada the U.S. and China. Andy has been on faculty at the Victoria Conservatory of Music where he taught jazz piano at the post-secondary level, as well as working with the undergrad ensembles at the University of Toronto as part of his Master’s degree. He is a passionate educator and is dedicated to sharing his love of music with his students.


Andy's website link here: http://andrewslade.ca/

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Ellen Thompson

Years Experience: 7


Ellen Thompson was born and raised in Whitehorse and has her RCM level 9 in voice and also completed her A.R.C.T. in Piano performance.


Ellen is a member of the Yukon Registered Music Teachers Association. She has taught piano and voice in her private studio for five years. Ellen believes in the importance of music in every person’s life, and teaching children music at a young age so they can have the gift of music for their rest of their lives.


Ellen is currently teaching at the Heart of Riverdale music school and offers high energy group classes and private classes in and around Whitehorse.