“You’ve got to ac-cent-tchu-ate the positive, eliminate the negative, latch into the affirmative, don’t mess with Mr. In-between.” Johnny Mercer
After teaching partial load at Humber College for 17 years, I am happy to have recently joined the faculty as a full time Professor of Music. As Head of the Vocal Department, I have the honour of directing the renowned Vocal Jazz Ensemble. I run master classes, teach private lessons and oversee the implementation of a curriculum that serves more than 70 vocalists. I teach a Creative Development course, supervise the team of Creative Development teachers and co-ordinate the 3rd year recitals. I also enjoy the opportunity each year to be the musical director of the Convocation Ensemble, a group composed of some of Humber’s most outstanding music students.
I like to maintain my connection to the musical community outside of Humber College by continuing to share my passion for teaching with people of all ages and abilities. I adjudicate and give clinics at music festivals and local educational institutions for students from the elementary to university level. Recently I took the Humber Vocal Jazz Ensemble to a professional development session for R.E.A.L. Music in North Toronto where I enjoyed working with an attentive group of professional music teachers. Their enthusiasm was comparable to the immense pleasure and satisfaction I get from coaching sessions with the likes of Zamfira Poloz’s Young Voices Toronto or the mass chorus I direct at the IMC Jazz camp near Parry Sound.
At the root of it all, I love to sing. My passion for singing has been encouraged by the role models in my life. At the University of Toronto, my teacher Mary Morrison, one of Canada’s leading contemporary vocalists, dazzled me with her brilliant vocal technique. I spent a lot of time listening to and absorbing the phrasing of Ranee Lee, one of Canada’s foremost jazz improvising singers when we both taught at the IMC jazz camp. At the Banff School of Fine Arts, I had the chance to witness British jazz vocalist Norma Winstone create magic with her musical partner of many years Kenny Wheeler. These singers influenced me on the same high level that Ed Bickert’s masterfully melodic guitar playing did when I was lucky enough to have him play in my quartet. All of these musicians were also amazing teachers and it is the entirety of these experiences with each artist that I long to share with my students.
I like to maintain my connection to the musical community outside of Humber College by continuing to share my passion for teaching with people of all ages and abilities. I adjudicate and give clinics at music festivals and local educational institutions for students from the elementary to university level. Recently I took the Humber Vocal Jazz Ensemble to a professional development session for R.E.A.L. Music in North Toronto where I enjoyed working with an attentive group of professional music teachers. Their enthusiasm was comparable to the immense pleasure and satisfaction I get from coaching sessions with the likes of Zamfira Poloz’s Young Voices Toronto or the mass chorus I direct at the IMC Jazz camp near Parry Sound.
At the root of it all, I love to sing. My passion for singing has been encouraged by the role models in my life. At the University of Toronto, my teacher Mary Morrison, one of Canada’s leading contemporary vocalists, dazzled me with her brilliant vocal technique. I spent a lot of time listening to and absorbing the phrasing of Ranee Lee, one of Canada’s foremost jazz improvising singers when we both taught at the IMC jazz camp. At the Banff School of Fine Arts, I had the chance to witness British jazz vocalist Norma Winstone create magic with her musical partner of many years Kenny Wheeler. These singers influenced me on the same high level that Ed Bickert’s masterfully melodic guitar playing did when I was lucky enough to have him play in my quartet. All of these musicians were also amazing teachers and it is the entirety of these experiences with each artist that I long to share with my students.