Guest Clinicians for 2010

Dr. John Brough - Conductor of the Youth Choir

Dr. Brough is Choirmaster and Director of Music at Holy Trinity Anglican Church, artistic director of the Da Camera Singers, and interim Director of Music of the Richard Eaton Singers, where he has served as Associate Conductor since 2005. He received a Bachelor of Music degree in Organ Performance from the University of Ottawa, and a Master of Music in Choral Conducting and a Doctor of Music degree, both from the University of Alberta.  He also holds associate degrees with the Royal Conservatory of Music and Royal Canadian College of Organists and currently sits on the board of examiners for Conservatory Canada.

In addition to his work conducting, John has been a sessional instructor at the University of Alberta since 1997 where he has taught Music History, Conducting, and Musicianship courses. In 2009, together with local soprano Jolaine Kerley, Dr. Brough founded the Scona Chamber Singers.  The ensemble’s focus is to present rarely performed works for choir and small ensemble, and has received extremely positive reviews from the Edmonton community.
 
Dr. Brough is sought after throughout Canada as an adjudicator and clinician.  An outstanding teacher, he was a recipient of a Graduate Student Teaching award from the University of Alberta in 2004.

Judy Pearson Hafso - Conductor of the Junior Choir

Judy Pearson Hafso is a composer, storyteller and visual artist and loves to use these gifts in her work with children. She has directed choirs and taught classroom music in Alberta, Washington and Iowa and currently heads the Lower School Music program at Saint George's School in Spokane Washington.  In November 2010, Judy’s students will give the opening performance for “Rhythms of the River,” the 2010 National Orff Conference which will be held in Spokane, Washington.  Judy is married to fellow musician Marc Hafso and is proud parent to three daughters and a son.

Kevin Ko - Conductor for Ringspiration and Honour Bells

Kevin Mazimas Ko graduated with a Bachelor of Arts (Honors) Degree in Music Composition from Hong Kong Baptist University in 2001 and obtained his Masters of Arts in Composition in 2003. While completing his MA, he participated in an intensive Masters course at Concordia University in Wisconsin, majoring in church music, handbell conducting, composition, handbell performance, and choral conducting. Kevin has since studied choral conducting and handbells with many notable music educators from across the United States and in Japan. Mr. Ko is a well known handbell performer, clinician, conductor, and arranger who tours extensively all over the world. He currently lives in Hong Kong.

Guest Clinicians for 2009

Brian Galante - Conductor of the Youth Choir

Brian Galante is Associate Director of Musical Activities at Pacific Lutheran University in Washington where he conducts several ensembles and teaches Vocal Pedagogy for Music Educators, Choral Methods and Materials, and Choral Literature. Brian received the Doctor of Musical Arts degree from the University of North Texas in 2008 (Choral Conducting, with a related field in Voice Science and Pedagogy). He holds Master of Music and Bachelor of Music Education degrees from Louisiana State University. Previous choral appointments include Instructor of Choral Music and Interim Assistant Director of Choral Studies at Louisiana State University; Conductor of the 160-voice UNT Men’s Chorus and Conducting Associate of the UNT A Cappella Choir; Director of Choral Music/Coordinator of K-12 Music at Highland Park High School, Dallas, Texas; Director of Choirs at Episcopal High School and Director of Music at St. Louis King of France Catholic Church, both in Baton Rouge.

In addition, Galante has enjoyed success and acclaim as a composer and arranger: his compositions are published by Colla Voce Music, have been performed by professional, collegiate, and advanced high school choirs throughout the United States and Europe, and recorded for commercial release by Centaur Records.

Frequently in demand as a clinician and adjudicator, Galante has conducted honor choirs at both the high school and junior high level. He is an active member of the American Choral Directors Association (ACDA), National Collegiate Choral Organization (NCCO), Washington ACDA, and the Washington Music Educators Association. He serves ACDA on the National Technology Committee and the 2009 National Convention Committee.

Elaine Quilichini - Conductor of the Junior Choir

Award-winning conductor Elaine Quilichini is recognized the world over for her exceptional musicianship and distinguished work with choral ensembles. In 1995 Ms. Quilichini founded the Calgary Girls Choir, one of Canada’s most dynamic and awardwinning ensembles, which has performed to great acclaim across North America. In addition to her work with the CGC and her private music studio, Ms. Quilichini also directs the University of Calgary’s Women’s Choir, is Artistic Director of the Nebraska Wesleyan University Summer Youth Choral Program and the Summer Kodály Programs at Wichita State University. She also serves as conductor for the youth and children’s choirs at the Kodály Music Institute, New England Conservatory in Boston’s choral summer program.

Linda Miller - Conductor for Ringspiration

Linda Miller is the Music/Band/Tech Lead teacher at Holy Spirit Catholic School in Sherwood Park. She is currently teaching Grade 1-4 Music, Junior High Band and directs the Holy Spirit Handbell Choir. She has directed handbell choirs for the past eight years, all of which have received recognition and awards for their outstanding performances at various festivals. Linda has been a handbell presenter at various conventions and professional development workshops in Alberta. She is the mother of three and takes an avid interest in track, acting as a coach for the Holy Spirit Heat, the Alberta Summer Games and Grant MacEwan College Cross Country Team.

Chris Cheng - Honour Handbells

A graduate of Hong Kong Baptist University, Chris Cheng is currently a graduate student at the Chinese University of Hong Kong. Majoring in percussion performance and pedagogy and minoring in handbell performance under the direction of Ms. Emily Li and Mr. Kevin Ko, Chris has also studied voice with Ms. Rosaline Pi and choral/orchestral conducting with Geoffrey Simon, Dr. Esther Mang and Carmen Koon. He holds several diplomas in music including one for percussion performance, and has been awarded singing and piano certificates with distinction. He also holds the AGEHR Level I Handbell Director’s Certificate.

Chris is the conductor of several choral ensembles at Ying Wa College and he also directs the handbell choir of Tsim Sha Tsui Baptist Church and the Carillon Ringers. He is currently a member of the emBellishment handbell ensemble, the principal timpani of Millennium Youth Orchestra, Pro Arte Orchestra of Hong Kong, and a member of Hong Kong Chamber Choir. He has been active for several years as a conductor, handbell teacher and performer.

Guest Clinicians for 2008

Joanne Collier – Conductor of the Junior Choir.

Joanne Collier holds a Masters of Music Degree in Vocal Performance from the University of British Columbia and a Bachelor of Music Degree from the University of Manitoba. She has taught at Medicine Hat College Conservatory of Music and Dance since 1989 where she teaches voice and directs the Girls' Choir, Adult Choir and Children's Choirs and serves as Artistic Manager. In addition to her regular teaching and conducting schedule, Ms. Collier has worked throughout Alberta and B.C. as an adjudicator and clinician, has served as the vocal coach for the Alberta Honour Choir, conducted the Junior and Intermediate choral programs at MusiCamp Alberta and MusiCamrose, and taught part-time at the University of Lethbridge. She is the recipient of the 1998 City of Medicine Hat Civic Recognition Cultural Award and is the proud mother of five-year-old son, Jeremy.

Joan Wright – Conductor of the Youth Choir.

Joan graduated in 1967 from the Tasmanian Conservatorium of Music in Hobert, Australia and continued her studies at the Royal College of Music in London, England and at the Orff Institute in Salzburg. On her return to Tasmania, Joan resumed teaching and began lecturing in Music Education. During the last 18 years of her teaching career, her main focus was to develop a Choral Program at Ogilvie High School in Hobart. Choirs from her highly successful program have presented concerts with choirs from all over the world and have performed regularly with the Tasmanian Symphony Orchestra and in many major cities. Although Joan retired from full time teaching in 2004, she has remained active in the choral world: she is State and National President of the Australian National Choral Association and continues to conduct ensembles of various ages.

Paul Grindlay – Vocal Coach.

Singspiration is pleased to welcome back last year's Youth Choir Conductor, Paul Grindlay! Mr. Grindlay has sung in choirs since he was 9 years old, when he started with the choir of his local parish church in England. After completing a degree in zoology at UBC, he returned to choral singing with such notable ensembles as The Vancouver Chamber Choir and Musica Intima. Returning to UBC for a Bachelor of Music, Paul then pursued a solo singing and recording career. Paul became the artistic director of the Calgary Boys Choir in 2004 and under his direction the choir doubled in size, won numerous awards in music festivals, was heard nationally on CBC television and CTV, and toured in Europe. In 2007, Mr. Grindlay moved on to be Artistic Director of Supersonic, a new men's choir in Calgary. Paul and his wife, soprano Christina Jahn, are founding members of VoiceScapes, and are in demand as choral workshop clinicians and soloists. They have two daughters, who are growing up with a passion for music and movement.

Kevin M. Ko – Conductor for Ringspiration.

Kevin Mazimas Ko graduated with a Bachelor of Arts (Honors) Degree in Music Composition from Hong Kong Baptist University in 2001 and obtained his Masters of Arts in Composition in 2003. While completing his MA, he participated in an intensive Masters course at Concordia University in Wisconsin, majoring in church music, handbell conducting, compostion, and performance, composition and choral conducting. Kevin has since studied choral conducting and handbells with many notable music educators from across the United States and in Japan. Mr. Ko is a well known handbell performer, clinician, conductor, and arranger who tours extensively all over the world.

Guest Clinicians for 2007

Jean Ashworth Bartle – Conductor of the Junior Choir.

Jean Ashworth Bartle's contribution to the art of choral music for children has evolved over three decades into one of international distinction. Whether conducting the Toronto Children's Chorus or sharing a wealth of knowledge with choral directors and choirs worldwide, she has demonstrated a steadfast dedication to choral excellence and has exerted a profound influence on all children and conductors with whom she has worked. A member of the Order of Ontario and the Order of Canada, Ms. Ashworth Bartle is the editor of three treble-voice music series: The Toronto Children's Choral Series; The Jean Ashworth Bartle Choral Series for Treble Voices; and the Jean Ashworth Bartle Choral Series (earthsongs). She is also the author of two books: Lifeline for Children's Choir Directors and Sound Advice. Singspiration 2007 is honoured to have Ms. Ashworth Bartle as our special guest this year.

Paul Grindlay – Conductor of the Youth Choir.

Paul Grindlay has sung in choirs since he was 9 years old, when he started with the choir of his local parish church in England. After completing a degree in zoology at UBC, he returned to choral singing with such notable ensembles as The Vancouver Chamber Choir and Musica Intima to name two. Returning to UBC for a B.Mus., Paul then pursued a solo singing and recording career. Paul became the artistic director of the Calgary Boys Choir in 2004. Since then, the choir has won numerous awards in music festivals, has been heard nationally on CBC television and CTV, has toured in Europe, and will tour France and Spain in July 2007. Paul and his wife, soprano Christina Jahn, are founding members of VoiceScapes, and are in demand as choral workshop clinicians. They have two daughters, who are growing up with a passion for music and movement.

Gordon Adnams – Conductor for the Adult Summer Choir.

Gordon Adnams' career as a choral conductor is characterized by his deep commitment to developing volunteer choral singers. His earliest singing experiences were formed in school and church choirs, inspiring him to study at the University of Toronto, where he earned a Master of Music in choral music education, with additional course work at the Westminster Choir College in Princeton, N.J. For the past six years, Mr. Adnams was co-chair of the Music Department at Taylor University College and Seminary in Edmonton where he taught worship courses and directed the choirs. He is currently finishing a PhD dissertation exploring the experience of congregational singing in today's churches. Singspiration 2007 welcomes Gord!

Susan Galloway – Conductor for Ringspiration.

Susan Galloway has been ringing and directing bells in churches, schools and community groups since she first heard them in 1983. She is presently ringing in the auditioned advanced ensemble group Jubiloso! Ringers of Concordia. This past fall, she was honored to be accepted into the Distinctly Bronze auditioned bell choirs in North Carolina, where she worked with the internationally respected conductor David Davidson. Susan also had the chance to ring bells during the International Symposium of Handbell Ringers held in Brisbane, Australia last summer. Ms. Galloway has led numerous workshops and mass ringing sessions in various parts of Canada where she has enjoyed the experience of meeting new people. Singspiration 2007 is pleased to welcome Susan as the conductor for the Ringspiration component of our camp.

Guest Clinicians for 2006