Con Brio seeks to provide an extremely positive educational experience. Only those who can deliver this experience are selected as adjudicators and workshop leaders. Keep checking this page as we continue to update for 2026.
PETER LOEL BOONSHAFT – BAND
Called one of the most exciting and exhilarating voices in music education today, Peter Loel Boonshaft has been invited to speak or conduct in every state in the nation and around the world. Dr. Boonshaft is the author of the critically acclaimed best-selling books Teaching Music with Passion, Teaching Music with Purpose, and Teaching Music with Promise, as well as his first book for teachers of other disciplines, Teaching with Passion, Purpose and Promise. He is also co-author of Alfred Music Publishing’s beginning method book series, Sound Innovations for Band and Sound Innovations for Strings. Honored by the National Association for Music Education and Music For All as the first recipient of the “George M. Parks Award for Leadership in Music Education,” he is currently on the faculty of Hofstra University in Hempstead, New York, where he is Professor of Music and Director of Bands.
DR. MICHAEL BURCH-PESSES – BAND
is Director of Bands at Pacific University in Forest Grove, Oregon where he conducts the Wind Ensemble, Jazz Band, and Jazz Choir, and teaches courses in conducting, music education, and MIDI technology. He also works with the Pacific University School of Education, supervising music education interns during their student teaching as they earn the master of arts in teaching degree. He holds master of music and doctor of musical arts degrees in conducting from the Catholic University of America in Washington, D.C. Since coming to Pacific University in 1995 he received the Junior Faculty Award (1998) and was named a Wye Fellow of the Aspen Institute (1999). In 2006, he received the S.S. Johnson Foundation Award for Excellence in Teaching. He enjoyed a distinguished career as a bandmaster in the U.S. Navy before arriving at Pacific University, enlisting as a hornist and working his way up through the ranks to become the Navy’s senior bandmaster and head of the Navy Music Program. During his Navy career, he served as leader of the Naval Academy Band in Annapolis, Md. Under his direction, the Naval Academy Band received the George Howard Citation of Musical Excellence from the John Philip Sousa Foundation, the highest civilian award for a military band. He also served as assistant leader of the Navy Band in Washington, D.C, and director of the Commodores, the Navy’s official jazz ensemble. An internationally active adjudicator, lecturer and clinician, he has conducted festival and honor bands throughout the United States, Canada, South America, Europe, Asia, and Australia. In 2000 he conducted the British Columbia All-Province Honour Band, and in 2002 he adjudicated the National Concert Band Festival of New Zealand. Dr. Burch-Pesses also is the conductor and musical director of the Oregon Symphonic Band, Oregon’s premier adult band. The band celebrated its 20th anniversary with a performance at the Midwest Clinic in 2006. The following year the band was awarded the Sudler Silver Scroll by the John Philip Sousa Foundation. The Oregon Symphonic Band is composed primarily of musicians from the Portland/Vancouver area. Men and women of many professions are represented in the ensemble, which performs three concert series annually and has appeared in concert at numerous state, regional, and international music conferences, including the prestigious Midwest Clinic in Chicago. His performance at the Midwest Clinic resulted in his being awarded the Citation of Excellence from the National Band Association. His professional affiliations include the Oregon Music Educators Association, Music Educators National Conference, and Oregon Band Directors Association. He also is the Oregon chair of the College Band Directors National Association and a charter member of the Oregon chapter of Phi Beta Mu.
DR. JASON CASLOR – BAND & ORCHESTRA
Born and raised in North Battleford, Saskatchewan, Jason Caslor is currently associate professor of music and the director of bands at Arizona State University (ASU). In addition to directing the wind ensemble, he also mentors graduate conducting students and teaches undergraduate and graduate conducting courses. Prior to this, he was the associate director of bands and orchestras, during which time he founded the now firmly established ASU Philharmonia and was nominated for ASU’s Outstanding Master’s Mentor Award. From 2010-2015, he was an assistant professor of instrumental conducting at Memorial University in St. John’s, Newfoundland, Canada, where he conducted the wind ensemble and oversaw the undergraduate and graduate instrumental conducting programs. Prior to that, he spent three seasons as resident conductor with the Thunder Bay Symphony Orchestra. A Conn-Selmer Educational Clinician, Caslor has guest conducted or adjudicated in every province in Canada and throughout the United States. In addition to numerous regional engagements, Caslor has conducted the United States Army Field Band, the National Youth Band of Canada, the South Dakota All State Band, the South Dakota Intercollegiate Band, and the Alberta Wind Symphony. He also served as a conducting clinician for the inaugural CASMEC Conducting Symposium. A fiercely proud Canadian currently living amongst cacti, Caslor’s co-founding and leadership over the Canadian Band Association’s Howard Cable Memorial Prize in Composition led to him being the recipient of the CBA’s 2022 International Band Award. The award recognizes those who have contributed to the promotion, growth and development of the musical, educational and cultural values of Canadian band outside of Canada. As a researcher, he has presented his work at the Midwest Band and Orchestra Clinic, the WASBE International Conference, the CBDNA National Conference, the IGEB International Conference on Wind Music, the International Society for Music Education World Conference, and the Riksförbundet Unga Musikanter Wind Band Symposium (Sweden). He has also published numerous articles, most prominently in the Canadian Winds journal. Caslor completed his doctorate in conducting at Arizona State University. Prior to earning a master’s in conducting from the University of Manitoba, he earned dual bachelor’s in music and education from the University of Saskatchewan, Canada.
LT. COLONEL JASE BURCHAM – BAND
recently retired as Director of Music for His Majesty’s Royal Marines Band Service, and is now a resident of Nova Scotia where he was the Musical Director for the 2024 Tattoo. As Principal Director of Music in the Royal Marines, he served under Her Majesty The Queen for 36 years and led the Royal Marine’s musical tributes during her funeral. He joined the Royal Marines as a pianist and cornet player at the Royal Marines School of Music, Deal in 1986. On completion of training, he briefly joined the Commando Training Centre Band before being drafted to the Staff Band at Deal. A move to the Band of the Commander-in Chief Naval Home Command in Portsmouth brought with it promotion and the opportunity to serve on the Royal Yacht Britannia. A brief time was spent as the piano instructor at the Royal Marines School of Music before he was selected to attend the Bandmasters’ course. His training complete. Jason returned to the role of instructor before a move back to the Portsmouth Band. Jason successfully passed the Admiralty Interview Board and was commissioned in April 2001. His first appointment was as Director of Music to the Band at the Commando Training Centre which was followed by a staff appointment. Following promotion to Major in September 2007, he took up his appointment as Staff Officer for the RM Band Service.
DR. MEIJUN CHEN – BAND & MASSED BAND
is Director of Concert Winds at the University of British Columbia An active conductor, clinician, and adjudicator, Meijun has worked with collegiate and school bands across Canada, held conducting roles with Edmonton Opera and the Edmonton Youth Orchestra, and guest-conducted the United States “Pershing’s Own” Army Band in 2023. She has received numerous awards and scholarships to further her conducting studies in Austria and the U.S., including winning the Absolute First Prize in Conducting at the 2023 UK International Music Competition. Selected as a Conducting Fellow at prestigious masterclasses including Domaine Forget and the University of Cincinnati CCM International Wind Festival, in conjunction with “The President’s Own” United States Marine Band, her conducting mentors include Yannick Nézet-Séguin, Travis Cross, Jerry Junkin, Emily Threinen, Bruce Pulver, Kevin Holzman, and Jason Fettig. Dr. Chen holds a Doctor of Music degree in Wind Band Conducting under the supervision of Dr. Angela Schroeder, dual Master of Music degrees in Wind Band Conducting and Clarinet Performance from the University of Alberta and is the guest clarinetist with the Royal Canadian Artillery Band.
DR. GILLIAN MACKAY
is Professor of Music of the University of Toronto, where she conducts the Wind Ensemble and teaches conducting. Dr. MacKay has an active professional career as a conductor, adjudicator, clinician and trumpeter. She has conducted honour ensembles throughout Canada and the United States, and is Associate Conductor of the Denis Wick Canadian Wind Orchestra. She has adjudicated Canadian band festivals at local, provincial, and national levels in Canada, and has conducted honour bands and judged competitions in the US, Singapore, Thailand, and Korea. Dr. MacKay enjoys presenting clinics and workshops at provincial and state conferences in Canada and the United States, and is known for her work on the relationship between conducting and mime. Currently, she is investigating the application of the Michael Chekhov acting technique to movement and meaning in conducting. Recognized as a conducting pedagogue, Gillian leads the University of Toronto Wind Conducting Symposium each July, and has been the guest instructor at other symposia in Canada and the United States. Dr. MacKay holds degrees and diplomas from the University of Lethbridge, McGill University, the University of Calgary, and Northwestern University.
DR. GERARD MORRIS
joined University of Puget Sound School of Music faculty in fall 2009, and currently serves as Director of Bands and Department chair for Winds and Percussion. In 2016, he was honored as the recipient of the President’s Excellence in Teaching Award, and in 2022 was promoted to the rank of full professor. Morris earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in music from Western Michigan University, a Master of Music Education degree from University of Colorado at Boulder, and a Doctor of Music degree in conducting from Northwestern University. In addition to serving as the conductor and artistic director of the esteemed Tacoma Concert Band, Morris’s credits also include numerous conducting appearances throughout the US and Canada and as featured conductor on composer Neil Thornock’s compact disc recording Between the Lines, a project that Morris also co-produced. In addition, he has appeared as guest clinician/lecturer at the CBDNA National Conference, CBDNA Western/Northwestern Division Conference, WMEA State Conference, CMEA Bay Section Conference, South Dakota Bandmasters Conference, University of North Carolina at Greensboro New Music Festival, Northwestern University Conducting and Wind Symposium, and University of British Columbia Wind Conducting Symposium. Morris was also honored as keynote speaker for the Anchorage School District Professional Development In-Service, and guest artist in residence at American Community School (Abu Dhabi/Dubai, United Arab Emirates), Iowa State University, Xavier University, California State Polytechnic University Pomona, St. George’s School (Vancouver, British Columbia), and West Point Grey Academy (Vancouver, British Columbia). Morris’s conducting and teaching are informed by years of professional performing experience as principal euphonium with the Boulder Brass and United States Marine Corps Band, Hawai’i. With these organizations he toured the United States, Australia, and Costa Rica as both an ensemble member and soloist.
DR. GLENN D. PRICE – BAND & ORCHESTRA
Director of Performing and Visual Arts at the California Institute of Technology (Caltech) and Conductor of the Caltech Wind Orchestra and Caltech Symphony Orchestra, has an international reputation as a conductor and educator through his experience conducting student, community and professional ensembles in over 30 countries. He has appeared as featured conductor for organizations such as CBDNA, WASBE, ABA, the Midwest Clinic, MENC, and BASBWE. Following his doctoral degree in Performance at the Eastman School of Music, he pursued conducting studies in Japan, Russia, Europe, and at Tanglewood. His numerous recordings are recognized as performance models that have expanded the repertoire. Active also as a composer and author, his comprehensive text on the art of conducting, titled The Eloquent Conductor (pub. GIA), has earned highly positive critical acclaim. His performing, teaching and conducting career has included full-time positions in Canada and the U.S., most notably as Professor of Music (Emeritus) at the University of Calgary, as Director of Wind Studies at the University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music (CCM), and currently as the Director of Performing and Visual Arts at the California Institute of Technology (Caltech), where he conducts the Caltech Wind Orchestra and Caltech Symphony Orchestra. He is also the conductor of TEMPO, a professional contemporary chamber ensemble based in Los Angeles. His service to the profession has encompassed appointments as Artistic Director of the International Youth Wind Orchestra, Founding Conductor of the Orquesta Latinoamericano de Vientos (Wind Orchestra of Latin America), and election as President of the World Association for Symphonic Bands and Ensembles (WASBE).
DR. WENDY ZANDER – BAND
is a Professor in the Brandon University School of Music where she conducts the Symphonic Band and teaches undergraduate and graduate courses in music education and conducting. Committed to excellence in music education, Zander taught band and general elementary music before pursuing graduate studies. In addition to designing professional development sessions for music educators, she has presented at provincial music education conferences, College Band Directors National Association regional conference, and the International Midwest Band and Orchestra Clinic. Her work as a solo and ensemble adjudicator and clinician for concert and jazz ensembles has taken her across Canada and the United States. She serves as guest conductor of university, community, and military ensembles, as conductor at the International and Rushmore Music Camps, and as facilitator of conducting symposia. She has conducted junior high and high school regional, provincial, and state honor bands and was the conductor of the 2018 National Youth Band of Canada. She has worked to create professional opportunities for students and music educators in the areas of performance and music education. For fifteen years Zander hosted Avenues: Exploring Band and Jazz Methods, an annual summer professional development workshop at Brandon University. She is Faculty Advisor for the Brandon University Student Music Educators Association (BUSMEA), the organization that hosts the annual Da Capo professional development conference. Zander was awarded Brandon University Alumni Association’s Excellence in Teaching Award as well as the Manitoba Band Association’s Award of Distinction and the Canadian Band Association’s National Band Award. She is a Teaching Affiliate with Brandon University’s Centre for Teaching, Learning, and Technology and an Educational Clinician with the Conn-Selmer Division of Education. Zander holds the Bachelor of Music and Bachelor of Education degrees from Brandon University and completed a Master of Music in Instrumental Conducting at the University of North Dakota with Gordon Brock and James Popejoy. She received her Doctor of Musical Arts from the University of North Texas where she served as a Doctoral Conducting Associate and Teaching Fellow in the Wind Studies Department with Eugene Migliaro Corporon. She completed her cognate studies in Music Education with Deborah Rohwer and Darhyl Ramsey. Zander worked as Lead Writer of the Manitoba Grade 9-12 Music Curriculum Framework, has published in Canadian Winds, and is a regular contributor to the publication and recording series Teaching Music Through Performance in Band and Teaching Music Through Performance in Beginning Band. She is former President of the Manitoba Band Association and Canadian Band Association.
INGRID STITT – JAZZ BAND
a highly regarded saxophonist, composer and arranger. For more than two decades she has been a dedicated educator, teaching music to students firstly at Burnaby South and then Burnaby North Secondary Schools. The experience of sharing her passion with young people has been deeply rewarding and enriching, with some students developing a keen interest in jazz, such as the talented young pianist Howard Chi who had only recently graduated from high school when he recorded with Stitt on When Days Were Long. For many years, Stitt has led her own jazz quintet, The Ingrid Stitt Quintet, performing with some of Canada’s finest musicians. Classical harmony and counterpoint influences her writing and arranging for the quintet. The music is lyrical with contrapuntal layers and composed sections that frame the improvisation. She formed The Legends of Burnaby in 2015 to reconnect with the pop songs of her youth, “songs that shook and shaped my world.” Stitt also co-leads the hard bop sextet Sonny’s Cousin with trumpeter Daniel Hersog. The band has performed at the Vancouver International Jazz Festival as well as the premier local venues, Frankie’s and Pat’s Pub. Both leaders write and arrange for the band creating contemporary music that swings and soars in a unique and inimitable style. She is also one of the resident musicians with the Good Noise Vancouver Gospel Choir, along with Mike Kilanj, Laurence Mollerup, and Elliot Polsky. Led by Gail Suderman, the choir performs concerts at Christchurch Cathedral and has also released two recordings, both nominated for Canadian Gospel Music Covenant Awards. As a member of the Vancouver Legacy Big Band Orchestra, Stitt plays with some of Vancouver’s finest musicians. Led by Michael Kim and Fred Stride, the band pays tribute to such brilliant big band composers as Duke Ellington, Bob Brookmeyer, Rob McConnell, Thad Jones, Oliver Nelson, Bill Holman, Gerry Mulligan and Fred Stride to name a few.
DR. HYEJUNG JUN – CHOIR
is currently Assistant Professor of Choral Conducting at the University of British Columbia following completion of her Doctor of Musical Arts degree at the University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music. She earned her Master of Music degrees from Yonsei University in Korea and Emory University in the United States. During her time in Cincinnati, Dr. Jun conducted and assisted the CCM Chamber Choir, the CCM Chorale and taught undergraduate conducting classes. She also was awarded the May Festival Conducting Fellowship for the 2018-2019 season under the mentorship of Robert Porco, Director of Choruses of the May Festival Chorus. Additionally, she has served as Assistant Conductor of the Women’s Chorus at Xavier University. Dr. Jun has extensive experience as a singer, pianist, and conductor. Her performances have been recognized for their sensitivity and excellence. She was the winner of the National Choral Conducting Competition in Seoul, South Korea and, after moving to the United States, was a finalist in the Graduate Conducting Competition of the American Choral Directors Association. At UBC, Dr. Jun is taking over the podium to conduct the Choral Union, UBC’s largest choral ensemble. Comprised of 120 singers, the Choral Union performs significant works from the greatest composers of choral music spanning the past five centuries.
SARONA MYNHARDT – CHOIR
has one goal in life, and that is to truly make a difference in the lives of the singers she works with. She firmly believes that through music one does not only have the opportunity to teach music literacy and musicianship skills, but those life skills and qualities that are universally important. Those of love, compassion, humanity, respect, discipline, passion and joy! She regularly serves as an adjudicator at music festivals and clinician for conductor and choral workshops, and has taught vocal, choral and leadership workshops on several trips to both Taiwan and South Africa. She has been on the faculty for the BCCF Choral Conducting Course since 2006, and in 2015 received the Willan award for outstanding service to the BC Choral Federation. Born and raised in South Africa, Sarona is a graduate of the Teachers’ Training College in Pretoria where she majored in Math, Languages, Psychology and Remedial Education, and specialized in Classroom Music, Voice, Choral Conducting and Drama. Her formal voice training culminated in postgraduate work at the Conservatory of Music at North-West University in Potchefstroom. Her early singing career included memberships in children and youth choirs, as well as completion of theory and practical exams in voice, piano and clarinet. Following ten successful years of teaching music and conducting choirs at elementary and secondary school levels, as well as directing musicals and plays, she immigrated to Canada with her husband and two children. In 1997 she founded the White Rock Children’s Choir, which had choirs at several levels under her artistic direction for 20 years. Over the past 10 years Sarona organized two Children’s Choir Festivals celebrating diversity and world music, and also founded and conducted the Cantrix Women’s ensemble. Sarona taught in both the public and private school systems in Canada, and has been a guest conductor for several honour choirs. Sarona is a certified instructor for SongShine – a program designed around the science of neuroplasticity that provides music based vocal therapy for people whose voices are affected by Parkinson’s, stroke, neurological disorders, and aging. She now lives in Gibsons, on the Sunshine Coast, where she directs the Inspiritu Vocal Ensemble, teaches voice at her private studio, and leads SongShine classes.
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