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Amy Allan , R.A.D., C.D.T.A., B.F.A. - Ballet, Tap, Jazz Anna Bekolay, B.Mus.Ed., A.R.C.T., M.T.S.- voice, musical theatre, violin Christine Bootland, B. Mus, M. Mus - Cello Gary Borton, B.Mus., B.Mus.Ed - brass, guitar, conductor Larry Clark. A.R.C.T - Guitar, accompanist James Daikuw, B.Mus.Ed. - guitar, clarinet, saxophone, ballroom dance and orchestra conductor Wes Froese, B. Mus - Piano, Pop Piano, Worship Piano Melissa Gan, Violin Rebecca Hankins-Vopni, A.T.C.L., L.T.C.L., B.A., R.M.T. - piano, violin, brass -- Musical Director Raymond Ko , A.R.C.T. Piano, A.R.C.T. Violin Noreen Kushniruk, Food Services Certificate - meals Tanis Lindsay, A.T.C.L. - ballet, tap, jazz, hip hop, piano Valentina May,B.A. - voice, piano, musical theatre, preschool Veronique Poulin, Violin Graham Pritchard, B.Mus Mus.Ed - Guitar Lana Ramsay, B.Mus. - Piano Kristen Raney - B.Mus - voice, musical theatre Adrianne Sailor, B. Mus. Ed, B. Ed, A.R.C.T. - Piano Fr.Jeffrey Stephaniuk B.Ed, M.Div - bandura, concert MC Carolyn Talbot-Lowther , B.Mus., A.R.C.T. - Violin & Viola Karen Unger, A.R.C.T., L.L.C.M.,R.M.T, B.Ed. - Piano, Theory & Harmony Alicia Vopni-Summach, A.T.C.L., CND, L.T.C.L. B. A. - musical theatre, flute, piano, recorder Lisa Welder, B.Mus - Music for Worship, Voice Shannon Wolchuk, Ukrainian dance, preschool, crafts Amy Allan, Amy started her dance training in Saskatchewan at the tender age of 3, completing her CDTA tap and jazz and RAD ballet before moving on to Grant MacEwan College. For her 2 years in Edmonton, Amy focused mostly on contemporary, ballet, improvisation and composition, after which she moved to Vancouver to finish her BFA at Simon Fraser University. She has since performed with Martha Carter’s company in “[ri’zilyent] an URBAN BALLET” in the spring of 2007, and apprenticed with MovEnt Dance Company, among others in and around Vancouver. Since returning to Edmonton in the spring of 2008, Amy has joined “Good Women” dance collective in which she has active roles of both choreography and performance. . Anna Marie Bekolay enjoys the creative process and music of many varieties. She performs with the early music ensemble Troubadours du Bois and choral collective Voci Strane, both devoted to performing 16th century music. Anna also performs occasionally with the Saskatoon Opera Association, and the Blues-Rock band Wilma lead by Wilma Groenen, providing background vocals and bluesy/gypsy-flavoured fiddle. Ms. Bekolay holds an associate diploma from the Royal Conservatory of Music in Voice Performance and a Bachelor of Music Education. She was the 2006 recipient of the Royal Conservatory of Music’s gold medal for achieving the highest mark in the country. In addition to teaching and performing, Anna enjoys adjudicating at Music Festivals across Saskatchewan and into Alberta. She makes her home in Saskatoon with husband Kevin Buzinski and runs a very busy music studio teaching voice, violin, fiddle, and recorder lessons. Her 2004 release, Bare Bones – a compilation CD of 8 compositions and arrangements – is available from Darren’s Music Place and Café Vivant in Saskatoon Chrstine Bootland - B. Mus, M. Mus - Calgary native, Christine Bootland, began her studies at the Mount Royal College Academy of Music and completed a Bachelor of Music Performance degree at the University of British Columbia under the direction of Eric Wilson. She later participated in the Masters Program at the University of Toronto under the tutelage of Shauna Rolston. Christine has been an active performer in various chamber ensembles and orchestras across Canada and was a first prize winner in the CIBC National Chamber Music Festival Competition with the JEB Quartet. She has studied with such renowned artists as Aldo Parisot, Janos Starker, Zara Nelsova, and Lawrence Lessor at the Banff School of Fine Arts and has also performed with well-known musicians including David Shiffrin, Andrew Dawes, and Lyle Lovett. Christine is an active extra performer with both the Calgary Philharmonic and Red Deer Symphony, and has toured Europe, Asia, Africa and Australia as a member of the Armadillo String Quartet. Christine has been on the faculty at Medicine Hat College as cello instructor, ensemble coach and conductor of both the Community and Junior Orchestras since 2001. Gary Borton - B. Mus, B. Mus Ed - Gary Borton is a Saskatchewan born and trained musician. He began his studies in the Regina Lion's Band. He went on to Graduate from the University of Saskatchewan with a Bachelor of Music Education Degree and continued at the University of Regina earning a Bachelor Degree in Music Performance, Larry Clark, A.R.C.T., has over 30 years of teaching experience - in Nipawin and elsewhere. He studied guitar with Ben Schenstead and Laurent Fournier and has attended piano workshops with WIlliam Moore and Gordon Wallis. He has served on Music Festival committees, prepares students for Conservatory Canada and RCM exams and is an accompanist. James Diakuw, B.Mus.Ed., has been playing an instrument of some sort for as long as he can remember and he hopes to be buried (on some distant day) with one in his hands! His formal music training started in grade five when he joined band. Adding on instruments along the way, James has done most of his performing on clarinet, followed by saxophone, piano, drums, and guitar. During a tour through four European countries (with the University of Saskatchewan Wind Orchestra) he tried his hand at street performing. His summers have since been spent busking whenever and wherever he can. James performs regularly with a Jazz Trio. Theatre has also been one of his greatest interests. He has sung and danced (and fought, when necessary) in Saskatoon Summer Players' productions of Anne of Green Gables and West Side Story. Currently James is playing Norbert in an upcoming Off Broadway Dinner Theatre run of The Great American Trailer Park Musical; teaching band in Saskatoon Public Schools; and offering private lessons, workshops, and clinics to students Above any other interest has always been his passion for learning. That's why teaching in school and privately has been so fulfilling for him. He is bubbling with excitement at being a part of this camp, which combines so many of his loves in one place. Wes Froese grew up, the son of a farmer, near Swift Current, Saskatchewan. He went the traditional route and took piano lessons and dreamed of one day being a lawyer. However he was reasonably good at the piano so he went on to study journalism at the U. of Regina. But his love for music wouldn't go away and he ended up studying theology at Central Pentecostal College in Saskatoon. 5 years later the U of S gave him a Bachelor of Music in piano and he's been writing and performing and teaching and arranging, etc, in Saskatoon ever since. Wes married Shelley in 1990 and they went on to have two kids, a daughter, Lauren, and a son, Taylor. Wes is well known for being the creator of Play Piano for Contemporary Worship Workshops. Wes has studied at Hebrew University - Jerusalem as well as the University of Regina. He is the director and accompanist for the Eclipse Chorus, St. James Refiner's Choir, Saskatoon Men's Chorus, Zion Lutheran Church Choir and is the Director of Music of Horizon College and Seminary. Melissa Gan was born and raised in Saskatoon. She started violin and piano at the age of four, adding vocals lessons and french Horn on at the age of ten. She has a love and interest in all sorts of music. She just recently graduated from Walter Murray Collegiate Institute, where she was an active member of the music and drama departments, especially the jazz bands.
Melissa completed both her Grade 10 Piano and Violin exams in June. She is an Alumnus of the Saskatoon Youth Orchestra, Saskatchewan Honour Orchestra, and the Southern Ontario Chamber Music Institute (SOCMI). She was a Teacher Assistant at this years Suzuki String Experience.
Rebecca Hankins-Vopni, B.A. (Mus.), A.T.C.L., L.T.C.L., Suzuki Teacher Training, R.M.T. Raymond Ko, A.R.C.T. Violin & Piano was born and raised in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan where he is currently a third year biology student at the University of Saskatchewan. He began his studies on the violin at the age of seven with Professor Robert Klose and has performed abroad with collaborative pianist, Deborah Buck. Raymond has also studied piano extensively with Sheila Shinkewski and Bonnie Nicholson. At the age of 15, Raymond was awarded a rare double honour by achieving Royal Conservatory of Music Performer’s Diplomas in both Violin and Piano with top marks in the province. He has been featured as guest performer on many occasions and completed a CD with the Fireside Singers, along with performances for the Honorable Lynda Haverstock, former Lieutenant-Governor of Saskatchewan. Since 1999, he has played in the violin sections of the Saskatoon Symphony Orchestra; and, in 2007, Raymond began adjudicating for the Saskatchewan Music Festivals Association. In April 2007, he was named as one of Canada’s Top 20 Under 20 as well as being nominated for the 2007 Lieutenant Governor Award for Leadership in the Arts. Raymond also participated in and presented at the 2007 National Arts Centre Roundtable on the subject of “Music and Healing.” Over the years, Raymond has amassed many awards in violin and piano performance, including several grants from the Saskatchewan Arts Board. Most notable was capturing first prize in the Strings Category at the 2005 National Music Festival, in Kamloops, BC, performing Tchaikovsky’s Violin Concerto in D major. A CD was produced of this award-winning performance. Raymond was also awarded first prize at the recent 2007 SMFA Concerto Competition and will be performing with the Regina and Saskatoon Symphonies in their upcoming 2008-09 season. Raymond is a 2005 laureate of the $60,000 TD Canada Trust Scholarship for Community Leadership. While juggling a full load of classes at school, Raymond continues to be actively involved in his community. Since volunteering as a piano teacher for underprivileged and disenfranchised children at Radius Community Centre, Raymond was inspired to develop classes for children with special needs. Seeing that music therapy has been shown to have a positive influence in the treatment of autism, Raymond started a non-profit program offering classes through Autism Services, Saskatoon. The classes are offered weekly to autistic children and compose of 30 minute one-on-one sessions where the students learn the basics of music – simple rhythms and notation. Raymond also enjoys performing in many community fundraisers. Organizations such as the Hope Cancer Centre, Saskatoon Hospitals, Saskatoon Symphony, Saskatoon Children’s Choir, Saskatoon Christian School, among others. Most notably, he has organized an annual benefit concert where he performs and showcases students of his Music Sensory Awakening Program to the public. Over the past three years, the concert has raised public awareness for Autism as a neural disorder as well as raising over $15,000.00 for Autism Services. Noreen Kushniruk, Food Services Certificate, will once again be in charge of all meals Also, please contact Rebecca 873-5216 or Noreen - 873-5891 if you have any allergies or even if there is something that you just don’t like to eat! Tanis Lindsay of Saskatoon is well known to many local dance students having taught dance in surrounding communities for four years. Tanis has studied Ballet, Jazz, Tap and Hip Hop for many years and has completed her C.D.T.A. Advanced jazz and tap diplomas as well as her R.A.D. Intermediate Ballet diploma. She has competed in many competitions and festivals and has participated in many conferences and workshops. Tanis will be entering her final year of study as a piano major in the Bachelor of Music / Bachelor of Education at the University of Saskatchewan. Tanis studies with Bonnie Nicholson and has completed her A.T.C.L. in piano performance along with teacher training programs for Suzuki piano and ORFF. Tanis also enjoys playing with the U of S concert band and working as an accompanist. Valentina May B.A. - voice, piano and musical theatre - Valentina has a busy piano and voice studio in Indian Head. She has been involved in Kindermusik for many years. Valentina directs the Anglican Church Choir and has performed in musicals including as Diana in Anne of Green Gables. She is in demand as a soloist at community events. Véronique Poulin, Zenon Park, SK, is a former piano and violin student of Rebecca Hankins-Vopni and Alicia Vopni-Summach. Her experience with these two teachers explains the success she has had through the years. She has won various music awards provincially and nationally at music festivals and within the Francophone music industry and looks back on her years of lessons with much fondness and gratitude. Poulin has two years of B.A, B.Ed (Bachelor of Arts Education), with a major in Music and a minor in Theatre, at the University of Regina. Veronique is planning to attend Bible College this fall and where she will be studying missions and music ministry She would like to learn more about her faith and to lead others to God through music. Recently, she has won two National awards in the Francophone music world and will be performing at the prestigious Place des Arts in Montreal as well as competing at the Festival International de Granby. The Vopni studios have been a blessing and a strong support in her development and progress as a musician Graham Pritchard graduated from the U of Saskatchewan with a bachelor of education and a bachelor of music in music education. At the U of S he studied classical guitar while playing as much jazz as possible. He has taught guitar for eight years and is currently teaching the beginner band program in Lloydminster. He is a certified Yamaha music instructor and plans to continue his professional development at the International Music Camp this summer. In his spare time he likes to compose; he has written music for film and for big band.
Lana Ramsay was born in Watson,Sask. She received her early training with the Ursuline Sisters in Englefeld, Humboldt and Bruno. From there she went on to start her Bachelor of Music Degree at the University of Saskatchewan with Lyell Gustin and Robin Harrison. She then married and moved to Lawrence, Kansas, where she completed her Bachelor of Music Degree in Piano Performance. During this time, she studied in Master Classes with American Pianist, Leon Fleisher. In one of her classes, she researched various types of piano instruction. It became evident to her that the students who played the best were Suzuki students. While in Lawrence, she completed her first level of Suzuki Teacher Training with Sue Kwak. In 1982, Lana and her husband, Doug settled in Regina, Sask. She continued Teacher Training in the Suzuki method at various institutes and workshops in Calgary and Edmonton where she was fortunate enough to study with Dr. Kataoka. Lana has been teaching the Suzuki Piano Method for about 22 years and adjudicating for the Sask. Music Festival Association for 15 years. She has 4 children, aged 21, 19, 18 and 15, all involved with music. Soprano Kristen Raney is an active performer and voice teacher who has finished her Performance degree at the University of Saskatchewan. While there she performed with the Music Theatre Ensemble, Greystone Singers, and University Chorus, in which she served as a section leader for both choirs. She is currently preparing for another season with the Saskatoon Opera as a chorus member in "Elixar d'Amour". She has also sung chorus in their productions of "Don Giovanni," "Die Fledermaus," and "Carmen." Kristen recently performed at the Saskatoon and Humboldt Music Festivals, where she qualified for provincial classes and was the recipient, along with accompanist Darcy Piguet, of the Mrs. F.B. Morrison Grade A Lieder Scholarship. At the Provincial level she has also been awarded scholarships for the Oratorio and Musical Theatre classes. She has performed with Saskatoon Summer Players in "West Side Story" in 2004 and was involved in Missoula Children's Theatre productions and community musicals in her hometown of Humboldt. Currently, Kristen teaches voice and beginner piano at the Saskatoon Academy of Music Adrienne Sailor - is an author, teacher, clinician, accompanist, and a specialist in the Suzuki Talent Education Method. Over the course of 20 years, Adrianne's piano teaching career has taken her throughout North America, teaching, adjudicating, and lecturing. She served as a music specialist with the Regina School Board for several years, during which time she also did consultant work, in addition to authoring music textbokos for use in Saskatchewan's French Immersion Program. Adrianne maintains an active community and family life working with the Saskatoon Children's Choir, Saskatoon Suzuki String program, Saskatoon Suzuki Piano Teacher's Association, and Youth Orchestra. Adrianne loves music, kids, and teaching. She looks forward to hearing you play! Father Jeffrey Stephaniuk - will be teaching Bandura, the national instrument of the Ukraine. The bandura is a traditional plucked-string musical instrument. Its sound resembles that of a harp. Fr. Jeffrey learned to play the bandura as a student at St. Vladimir's College in Roblin, Manitoba. He has taught bandura at the Mohyla Institute Ukrainian Immersion Summer Camp in Saskatoon, and at St. Vladimir's College. He has attended bandura workshops in Saskatoon, Regina, Edmonton, and Toronto organized by members of the Ukrainian Bandurists from Detroit. Fr. Jeffrey recorded a cassette of original instrumental music in 1987, and a CD of instrumental folk songs in 1996. Carolyn Talbot-Lowther, B.Mus., A.R.C.T. - will be teaching violin and viola, and “Introduction to Instruction”. Carolyn teaches violin at the University of Regina Conservatory of Performing Art and has been a member of the Regina Symphony Orchestra since 1995. Carolyn has had teacher training in the Suzuki violin teaching method up to book 3, and is one of the violin instructors of the popular Child/Parent String Program at the Regina Conservatory. Carolyn has performed across Canada and in the United States with The National Academy Orchestra - Ontario, the Saskatchewan Centennial Orchestra, the MasterWorks Festival Orchestra - Indiana, The Strauss Symphony Orchestra of Canada - Manitoba.
Karen Unger, A.R.C.T., L.L.C.M., R.M.T., B.Ed., grew up with a music loving family in Langham Sk, and began studying piano at age 4. She credits her parents for passing their love of music on to her, and through her to her three daughters, all of whom sang before they could even talk! She resides in Spalding, SK, and has been teaching piano, theory, and music history in the North East area of the province for twelve years. She is an active member of the East Central Registered Music Teachers Association. She also keeps busy as an accompanist, church musician, and workshop presenter. Three of Karen's great loves in life are music, children, and teaching. She is pleased to be involved in a career that brings all three loves together. Alicia Vopni-Summach A.T.C.L., CND, L.T.C.L. B.A. - piano, musical theatre, flute, recorder, theory and harmony, highland and ballroom dance. Alicia teaches privately in Tisdale, Zenon Park, Porcupine Plain, and Melfort. Alicia has studied in Saskatchewan, Chicago, Kingston and at the Orford Arts Centre in Quebec. She has completed European Music Methods (Orff) - levels 1 and 2 and Samonas Sound Therapy level 1. Alicia enjoys drama and musical theatre classes, is a former member of the Saskatoon Youth Orchestra, studied dance at the Wilson School of Dance and is a member of the U of S Ballroom Dance Club. In the spring of 2004, Lisa Welder completed her Bachelor of Music Education from the University of Regina. Over her musical career, she has been involved in many musical endeavors. Her studio, based out of the Conservatory of Performing Arts in Regina, covers a variety of musical styles. As a teacher, one of Ms. Welder’s strengths is her ability to adapt to any instructing scenario. This has been a huge contributor to the success of her studio. As a performer her interest in all types of music is displayed through auditioned choirs, solo recitals, church music, and the folk music scene. She was both a part of the esteemed Canticum Novum ensemble, and University of Regina Chamber Choir, singing under directors Vern Slipetz and Kathryn Laurin. Ms. Welder has performed numerous recitals, and prepared for competition in and around the Regina community. Lisa also donates her talents to the community. This year she was a part of the line up for both the Heartbeats Pregnancy Centre and Souls Harbor fundraising events. She continues to pursue her creative edge by writing and performing solo material. For the past two years Ms. Welder acted as the Musical Director for “Operatunities”, a youth opera company based out of the Conservatory. She also has certification as a Kindermusik instructor, and acts as a substitute teacher for both Prairie Valley and Regina Catholic School Divisions. Worship leading has also been a large part of Lisa’s musical life. Most recently she was invited to Springside Apostolic Bible Camp to lead worship for their College and Career Camp. She is an active member of her home church’s (Hillsdale Baptist) worship team. She has lead worship for women’s retreats, youth functions, and has been a guest in other churches. Ms. Welder looks forward to attending her first Honey bee music camp in August 2008.
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