Jill Mont has always been involved in music, transforming her career multiple times since completing jazz studies at Grant MacEwan in 1984, and subsequently completing three additional degrees. Jill’s latest degree, a masters in Music Education, focused on how to provide a rewarding music learning experience to adults. She believes in the importance of music learning and advocates making it available to all ages.  “The magic of music can be made through the non-magical process of ongoing practice, rehearsal and support.” 

Jill enjoyed many band, teaching, and musical theatre experiences in Alberta and in 2008, moved to Nanaimo, BC.  Since then she has taught music, performing arts, and math at Aspengrove School and also is a performing musician who plays piano, flute, French horn, and trombone. 

Rick Becker has been a music director in Nanaimo, British Columbia for 27 years.  His teaching experiences include concert bands, jazz bands, combos, choirs, and musical theatre.   His students have had opportunities to excel in performances at the Lionel Hampton Jazz Festival, the West Coast Jazz Festival, the Vancouver Island Concert Band Festival, and the Comox Valley Concert Band and Choir Festival, as well as performance excursions to Cuba.  He is also co-founder of JazzFest Nanaimo, a showcase for young musicians and guest artists at Nanaimo’s Port Theatre. Rick served over 15 years as Brass and Woodwind chairperson for the Mid-Island Performing Arts Festival.  

Previously, Mr. Becker was music director and music education coordinator for Kelsey School Division in The Pas, Manitoba.  His career also led him to a position as Educational Music representative in Alberta for St. John’s Music, LTD, with focus on Concert Band literature and band-teaching materials.

His Bachelor of Music Education degree is from Minnesota State University Moorhead (MSUM), where he studied tuba performance and conducting.  Rick is now enjoying retirement as co-director of the Mid-Island Community Bands Society, and as a member of several performance groups as trombonist and bassist.