BIO
Education:
Honour Specialist: Music (University of Toronto / OISE)
Bachelor of Music Education (University of Toronto / OISE)
Honours Bachelor of Music:Percussion (University of Toronto)
Diploma in Applied Music: Percussion (Humber College, Toronto)
Arranger, Composer, Soloist, Columnist, Clinician (1995-Present)
Presto Music Productions publishing company has over 115 pan arrangements, used by pan programs throughout Canada, the USA and Europe
Arranger for National Music Monday steel pan piece “Tomorrow is Coming” (2011) “Is Somebody Singing” (2013) written by the Barenaked Ladies and
Astronaut Chris Hatfield, and “We Are One” (2015) "Sing It Together" (2016)Steel pan columnist for the Canadian Music Educators Journal (2000-2011)
Teacher of Steel Pan Unit at the University of Toronto (2001-2006)
Ensembles Instructor: University of Toronto Steel Pan Ensemble (2006-2014, 2016, 2018-present)
Pan soloist and clinician for Laurentian University's Sprit of the Drum Festival
Festival Adjudicator for the American Guild of Music Festivals
Judge for Toronto District Catholic School Board (TDCSB) Steel Band Festival
Judge for Ovation Music Festivals, Pan Alive and Panorama/Caribana Steel Pan Competitions
Steel Pan Clinician for Toronto Public and Catholic Board PD Sessions and Pan Festivals;
Steel Pan/Percussion Clinician: CAMMAC Summer Camps, St. Andrew's College, Yamaha Power Music Camp (U of Toronto)
Conductor/Arranger: Naparima Alumni Association of Canada’s (N.A.A.C.) Community Steel Band Panache (1996-2005)
Combo Leader for only Canadian Forces Steel Pan Combo in North America, at H.M.C.S. YORK Naval Reserve in Toronto (1996-2008)
Conductor/Musician/Soloist: Member of Royal Canadian Naval Reserves 1983-2008, Cadets Canada 2018-present
Subject-Related Experience:
National Musician Trade Advisor for the Naval Reserves (2001-2005)
Acting Staff Officer of Bands and Protocol, Naval Reserves (2002-2005)
Conductor, pan and drum soloist, Drum Corps Instructor, Percussion Section Head (Naval Reserve National Band)
Instrument Salesperson, Drum Department, Long & McQuade Music
Show band drummer on two Caribbean Cruise Ships: SS Amerikanis and SS Britanis
Percussion Clinician for over 30 schools in Canada and England
Pan soloist and clinician for the Ontario Music Educator's Association (OMEA) conference
Trinidad steel band research tour, rehearsed with world steel band champions Exodus
Steel Pan Soloist and Music Camp Instructor, Iqaluit Music Camps, Nunavut
Awards and Decorations:
Honorary Member, Pan Trinbago, The World Governing Body for Steel Pan
Rosedale I.O.D.E Academic Achievement Award, University of Toronto
Canadian Armed Forces Decoration Medal (12 years) and Long Service Clasp (22 years)
Commander of Naval Reserves Certificate of Achievement
Life Member, Naparima Alumni Association of Canada
Dean's Honour List, Humber College
Percussion Award, Humber College
Head of Arts, West Humber Collegiate (1999-Present)
Steel Band, Drumline, Guitar, Concert Band, Stage Band Teacher, West Humber Collegiate (1996-Present)
Largest Steel Band credit course in Canada with over 200 steel pan students
WHCI Music program two CDs have sold over 5500 units, now in third pressing.
WHCI Music programs perform 20-40 events per year; They have performed for:
Martin Luther King Celebrations at Roy Thompson Hall and Hamilton Place (2005-2013)
TDSB Showcase at the Toronto Centre for the Arts
TVO Kids, High School Rush, Toronto's Caribana parade
Big Sisters of Peel, Hurricane Relief, Principal's Conferences, VIP Receptions, PD Days
Humber College, Sheridan College, University of Toronto
Numerous Black History Services and Celebrations, concerts, dinners, dances, festivals
Radio interviews and feature articles in the Toronto Star and various other papers
WHCI in one of the only Percussion Ensemble credit course in the TDSB, which includes steel drums, African drums,
drumline, and STOMP-type percussion.For more about West Humber Collegiate please see www.whcimusic.com