Leadership

Dan holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts Performance graduate of York University in Toronto, Ontario. He also holds a Bachelor of Education from Queen’s University and has studied at the Ontario Institute for Studies in Education at the University of Toronto. He is bringing back 30+ years of professional teaching, conducting, leadership experience and institutional knowledge to NHB Toronto.

As Musical Director/Conductor, Dan has been involved in countless musical performances in both school and community settings. He has conducted/taught in Canada, Turkey, the USA, and Latin America. Dan has also conducted at a number of New Horizons Band Camps including New York, Maine, Quebec, and Michigan.

In 2010, after retiring from teaching classroom music for 27 years, Dan founded the New Horizons Band of Toronto program with the assistance of some very dedicated member volunteers and his ever-supportive wife, Lisa. From 2010-2018 he was NHBT’s Executive Director and oversaw its growth from one band of 17 members to 10 band classes with 250+ members. During those 8 years, Dan had directed/taught classes at every level, beginner to advanced. In 2017, he wanted to ensure that NHBT would continue to thrive after his departure, thus leading the way to having NHBT incorporated as a not-for-profit group and establishing its first Board of Directors.

Sean King completed his Master of Music in composition with Norbert Palej at the University of Toronto and has studied with Alexander Rapoport, and John Burge. Works of his have been performed by the Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra, the Canadian Men’s Chorus, the Timothy Eaton Memorial Church Children’s Choir. and many more throughout Canada. He has been commissioned by Cellophone, the Tandem Duo, Bryan Holt, and the Children‘s Chorus of Cantabile Choirs in Kingston, Ontario. Other major works have included a string quartet based on The Sound and the Fury (by William Faulkner), a Little Divertimento for violin and cello, and a piece for orchestra entitled Demon Dance (which won runner up in the Etobicoke Philharmonic Orchestra young composer’s competition), inspired by a quote from Dante’s Inferno.

He has composed music for several short films, including documentary and art film, and scored a commercial for a local political candidate in Toronto for the NDP of Canada. As a conductor and band director, he has led the Swansea Community Concert Band in Toronto since 2015. During his time in university, he studied conducting with celebrated band conductor and educator, Jeffrey Reynolds.

He is also active as an arranger, multi-instrumentalist, music educator, voice actor, narrator, and works in the music industry in sales and marketing. In his spare time, he enjoys cooking and watching speed runs of old video games with his cat, Gustav Meowler. 

Marianne recently retired as a classroom teacher from the York Region District School Board. She holds an Honours Music Degree from Western University and a Bachelor of Education from the University of Toronto. Throughout her career, Marianne has pursued a passion for conducting and studied with Professor Dale J. Lonis at the University of Manitoba, Professor Denise Grant at the University of Toronto, and Professor Mark Hopkins at Acadia University. She also actively participated at various conducting symposiums offered by the Ontario Music Educators Association, Ontario Band Association and Ontario Vocal Association.

During her 32 years as a professional educator she had the opportunity to teach all grade levels, kindergarten to grade 12; and has taught band, vocal, guitar, recorder and piano. Marianne has produced many school musicals under the title of musical director. She enjoys teaching students of all ages. 

During her last 12 years, Marianne held the position of Head of Music at Thornhill Secondary School. Her bands and choirs have performed all over Canada. In her spare time, Marianne enjoys running marathons, reading, and volunteering at the Toronto Zoo.

Marianne continues to use her musical and education, experience and knowledge to encourage adults in their pursuit of making music. She is thrilled to be a part of the NHB Toronto team.

Patricia has performed throughout North America with artists that include Michael Burgess, Patty Page and Regis Philbin.  She is a longtime member of the JUNO Award® winning Neufeld-Occhipinti Jazz Orchestra, and has contributed to the pit orchestra of the Shaw Festival Theatre through several productions. 

Her compositions and arrangements have been performed by big bands, concert bands, choirs and soloists.  Her debut album, “The Absolute Faith Orchestra”, was called “an astonishing recording” by the Toronto Star music critic, Geoff Chapman. 

Patricia holds a B.F.A. (Honours), M.A. and a PhD in music and teaches at Centennial College and Ryerson University. We are most fortunate to have Patricia as our “jazz” teacher. 

Cathy brings 32 years of teaching with the Toronto District School Board, 28 of which were at Don Mills Collegiate, where she led the award-winning Concert and Jazz Bands, and was co-founder of Canada’s first high school Show Choir “Northern Lights”. Her school bands and choirs have performed in festivals and competitions both nationally and internationally, including Halifax, Vancouver, New York City, New Orleans and Havana, Cuba.

She holds Bachelor of Music (education & performance) and Bachelor of Education (Instrumental Music & Dramatic Arts) degrees from Queen’s University.

A flute and piccolo specialist, Cathy plays with Flute Street, the Encore Band, the Enchanted Flutes, and in the pit orchestra with St. Anne’s Music and Drama Society.

In her spare time, Cathy loves to travel and has been to over 40 countries.

Dermot completed Bachelor of Music degrees from Berklee College of Music in 2019 and University of Toronto -Comprehensive Jazz in 2022. He is currently a program director at Springboard to Music, a teacher at Elite Music Academy, and leads the Bel Canto Singers in Scarborough. Dermot is also on the Advisory Board of Conchordium, and manager and chief editor of The Youth Journal, a non-partisan, not-for-profit online platform created by and for young writers from around the world. 

A woodwind specialist, Dermot has performed with many groups at Hart House, Upper Jazz Studio, Rex Hotel and private functions and events. In addition, he has played tenor, soprano, baritone  and alto sax, flute, Bb and bass clarinet, oboe and English horn in many theatre musicals including A New Brain, If/Then, Ghost Quartet, 9 to 5, Grease, and most recently in this year’s production of Catch Me If You Can at the Toronto Metropolitan Theatre Company. 

Dermot is excited to be a new member of the NHBT community.

Annamaria is an experienced, passionate musician and retired educator with a 40-year career in music and 31 years in education.

Annamaria holds bachelor’s degrees in fine arts and Education from York University, and a Master of Education degree from the University of Toronto. She studied flute with Judy Schenkman and Barbara Ackerman, and with Professor Patricia Waite for her performance master classes at York.  Her conducting mentors were W. Bramwell Smith, Jr. and Livio Leonardelli, both well-known and esteemed educators and trumpeters.

Conductor of concert bands, choirs, string orchestras, and guitar ensembles, she is currently serving as the Conductor and Music Director for the Columbus Concert Band. A flute and piccolo specialist, Annamaria has played with the Enchanted Flutes, and is currently a member of the Markham Concert Band in addition to serving as the band’s President.

Annamaria is excited to share her love of music with members of NHBT.

Bob comes to us as a retired Music Educator after 38 years with the Toronto District School Board. He taught at York Mills CI, Emery CI, Sir Sandford SS, and Don Mills JHS.

Bob was raised in the Salvation Army where he learned to play the cornet. He was a member of the Canadian Staff Band and travelled extensively throughout Canada, the USA, the UK, Europe and Mexico. Currently, he plays in the Agincourt Salvation Army Band, the Markham Concert Band, the Encore Symphonic Concert Band and the North York Concert Orchestra.

Bob earned his undergraduate degrees in Music and Education at the University of Toronto and has a Master of Arts in Music Education from the Eastman School of Music in Rochester, NY. While studying at Eastman, he was privileged to have Dr. Roy Ernst, founder of New Horizons Bands International, as one of his professors.

Bob has conducted various Salvation Army Bands as well as the 411 Squadron Air Force Reserve Band. He is still offering private lessons to trumpet players most of whom end up studying performance at a university. He has been the guest conductor at Music Camps in Alberta and Pennsylvania.

Bob has two grandchildren that he loves to spend time with.

Doriann comes to NHBT with over 30 years conducting, teaching and directing music programs for the Toronto District School Board.

In addition to conducting the Toronto East Youth Concert Band, Associate Conductor of the Royal Canadian Artillery Band and Scarborough Concert Band, Doriann was the music Director for Ambiance Flute & Guitar Duo (performances in concert, corporate and private venues playing classical, jazz and contemporary music for over 20 years), Achilla Orru’s Baana Afrique (Juno Nominated, with  5 CBC radio broadcast credits, and tours in London England, the Netherlands, and Havana Cuba), The Toronto Pops Orchestra, Royal Conservatory of Music Orchestra, Scarborough Philharmonic, North York Symphony, Royal Canadian Artillery Concert Band – Principal Flute/Pic & Associate Conductor, The Phil Disera Group.

Doriann holds a Music Performance degree from Wilfrid Laurier University, an Honours Performance Diploma from Humber College and has worked with teachers like Geoffrey Gilbert, Jean-Pierre Rampal, William Bennett and jazz musician Pat Labarbera.

Doriann is excited to share her passion of music with members of NHBT.

Naomi has an  honours degree from the  University of Toronto in Jazz Performance, specializing in sax, clarinet, and flute under the leadership of Mike Murley, Camille Watts, and Kelly Jefferson. A proficient doubler, Naomi has extensive experience playing in  theatre pit orchestras for shows such as The Drowsy Chaperone, The Music Man, Annie, and Fiddler of the Roof.  A truly versatile musician, Naomi honed her skills by spending a few years travelling across the globe working with top-caliber musicians on cruise ships where they expertly played any song that was requested.
 
Having performed at  The Rex, Lula Lounge, The Seven44 Club and the Beaches International Jazz Festival, you can also find Naomi in her studio in Toronto where she teaches woodwinds plus ukulele and piano. 

Having taught NHBT members in the past, she is excited with the opportunity to be part of the organization and share her love of music in a fun and engaging way.

Lisa M Jones holds an Honours Bachelor of Fine Arts Degree in Music from York University. Her studies were focused on Contemporary Improvisation and Musicianship
as well as Music Education. Lisa has taught for over 32 years including all ages and abilities. Lisa is a multi-instrumentalist including Piano, Trombone, Guitar and Djembe.

Lisa’s performances include Afro Fest with Muhtadi Thomas and The World Drummers. She facilitates various drum circles including The Haliburton Art and Craft Festival, The Rails End Art Gallery, Feed Scarborough Markets, Summer Festivals, and Birthday parties. Her Djembe studies have been with Toronto teachers Amadou Keinou (Burkina Faso), Amara Kante (Guinea), Frederick Quasi Dunyo (Ghana), Anna Melnikoff (York University)(Malinke)Terry Segal (The Create Institute) Lucas Coffey (Drum Circle Facilitator Training) and studies in drumming and percussion for Health and Rehabilitation at The University of Toronto in the department of Occupational Scienceand Occupational Therapy.

Lisa believes that everyone should have the opportunity to experience the joy in music-making and experience all of the benefits it has to offer.

Barbara began her musical training in Long Island, New York and later relocated to Canada to complete her Baccalaureate at York University, studying under Virginia Markson and Nora Schulman. 

She has performed with many symphony orchestras including CJRT Orchestra, Toronto Philharmonic, The Toronto Pops, Toronto Sinfonietta, Scarborough Philharmonic, and the Cellar Singers Orchestra. She has partnered with pianist Elizabeth Acker and guitarist Brian Katz for chamber concerts, weddings, and receptions. Major musical theatre productions and recordings for film, television and albums have added to the diversity of Barbara’s musical experiences.

Barbara is excited to help establish our new Woodwind Band program, and to be part of the NHBT teaching team.