Instructor Profiles: Gordon Cobb Gordon lives in East Vancouver. He studied music at the School for the Contemporary Arts at Simon Fraser University, and the London College of Music and Media in England, graduating with distinction from the Masters of Music program in Composition for New Media. His work has been performed at Dancing on the Edge, XII Minutes Max, Latenight Kiss, Edam, Main Dance, Mascall Dance, Performance Works, Arts Umbrella, and the Shadbolt Center for the Arts. Gordon has been a Registered Music Teacher with the Royal Conservatory of Toronto for almost a decade, developing a strong private practice. Valerie Jackson Born in South Africa, Valerie grew up in East Vancouver and New Westminster. Since obtaining degrees at the University of Victoria (B. Mus., perf.) and McGill University (M.A. Musicology), she has been an active performer and teacher. Valerie has studied many styles of guitar in many diverse cultural settings (including Spain and Holland, with Balatazar Benitez) and has always maintained a passion for sharing the world's music with young people. Her trio "Mundo Bello" has performed their unique repertoire for young audiences since 1999. Paul Bray Paul Bray is a multi-talented percussionist working as a music educator and performer in Vancouver. Drawing on a strong classical background, Paul has devoted his attention to the study of African influenced music, specializing in Afro-Cuban and Afro-Brazilian musical styles. He has collaborated with Afro-Bahia Dance Productions and Yassee Afro-Arts in addition to working as a studio musician and directing Sambata, Vancouver's Escola de Samba. Paul has led educational workshops for groups of all ages and musical experience and enjoys sharing his knowledge and love of rhythm. Stephen Fisk Since his apprenticeship in the Canadian jazz scene of the late 1980’s Stephen has carved out a unique musical niche for himself. His performances and recordings with Troika, Freeplay, the Chris Tarry Group and Flo, among other work, have garnered him critical acclaim across North America. Fisk’s creative dedication has brought him the opportunities to work and perform with internationally renowned musicians such as George Russell, George Lewis, Julian Priester and Robin Holcombe. He has recorded numerous CD's including 'Flo' released in 2003 on Plunge Records. Stephen's eclectic composing and improvising skills exhibit a personalized musical language, an amalgam of styles, vocabularies and genres. His oeuvre is a collection of jazz pieces, free improvisations, ambient soundscapes, classical forms and pop songs. He has performed at every major Canadian jazz festival and his music has been broadcast from coast to coast on CBC Radio. Fisk holds degrees in Arts and Music Composition as well as a Masters degree in Jazz Performance from New England Conservatory in Boston. He has studied privately with Jim Hall, Paul Bley, George Russell, Danilo Perez, Ran Blake, and Mick Goodrick. A sought after teacher and clinician, Stephen has been teaching students of all ages and ability since 1985. He has also been the recipient of numerous awards, grants and honors for his work in music. Andy Hillhouse Andy Hillhouse has been working as a singer, songwriter, guitarist, teacher and choral musician since graduating from UBC with a BMus and a BEd in 1991. He is best known as the leader of the Canadian Celtic Funk band Mad Pudding, who are currently recording their fifth CD. With Mad Pudding, Andy has performed frequently in North America and Europe, including appearances at the Philadelphia Folk Festival, the Shetland Folk Festival and Cape Breton's Celtic Colours Festival. He is also a member of the Juno nominated vocal ensemble Musica Intima, who have released four critically acclaimed CD's, and is former director of the Universal Gospel Choir. Andy is currently pursuing an MA in Ethnomusicology at UBC, where he will be researching British Isles traditional music. Daniel Sakari Mahlberg Daniel began his musical training with the Royal Conservatory of Music at the age of four. He has earned Associate and Licentiate degrees in piano pedagogy from the London College of Music and Media, and a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in music from Simon Fraser University’s School for the Contemporary Arts. Having spent two years of his childhood in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, Daniel developed a taste for travel at a young age. He has since secured scholarships for international study at England’s University of Sussex, where he studied composition and music theory, and Germany’s Internationales Musikinstitut Darmstadt, where his work was premiered as part of the celebrated Summer Course for New Music, an arena for avant-garde composers and performers. Daniel has been teaching piano since 1995. In addition to his membership with the Registered Music Teachers’ Association, he serves on the council of the National Professional Music Teachers’ Association and assists in coordinating frequent recitals for Richmond Hospital’s Palliative Care Unit. He is currently completing a Master of Arts degree through California State University, focusing on the link between piano music and education. Colleen Maybin Colleen holds a degree in music performance as a clarinet major from the University of Victoria. Although classically trained, Colleen’s musical diversity and interests has led her to artistic experiences such as the Banff School of Fine Arts, the 15th Field Royal Canadian Artillary Band and various small ensembles. Her love of singing and children’s choirs led her to study with world renowned conductors Bruce Pullen (Vancouver Bach Choir) and Diane Loomer (Chor Leoni Men’s Chorus). After completing her Masters at the University of British Columbia, focusing on music pedagogy for children, Colleen moved to London, England where she shared her teaching skills and love of music with elementary school children. Colleen now sings with the Vancouver Bach Choir, teaches for the Vancouver School Board and is a Sessional Instructor in the Music Education Department of the University of British Columbia.