2012 Faculty

Andrea McColeman

Andrea has been a part of the Whitehorse music community for two decades. She is a multiinstrumentalist, arranger, composer, teacher and mom. Andrea received her Bachelor of Music degree in percussion from Wilfrid Laurier University and studied jazz piano at Humber College. She has played, recorded and toured with countless groups, as percussionist in orchestras and chamber groups, keyboard player in blues/jazz groups, zydeco accordionist, and everything in between.

This instructor offers private lessons.

Annie Avery

Studying piano from an early age enabled Annie to start teaching as a teen. A degree in Music Composition, and more study in education added to her skills. She has spent many years playing every style of gig, including solo jazz, blues bands, accompaniment, television shows and studio work. Annie believes that music is a great language in which to communicate and that the joy of playing with others is unequalled.on to all who hear her.

This instructor offers private lessons.

Bonnie Gregory

Bonnie is a full time violin, viola and fiddle instructor with the Edmonton Society for Talent Education and a recording and touring musician with the Celtara ensemble and Highpoint Bluegrass band. She completed the Violin and Viola in RCM program at Mount Royal College in Calgary, as well as Suzuki Teacher training. She played in the University of Calgary Orchestra, and coaches quartets and string ensembles. Bonnie is a passionate and enthusiastic player and instructor, interested in classical, traditional Irish and Scottish fiddling, Bluegrass and more.

Caroline Knickle

Caroline has been an elementary school teacher for over twenty years and music has always been an integral part of her classroom program. Caroline is a part of the James Hill Ukulele Initiative, a three year certification program which trains teachers for teaching music literacy through the ukulele. For the past three years she has been teaching ukulele to grade two, three and four students at Holy Family Elementary School.

Colin Campbell

Colin received his Music/Sociology Bachelor degree from Dalhousie University and a Masters of Education degree with a music specialty from UBC. In addition to teaching concert and jazz bands 29 years in the school system, he has played guitar, trumpet/flugalhorn, and sung in orchestras, concert bands, pit bands, big bands, plus the usual fare of country,R&B, funk and rock outfits throughout the Pacific North West. Colin got his start teaching music in Whitehorse high schools and taught at some of the first Yukon Summer Music Camps.

This instructor offers private lessons.

Dave Haddock

Dave has been a working musician in Whitehorse for more than 30 years. He writes, sings and plays solo and in duos, trios and larger ensembles. He has worked as musical director for theatre productions and as artistic director for organizations such as Longest Night and the Frostbite Music Society. As well as composing music for theatre and independent films, Dave teaches private music lessons on bass, guitar and voice.

This instructor offers private lessons.

Doug Thorseth

Doug has been playing the guitar for over 35 years. He taught for 15 years at the Academy of Music in Regina and studied music at the University of Regina a lifetime ago. Specializing in acoustic 12-string finger-style guitar, he has performed professionally as a soloist as well as in a variety of ensembles. Now residing in Whitehorse, he has performed at the Alsek Festival, Arts in the Park and the Folk Society coffeehouses.

This instructor offers private lessons.

Greg Bush

Greg is a professor of music at Vancouver Island University, teaching Jazz Improvisation, Jazz Composition, Instrumental Conducting and Pedagogy, and Music History. Originally from Montreal, Greg holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree from Concordia University and Master of Music in Jazz Performance from McGill University. Greg is also a busy freelance jazz trumpet player, arranger and composer. In addition to playing in big bands accompanying such artists as Big Miller, Paul Horn, Dizzy Gillespie and Bob Brookmeyer, Greg’s own big band and quintet have performed his original compositions in jazz clubs, concert halls and festivals across Canada and abroad.

This instructor offers private lessons.

Jon Heaton

Jon completed his Bachelor of Music in Jazz Studies at St. Francis Xavier University and his Bachelor of Education with a specialization in music at the University of Lethbridge. He studied the Orff method with Debra Giebelhaus-Maloney and has been teaching music in the north for seven years. When he’s not teaching music, you can see Jon playing jazz, rock and bluegrass around Whitehorse on his string bass.

Karen Rhebergen

Karen is a freelance visual artist inspired by the beauty of the Yukon and its people. Along with creating commissions and participating in group and solo exhibitions, Karen enjoys demonstrating her creative process. She often visits schools with the Yukon Arts Edventure and Artist in the School programs and is always amazed at the creativity of the students.

Karin Plato

Nominated for two Canadian Jazz Vocalist of the Year Awards, a West Coast Music Award and a Juno Award, Karin has definitely made her mark on the Canadian jazz scene. She received her Bachelor of Music degree in piano and voice from the University of Saskatchewan, studied jazz and arranging at Capilano College and the Banff Centre for the Fine Arts. For the past 15 years, Karin has performed at festivals and in concerts, and taught workshops across Canada. Composer, arranger, vocalist and teacher, Karin brings her passion for jazz to all her students and audiences.

This instructor offers private lessons.

Kate Weekes

Kate received the Mac Beattie Award in 2007 for “quintessentially Canadian” songwriting and has received coaching from influential Canadian songwriters Ian Tamblyn, Roy Forbes and Ron Hynes. Kate loves the beauty of capturing landscape, history and human emotion through words, as is evident in her self-titled album.

Lonnie Powell

Lonnie is a Whitehorse mainstay; he plays drums everywhere and with everyone. He was attracted to the joy of drumming at a young age and has studied with the legendary Jim Blackley and Terry Clark, who continue to be his main inspirations. Lonnie is constantly recording and performing, as well as teaching private percussion lessons.

This instructor offers private lessons.

Michael Kurschat

Michael Kurschat
Michael received his Bachelor of Music degree from The King’s University College and a Master of Music degree in choral conducting from the University of Alberta. He has conducted a wide variety of choirs, ensembles, oratorios, musicals, festivals and workshops. As a solo singer, Michael has been heard with groups including Pro Coro Canada, University of Alberta Concert Choir, i Coristi Chamber Choir, Concordia Community Chorus, Edmonton Youth Choir, University of Alberta Madrigal Singers and Richard Eaton Singers. Michael is the founder and director of the male choir Schubert and the Boys and currently sings with Ensemble de la Rue and Pro Coro Canada.

This instructor offers private lessons.

Nicole Edwards

Nicole blazed her musical trail as an independent, unplugged songstress. With a voice that is equal parts grit, smoke and confection, she has garnered a reputation as the North’s premiere folk-rock-jazz-blues diva. Nicole has shared the stage with Bif Naked, 54 40, the Sam Roberts Band and Ken Whiteley, and has earned a West Coast Music Award nomination and an invitation to perform at their televised gala. Nicole loves sharing her enthusiasm for songwriting, whether she’s facilitating workshops, participating in song circles or co-writing.

Roxx Hunter

Roxx is a well-versed, exciting guitar player who has played across Canada, in the US and Europe, achieving critical acclaim for his skills on the guitar and bass, and as a singer/songwriter. He has opened for Grammy-nominated acts and has shared the stage with many Juno award-winning musicians. When not playing as a side man or doing his own festival and club shows, Roxx teaches music to students from 5 to 75 years of age. His easy-going nature, sense of humour and professionalism keep Roxx in high demand.

This instructor offers private lessons.

Steve Slade

An accomplished vocalist, guitarist and harmonica player with a “big” voice, Steve performs on concert hall, festival and coffee house stages from northern Yukon to Newfoundland. For the past 15 years his summer months have been spent at home in Whitehorse producing the concert series, Arts in the Park. He has taught in schools and workshops from coast to coast to coast.

Trish Clair

Trish is co-director of the thriving Cross Canada Fiddle program alongside pianist/fiddler Geoff Horrocks. Their studio is home to more than 70 Suzuki violin, piano, fiddle and guitar students. Trish and Geoff also run a weekly group fiddle program in Nanaimo for beginner to elite players of all ages, and have published instructional books for students of traditional fiddle and piano. Trish holds a Bachelor of Music (violin performance) from the University of Western Ontario, and has completed Suzuki teacher training across North America. She has released two solo fiddle CDs, one of which was nominated for a Canadian Folk Music Award. Trish also performs regularly with the Sonora String Quartet.

This instructor offers private lessons.