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| 2009 Staff
As always, we're committed to bringing you the highest quality instruction anywhere. This year is no exception as we welcome back Chalmers Doane, James Hill, Peter Luongo and Jamie Thomas. |
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J. Chalmers Doane (Maitland, NS)
"The Father of Canadian ukulele," Chalmers Doane pioneered the use of ukulele in the school classroom over forty years ago. Chalmers conceived of the ukulele as a vehicle for musicianship, thus his emphasis on music theory, sight-reading, ear training, singing, solo performance, and ensemble playing. At the same time, he saw the ukulele as a serious musical instrument, one capable of expressing a wide range of emotion and providing a great deal of personal joy.
His infectious charisma and positive approach to music education inspired other teachers to follow his lead. The Doane ukulele program, with its beginnings in the Halifax elementary public schools, would ultimately reach over 50,000 school children and adults throughout Canada and the United States.
Recently made a member of the Order of Canada, Chalmers maintains a busy schedule as a teacher and performer in the Halifax, N.S. area.
Visit Chalmers online at www.chalmersdoane.com. |
James Hill (Brookfield, NS)
Recognized as "one of the world's top composers for the [`ukulele]" (Rafe Mair, 600AM Vancouver) and a "rare peer" of Hawaii's premier ukulelists (John Berger, Honolulu Star-Bulletin), James has become known worldwide for his imaginative compositions and fearless disregard for the supposed limitations of the ukulele.
Also a passionate teacher, James, who holds a Bachelor of Music degree from the University of British Columbia, has presented workshops throughout Canada and the United States, as well as in Japan, Germany, Italy, Sweden and New Zealand. He has twice been invited to teach and perform at the renowned `Ukulele and Slack Key Guitar Institute in Waimea, HI and has lectured at the Queen's University School of Music in Kingston, ON.
Visit James online at www.ukulelejames.com. |
Peter Luongo (Langley, BC)
Peter is the director of the internationally acclaimed Langley Ukulele Ensemble (LUE). The LUE routinely performs across Canada, in the continental USA, and Hawaii. They have also performed in Japan and have pending invitations to tour in Europe in 2009 and 2010. The ensemble presents up to 80 concerts each year and have produced ten CD recordings.
In addition to his involvement as the ensemble's music director, Peter is an administrator in the Langley School District. He has devoted over 25 years to working with young musicians, and under his tutelage thousands of students have had the opportunity to develop their singing and ukulele playing skills while developing positive attitudes toward leadership and showmanship. His efforts have helped establish the community of Langley as the "ukulele capital" of Canada.
Visit Peter and the Langley Ukulele Ensemble online at www.langleyukes.com. |
Jamie Thomas (Langley, BC)
A full-time music teacher at Belmont Elementary School in Langley, BC, Jamie was once a pupil of Chalmers Doane in his native Nova Scotia. Since re-locating to the west coast in the early 90s, Jamie has put ukuleles in the hands of hundreds of students (including a young James Hill). "Mr. T", as he's known to students, has an inimitable charisma in the classroom and a knack for making music class fun.
Also an accomplished songwriter, Jamie's songs have been featured on TV and radio. Jamie's Nova Scotia Song was recently made the official theme song of Nova Scotia Tourism.
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