MEET OUR EXECUTIVE TEAM!
OUR MISSION STATEMENT:
To provide a setting wherein University of Alberta students from all disciplines can rehearse, perform, and learn the conventions of jazz music in a group.
Mitch Cassidy
Hey there! I'm Mitch, and I'm the President of UAJB Club this year. I play trombone in the band, and I'm in the second year of the After-Degree Education program with Music as my major teaching area. Off campus, I'm a practicing geotechnical engineer, an avid canoer, and a recovering ska musician. I'm looking forward to playing with the band this year and working alongside the rest of our fabulous executive.
Dylan Lindsay
My name is Dylan, and I'm very pleased to serve as the Vice-President of the UAJB! I'm in my fourth year of a Bachelor of Music, focused on a saxophone performance route. This is my third year in the jazz band and on the executive team, and beyond this band I also enjoy playing in saxophone quartet, and the U of A Symphonic Wind Ensemble. I play lead alto and soprano in the Gold Band, but I also enjoy playing tenor and baritone saxophone.
Mencha Fonji
My name is Mencha, and I’m the treasurer of the UAJB. I’m in the fourth year of my biochemistry degree, and when I’m not in a lab or studying I like to play basketball with my friends and read books. You’ll also catch me in the University of Alberta’s concert band playing trumpet. I look forward to making this upcoming school year a memorable experience for all the musicians in the band as well as enriching the musical scene on the university’s campus.
Russell Byers
Hi! I’m Russell, one of the event directors for UAJB this year. I’m in my 5th year of electrical engineering and this is my first year playing piano in the jazz band. Outside of school I like building terrariums, playing volleyball, and playing at/hosting open mics and jams. I’m so glad to be playing in the jazz band this year and excited to be a part of the executive team!
Julianna Dust
Hello, my name is Julianna and I am the creative lead for the UAJB Club again this year! I am a fourth year Industrial Design student and am a trumpet and vocalist in the Gold Band. When I'm not playing with power tools in the ID studio, you can find me doing puzzles, taking pictures of birds, or ice skating. I am very excited to explore and expand my graphic design skills with the UAJB Club Executive this year!
Klondike Taylor
Hello! My name is Klondike. I am helping with event coordination for the UAJB Club. I am in my last year of electrical engineering and my third year playing the trombone in the green band. I enjoy all sorts of hobbies including blacksmithing, designing custom electronics (yes, also in my free time), going on adventures, practicing Tae Kwon Do, and playing bridge! I love being in the Jazz band and am excited for another fantastic year playing music with a wonderful group of people!
VOLUNTEERS
Tom Dust
Dr. Tom Dust brings a wealth of experience to his role as one of the conductors of the UAJBC. Tom earned a Master of Jazz Studies degree at the famous Indiana Jacobs School of Music where he studied all aspects of jazz music with jazz educator icons David N. Baker and Dominic Spera. While a graduate student at Indiana University, Tom held the position of Associate Instructor in the Jazz Department and was responsible for conducting Jazz Band IV as well as the jazz band at the Indiana University/Purdue University joint campus in Indianapolis. In addition to his role as Professor of Secondary Music Education at the University of Alberta, Tom conducts the University of Alberta Convocation Band, the University of Alberta Marching Band, and the UAJBC bands. For 20 years, Tom was the director of the joint Grant MacEwan University/University of Alberta Jazz Band II. As a trumpet performer, Tom has played with the Edmonton bands of Big Miller, Tommy Banks, Zen Magus, and Gordon Schmitt, as well as numerous travelling shows. While studying in the United States, Tom performed with the Al Cobine Big Band, The Mid-west Swing Orchestra, the Tony Baron Orchestra, The Tommy Dorsey Band, and others.
Curtis Farley
Curtis Farley is an accomplished music educator with 17 years of experience as a teacher. He is currently the co-director of the University of Alberta Jazz Band and he directed Blackgold Community Band, the Jr All City Band and the Cosmopolitan Music Society Beginner Band.
Curtis attended the University of Alberta where he received Bachelor degrees in music composition and in education. He is an active trombone player in many ensembles around Edmonton.
Roan van Helden
Hi there, I'm Roan van Helden. I'm currently in my 3rd year at the UofA and the 5th year of my degree in Ancient and Medieval Studies. I've worked as a videographer in both the Netherlands and Australia before I came to Canada, and now scratch that itch by making pictures for the UofA Jazz Band. Also I am very much most certainly, Dutch.