AIBF Edmonton Adjudicators

DENISE GRANT has earned respect and praise as a conductor and educator of great musical depth and artistic sensitivity. She has held conducting positions at Memorial University of Newfoundland, University of
Toronto, and University of Regina. She earned her Ph.D. (conducting and music
education) from the University of Minnesota and also holds degrees from Dalhousie University (M.Ed.) and Acadia University (B.Mus.Ed.). During her tenure, she founded the University of Toronto and University of Regina conducting symposiums, served as co-founding editor of the Canadian Band Association journal, Canadian Winds, and premiered many new works for wind ensemble. She advocates for the creation and performance of new music by Canadian and women composers, in particular. She recently premiered composer Sandy Moore's song cycle, Vox Humana, at the Open Waters new music festival in Halifax and recorded the soundtrack for John Walker's award-winning documentary film, Arctic Defenders. As an educator, Denise has served on music association boards across Canada and guest conducted provincial honour bands both nationally and internationally, reflecting a
commitment to music education and the deep-seeded belief that the act of making
music together creates connection and develops compassionate, critically
thinking humans.

Dr. Darrin Oehlerking currently serves as Associate Dean of Student Affairs for the College of Arts and Science at the University of Saskatchewan, and is Professor of Music in the USask School For The Arts. He previously served as Director of Bands and Jazz at Bemidji State University in Bemidji, Minnesota, and as Music Coordinator for the Louis Riel School Division in Winnipeg, Manitoba. His post-secondary experience also includes assignments at the University of Manitoba and Iowa Wesleyan College. Originally from Winnipeg, Manitoba, Dr. Oehlerking earned his Doctor of Musical Arts in Wind Conducting at The University of Iowa, where he studied with Dr. Myron
Welch. He also studied with Dr. Dale J. Lonis at the University of Manitoba, where he earned his Masters in Music Performance with an emphasis in Conducting. His undergraduate work was also at Manitoba, where he earned separate Bachelors degrees in Music and Education. Prior to
his appointment at Saskatchewan, Dr. Oehlerking taught a wide variety of students and musicians at the primary, secondary and post-secondary levels. His ensembles have enjoyed success on local, national and international stages, garnering outstanding performance awards and showcase invitations from a variety of organizations. Dr. Oehlerking recently conducted the 2022 National Youth Band of Canada, held at York University in Toronto, Ontario. He has previously served as the President of the Canadian Band Association, as well as the President of the Saskatchewan Band Association. He is also a Yamaha Artist/Educator. Dr. Oehlerking has conducted ensembles, served as an adjudicator, conference presenter and clinician across Canada, as well as in the United States, United Kingdom, Germany, Switzerland and the Netherlands. He has had two arrangements for wind band published by Eighth Note Publications – Regimental March of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police and Souvenir de Quebec.