AIBF Edmonton Adjudicators

Concert Band

Dr. Gillian MacKay

Gillian MacKay is Professor of Music of the University of Toronto, where she conducts the Wind Ensemble and teaches graduate and undergraduate conducting.   She serves as Associate Conductor of the Jack Long Honour Band.  Dr. MacKay has adjudicated and guest conducted in Canada, USA, Asia and the UK.   

Known for her early research into the relationship between conducting and mime, Gillian is exploring the application of the Michael Chekhov Acting Technique in the development of expressivity and character in conducting gesture.   She has also undertaken study of clown to encourage joy and spontaneity in rehearsal and performance.   

Dr. MacKay leads the University of Toronto Wind Conducting Symposium each July, and has been the guest instructor at other symposia in Canada and abroad.  She has been honoured twice by the Canadian Band Association, receiving both their National and
International Awards.  Gillian earned degrees from the Universities of Lethbridge and Calgary, McGill University, and Northwestern University, where she received the DM in Trumpet Performance.

Joseph Resendes

Joseph Resendes is a Lecturer at McMaster University in Hamilton, Ontario where he conducts the Concert Band, Orchestra, and teaches courses in conducting, music education, theory, and woodwind methods. Joseph has an active and diverse professional career that has earned him a reputation as a leading conductor and educator through his experience conducting student, community, and professional wind ensembles and orchestras. As an adjudicator and clinician, Joseph continues to work with many band festivals across Canada and the United States.

Joseph has regularly commissioned and premiered original works for wind band by many Canadian composers. Outside of his work as a conductor, Joseph continues to work as a musician performing with many notable artists on stage, and in the studio.  He has conducted highly acclaimed
ensembles such as the University of North Texas Wind Symphony, Buffalo. Wind Symphony, and the University of Saskatchewan Wind Orchestra.

 Born in Canada to parents of Portuguese heritage, he received his musical training at York University (B.FA – Woodwind performance, MA – Composition), and is working towards the completion of his PhD in
musicology focused in wind studies. His studies in conducting include mentorship from many notable professionals including Eugene Migliaro Corporon, Dennis Fisher, Bill Thomas, while attending many symposia featuring clinicians Mark Scatterday, Gillian Mackay, Tim Reynish, Jack Stamp and Glen Price.  As a conductor, Joseph receives regular invitations to conduct or guest conduct orchestras, chamber ensembles, and wind ensembles locally and abroad.

Mark Caswell

Mark spent a lifetime teaching music at Markham District High School where he was privileged to work alongside his wife and colleague, Dawn. The MDHS music department was home to numerous concert bands, choirs, jazz ensembles and chamber groups, all actively involved in their community, while their international travel and festivals brought them to more than fifteen countries across North America and Europe. The music staff were fortunate to be presented with the YRDSB Teaching Award of Excellence.

Mark is now working with Yamaha Music Canada as an Artist Educator,through which he has facilitated dozens of workshops and rehearsals for schools across Ontario. He is also an active adjudicator at festivals across Ontario and Alberta, including Musicfest Canada Nationals. And as recognition
for his years of leadership and volunteer activities, Mark was privileged to be presented with the Canadian Sovereign’s Medal for Volunteers by The Chancellery of Honours, Rideau Hall, Ottawa. 

Mark is the newly appointed Music Director for the Northdale Concert Band, an ensemble with a tradition of musical collaborations including a recent performance featuring the composer Peter Meechan along with retired principal trumpet of the TSO Andrew McCandless. Mark is also the current Music Director for the Unionville Theatre Company, conducting their most recent shows Into the Woods, Joseph and Grease.

Mark is a founding member of the Ontario Band Association, serving on several
committees as well as a term as President. Mark launched the Ontario Provincial Band Festival in 2001/2002 and continued to serve as the Festival Coordinator for 22 years. He has been awarded an Honorary Lifetime Membership Award with the OBA.  He is also a member of Phi Beta Mu IBA and the CBA.

Mark has always had a strong commitment to the development of student leaders within high school music programs and has been a teacher facilitator at the Ontario Education Leadership Centre, published articles, and presented workshops on student leadership at OMEA conferences.

 

Jazz Band

Dennis Esson

Vancouver trombonist Dennis Esson is a highly respected and much sought after musician and educator both locally and across Canada. His performing credits span all genres, from recording for TV, radio, motion pictures and albums to live pop, rock, jazz, Broadway and classical shows. 
As a music educator Dennis has taught at Capilano University since 1997. As a faculty member of the Capilano Jazz Studies Department he teaches large ensembles, combos and improvisation, trombone lessons and is a coordinator of the department.  Dennis is very active as an adjudicator, clinician and lecturer at universities, colleges, and schools across Canada.

Steve Kaldestad

Steve Kaldestad (M.Mus., McGill University, 2000) is a jazz saxophonist and the academic coordinator of the Jazz Studies program at Capilano University.

Originally from the prairies, Kaldestad spent the 1990s studying and performing in Montreal, obtaining his Bachelors and Masters degrees from McGill University. During this time, he was awarded a Quebec Arts Council grant to study with the legendary Lee Konitz in New York.

In 2000, Kaldestad began an eight year stint in London, England. He joined the Kate Williams Quartet, the Matt Wates Sextet, the Pasadena Roof Orchestra, and performed with the BBC Big Band, the Humphrey Lyttleton Group and others.

Based in Vancouver since 2008, Kaldestad has become one of the most in-demand
saxophonists on the jazz scene, performing as a sideman with the Dan Brubeck Quartet, Jodi Proznick's Quartet, the Jill Townsend Jazz Orchestra and various other musical projects. He has released three CDs under his own name on the Cellar Live label to great acclaim, including Straight Up featuring the Mike LeDonne Trio and his newest release, New York Afternoon with the Renee Rosnes
Trio.

Kaldestad is a D'addario Artist and plays Select Jazz reeds on all of his saxophones.