Michael Lukaszuk is an artist and researcher with interests in electronic music composition, improvisation and exploring the cultural dimensions of technology in music.
Before coming to UNB, he held the position of Postdoctoral Research Fellow in New Media Art at Umeå University in Sweden. He holds a PhD in Cultural Studies from Queen's University and a Doctor of Musical Arts in Composition from the College-Conservatory of Music at the University of Cincinnati.
His music has been repeatedly presented at events such as The International Computer Music Conference and The New York City Electroacoustic Music Festival and has received awards from organizations such as the Canadian Electroacoustic Community (Jeu de Temps Awards) and the SOCAN Foundation (Hugh Le Caine Awards).
His research can be found in journals such as JAR (Journal for Artistic Research) and multiple proceedings of the International Symposium on Electronic Art (ISEA).
Nadia Francavilla is one of Canada's leading performers and advocates of new contemporary music. The Montreal-born violinist is an accomplished recitalist and outstanding chamber musician who has performed internationally in North America, Europe, and Japan.
Nadia's driving interest in new music has led her to commission and premiere new works from Canadian and international composers. She particularly enjoys working with young composers, nurturing their innovative spark. Meanwhile, explorations of improvised works and frequent collaborations with visual and multimedia artists have shaped her study of music as performance art.
Since 2009, Nadia is UNB's Musician-in-Residence where she curates leading-edge concert series that challenge audiences to explore new sounds and musical experiences. The NB Contemporary Music Festival, curated by Mrs. Francavilla each year since its inception in 2019, exclusively features music from emerging and established women composers.
Her production company, On The Edge Productions Inc, promotes new, ground-breaking experimental music, stretching the convention of musical traditions and fostering collaboration among emerging and established musicians and multidisciplinary artists.
An experienced educator and facilitator, Nadia takes an interactive and exploratory approach to knowledge sharing in lectures, masterclasses, and workshops. She teaches violin at Mount Allison University, leads courses on women in music and music in film at the University of New Brunswick, and is the author of the violin syllabus for L’école préparatoire de musique at Université de Moncton. She is often asked to adjudicate at music festivals around the country.
In 2022, Nadia was awarded a Documentation Grant by the New Brunswick Arts Board for Noisemakers, a series of short documentaries chronicling and contextualizing important contributions from New Brunswick composers to contemporary music in Canada.
Mrs. Francavilla's projects have received financial support from Canada Council for the Arts, the New Brunswick Arts Board, the Province of New Brunswick, the SOCAN Foundation, and MusicUNB.
Hugh Kennedy attended The University of Western Ontario (Bach. of Music Education 1979 and Bach. of Education 1983) and the University of Northern Colorado (Mast. in Trumpet Performance 1981) before beginning to teach music at Fredericton High School in 1984.
During the summers of 1989 to 1991, Hugh attended a comprehensive Wind Band Conducting programme at the University of Calgary. It was here he was influenced by some of North America's best conducting teachers including Eugene Corporon, Craig Kirchoff and Fred Fennell.
In 1999, he left classroom teaching and entered educational administration. Hugh continued to be involved in Wind Band music by adjudicating music festivals and presenting band workshops as well as working with groups such as NB Winds and the Fredericton Concert and Marching Band. He retired from public education in 2013.
Hugh has a large number of fond memories from his time spent with school and community bands. In addition to the numerous interpersonal relationships developed with wonderful people, some of the memorable highlights are the commissioning of "Whispers from Handel" by Jerome Summers (1991) and "Riverscape" by Phil Nimmons (1994), the release of the recording of unpublished Canadian Wind Band music entitled "To Canada: Love Fredericton High School" (1994) and the concerts performed by NB Winds 2003 to 2006.
American-born bassoonist Yvonne Kershaw has a wide range of performance experience in both Canada and the U.S. She played with the Cascade Symphony in Washington and has participated in the Sandpoint, Idaho and Bayview, Michigan music festivals. Her extensive teaching experience includes instructing instrumental music in Seattle area music schools and working as a graduate instructor of bassoon at Indiana University.
Yvonne now resides in Fredericton, where she adjudicates music festivals and teaches bassoon, flute and oboe at the UNB Centre for Musical Arts. She teaches courses in music theory and music appreciation at UNB. She is a regular faculty member of UNB’s Summer Music Camp and she performs regularly with Symphony New Brunswick.
Yvonne released a CD of bassoon and guitar music with guitarist Stephen Peacock, which was nominated for ECMA Classical Recording of the Year in 2005. Kershaw also performed at the International Double Reed Society’s 2006 Convention in Muncie, Indiana and she attends the Glickman Popkin Bassoon Camp in North Carolina every year.
Yvonne lives with her husband, John, and children, Hannah and Jacob.
Keegan Manson-Curry is an ethnomusicologist working on questions of music, sound, and listening in Atlantic Canada.
His dissertation research considered how the Wolastoq (Saint John River) is listened to by its human inhabitants, and in turn how these inhabitants structure their musical practices in response to the river.
Keegan is currently completing a book-length study of Scottish bagpipe bands in contemporary Canada with Roger Mantie at the University of Toronto Scarborough.
In addition to his scholarly work, Keegan is also a multi-instrumentalist specializing in traditional music’s of Atlantic Canada, jazz, and other popular genres.
He regularly performs on fiddle, bass, and guitar. He teaches lessons and gives public workshops on the music and culture of the Atlantic region.
Dr. Richard Covey is a Canadian composer, musician, educator, and researcher whose work spans music performance, composition, and community-engaged arts practice. His interests include music theory and musicianship pedagogy, collaborative music-making, and the role of the arts and creativity in education and community development.
Dr. Covey has taught in both the Department of Culture and Media Studies at UNB, and the Faculty of Arts at University of Prince Edward Island, where his teaching and research have focused on music theory, musicianship and musicology, creative practice, and interdisciplinary approaches to learning. His work frequently connects academic study with applied artistic practice, including projects involving student musicians and community collaborators. He holds degrees from Wilfrid Laurier University and a master’s and doctorate in music composition from University of British Columbia.
Alongside his academic work, Dr. Covey has been involved in program development and professional education initiatives, contributing to the design of innovative learning opportunities that integrate arts-based methods, cultural engagement, and practical skill development. His broader interests include supporting collaborative learning environments and exploring how music and the arts can foster creativity, communication, and cultural understanding.
Jessica is a highly skilled oboe and English horn performer and educator with over a decade of experience in the field. She holds a Master’s in Musical Performance from the Don Wright Faculty of Music at the University of Western Ontario. Originally from Bogotá, Colombia, Jessica also earned a Bachelor of Musical Studies from Pontificia Universidad Javeriana and a Master’s in Musical Research from the International University of La Rioja, Spain, showcasing her commitment to both performance and academic excellence.
As a versatile performer, Jessica has established a vibrant career as a freelance orchestral musician, performing with various ensembles across both Canada and Colombia. Her artistry has taken her to several prestigious music festivals. This rich professional background informs her deep understanding of orchestral repertoire and the demands of high-level performance.
Jessica's teaching philosophy centers on fostering technical precision, tonal richness, and artistic expression. Whether working with beginners or advanced musicians, she creates tailored lessons to help each student achieve their unique goals. Her comprehensive approach draws from her diverse professional background, which includes solo performances, ensemble collaborations, and a deep exploration of musical styles.
Passionate about connecting with her students and sharing the joy of music, Jessica is dedicated to cultivating an inspiring learning environment. Fluent in English and Spanish, she warmly welcomes students of all backgrounds. Currently based in Fredericton, NB, Jessica is excited to continue her journey as a musician and educator in Canada, guiding her students to discover their own musical voice and achieve their full potential.
Born in Edmonton, Alberta, Christian David Bérubé graduated with a Bachelor of Music from the University of Alberta, where he studied piano, voice, and composition. He completed a Master of Music in instrumental composition under the supervision of Denis Gougeon at the Université de Montréal. He has composed the music for several stage musicals, and has performed professionally as a choral singer and rock pianist.
His large-scale choral work Goats on the Left won a SOCAN Award for Young Composers; and his film scores have won two awards for Excellence in Music Composition at the Silver Wave Film Festival (2014 and 2017). His original soundtrack for the video game Noxia Somnia was released in 2022. He lives in Fredericton, New Brunswick, where he teaches piano, theory, and composition through the University of New Brunswick's Centre for Musical Arts.
For more information on his compositions for film and video games, visit christianberube.com.
Natalia Delacroix has had an international career as a performer and pedagogue. Natalia was educated at the Central Music School for Talented Children and at the Moscow State Conservatory of Tchaikovsky in a Viola class. There, she received an honors degree in teaching, orchestral music, solo and chamber music.
She began teaching viola at the Moscow State Conservatory at the age of 19 as an assistant of Professor Galina Odinets. She also taught as a violin teacher at a Central music school in Moscow. In addition to teaching, she performed concerts as a soloist and chamber musician. She also secured a job as Artist of the State Symphony Orchestra under the direction of Evgeny Svetlanov.
After graduating from the conservatory, Natalia moved to Germany where she continued teaching and performing. Natalia is the founder and director of the children's cultural festival Ostern & Classic in Hamburg (Germany), Artistic Director of Musica Classica Lanzarot in Spain. Furthermore, she was the director of the organization Classical Music and Culture for Children, and a member of string groups Magdalenen Trio and Hamburger Camerata.
She has also been a guest at numerous music festivals, such as Schleswig Holstein in Germany, Finca Festival in Spain, and Renaissance in Armenia as a performer, teacher and jury member. Her students are recipients of numerous prizes and actively participate in concerts and festivals in Germany and Europe. Natalia has performed as a soloist and chamber musician in Asia, Russia, Europe, Scandinavian, Africa, Turkey and Canada.
Natalia's first book on playing the violin for young children, My Magic Violin, was published in 2019. In 2020, Natalia moved to Fredericton with her family. She is a violin and viola instructor at UNB Conservatory, Teaching Artist of Sistema NB, Director of Fine Arts Association of New Maryland and Candlelight Classix Concerts Inc.
Pianist Zyrene L. Estallo has performed as a soloist and collaborative artist in Asia, Europe, the U.S., and Canada. She has held performance fellowships and scholarships at the Brevard Music Institute and Festival for piano solo and chamber music (USA, 2012), the Adam Gyorgy Piano Academy for piano solo (Hungary, 2013), the Talis Music Festival and Academy for chamber music (Switzerland, 2014), and was a piano scholar at the Yong Siew Toh Conservatory of Music (Singapore, 2014).
Her training as a pianist and educator began as a secondary student at the Philippine High School for the Arts (2010), followed by an honors Bachelor of Music in Piano Performance from the National University of Singapore (2014), and most recently, a Master of Education in Curriculum and Instruction from the University of New Brunswick (2024).
With over 8 years of experience in education, Zyrene has taught elementary music classes, piano lessons, and directed music learning programs for culturally diverse groups in international schools in Asia. In addition to music teaching and piano accompaniment, Zyrene has been involved in education consulting and instruction, curriculum development, and research in equity, DEI, and social justice within education.
Zyrene provides piano accompaniment and teaches piano lessons. She can help in preparing for recitals, auditions, or RCM exams (subject to availability) for all ages (minimum age 4 years old) and levels.
Jason Flores graduated from the University of Idaho where he attended the Lionel Hampton School of Music as a Hampton Scholar. He has toured the world playing bass onboard cruise ships for Celebrity Cruise Lines and Crystal Cruise Lines. There he had the opportunity to play with musical greats like Shoshana Bean and Debbie Gibson. He has also opened for Kenny Baron at the Boise State University Jazz Festival.
Born and raised in the state of Idaho Jason has played and recorded with many bands in the capital region of Boise. He currently resides in Fredericton, NB where he holds an arts degree in psychology from the University of New Brunswick. Along with his degree in orchestral performance on the double bass he hoped to someday work in the field of music therapy.
David Garson is an accomplished trumpet performer and educator with over 40 years of teaching experience. He holds a Master of Music in Performance from Northwestern University and a Bachelor of Music from the University of Victoria. His principal teachers include Vincent Cichowicz (Chicago Symphony Orchestra), Louis Ranger (New York Philharmonic), and Ramon Parcells (Detroit Symphony).
Throughout his career, David has held academic and instructional positions at institutions including Memorial University of Newfoundland and various performing arts schools across Canada. He has maintained a long-standing private studio, teaching trumpet, French horn, and tuba to students of all ages, many of whom have gone on to pursue successful music careers.
As a performer, David has appeared with major orchestras such as the Calgary Philharmonic Orchestra, Symphony Nova Scotia, Canadian Opera Company Orchestra, Victoria Symphony, and the National Ballet of Canada Orchestra. He has also performed as a soloist in works including Haydn’s Trumpet Concerto and Bach’s Brandenburg Concerto No. 2, and has been featured in national broadcasts and international festival performances.
In addition to his performing and teaching career, David has extensive arts management experience, serving in leadership roles including Technical Services Manager at the Fredericton Playhouse and Production Manager with the Calgary Philharmonic Orchestra and Arts Commons.
Richard Hornsby is an active performer, educator, arts administrator and arts advocate. A specialist in clarinets and saxophones, he has performed as a soloist and chamber musician in Canada, Australia the U.S. and Europe. He has also performed with major Canadian orchestras such as the National Arts Centre Orchestra and the Toronto Symphony.
He has performed as an orchestral soloist in Ontario and New Brunswick and as a chamber musician he has performed alongside some of Canada’s greatest instrumentalists including Martin Beaver (violin Tokyo String Quartet) and Jonathan Crow (concertmaster Toronto Symphony).
Richard is also the founder and artistic director of Atlantic Sinfonia, eastern Canada’s professional chamber orchestra and is in demand as a performer, conductor, teacher, clinician, adjudicator and speaker.
Veronica Kallos is a Cum Laude graduate of University of the Philippines, Bachelor of Music, Major in Piano Performance under the Marianne Gancayco Scholarship.
She is a no stranger to the stage as she has been performing and has fared well in various national competitions from age seven and started accompanying choirs at the age of 14 as well. She was a sought-after accompanist and had collaborated with soloists, choirs, and has performed with professional musicians in the Philippines, Indonesia, Hongkong and Singapore.
Veronica and her family just arrived in Fredericton last year with a vast experience as a performer and a teacher. She has been teaching for more than 20 years and will continue what she has started in the Philippines, make children, teens and adults love playing the piano with high standards and be an inspiration to her students and fellow musicians.
American-born bassoonist Yvonne Kershaw has a wide range of performance experience in both Canada and the U.S. She played with the Cascade Symphony in Washington and has participated in the Sandpoint, Idaho and Bayview, Michigan music festivals. Her extensive teaching experience includes instructing instrumental music in Seattle area music schools and working as a graduate instructor of bassoon at Indiana University.
Yvonne now resides in Fredericton, where she adjudicates music festivals and teaches bassoon, flute and oboe at the UNB Centre for Musical Arts. She teaches courses in music theory and music appreciation at UNB. She is a regular faculty member of UNB’s Summer Music Camp and she performs regularly with Symphony New Brunswick.
Yvonne released a CD of bassoon and guitar music with guitarist Stephen Peacock, which was nominated for ECMA Classical Recording of the Year in 2005. Kershaw also performed at the International Double Reed Society’s 2006 Convention in Muncie, Indiana and she attends the Glickman Popkin Bassoon Camp in North Carolina every year.
Yvonne lives with her husband, John, and children, Hannah and Jacob.
Charles MacKinnon, trumpet, is a native of Kentville, Nova Scotia. While still a teenager, he toured Europe as a member of Canada’s National Youth Orchestra. Upon receiving a Canada Council grant, he moved to New York to study with Mel Broiles, (Metropolitan Opera Orchestra), Ray Crisara (NBC Symphony), and Vince Penzarella (New York Philharmonic).
Also while in New York, Charles played in broadway shows and toured the American east coast with the Jimmy Dorsey Orchestra. Charles left New York for Toronto, where he was a founding member of the Canadian Brass Quintet, and played with the National Ballet and Canadian Opera Company Orchestras. He also worked with the Toronto Symphony Orchestra, Hamilton Philharmonic, and the National Arts Centre Orchestra. In the late 1990s Charles spent several years in Scotland, performing with the Royal Scottish Opera Orchestra.
Here in the Maritimes, Charles has been a member of the Atlantic Symphony, and has performed with Symphony New Brunswick, Symphony Nova Scotia and the Charlottetown Festival Orchestra throughout his professional career.
Charles is a member of the Fredericton Symphony Orchestra, several chamber groups, and teaches at the Fredericton Conservatory of Music.
Maksim Osipau is a professional and accomplished guitar player, teacher, composer, and music producer who draws inspiration from a diverse range of sources, including his passion for nylon guitar and his drive to create unique and memorable music. With a focus on blending traditional elements with contemporary production techniques, Maksim's music is at once both familiar and fresh, resulting in a sound that is truly his own.
After graduation from Belarusian State University of Culture and Arts in 2010 with a degree in music he was then offered to stay on and teach electric guitar. At the same time, he also taught classical guitar at Minsk State Arts College, where he graduated in 2005.
Maksim has had successes with his own bands and projects on both TV and radio in Belarus and surrounding European countries, where he co-wrote and co-produced for established artists number of albums and singles. Toured within and outside Belarus. He has worked as a music producer and arranger for the National State Television and Radio Company of the Republic of Belarus, where he was recruited to work on various music arrangements.
Particularly working with folk music heritage to adapt it to contemporary artists while preserving all the traditional aspects, where completed over 40 TV shows. While at university, he got the Diploma of Laureate of the State Contest “Young Talents of Belarus” Nomination in Instrumental music with his own composition. In 2017 he moved with his family to Canada to challenge himself and to discover a new world of music. Maksim is a guitar instructor at UNB Conservatory.
After working as a band member and music producer/mixing engineer for New Brunswick band "No Name Road," Maksim embarked on a new adventure as a solo artist and content creator, writing and producing his own music with captivating melodies and intricate arrangements. In addition to composing, producing, and mixing music for local commercials, short films, and collaborations with various artists and clients, Maksim began releasing his solo works in 2022.
His contemporary and innovative approach has garnered widespread attention, particularly for his own music, and music videos, which have received thousands of views on his official streaming platforms and YouTube Channel. Tracks like “New Dawn”, “Hideaway”, “Nova”, "Nylon Nights," "Summer 22," "Anticipation," "Time" and much more showcase his unique style, which blends elements of various genres to create an unmistakable sound that stands out from the crowd.
In 2022, Maksim received an award for Excellence in Music Composition in a NB Short Film ("The Staredown") at the Silver Wave Film Festival.
Overall, Maksim's music is a testament to his talent and creativity, and he continues to push the boundaries of what is possible in the world of music production and performance.
Aida Tisler obtained her bachelor’s degree in violin teaching and performance with distinction from Music Academy of the University of Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina in 1980. She accepted a violin teaching position at “Mladen Posaic” elementary music school in 1978 and held it until 1983 when she took a position of a violinist with the Sarajevo’s Symphony Orchestra. In addition, to performing and recording music with the Symphony Orchestra, Aida performed regularly with the Sarajevo’s Philharmonic Orchestra and Sarajevo’s Chamber Orchestra until her departure for Canada in 1994.
After 18 months of language schools, violin teaching and one university course in Toronto, Aida arrived in Fredericton with her husband Hrvoje and 2-year old daughter Sabina. Since then, Aida has obtained B.Ed with distinction from UNB, has taught violin to close to one hundred private students and has coached chamber groups and student orchestras at UNB Music Camp, New Brunswick Conservatory and several elementary schools.
Since becoming a member in 1997, Aida performed over 150 concerts with the Symphony New Brunswick. In addition, Aida performs regularly with Fredericton Chamber Players and Atlantic Sinfonia.
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