Amanda Kilburn (Lead Teacher)

Amanda Kilburn is an instrumental music teacher residing in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.  Born in Fredericton, New Brunswick, Ms. Kilburn was first introduced to music through piano lessons, but fell in love with the saxophone when she began in her elementary school’s band program in grade 4.     She continued through school band programs until graduation from high school in 2002.  While attending St. Thomas University (STU 2002-2006), she played saxophone in two university jazz combos, STU Jazz and The Thomists, as well as in a variety of community groups with differing styles, including Latin, Reggae, Classic Rock, and Jazz Rock ensembles.

Ms. Kilburn began teaching concert band at the elementary level in 2005 while completing the fourth year of her undergraduate degree in Liberal Arts at STU.  Through this initial experience, she learned the challenges and rewards of teaching instrumental music to others, and decided that directing and conducting music was her passion.  To realize her goal, she completed her Bachelor of Education Degree in 2008, with a focus on music education.

Since moving to Vancouver from Fredericton, New Brunswick in September of 2008, she has had the opportunity to work with hundreds of children of all ages in the Vancouver School District.  From 2008-2010, she worked in two elementary schools as a Concert Band Director to grades 6 and 7 students.  From 2010-2011, she taught String Orchestra in four elementary schools to grades 4-7 students.  Currently, she is teaching Strings Orchestra to more than 300 grades 4-12 students.  As part of the music curriculum, her students participate in festivals and music tours annually, and play in five school concerts a year. 

Ms. Kilburn considers herself a lifelong learner, and is always excited about new opportunities to grow as a musician and teacher.  She is looking forward to not only teaching, but also learning from the music students of Belize!

Short resume:

2007)

-taught concert band at Nashwaaksis Middle School in Fredericton, NB for one year (2006-2007)

-played saxophone in two university ensembles, STU Jazz and The Thomists, as well as in a variety of community groups with differing styles, including latin, reggae, ’70s rock, and jazz rock ensembles.

-graduated from St. Thomas University (STU) in 2006 with a bachelor’s in liberal arts

-graduated from STU in 2008 with a bachelor’s in Education, with a focus on music education

-moved to Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada in September of 2008

-taught concert band and classroom music to grades 5-7 students, 2008-2010

-played saxophone in a 20-piece jazz ensemble, Night Shift, a jazz and blues trio, and lead vocals and saxophone in a Motown-inspired group, the Primetimes.

-taught string orchestra to grades 4-7 students, 2010-2011

-currently taking private cello lessons, 2010–

-currently teaching string orchestra to grades 4-12 students, 2011–

-currently playing in community orchestra, A Little Night Music Orchestra

Pat Willband (Associate instructor)

  Pat Wilband is a high school teacher currently residing in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, with over 7 years of experience teaching. Pat is passionate about music and he loves to share this passion with youth through teaching and playing in a number of musical ensembles throughout Canada. Pat is a skilled musician on a number of instruments, including guitar, bass, and drums and has been playing these instruments for as long as he can remember!

Most recently, Pat has been playing drums in a rock band in Vancouver, playing guitar in a soul group, and playing bass for a well-known Vancouver children’s musician Will Stroet. He has also been dabbling at musical arranging and together with his partner Amanda wrote out the music and arranged parts for over 20 songs in a Motown-inspired 6-piece orchestra called the Primetimes. Through these bands he tours regularly throughout Canada playing at jazz festivals and children’s music festivals.

When not in the classroom teaching, Pat is out tutoring, playing in his different bands, or just listening to music and working on his record collection! His favorite kinds of music include jazz, soul, classical, and rock and roll from the 1960s–the Beatles are his favorite! He is looking forward to sharing his love of music in Belize!

 

 

Vanessa Kilburn (Associate instructor)

Vanessa Kilburn is a biologist, educator, and musician currently residing in the Stann Creek District of Belize. Born in Fredericton, New Brunswick, Canada, Vanessa’s first musical passion as a child was the piano and as a teenager picked up the trumpet. By the end of high school she began imparting her knowledge and passion for music through teaching piano to youth and adults during her spare time. She also accompanied numerous choirs and vocalists on the piano during music festivals and performances.

Throughout University Vanessa played trumpet with two 20-piece orchestras, the Thomists and STU Jazz, and also highlighted her vocal skills through singing lead vocals on some of the tunes. During her 5 years of playing with these groups she learned to play a variety of styles including latin, jazz, swing, and rock music. For her last three years of University she had the opportunity to play lead jazz piano in a Dave Brubeck inspired jazz quartet which played at numerous jazz festivals and concerts throughout the East Coast of Canada. After finishing her undergraduate degree, Vanessa moved to Montreal to begin her Master’s in Biology and then to Vancouver a few years later where she started her career in biology. During her time in Montreal and Vancouver Vanessa kept up her love of music through playing and singing in a number of bands ranging from folk rock to jazz to experimental techno to Motown, as well as delving into the art of song writing.

Since moving to Belize in 2011, Vanessa has been very busy building a Not-for-Profit company called the Toucan Ridge Ecology and Education Society and an associated educational center. Here she looks forward to continuing to express her musical passion through teaching music to Belizean youth.

Mathieu Charette (Associate instructor)

Mathieu Charette has been playing various percussion instruments for over a decade, with a particular affinity for Afro-Cuban percussion and the congas. Mat has spent time in Cuba taking lessons from Master Drummer Ramon Rodriguez and his ensemble increasing his Afro-Cuban drumming skills. Mat also plays a variety of percussive instruments such as the Djembe, Arabic Frame Drum, Bangra drums, and more. He has taken courses from a variety of instructors in North America and the Caribbean.

Mat also produces electronic style music under the name of DJ Flow-M and performs recordings for different bands and musicians. He has played percussive instruments for a variety of bands including Monkey Business and The Ookawa Ensemble. He has also appeared as a guest percussionist for a series of live Jazz and experimental music events.

Mat is currently playing Jazz and Bossa Nova with Vanessa Kilburn and J-vibe in Belize. The plan is to start playing live Jazz in Belize shortly. Influenced by the local music scene, Mat is now learning Kriol Djembe and the Dun Dun as well as the use of Congas in Reggae Music.

 

Emmeth Young (Special guest instructor)

  Master drummer Emmeth Young, is a Kriol djembe drummer originally from Gale’s Point Manatee with over 30 years of experience playing, performing, and teaching. Emmeth performs drum rhythms unique to the village of Gale’s Point, including the Sambai which is a Kriol rhythm, dance and drum style. Emmeth dedicates his life to the preservation and expansion of this tradition and knowledge through his passionate expression of his art. In addition to traditional Kriol rhythms, Emmeth has a vast repertoire including over 40 various rhythms and styles from around the world including Belize, Africa, and the Caribbean. During this band camp, Emmeth will be making a special appearance focusing on teaching West African rhythm styles on the djembe, with additional instruction on the dun-dun to the students.