Naomi Delafield – Fiddle/Strings Adjudicator
Born and raised in Australia, Naomi began lessons at age 3 with the Suzuki method and has been performing and teaching the violin for over 30 years. Naomi holds the Masters in Violin from the University of Calgary and has held the Concertmaster position of Red Deer Symphony Orchestra since 2006.
From 1994 to 2001, Naomi had the opportunity to travel the world as Concertmaster and soloist with the New England Symphonic Ensemble, Solo highlights including the Sydney Opera House, St. Martin in the Fields, Carnegie Hall, Cape Town City Hall and the Winspear.
After moving to Canada with her husband, Naomi founded a community string orchestra in 2002: ‘Rosedale Valley String Orchestra’. Her concerts with RVSO have now raised $120,000 for humanitarian projects around the world.
Naomi is often called upon to adjudicate at festivals and teach at workshops and clinics. She has produced four CD’s, one classical, one Celtic and two Orchestral with RVSO. On the side, Naomi runs a small string shop ‘Prairie Violins’, servicing the needs of string students in Central Alberta. In the summer and fall, her husband David and three children are developing their small farm – ‘Aspen Acres’, growing several varieties of garlic and haskap berries.
Naomi is passionate about playing baroque violin and enjoys collaborating with several organisations, including Rosa Barocca and Early Music Alberta, as interest in period instruments continues to blossom in Alberta. In March 2023, Rosa Barocca was awarded a JUNO for their album ‘Early Italian Cello Concertos’ with soloist Elinor Frey. This was indeed a joyous moment for a new group only 6 years old!
Tara M. Laberge – Vocal/Choral Adjudicator
Dr. Tara M. Laberge is an arts educator, administrator, and performer with 25 years of
experience in music, theatre, and interdisciplinary performance. She brings a unique
combination of educational leadership and artistic expertise to the development of programs
that support emerging artists.
Tara holds a Doctor of Musical Arts in Vocal Performance from the University of Minnesota, with
secondary studies in theatre and dance. Her professional teaching career includes secondary
and post-secondary education, including faculty appointments at Ambrose University and Rocky
Mountain College, where she designed and taught courses in applied voice, vocal pedagogy,
music history, musical theatre performance, and voice and speech. As a stage and music
director, Tara has collaborated with a number of institutions including Storybook Theatre,
Minnesota Opera, Opera BOB, and the University of Minnesota. A certified K-12 teacher, Dr.
Laberge spent 4 years with Strathcona-Tweedsmuir school teaching drama, musical theatre,
and English. She also re-built the Middle School choir program post-covid, and established an
award winning Senior School Choir program, the first in the school’s history.
A multi-disciplinary artist, Tara has performed professionally in opera, oratorio, musical theatre,
theatre, and commercial/voiceover. Select Canadian and US stage credits include: History
Theatre, Troupe America National and International Tours, Prather Family of Theatres, Actors
Theatre of Minnesota, Drama on a Dime, Hit & Myth, Fire Exit Theatre, Storybook Theatre, and
Theatre BSMT. As a soprano soloist, she has performed with the Calgary Philharmonic
Orchestra, Calgary Festival Chorus, Calgary Wind Symphony, Calgary Youth Orchestra, the
Northrop Summer Concert Series, Cowtown Opera, Theatre Lyra, Opera BOB, Opera NUOVA,
the Victoria Conservatory Opera Studio, and GJ Concert Productions.
Dedicated to supporting the next generation of artists, Dr. Laberge is a frequent music festival
adjudicator, and has delivered lectures and workshops on vocal health, pedagogy, and
sustainable performance practice. She has also received multiple grants and awards including
support from the Alberta Foundation for the Arts and Calgary Arts Development.
Combining her extensive background as a performer with her proven educational and
pedagogical expertise, Dr. Laberge is deeply committed to supporting artist development
through ethical, sustainable, and collaborative arts education. She is currently the manager of
the McPhee Artist Development Program at Calgary Opera.
Anica Warkentine – Piano Adjudicator
Anica Warkentine is a pianist from Winnipeg, Manitoba, who enjoys musical collaboration of all kinds, from art song to opera, musical theatre and chamber music. As a soloist, she has appeared with the Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra, University of Manitoba Symphony Orchestra and University of Manitoba Wind Ensemble.
Past prizes include the MRMTA Scholarship Competition, U of M Lawrence Genser and Concerto Competitions, and Aikin’s Memorial Trophy.
Anica has studied collaborative piano at Domaine Forget, Orford Musique, the duo526 Sonata Seminar at Indiana University, and the Collaborative Piano Institute at the University of Michigan. As a chamber musician, she has been featured with Virtuosi concerts and in the ReSound series, a partnership between the Desautels Faculty of Music and Winnipeg New Music Festival. In 2024, Anica served as the répétiteur for Manitoba Underground Opera’s production of Humperdinck’s Hansel and Gretel.
Anica is a passionate piano teacher and adjudicator, recently serving on the panel for the 2025 Associated Manitoba Arts Festival. Anica holds a Bachelor of Music in piano performance, as well as a Post-Baccalaureate Diploma and Master of Music in collaborative piano from the University of Manitoba.
Taina Lorenz – Instrumental Adjudicator
Hailing from Edmonton, Alberta, this self-proclaimed “band geek” earned her PhD in Music Education and Cognition, and Wind Conducting from the University of Washington in Seattle. Taina also holds a Master of Music in Wind Conducting and Music History and a Bachelor of Education in Music Education from the University of Alberta.
As Executive and Artistic Director of the Cosmopolitan Music Society, Taina oversees all aspects of music performance, programming, and community engagement. She has introduced unique and innovative adult music education programs that include a levelled Beginner band program, modern and classic jazz ensembles, handbells, and multi-disciplinary collaborations.
With her personable manner, strong communication skills, and over 25 years of experience teaching music from kindergarten to adult levels, Taina is a consummate educator. She consistently applies her skills and experience as a conductor and brass player, and is a frequent clinician and guest conductor in Canada and the United States. She is a proud member of Women Band Directors International, Phi Beta Mu, and the Conn-Selmer Division of Education.
Taina has been honoured with the King Charles III Coronation Medal in recognition of her exceptional service to the community through her work as an educator and community leader.
