Adjudicators

James moved to Toronto, Ontario in 1985 and completed a Bachelor of Music in Vocal Performance at the University of Toronto.

James has served as the Assistant Conductor of the Concert Choir at the University of Toronto, and conductor of the back stage chorus conductor for the National Ballet of Canada, the University Chorus at the University of Toronto, the University Women’s Chorus, the Massed Choir at the Ontario Educational Leadership Centre in the Intermediate Arts Emerging Leadership Course for grade 7 students, and the Bach Chamber Youth Choir in Toronto. He also served as a men’s vocal coach for the Toronto Mendelssohn Youth Choir. He has been a presenter on the topics of the state of music education in public schools in Ontario, rehearsal techniques for young male singers, and on issues of intellectual and artistic copyright in today’s music.

He is a teacher of both music and computers. Choirs under his tutelage have won many awards, including the Leslie Ball Choral Award for best choir, the National Gold Awards, the Ed Bolsby Trophy for the top high school ensemble, the City of Lincoln prize for best male chorus, the Paul J. Bourret Prize for best SATB chorus, and the Diane Loomer Choral Award for best overall performance.

Hailing from Edmonton, Alberta, Dr. Lorenz earned her PhD in Music Education and Cognition, and Wind Conducting, from the University of Washington in Seattle. Her research focuses on how our brains interpret and navigate the multi-sensory environment of instrumental ensembles, interpersonal and social dynamics within large ensembles, and the relationship between the two. Dr. Lorenz also holds a Bachelor of Education in Music Education, and Master of Music in Wind Conducting and Music History from the University of Alberta. She is the Director of the Cosmopolitan Music Society, overseeing all aspects of music performance and programming. Dr. Lorenz has over 25 years of teaching experience, from kindergarten to college aged students. She teaches instrumental ensemble pedagogy, conducting techniques, brass foundations, band history, and music psychology. She is a board member of the Alberta chapter of Women Band Directors International and is a member of Phi Beta Mu, an international bandmasters fraternity.

Though he finds it hard to believe, Jamie is marking more than 50 years as a professional pianist. Dr. Syer completed his graduate degrees at the Yale University School of Music. Earlier, he studied piano and harpsichord in Calgary. He has taught at universities and colleges in Alberta, Saskatchewan, British Columbia, and New Brunswick. Jamie was Dean of the Victoria Conservatory of Music until 2012. He also served as Head of the Conservatory’s Keyboard Department, and taught at the School of Music, University of Victoria. Jamie is the founder of the Victoria Conservatory’s Young Artists Collegium program. He has performed many times in Europe as well as closer to home in recital venues across Canada. In 2019, he was a featured concerto soloist with the Sidney Classical Orchestra.

Jamie is known for his imaginative recital programming, and his artistic, energetic playing. He is a popular adjudicator and workshop clinician, who enjoys working with teachers’ groups and with students of all ages.

Gordon is originally from Saskatchewan, but has made his home on the east coast of Canada since 1977. His musical interests lie in the field of traditional music, especially as it is expressed in the wide variety of North American fiddle styles. He plays several instruments, including fiddle, mandolin, guitar, and the clawhammer banjo. His work history includes co-creating, hosting, and musical direction of eight seasons of Up Home Tonight, several years of performing and touring with the NDWT company, twelve years of hosting a radio showed called the Bluegrass Express, and many recording projects and media appearances. He developed a teaching program at Musicstop’s Canadian Conservatory of Music and taught there for over 30 years. He is a repeat instructor at numerous fiddle workshops and camps across Canada, including the Kole Crook Jamborees in Hay River and Yellowknife. Gordon travels to Nunavut, Yukon, the NWT, and northern Manitoba to work with First Nation and Inuit children.