Adjudicators
Professional musicians in their own right, festival adjudicators are committed to providing our young musicians with valuable comments on their musical performances, and offer advice and strategies to help them and their directors strive for even greater musical achievement.
Our 2026 festival adjudicators include:
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Adjudicators Bios:
Daniel Hersog - Daniel Hersog, acclaimed by All About Jazz as “a major new compositional voice in jazz,” is a distinguished composer and performer and the winner of the Jazz Times Magazine poll award for best composer in 2020. His debut album, Night Devoid of Stars, received considerable praise, and his 2023 follow-up, Open Spaces (Folk Songs Reimagined), was lauded by Downbeat Magazine for “finding opportunity in virgin land.” Jazz Times highlighted Hersog’s talent in this album, stating, “Daniel Hersog has a gift for expressive orchestral writing… directly in the lineage of great jazz composers like Gil Evans… He is a great talent and this album is a remarkable work.” Jazzwise acknowledged Hersog’s ensemble as being able to “handle musical freedom just as readily as the tightest, most subtly nuanced arrangement.” Furthermore, The Vancouver Sun praised Daniel for “breathing new energy into the big-band sound.” The Guardian listed Daniel Hersog in the company of distinguished composers Steve Lehman, Henry Threadgill, and Maria Schneider.
Hersog is not only a performer and composer but also an educator. As a graduate of the New England Conservatory and the recipient of the Gunther Schuller Medal, Hersog holds the positions of academic coordinator and instructor in the jazz studies program at Capilano University, and also has a faculty appointment at the VSO School of Music.
In addition to his recorded music, Hersog has been a part of large and small ensembles performing at notable venues and festivals such as the Akbank Jazz Festival (Istanbul), the Vancouver International Jazz Festival, Frankie’s Jazz Club, The Zinc Bar (New York City), Shape Shifter Lab (New York City), The Lilypad (Boston), and The Rex (Toronto).
Ben Henriques - Julian Award nominee and saxophonist Ben Henriques has performed with Joe Lovano, Ben Monder, Jim McNeely, Father John Misty, Hey Ocean! and more. Originally from Vancouver, Ben cut his teeth in the Montreal jazz-scene, and returned to make Vancouver his home. His original tunes have been described as “lyrical” and “burners” by Peter Hum (Ottawa Citizen). Ben has released two albums, both of which have received critical acclaim (“The Responsibility Club” and “Captain Awesome”) and both feature his compositions which are a blend of jazz vocabulary mixed with Ben’s unique twist.
Ben teaches jazz studies classes at Capilano University and UBC, and gigs regularly on Vancouver Island and the lower mainland. He has performed as a sideman on countless albums such as “Night Devoid of Stars” and “Open Spaces” by Daniel Hersog (Cellar Music, 2020, 2023 respectively)and “It’s a Pony Kind of Christmas” by My Little Pony (Sony Limited, 2015), and has appeared a handful of times on television, including on ABC’s ‘Once Upon a Time”. Ben is a veteran performer, who brings 100% to every gig, and hopes to instil that sense of professionalism in his students.
Ingrid Stitt - Ingrid Stitt is a Canadian musician, based in Vancouver, who is a highly regarded saxophonist, composer, and arranger. A graduate of McGill’s prestigious school of music, Ingrid has worked as a freelance musician in Montreal and Toronto, leading her own jazz quintet and performing with many of Canada’s finest musicians from coast to coast. As a member of Jim Galloway’s Wee Big Band, she recorded and performed with guest artists Jay McShann, Fraser MacPherson, and Jake Hanna. She was a member of the CBC studio band for the Rita McNeil Show and toured with various pop artists including Cory Hart, Bo Diddley, The Box, Waterfront, Candi, and Tchukon, winners of NBC’s Star Search and CBC’s Rock Wars competitions.
In 1996, Ingrid graduated from UBC’s faculty of Education and began her second career as a secondary music educator in Burnaby. She discovered a passion for mentoring students, sharing ideas and connecting with music, especially jazz improvisation. In 2007, she completed a MEd degree in conducting and curriculum theory at the University of Victoria with mentors Gerald King, Denise Grant and Steven Capaldo. Since retiring from teaching full time, Ingrid has recently joined the faculty at the VSO School of Music and Capilano University. She is also in demand as a clinician and adjudicator for several festivals, music camps and other secondary schools in the province.
Since moving west, Ingrid has been warmly welcomed into the vibrant music community and has enjoyed performing in the Vancouver Jazz Festival as well as many of the fine venues that support live music. She is a resident musician with the Vancouver Good Noise Gospel Choir and has performed with several big bands, including the Vancouver Legacy Jazz Orchestra, led by Fred Stride and Michael Kim, The Sister Jazz Orchestra, led by Christian Morrison, and the Vancouver Jazz Orchestra, led by Cory Weeds and James Danderfer. She has been active writing and recording, releasing two CDs and multiple videos, accessible on streaming services. She has also performed with the pit orchestra at the Stanley Theatre for several Arts Club productions including, Beautiful: The Carol King Story, Elf, Guys and Dolls and most recently Jersey Boys.
When time allows, Ingrid can be found on the links, working on her swing!
Geeta Das - "Professional multi-instrumentalist, Geeta Das, has been performing and teaching music nationally and internationally since the mid 1990s. She studied music at Douglas College, the University of British Columbia, and privately throughout the eastern United States. She is well versed in a variety of musical styles, everything from Classical and Jazz, to Latin, Funk, R&B, Soul, Pop, Rock, Reggae, and more. Geeta has had the honour of working with countless local legends as well as world renowned artists including: Hugh Fraser, Ingrid Jensen, Dr. Lonnie Smith, Allen Vizzutti, Bill Watrous; in ensembles such as: The Glenn Miller Orchestra, Hard Rubber Orchestra, Sister Jazz Orchestra, James Danderfer’s Hummingbird Brigade, the Fred Stride Jazz Orchestra, and many more."
Miles Black - Vancouver BC based composer, songwriter, arranger and multi-instrumentalist Miles Black has over 45 years of professional experience. He has recorded on over 800 albums, and has performed world-wide with many music greats, including Sweets Edison, George Coleman, Max Roach, Dee Daniels, Houston Person, Wynton Marsalis, Mark Murphy, Sheila Jordan and Lew Tabackin to name a few.
Miles is currently co-leading the award winning and Juno-nominated modern jazz quartet Altered Laws with reed-man Tom Keenlyside. He is a member of the Oliver Gannon Quartet, The Mike Allen Quartet, He is also pianist with an exciting jazz trio called "Triology", and leader of the Miles Black Octet. ()
Miles also is a noted jazz educator and clinician at the Vancouver Symphony School of Music. ()
Chris Haas - Christopher Haas currently teaches music and photography at Moscrop Secondary School in Burnaby. From 1999-2020, he served as the Director of Bands and Fine Arts Department Head at Magee Secondary School in Vancouver. The award-winning music program at Magee involved over 400 students in numerous bands, choirs and a string orchestra. In addition to teaching at Magee, Mr. Haas was a conductor at the UBC Summer Music Institute from 2000-2016, was associate conductor of A Little Night Music community orchestra from 2011-2018, he has adjudicated at the ÎçҹѰ»¨ Jazz Festival, Con Brio Whistler and Sun Peaks, Kiwanis Concert and Jazz Festivals. Mr. Haas received his jazz and classical education at Humber University in Toronto, Brandon University, University of Calgary, UBC, and earned his Masters in Conducting from the American Band College at Oregon State University. Mr. Haas has been performing professionally on drums and percussion instruments for over 40 years. As an active freelancer, Mr. Haas continues to perform all styles of music including Latin, rock, jazz, funk, vocal/choral, classical, big band, pop and soul. He was also a drummer and band leader aboard the cruise ships the Britanis and the Amerikanis.
Bob Rebagliati - For over 40 years, Bob Rebagliati has directed many award-winning junior and senior high school ensembles. Bob frequently adjudicates at community music festivals in both the concert band and jazz band areas. Mr. Rebagliati is Adjudicator of the Conn-Selmer Centerstage Jazz Band at the annual MusicFest Canada and Adjudicator of Scholarships for MusicFest Canada's Instrumental Jazz Division. Bob has been the recipient of the British Columbia Music Educator's Professional Educator Award, Canada i25 medal, North Vancouver Music Educators' Award of Excellence and the Leadership in Music Education Award from the Coalition for Music Education In BC. In addition to being an in demand adjudicator of concert band and jazz festivals, Bob is a frequent guest conductor in both concert and jazz idioms. 'Reb' as he is also known, is also a frequent guest classroom clinician in concert band and jazz band rehearsal techniques, repertoire, percussion section, jazz interpretation and rhythm section instruments. Bob is a pianist/percussionist/drummer.
Casey Thomas-Burns - Casey Thomas-Burns (she/her/hers) is a trombonist, vocalist, and bandleader based in Vancouver, Canada. Casey holds her degree in Jazz Studies from Capilano University, where she had the opportunity to study trombone with Dennis Esson, voice with Jennifer Scott, and was the lead trombonist in the "A" Band under the direction of Brad Turner. Casey is the founder and director of 10-woman little big band '', and was described by Juno-nominated bassist Jodi Proznick as "the future of arts leadership". She is also the director of the Deep Cove Big Band, and frequently guest conducts and gives workshops to groups across the Lower Mainland.
Ellen Marple - Ellen Marple took up the trombone at age 11 with dreams of playing swing. She soon became fascinated with the instrument’s incredible versatility, immersing herself in style and technique across genres. As a freelancer, Ellen performs/records with an eclectic mix of artists including Adele, Dan Mangan, Capella Borealis, the Hard Rubber Orchestra and the Vancouver Opera Orchestra. Ellen teaches at the Vancouver Academy of Music and co-directs East Side Horns at the Hastings Community Centre.
Brent Taylor - Brent Taylor received his Bachelor of Music, Bachelor of Education, and Master of Arts degrees from U.B.C and began his music career working as a recording engineer and producer, starting in Vancouver, moving to Sydney, Australia, and then moving back to Vancouver in 1988. From 1991 to 2017 he taught instrumental music at Point Grey Secondary in Vancouver. The ensembles he directed at the school included concert bands, jazz bands, and combos, and for many years Point Grey was home to the largest jazz education program in the Vancouver School District. The concert bands and jazz groups were recognized with awards at festivals in Canada, the United States, and Europe. From 2017, Brent was a vice-principal in the Coquitlam School District until this past June, working at Port Moody Secondary. Brent conducted the Vancouver Youth Jazz Orchestra last June as part of the Vancouver International Jazz Festival, a role he will be returning to later this year. He also led the B.C. Honour Jazz Band for the annual B.C. Music Educators’ Conference in February. In addition to adjudicating and doing clinics at schools and festivals around the lower mainland, he also directs a community jazz band in New Westminster.
Jodi Proznick - Multiple Juno-nominated bassist, composer, producer and educator Jodi Proznick has earned a reputation as one of Canada’s finest jazz artists. She has won numerous National Jazz Awards, including Bassist of the Year in ’08 and ’09. Her group, the Jodi Proznick Quartet, was awarded the Acoustic Group of the Year and Album of the Year in ‘08 and the Galaxie Rising Star at the Vancouver International Jazz Festival in ’04. In 2019 she was awarded Jazz Artist of the Year and in 2022 the Instrumental Artist of the Year in collaboration with the Vancouver Chinese Music Ensemble at the Western Canadian Music Awards. Jodi is the Jazz Studies Department Head at the VSO School of Music and is the co-leader of the Ostara Project, an all-star ensemble of Canadian women artists and composers. Her Juno nominated albums: Sun Songs, Foundations and the Ostara Project (CellarLive) are available at .
Craig Scott - Craig Scott is an accomplished drummer, and vibraphone player. His drumming credits include concert and club dates with such Canadian jazz luminaries as Tommy Banks, Oliver Gannon, Ian McDougall, Hugh Fraser, Campbell Ryga, PJ Perry, the WOW Big Band, Brad Turner, and the Alan Matheson Septet and Nonet as well as international artists such as Randy Bachmann, Pat LaBarbara, Allen Vizzutti, Chuck Israels, Ernestine Anderson, Dianna Krall, Larry Goldings, the HI-LOS, Dee Daniels, The Nylons, Ashley McIsaac, Natalie McMaster and the late Harry "Sweets" Edison, Rosemary Clooney, Phil Woods, Herb Ellis, Clark Terry, Bud Shank, Frank Wes, Ross Taggart, Joan Rivers, Don Rickles, and Bossa Nova guitarist Charlie Byrd.
Craig has extensive recording experience in television, film, radio and video games. He has been featured on radio programs such as Almanac, Hot Air, Jazz Beat, and West Coast Performance. On television, Craig has played on 1990's series Millennium, andGabereau, and on film, Craig played for the movie score Music of the Heart.. As a session player, he has played on countless local independent jazz albums and has played drums on video games such as Monsters Inc., and on music software such as Band-In-A-Box.Craig played on Randy Bachmann’s album A JAZZ THING, and he is featured on two Ian McDougall albums, In A Sentimental Mood, and The Very Thought of You, which were both nominated for JUNO Awards.
As a vibraphone player, Craig plays in the Benny Goodman/ Lionel Hampton tribute band Slipped Disc, and on his album Introducing the Craig Scott Quintet with saxophonist Cory Weeds.
Craig bolds both BMus (UBC ’96) and BEd (UBC ’98) degrees and he teaches at both Vancouver Community College and Capilano University. In addition, he occasionally writes for Modern Drummer, and Percussive Notes magazines.
Laura Harrison - Dr. Laura Harrison is a jazz educator, composer, arranger and vocalist who has pursued a dynamic dual career in jazz and classical music since 1996. A Vancouver native and alumna of Capilano University, she holds a Doctorate of Musical Arts and a Master of Music in Jazz Studies from the University of Southern California, as well as a Bachelor of Music (Jazz Studies) from Capilano and a Bachelor of Education from the University of British Columbia.
Laura’s versatile vocal artistry has been showcased across jazz and classical stages, and her debut jazz CD (2010) has been heard in over forty states and thirteen countries, reaching #18 on the CMJ Jazz National Chart.
In addition to her performance career, Laura is a committed educator and is currently Full Professor of Jazz Studies at Capilano University, where she teaches voice, theory, arranging, and choral music. Her passion for building musicianship inspired her textbook Enjoying Music Theory, used in schools in the U.S. and Canada.
Whether performing, composing, or teaching, Laura brings curiosity, clarity, and joy to every musical experience.
Steve Maddock - For over three decades, Steve Maddock has been establishing himself as one of Western Canada’s most versatile vocal talents. He’s been a soloist with the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra, been featured on CBC radio, and has been a member of the Vancouver Chamber Choir, Chor Leoni Men’s Choir, Phoenix Chamber Choir, and most recently, musica intima vocal ensemble. Steve thrives in a variety of musical settings, whether it be singing while playing piano in a cocktail lounge, performing with a jazz trio in a club, or fronting a 20-piece big band on a concert stage. Recent recordings include The Blues Project (Cellar Live) and Jack of All Trades (Salt Spring Records). He studied musical theatre at the University of Windsor, Ontario, and remains active as a stage performer.
Recent stage credits include Company, Guys & Dolls, The Sound of Music, Beauty and the Beast, and Jesus Christ Superstar. Steve studied jazz voice at Capilano University in the early 90s, and has been a vocal instructor at Capilano since 1996. He is constantly in demand as an adjudicator and clinician.
Cindy Fairbank - Pianist, composer, and educator Cindy Fairbank has cultivated a distinguished career over the past 25 years, performing and teaching across Canada and the United States. She has collaborated with renowned artists, including two-time Juno Award winner Shari Ulrich, Barney Bentall, Bill Henderson, Tom Cochrane, Jeremy Fisher, Madison Violet, Justin Hines, Liam Titcomb, Tom Taylor, and Dionne Taylor.
In 2010, Cindy released her debut jazz album, Imaginaries, featuring original compositions that blend traditional jazz with contemporary influences.
An inspiring artist-educator, Cindy holds a BMus in Jazz Performance from McGill University, a BEd from the University of Toronto, and an MA in Arts Education from Simon Fraser University. She founded the Sunnyside School of Music in 2007 and co-founded Expanding Success in Music Education (ESME) in 2011.
Since returning to the West Coast in 2014, Cindy has led the music, choir, and band programs at Bowen Island Community School. In 2023, she joined the Jazz Studies faculty at Capilano University, and continues to be in demand as a clinician and adjudicator for music festivals, masterclasses, and conferences, sharing her passion for music education with students and audiences alike.
Jaelem Bhate - Jaelem Bhate is a composer, conductor, and bandleader from Vancouver whose musical diversity has come to define his career in both jazz and classical music.
Jaelem’s commissions and performance list continues to grow, including the Canadian National Jazz Orchestra, the Sister Jazz Orchestra, iTromboni, the Tutta Musica Orchestra, and the symphonies of Victoria and Vancouver. He also continues to enjoy performances of his work for student wind and jazz ensembles across Canada. He has released three studio albums of his music for jazz orchestra, the first of which won the Julian Award for Canadian Jazz Excellence.
As a conductor, Jaelem is the music director of the Prince Edward Island Symphony and is the founder and artistic director of Vancouver’s Symphony 21. He was recognized for his work with the prestigious 2025 Jean Marie Beaudet Award from the Canada Council for the Arts. An alumni of CBC’s 30 under 30 classical musicians, Jaelem engagements include the symphonies of Vancouver, Winnipeg, Guelph, Thunder Bay and Kamloops, Ensemble Obiora, and NAO Canada, and as cover conductor with the National Arts Centre Orchestra on several occasions. He released Acoustic Alloy in 2025 as the music director of the Vancouver Brass Collective and has gained a reputation for unique and cross-genre projects.
Jaelem holds Undergraduate and Master degrees from UBC, where he studied conducting with Jonathan Girard and composition with Fred Stride.
