Directors - Current
Mr. John White - Senior Band
John White is an Honours graduate of the University of Calgary (Bachelor of Music). He received his Master of Education degree from the University of British Columbia. His teaching experience includes positions as instructor of strings and woodwinds at the Calgary Conservatory of Music, music teacher at F.H. Collins Secondary School in Whitehorse, Yukon, and roles as an itinerant band teacher and District Resource Teacher in the Langley School District. He also worked as Instrumental Consultant for Northwest Musical Services (Vancouver) before he assumed a position in the Kamloops School District as District Fine Arts Coordinator. The position was followed by time in Coquitlam School District as Program Coordinator for Visual and Performing Arts. Mr. White recently retired after twenty-one years as a Director of Instruction for School District 41 Burnaby - a schools system with approximately 24,000 students.
During the first period of time that Mr. White spent in the Lower Mainland, he was Music Director for the New Westminster and District Concert Band, an ensemble he now directs once again. He has also conducted a number of other community groups including the Kamloops Choristers. Mr. White has served as a Director of the British Columbia Music Educators’ Association Provincial Honour Band, the Saskatchewan Provincial Honour Band and has many years experience as a performing musician.
A Past-President of the British Columbia Music Educators’ Association, the British Columbia Choral Federation, the British Columbia Administrators of Arts Education, the Pacific Coast Music Festivals Association, and Art Starts in Schools, John White is also a Past Chairman of MusicFest Canada: Canadian Concert Band Festival. He served on the Board of Directors for the Canadian Music Educators’ Association, the Western Canada Theatre Company and the British Columbia Festival of the Arts.
John White has been recognized as an Honourary Life Member by the BC Music Educators’ Association and as a member of the Willan Council by the BC Choral Federation. He has served extensively as an adjudicator, clinician and guest conductor throughout British Columbia, the Yukon Territory, Alberta , Saskatchewan and Ontario. He has also served as a judge for Canada’s Juno Awards on numerous occasions.
Mr. Kevin White- Intermediate Band
Kevin White is a music educator in School District 41 Burnaby. He currently teaches classes in music including choir, guitar, band, jazz band and jazz choir from grades 8-12 at Burnaby Mountain Secondary School. He is a graduate of the University of Calgary Wind Conducting graduate and has had opportunity to work with many wind conductors such as Glenn Price, Mallory Thompson, Paula Holcomb, Eugene Corporon and others. He has directed the Intermediate level Concert Band for the last 5 seasons. The Intermediate Concert Band performs music from the grade 2-3.5 level in a wide variety of styles. He is looking forward to directing the new Junior ensemble for the 2008-2009 season. Kevin is also a member of the Senior ensemble playing trombone.
Ms. Stephanie Olsen- Beginner Band
Stephanie started in the New Westminster and District Band Society when she was at the Beginner level. Her advancement through the different band levels continued from playing with the Senior section of the New Westminster and District Band in the World Band Festival in Copenhagen as a teenager to playing in festivals and concerts around the province as an adult.
Stephanie’s family has also enjoyed belonging to and performing with the District Band. Her father, brother, husband and two children have also progressed through all the different levels of the band. Stephanie has continued to be a part of the Bands that make up the Society and now plays with the Intermediate and Senior sections of the band as well as conducting the Beginners of the NWDB.
Stephanie specializes in woodwind instruments and percussion. Stephanie teaches in a Middle School classroom in Port Coquitlam. She has taught music classes since 1990 and has been leading a Middle School Band and Choir program in the Coquitlam School District since 1997
Ms. Kelly Proznick- Jazz Band
Kelly was born and raised in White Rock BC, where her parents nurtured a love of music, dance, musical theatre, gardening, reading, cooking, baking, and sharing creativity with the community around her. Following her love of music and her admiration for some of the jazz musicians based in Montreal, Kelly headed McGill University to obtain her Bachelor of Music. Many adventures later, Kelly returned to Vancouver to be close to her family, obtaining her Bachelor of Education at UBC and promptly getting hired at New Westminster Secondary, where she currently teaches band and choir and is the fine arts department head. Kelly is a proud member of Elektra Women's Choir, and has lead clinics and workshops for young musicians in the lower mainland and other BC communities. She is honoured to be a part of the New Westminster and District Band Society, an organization that has a long and valuable history in music education in the Lower Mainland.