Adjudicator for vocal, musical theatre, speech classes: Dr. Tara Laberge
|
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.
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.
Adjudicator for piano classes: Jamie Syer
Though he finds it hard to believe, JAMIE SYER is marking more than 50 years as a professional pianist, having debuted at Calgary’s Pleiades Theatre in 1971. Dr. Syer completed his graduate degrees at the Yale University School of Music. He has taught at universities and colleges in Alberta, Saskatchewan, British Columbia and New Brunswick. Jamie maintains a website jamiesyer.ca where he shares what he knows—and what he’s still learning—about teaching and playing piano.
Jamie Syer was Dean of the Victoria Conservatory of Music, where he also served as Head of the Conservatory’s Keyboard Department, and taught at the School of Music, University of Victoria. As a lecturer for UVic’s Faculty of Continuing Education, he led two arts related travel tours to France. He teaches every year at the University of Victoria’s summer piano immersion program uvicsummerpiano.ca. Jamie has performed many times in Europe: in Scotland, Ireland, Hungary, France, and England; as well as closer to home in recital venues across Canada.
Jamie is a keen aficionado of musical theatre. He has been Music Director for productions of Newsies, Mary Poppins, Anne of Green Gables, Matilda, and many others. Beyond music, Jamie was Manager of his local public library for six years, and he enjoys the art and craft of letterpress printing.
Jamie Syer was Dean of the Victoria Conservatory of Music, where he also served as Head of the Conservatory’s Keyboard Department, and taught at the School of Music, University of Victoria. As a lecturer for UVic’s Faculty of Continuing Education, he led two arts related travel tours to France. He teaches every year at the University of Victoria’s summer piano immersion program uvicsummerpiano.ca. Jamie has performed many times in Europe: in Scotland, Ireland, Hungary, France, and England; as well as closer to home in recital venues across Canada.
Jamie is a keen aficionado of musical theatre. He has been Music Director for productions of Newsies, Mary Poppins, Anne of Green Gables, Matilda, and many others. Beyond music, Jamie was Manager of his local public library for six years, and he enjoys the art and craft of letterpress printing.
Adjudicator for bowed strings, orchestra classes: Laryssa Warne Laryssa Warne graduated from the Mount Royal University Conservatory Academy program and the University of Calgary. Laryssa was a member of the Calgary Youth Orchestra, University of Calgary Orchestra and the University of Calgary New Music Ensemble.
Laryssa is a member of the Suzuki Association of the Americas and has completed Suzuki Teacher Training Units 1-3 and the Teaching Strategies course. She studied with Suzuki teachers Elayne Ras, Edmund Sprunger and David Strom. Laryssa has performed with Honens, Calgary Opera, Symphony of the Kootenays, Prince George Symphony Orchestra, St. Giles Orchestra, and Timepoint Ensemble. Notable performances include Cirque Musica's Wonderland, and 'A Tribute to John Denver', conducted by Lee Holdridge. In 2019, Laryssa had a residency at the Banff Centre for the Arts and Creativity. Laryssa is the Founder and Artistic Director of the Calgary Salon Series chamber music concert series. |
|
Adjudicator for fretted strings, percussion, high school band classes: Daniel Barton
|
Born and raised on the Alberta prairies, Dan comes from a long line of musicians and performers, cutting his teeth on country bar floors and early
indie projects. Schooling took him to Red Deer College for study in Theatre, lighting and sound design before transferring over to music, majoring in performance and business. Since then, it’s been a long line of performance and studio sessions, working with artists such as Drew Gregory, Tommy Charles, Samson’s Delilah, Roy Warhurst, The Dang Package, Rachelle Van Zanten, the Dirrty Show, Mocking Shadows, Joanna Borromeo,mama Mihirangi, and many more. He just finished project managing and producing a children’s album with First Nations artist, Kym Gouchie called Shun Ben Nats’ujeh, which has been nominated for a Juno in the Children’s album category and won a West Coast Music Award! Dan is an educator and clinician in percussion and ukulele around the central Alberta region. He spends time in schools doing rhythm workshops, and has built a rockband program for both middle and high school students attending in red deer. He currently coordinates the NCF music camp in august, is the Backstage coordinator for the Robson Valley music festival in Dunster B.C, and MC’s numerous festivals and events throughout the year. In his spare time you can find him with his partner Michelle. Riding rollercoasters, adventuring through thrift stores, exploring forests, or hanging with their bassett hound, Roadie. |
WEEK 2 - school groups and MYC
Adjudicator for vocal, choral & speech classes: Nathalie Roy
|
Nathalie Roy was born and raised in the small town of Trois-Pistoles, Qébec, and has lived in Alberta since 2007. She holds a Bachelor of Music in Composition from the Université de Montréal and a Bachelor of Music Education from McGill University. A versatile musician, Nathalie began studying piano through the Université Laval program at an early age and later learned the trombone in high school. She is also proficient on a wide range of wind, brass, and percussion instruments. Since 2019, she has taught at Strathcona-Tweedsmuir School, where she also initiated and directs the Middle School Jazz Ensemble and the Chamber Music Ensemble.
Since beginning her teaching career in 2003, Nathalie has instructed students across all grade levels, from kindergarten through Grade 12, fostering a lifelong appreciation for music. She has developed dynamic programs at every school she has served, including Stanstead College, Langdon School, and Strathcona-Tweedsmuir School. Her dedication to musical excellence has been recognized through conducting opportunities such as the Rocky View Schools Junior Honour Band (2014 and 2018) and, following a competitive selection process, the Northern Alberta Junior Honour Band in Edmonton in February 2026. Committed to professional growth and artistic collaboration, Nathalie regularly participates in conducting workshops with the Edmonton Cosmopolitan Music Society. As an adjudicator, she emphasizes musicianship, ensemble cohesion, and expressive performance, providing constructive feedback while celebrating the unique musical voice of each ensemble. |
|
Crowsnest Pass Music Festival respectfully acknowledges that we are located on Treaty 7 territory, a traditional gathering place for diverse Indigenous peoples including the Blackfoot Nations (Piikani [Peigan], Kainai [Blood], and Siksika [Blackfoot]) and the Tsuu T'ina. This area was also traditionally used by the K'tunaxa (Kootenay) people, who now reside in southeastern British Columbia.
