Lynn Gracey is an elementary music teacher with the Thames Valley District School Board.  After graduating from The University of Western Ontario, Mrs. Gracey spent five years teaching music in secondary schools in Huron County and for the last 18 years has taught instrumental, vocal, and recorder music to grades 4-8 students in TVDSB schools. She is currently co-conductor of the TVDSB Junior Honour Band for students in grades 7-9.  When there is a pause in her busy life, Lynn loves to garden and travel.

My name is Katie Nicholl and I am running for the position of Vice President. I have served on the OMEA board of directors for the past six years, in the position of University Liaison and then as the first Resource Editor. In these two roles, I had the opportunity to meet a lot of our early career members and became very familiar with the resources we have available on our website. I am currently working with Carolyn Otto to co-chair our 2025 Conference, having previously worked on Registration and Student Volunteer committees. Also during my time on the board, I have written articles for The Recorder journal and sat on a variety of sub-committees ranging from our values committee and advocacy work to our joint work between the different resource directors. I have learned a great deal from the amazing representatives on the board and especially from the leadership that I have had the privilege of working with.

My teaching experience will allow me to represent fellow educators well. I worked for 15 years as an elementary K-8 music teacher in a public board and then moved to secondary music in a private school for the past 3 years, teaching both vocal and instrumental music. I also hold a master’s degree in Community Music from Laurier where I was able to make many community connections outside of the classroom.

If I am fortunate enough to become vice president, I will be working hard to make our resources section of our website more accessible and easier to navigate. I truly believe that the OMEA has amazing resources available for its members, but many don’t know how to find what they need. Making changes to the website would be one of top priorities moving forward.

Josh Geddis is the music teacher and band director at St. Anne’s Catholic Secondary School in Clinton, Ontario. He has also worked at the system level as a Pedagogical Support Teacher for the implementation of de-streaming and school literacy/learning coach. Along with his teaching credentials, Josh also holds a MA in Community Music from Wilfrid Laurier University and a Certificate in Piano Technology from the University of Western Ontario. Josh is an independent recording artist who has shared the stage with Joel Plaskett, Serena Ryder, Jeremy Fisher, Elliott Brood, and more. Josh lives in Bayfield Ontario with his wife Jessica and their three children: Nolan (11), Kyle (9), and Jordyn (6).

Alycia has served on the OMEA Board as an interim director since 2021, first managing the Corporate Membership profile, and most recently growing the EDI Director role. We may have crossed paths at one of my conference sessions in past years or through one of my pieces published in The Recorder. Previously, I served as the Treasurer on the Board for the Community Concert Band of Whitby. If you elect me as your next Treasurer, I will provide accurate and transparent communication about where your membership fees go and how your OMEA works to serve you and the diverse needs of all Music educators across our great province.

Lesley Pontarini is a music specialist and teaches K-8 music in the Peel District School Board. She also has a private music studio where she teaches RCM piano and theory. She has served on the OMEA board since 2017, and also serves on the Kodály Society of Ontario’s Board of Directors. In 2021, she co-chaired the OMEA conference, Con Fuoco, in Niagara Falls. Outside of music education and advocacy, she is an avid vegetarian cook, enjoys reading and sharing her love of music with her daughter.

Mark is the Ontario Regional Manager, Educational Services for Long and McQuade and serves as the Canadian Music Industry Education Committee President and representative on the OMEA board. He also sits as the Industry Rep on the CMEA Board of Directors. Mark has been involved with OMEA Conference site selection and contracts since 2006 and received the OMEA Award of Commendation in 2019.

Dr. Tony Leong is a former president of the OMEA and currently manages the Awards, Scholarships & Merchandise portfolio. He is a secondary music teacher in the Toronto District School Board. Tony is a violist and teaches every summer at National Music Camp.

Kevin has served on the Board of Directors OMEA as President, Regional Workshops, and Membership Director. Kevin now serves the OMEA board as Membership Director, is Past President of the Arts Education Consultants of Ontario (ARTSECO) and is a former Chair of the ETFO Arts Committee. He is currently the proud Principal of Stonebridge PS in York region.

Carolyn has served on the OMEA board of directors in a variety of roles since 1999. She retired in 2016 following a 31-year career teaching secondary school instrumental, vocal music and guitar. She is a saxophonist and drummer who regularly performs in the Sudbury area. Depending on the season, Carolyn is often  outdoors, enjoying some travel, hiking, camping, paddling or shooting photos.

Dr. Jane Saunders is retired from teaching in the Lakehead Public Schools of Thunder Bay. She enjoyed a (nearly) 30-year career of teaching band and strings, as well as jazz, vocal, guitar and everything else that goes with “being the music teacher”. She completed her music education studies at The University of Western Ontario (H.B. Mus.Ed.1988), The University of Windsor (B.Ed.1989), The University of Minnesota (M.A.1994) and Lakehead University (Ph.D. 2004). Jane is a sessional instructor at Lakehead University in Thunder Bay, where she works with future teachers (music and otherwise) and is a member of the Canadian Music Festival Adjudicators’ Association. Away from the world of music teaching, Jane plays outside with her rescue dog and watches hockey on t.v.

Lauren Simmons is Assistant Curriculum Leader for Anti-Oppression and Student Voice at Leaside High School in the TDSB, where she has taught Music and English for over fifteen years. A frequent presenter at OMEA conferences and contributor to The Recorder, Lauren previously chaired Vibrations 2012, attended the 2019 OMEA Leadership Retreat, and worked on several curriculum writing projects. She is a workshop presenter for provincial OSSTF equity workshops, a TDSB Digital Lead Learner, and a member of the GTA anti-racist music teacher collective. She has completed six marathons, and enjoys reading and listening to podcasts.

Chris Derrough is a music educator from Southwestern Ontario currently teaching in the elementary division. Born in Sarnia and raised mainly in Goderich, Chris has been a musician within his community ever since he picked up his first instrument. He began playing the trumpet as a result of a brand new instrumental program at St. Mary’s, Goderich in the Huron-Perth Catholic District School Board, and played his first ever ‘gig’ with his elementary school band, directed by Mary Anne Hogan. Since then, he has played with several ensembles up and down the coast of Lake Huron such as the Goderich Laketown Band, The Kincardine Brass Band, The Lighthouse Swing Band, as well as many other community based small ensembles, often organized and led by local music teachers. Chris holds both a Bachelor of Music and Education from Western University, where he became an involved music educator through lunchtime music programs, private lessons, and volunteering within highschool music programs within his home community as well as his newfound community in London, ON. Chris has since returned to his home community and teaches music at several schools within the Huron Perth Catholic District School Board. Chris is also a member of the enigmatic Swing-Nouveau band ‘Tell It To Sweeney’, which combines the feel of 1920s and 30s swing music with the exciting feel of funk and electronic dance music. As a teacher, Chris hopes to bring the challenging joys of instrumental music to more schools in the area, as well as create musical school communities that showcase the abilities and talents of the students, and share them with the world.

Sarah Hoy is the music teacher at London South Collegiate in London, ON. She teaches Gr. 10/11 Guitar, 10/11/12 Instrumental Music, 9 Music, and DE/WE music. She attended Western University where she majored in music education and studied the flute. During her time at Western, she hosted a radio show at CHRW promoting local artists. During and beyond her time at Western she taught with El Sistema Aeolian and private music lessons.

Sarah is also the Assistant at the Digital Creative Arts Centre (DCAC) creating camp, SHSM, and co-operative education activities for students in the arts. In the summer, you can find her in the DCAC leading music for the day camp participants! She is a board member of the London Music Hall where she aids with the production of the Forest City London Music Awards and the annual Hall of Fame induction. 

Sarah is passionate about bringing together her contacts to celebrate in the incomparable connecting force of music through her bi-annual collaboration with Gianny Correa for her Latin Percussion unit in Gr. 9 Music, hosting Patrick James Clark to instruct songwriting in Guitar Class, and seeking out musicians from new genres to learn and collaborate with her Gr. 10/11/12 Instrumental music class each year.

Always looking for ways to expand her connections, share resources, and engage in brainstorming to re-image what’s possible – Sarah is very excited by the opportunity to join the OMEA Board!

Hello! I’m a new teacher with the Ottawa Carleton District School Board, in my first music room as a grade 7 and 8 music teacher, as well as working with ESL and ELD learners in the school. After studying at Western University and Lakehead University to achieve an Honours Bachelor in Music and Bachelor of Education, I was able to supply teach from grades K-12. Throughout my time supplying, I was fortunate to work in a short term DOT position, and an LTO, at different schools. I am very excited to use my skills and knowledge to have fun in my lessons, and hopefully inspire more musicians! I plan on doing this by continuing to learn every year, and remaining humble and open minded when looking at my choices in the classroom. While at Western, I first came to an OMEA conference in 2019, OPUS 100, as President of MESA (Music Education Students Association). This is a group of volunteer students who do various things throughout the Music Education department, including hosting workshops, and volunteering at OMEA. While in high school, as soon as my music teacher said they were going to OMEA, I could not wait until the day I could go myself. Needless to say, once my dreams were met in 2019, they did not disappoint. I know how integral this community is, not only because this is the best educational experience I have ever attended, but because it is also a time for like minded people to connect, share ideas, and have fun learning. I love this job, our community, and OMEA. I hope you will consider me for a position working with OMEA, as I know I have the passion and dedication to be a valuable member.

Jeannie Hunter has been involved with OMEA throughout her career as a clinician, contributor to ‘The Recorder’ and conference participant. She was on the planning committee for OMEA’s Opus ‘99,  developed resources to support the 2010 revised music curriculum, and attended OMEA’s 2019 advocacy retreat.  

Currently head of Special Education and Fine Arts, she has taught instrumental music, choir, percussion, guitar, piano, orchestra, jazz and music for students with developmental disabilities, as well as working with Ottawa’s OrKidstra program. In addition to degrees in music and education, she holds a certificate in Arts Administration.  Her depth and breadth of experience is reflected in her broad perspective, commitment to student success through music and ongoing advocacy for music education.

A community builder, Jeannie’s partnerships have led to her students performing at the Juno awards and sharing the stage with the National Arts Centre Orchestra, Johnny Reid, Jully Black and Serena Ryder, among others.  A nominee for Canadian Music Teacher of the year, Jeannie is the recipient of an OCDSB Director’s Award.  In 2015 her students were recognized by CBC as ‘Canada’s Greatest Music Class’ and in 2024 won ‘Best Percussion Section’ at Musicfest nationals.

A career-long advocate for equity, diversity and inclusion, she was the founding director of Brookfield High School’s ‘World Voices Choir,’ using music as a tool to build bridges and support social change.  This led to a partnership with the Nelson Mandela Children’s Fund, with whom she traveled to South Africa.  

Jeannie would be delighted to apply her unique skill set as a member of the OMEA Board of Directors.

Having recently done an undergrad in Music and currently completing a Master of Music Ed at Western, I’ve been involved in OMEA and music education throughout London the past five years. I’ve attended the OMEA conferences as a student volunteer and am keen on connecting and learning from the music education scene as I plan to continue to teacher’s college and work in schools. It was OPUS100 in 2019 that set my passion to pursue more education in undergrad when I volunteered as a first year. I believe as a member of the Board I could bring collaboration and current ideas from what pre-service and current music students are learning as we enter the field. My passions lie in high school education, community music, and ensemble work. In high school, I was directly influenced by passionate music educators and opportunities, and I hope to bring that same experience and inclusion to the Board of Directors. I have had leadership opportunities with running conferences and volunteering for student-led groups like Western’s Music Education Students’ Association, Choir Council, Faculty of Music Student Council, Student Leadership Choral Collective conductor, Young Winds conductor, Honour Band volunteer, etc., while also juggling an active schedule as student, private teacher, student library assistant, chorister, copy editor, and more. Outside of Western I also volunteered and worked for multiple foundations and groups such as TVDSB, London Let’s Be Kind, Forest City Cycling Challenge, and others. My biggest hope is simply to give back as much as possible both for the wider music education scene and my direct community of students, peers, and fellow collaborators.

Kelly Lin is a GTA-based music educator (B.Mus, MT). She currently teaches with the TDSB and serves as co-chair of the Equity, Diversity, Inclusion, and Accessibility Committee on the Board of Directors for the Bach Children’s Chorus. She has also worked with Young Voices Toronto as an Assistant Conductor. 

Passionate about putting research into practice, Kelly’s work on trauma-sensitive music education was funded by the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council; she has since presented her findings with music educators across Ontario, including at the OMEA’s Elevate 2022 conference. At El Sistema Aeolian, Kelly was a research assistant where she co-facilitated a leadership program for students in the program. She was also a research assistant for the YRDSB’s report, “Naming Systemic Racism, Acknowledging Complicity, and A Commitment to Action.”

Kelly aims to expand the OMEA’s reach to new music educators in her role as a Board Member. Since attending her first OMEA annual conference in 2018, Kelly has benefited greatly from learning alongside both experienced and beginning music educators, and believes that increasing and diversifying membership will contribute to more meaningful knowledge sharing within the organization. With her leadership and music teaching experience, Kelly brings a contemporary approach to organizational governance to serve the ever-evolving Ontario music education landscape through her role on the OMEA Board of Directors. 

Laura Lee Matthie has been teaching music in the Simcoe County District school board since 1995. Primarily a band and guitar teacher, she has also taught vocal and computers and music.  Her teaching practice has continued to evolve as she considers herself as a constant  learner by changing what and how she teaches to reflect the learners in her class while also trying out new ideas.

Laura Lee began volunteering with the OMEA in 2003 by joining her first conference planning team which was first held at Deerhurst Resort.  The following year (2004) she was elected to the board and since has held various positions over the years including corporate memberships, president (2008-2010) and treasurer (2012-2024).  She has chaired leadership retreats, the 2011 Trillium conference and co-chaired or was part of planning committees for countless other conferences.  As an OMEA director, she has had the opportunity to represent the organization at stakeholder meetings with the Ministry of Education assessment,  curriculum development and more.

Laura Lee is a strong advocate for music in the schools and is always looking for ways to engage her students and the community.  

When she is not teaching or leading ensembles at her schools she can be found touring many hockey rinks at all times of the year, often zooming in for OMEA board meetings while cheering on her two amazing sons.  She has her oldest son, the goalie to thank for all of her grey hairs which are due to watching her oldest who is a goalie! Hockey Parents Forever!!

Connie is a Music Specialist with a unique background as a classically trained pianist through RCM who then completed her BA in Jazz Piano Performance. This shift in study opened a new dimension of music immersed in creativity.  To complement her continuing practice as a private music instructor, in 2010 Connie became a licensed Yamaha, Kindermusik and Suzuki specialist at a thriving music school in Richmond Hill, Ontario teaching composition and improvisation. In 2012 Connie was promoted to Director of the Junior Division, where she trained teachers, conducted parent workshops and was the Coordinator of the Community Outreach Program, arranging concerts throughout the communities of Richmond Hill and Markham for eight years.  

After 21 years of teaching in the private sector Connie wanted to reach a wider, more diverse community of students who didn’t have the luxury of private instruction and so in 2021 she began to teach Music for the York Region District School Board. Connie has taught instrumental band, vocal, primary music, recorder, guitar, ukulele and keyboard K-8. In 2022 the Junior Choir she led performed for A Century of Reflection, a YRDSB Asian Heritage Month Celebration.  Their performance was made into a recording which is part of an exhibit for the Standing in the Doorway exhibition co-hosted by the Markham Museum and the YRDSB Museum & Archives.  Connie takes a holistic approach to teaching music, reaching the hearts of her students, giving them a well-rounded musical experience, digging deeper into the music – not just simply becoming replicators but putting a stamp of themselves into everything they choose to share with the world.

I am a music specialist with Thames Valley District School Board with a program strongly developed around ethnomusicology. I have been teaching Junior/Intermediate instrumental music for 8 years, 7 years within the same school. I have served on the OMEA Board of Directors for the last year and a half as a director of equity, diversity and inclusion (EDI). I hope to continue working on projects within this portfolio and provide further resources and guidance around culturally appropriate music within our programs. I have had the pleasure of supporting other portfolios on the OMEA board to ensure EDI standards are met and respected with the various cultures represented within our province. Providing these resources and continuing to support those around the province is something I hope to continue as our programs change to represent all in a respectful and authentic manner. In addition to my work with OMEA, I have also provided, developed and presented EDI materials within my board. Personally, identifying as part of a variety of cultural minorities, it is my passion to ensure all cultures are appropriately featured within our organization and develop the resources in order to teach these materials in our programs with authenticity. It has been a great pleasure serving on the board thus far, and I hope to continue for another term. There are many projects that are happening behind the scenes that I hope to see in completion should I continue in this portfolio.

Kelsey Regier grew up in the rural area of Exeter, Ontario in a farming family and found her spark for music education in her high school music program. With six years of private studio teaching, a Bachelor of Music, and a Bachelor of Education from The University of Western Ontario, Kelsey has dedicated herself to being a valuable advocate for music education. She is driven to enhance the field and provide students with meaningful musical opportunities.

Kelsey began her music teaching career at the height of the pandemic within the Thames Valley District School Board where she has taught a variety of instrumental music courses including concert band, jazz band, rock band, and split-grade music classes. Her time at H.B. Beal Secondary School within TVDSB allowed her to learn from and work closely with highly regarded choral and musical theater programs. She has since transitioned to a role with the Avon Maitland District School Board as the head of music at Stratford District Secondary School. This experience as a new music teacher of both inner city and rural communities allows her to bring a range of perspectives to the table regarding the needs of school music programs in Ontario and working amongst diverse populations.

As a way of professionally supporting music education in Ontario, Kelsey has had previous involvement with the Ontario Music Educators Association Conference Committee, the Provincial Honour Band Audition Listening Committee, and was a co-founder of The Benefit Solution Music Scholarship.

Music education has incredible power. Power to communicate ideas, power to create spaces for critical thought, to make connections and help to understand people and cultures from diverse places and spaces.  As a music teacher and consultant I’ve heard from students, teachers and families across Ontario. Each person has a story to tell about their experiences in music classrooms. I’ve also heard from students who choose not to take music classes. Their stories are the ones that I believe we need to listen to. It’s the voices that are muffled, excluded or silent that can help us collectively create a hopeful future for all students in our school and community music education programs. What do we need to learn as an association in service of all students and families where we are creating spaces where ALL students know they matter and belong?

Danny Vaz is the Music Teacher & Director of Triton Music at Nantyr Shores Secondary School. He graduated from York University in 2017, and spent the following year teaching music in Northampton, England. While at York University, he played in the West African Drumming and Woodwind Ensembles, which were great experiences and exposed him to playing in big groups.

Danny’s time with Triton Music began on the heels of COVID in 2020. Despite obvious challenges, the music program now thrives. This success comes as a result of persistence and hard work. He could not have done it without the support, patience, and enthusiasm of his students; from 22 to over 140 students. Now, Triton Music performs throughout the year, in the school, local community, and festivals.  

His experiences in the classroom made him fall in love with Band, and the transformational effect it has had on himself and his students. Danny is a strong believer in building the community within his program. He has seen first-hand how valuable the memories made, learning experiences, and joys that come from being in Band are to the student experience. These joys can’t be found elsewhere, and he believes they should be fostered in all schools.

Danny maintains that everyone should have access to music education, and that learning should be fun and engaging. Beyond the band program, he creates opportunities in his school and community to foster lifelong engagement with music regardless of post-secondary pathways.

He considers his students as some of his best teachers, and when he isn’t conducting & talking about music, he likes to ride his motorcycle, paddle a canoe in Northern Ontario, and watch Liverpool FC.