Current Directors

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

Jonathan Sykes – Jazz Band

Jonathan Sykes studied music at Kwantlen University, Capilano University, and holds a B.Mus from UBC as well as a B.Ed from SFU. He is a life long musician who has been studying and performing since he was a child. His musical interests and abilities as a trumpeter, singer, and guitarist have allowed him to perform, record, and tour with all manner of ensembles: choirs, concert bands, orchestras, jazz big bands, small group jazz, rock bands, metal bands, pop bands, funk bands, experimental groups, and more. He has recorded several albums with his own original projects, and played on countless others. Jonathan has also worked as a composer and arranger for other musicians and groups, and maintains an active performing and recording schedule around the lower mainland. Jonathan is a passionate music educator who has been teaching private music lessons and clinics since 2002, and is presently on the music faculty at New Westminster Secondary teaching Jazz Band and Music Composition.  He is honoured to have the opportunity to work with the New Westmisnter and District Jazz Band!