Ken Hall is a west coast guitarist and flute player who was born in Toronto. He studied composition at the Royal Conservatory of Music with Samuel Dolin. Originally a piano player, he switched his attention to the guitar when he moved to Vancouver in 1968 where he became involved with the folk and blues scene. In 1974, he traveled to Europe and studied flamenco guitar in Spain before spending 6 months in Morocco, learning the Oud and Ney flute. In 1984 he moved to Victoria and has been playing world music in many groups including, Kumbia (latin dance band), Sunyata (gypsy flamenco), Kettle of fish (celtic), Sara Marreiros (Portugese Fado) Blue Morroco (Algerian Rai). Ken is a full time musician who has produced two original music CDs and played on dozens of others. Ken was the head teacher at Old Town Strings in Market Square for 20 years. His teaching style is based on the North American roots, Blues, country and folk styles, Latin and world music. Ken takes students of all ages and experience.

Instruments: Saxophones, Clarinet, Flute, Recorders & Piano/Keyboard
Subjects: Theory, Harmony, History, Jazz, Improvisation
Levels: Beginners to Advanced

Joe Hatherill is an experienced teacher and performer who emigrated to Canada with his family in 2003. In summer 2009 they relocated to Victoria. Joe gained his Adult Teachers Certificate from the City and Guilds in 1990, and his Certificate of Teaching from the Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music in 2000. He was admitted to the British Columbia Registered Music Teachers Association in 2004.

Primarily a saxophonist, Joe also teaches clarinets, flutes, recorders and piano. He can be seen performing locally with the Swiftsure BigBand, West Shore Concert Band, Chief and Petty Officers Band and the Savvy 6. His website is joemusic.ca.

Ann Irwin, B.Mus.

Instruments/Subject: Flute, Piccolo
Music Styles: Classical
Levels: Beginners to Advanced

Ann has been teaching Flute and Piccolo for more than 20 years. As a freelance Flutist, she has performed with a number of chamber ensembles and musical theatre orchestras. She also sings as a member of the "Capriccio Vocal Ensemble". Ann received her Bachelor of Music degree form the University of British Columbia where she studied Flute and Piccolo under Paul Douglas and later with Kathleen Rudolph. Ann teaches privately as well as chamber music coaching and school workshops.

Music Styles: Classical, Jazz
Levels: Beginners to Advanced

Regarded by many as one of the finest improvisers in Canada, multi-instrumentalist (saxophone/clarinet/flute) Roy Styffe has been wowing audiences for over 30 years. He has played with the greatest names in Canadian jazz and continues to push the envelope of excellence in the world of improvisation.

Roy has a bachelor of Music degree in Jazz Studies from Humber College in Toronto, Canada. He has also studied at the Banff School under Dave Holland, Kenny Wheeler, Lee Konitz, Ed Blackwell, John Abercrombie and Don Thompson. In 1992 Roy was awarded a Canada Council grant to study in New York with Dick Oatts from the Thad Jones/Mel Lewis Big Band, and the great saxophonist David Liebman.

As well as studying music, Roy has been active as a leader, performer and composer for the past twenty five years. Some notable highlights have been performing with Ed Bickert, Kenny Wheeler, Daniel Lapp, Tony Genge, Pat Collins, John McLeod, Neil Swainson, Phil Dwyer, Pat LaBarbara, Phil Woods, Renee Rosnes, Hal McKusick and touring with Don Thompson's Banff Alumni Jazz Ensemble. In 1986 Roy played with The Temptations for Expo '86, and in 1988 he played with Rob McConnell in his big band at the Calgary Winter Olympics.

Roy has recorded two CDs under his own leadership, and has recorded with Duncan Hopkins, Free Flight Big Band, and the Juno award winning NOJO Big Band.

Now living in Victoria B.C., Roy is currently working with the great pianist George McFetridge, and they have recently recorded their new C.D. "Dream World". Roy has also performed with the Victoria Symphony Orchestra and has done work in musical theatre.

Roy has also been collaborating with the Kelby McNayr Quintet, Phil Dwyer, Sean Drabitt's Jaco Band, and a collective unit called "Eccentric Orbits" comprised of Alfonse Fear, Kelby McNayr, Roy Styffe and the wonderful German bassist Scott White.

As well as being an active performer, Roy is equally involved in teaching. He has led workshops on Improvisation, and has recently taught at the Selkirk Montessori School in Victoria where he was called upon to teach everything from beginning recorders to more advanced large ensembles.

Roy is also a devoted husband and a proud father of two children, Andrew and Laura.

Visit his website at www.roystyffe.com