Music Alumni
Amos the Transparent is a Canadian rock band from Ottawa, Ontario, who have released three full length albums and a number of EPs on 45 Records, Pop Culture Records and Sunday School Music.
Amos the Transparent is the brainchild of Ottawa songwriter Jonathan Chandler (Earl of March alumnus). Chandler teamed up with drummer and primary collaborator, Christopher Wilson to solidify material that was written over a period of several years commencing in 2005. The duo applied a collective approach to the recording process of their debut 'Everything I've Forgotten to Forget', drawing out the influences and talents of numerous guest artists including AmyMillan of Stars, who makes a special guest vocal appearance on the duet "After All That, It's Come to This", and also Evan Cranley, also of Stars.
Their debut album, Everything I've Forgotten to Forget, was released on Pop Culture Records in 2007, and an EP, My What Big Teeth You Have followed in 2009 on Sunday School Music. Their second full length album, Goodnight My Dear...I'm Falling Apart, was released in February 2012. It was preceded in 2011 by two separate EPs, Goodnight My Dear and I'm Falling Apart, which each previewed four songs that would appear on the full album. Their third full length album was titled "This Cold Escape" and is a "loosely biographical" [1] concept album.
Songs such as "Lemons", "All You Bellydancers" have received extensive airplay on all major college and university radio stations, CBC Radio, and XM Satellite Radio.[2] Most notable and is the use of the song "After All That, It's Come to This" in a television ad for online dating giant Plentyof Fish.
Earl of March alumnus Ethan Balakrishnan received a BM in violin performance from the Indiana University Jacobs School of Music as a full-scholarship student of Grigory Kalinovsky, and won a section violin position with the Orchestre symphonique de Québec during his final undergraduate year. In Indiana, Ethan was a member of the Columbus Indiana Philharmonic and the IU Baroque Orchestra, and also performed as concertmaster of IU’s Philharmonic and Symphony Orchestras. He was a three-time trophy winner in the Ottawa Kiwanis Music Festival, as well as the recipient of two major prizes in the National Arts Centre Bursary Competition, and of MusicFest Canada’s top prize, the “Passion and Performance Award”. He has performed and studied at various summer festivals including the Tanglewood Music Center, Music Academy of the West, the NAC Young Artists Program, and NYO Canada. Ethan performs on a Charles Rufino violin and Giovanni Lucchi bow generously on loan from the Maestro Foundation
Since 2011, Earl of March alumnus Emily Bellman has been a member of the Canadian Armed Forces as a musician. She has performed with the Ottawa Chamber Orchestra, Ottawa Symphony Orchestra, the Ottawa Music Company Orchestra (Including Principal trumpet for the North American premier of James Macmillan’s St. Luke’s Passion), Thirteen Strings Chamber Orchestra, the National Arts Centre Orchestra, and Symphony Nova Scotia. Her formal training includes a Bachelor of Music with Honours in Music Education from The University of Western Ontario, and a Masters of Music in performance at the University of Ottawa.
In the Summer of 2016, Emily was a member of the National Academy Orchestra where her feature as a soloist in Carnival of Venice was described as “virtuosity of a rare order delivered with effortless ease. It ought not to go unnoticed.” (Alan Walker).
Emily is currently a trumpet player with the Stadacona Band of the Royal Canadian Navy
Canadian clarinetist Nicholas Galuban was born in Rochester, NY, then moved to Ottawa, Canada with his family at a very young age. In Ottawa, he attended Earl of March S.S and began his post secondary studies at the University of Ottawa where he studied with Kimball Sykes, principal clarinetist with Canada’s National Arts Centre Orchestra. After completing his first year of university there, he then to moved to Austin, Texas, to continue his studies at The University of Texas at Austin (UT), Butler School of Music, where he now studies with Dr. Nathan Williams, also principal clarinettist with the River Oaks Chamber Orchestra in Houston, Texas.
Nick is a third place prizewinner and three-time finalist of the National Arts Centre Bursary Competition, a winner of the Ontario Music Festival Association Woodwind Competition in 2011, and a finalist in the Canadian National Music Festival. He has toured to Italy with the Ottawa Youth Orchestra in 2011 (Rome, Campobasso, and Florence); the National Youth Orchestra of Canada in 2012 touring Canada (Toronto, Ottawa, Montreal, Calgary, Edmonton, and Vancouver) and has toured the world with The University of Texas Wind Ensemble to Honolulu, Okazaki City, Tokyo, Taipei, Hong Kong, Shenzhen, Maucau, Beijing, and London. He has also performed in the Banff Music Festival and the Ottawa International Chamber Festival.
Mr. Galuban can be heard on Canada’s Canadian Broadcast Corporation (CBC) and Espace Musique with the National Youth Orchestra of Canada. Recently, he has just finished recording Mahler’s Symphony No. 9 in July 2013 with the National Youth Orchestra of Canada; the first professional recording of its kind in Canadian history. He has performed with the University of Ottawa Symphony Orchestra and Wind Ensemble, and on several of The University of Texas Symphony Orchestra, Wind Ensemble and New Music Ensemble concerts. He has premiered several works with The University of Texas New Music Ensemble under Dan Welcher and the University of Texas Wind Ensemble under Jerry Junkin, and will be premiering John Mackey’s Symphony, “Wine-Dark Sea” for Wind Ensemble on the 2014 UT Wind Ensemble World Tour.
He holds citizenships to the countries of Canada, the United States and Brazil, and is fluent in the languages of French, English, and Portuguese.
Lucas Haneman has long been widely regarded for his distinctive and explosive guitar work.
His one of a kind sound lends itself to styles as diverse as blues, funk, jazz, folk, reggae, rock and world music. At the age of 6, Lucas Haneman started playing the guitar, originally focusing on grass roots styles such as folk and blues, but began delving into jazz and alternative rock as a teenager. Today all of these influences still make up t
http://www.lucashaneman.com/he fabric of his sound on the range of stringed instruments he plays (including all types of guitar, mandolin and banjo).
While in high school at Earl of March S.S., he performed in many national jazz bands and received a CBC Galixy Rising star Award at the 2005 Ottawa International Jazz festival. In 2010 he graduated from Concordia University with a BFA in Jazz Studies (where he received the prestigious Oscar Peterson scholarship in 2008.
Most recently Lucas has been focusing on writing and recording original music with his new project (a funk/blues jam band) called "The Lucas Haneman Express" in which Lucas performs as a guitarist and singer alongside Jeff Asselin (drums and Martin Newman (bass). The band will be releasing their debut full length album "Welcome Aboard" this April.
An active teacher and performer since the age of 16, Haneman was a faculty member alongside many internationally renowned guitarists including the likes of Canadian finger style legend Don Ross and American jazz guitarist Ben Monder at a large festival called Guitar Now (held at Carleton University in 2013). Over the years he has toured Canada twice with different projects, and has opened for or performed with musicians in a range of styles including Curtis Fuller, David Newman, Guido Basso, Jeff Healy, James Cotton, Sloan, Don Ross, and singer songwriters Terry Kelly and David Usher (just to name a few). This March Haneman is honoured to be making a trip overseas to perform in London England at the international "Visually Impaired Musicians Live" conference.
Earl of March Alumnus D.D. Jackson is a Canadian-born, New York City-based jazz pianist and composer whose work spans 12 CD’s as leader or co-leader, featuring almost entirely original material, ranging from his Juno Award-winning solo piano CD “...so far” (RCA Victor/BMG) to his larger-scale meditation on the events of 9/11 entitled “Suite for New York” (Justin Time Records). Jackson has performed all over the world with his groups and has also appeared and recorded with some of the most distinguished names in jazz and beyond, from saxophonists David Murray, Dewey Redman, Oliver Lake, Hamiet Bluiett and James Carter; violinist Billy Bang; percussionists Mor Thiam and Mino Cinelu; bassist Richard Bona; flutist James Newton; drummers Jack Dejohnette, Andrew Cyrille, Billy Hart and Cindy Blackman, to (most recently) Questlove and “The Roots” (for their acclaimed new CD "Undun"). Jackson is also an accomplished classical pianist and recently released a recording of Gershwin’s Rhapsody in Blue on Summit Records.
An alumnus of the prestigious Lehman Engel BMI Advanced Musical Theatre Workshop, Jackson’s compositions for theatre includes the operas "Trudeau: Long March/Shining Path" on the former Canadian Prime Minister, and "Quebecite" based in part on his African-American father and Chinese mother (both written with the acclaimed librettist/poet George Elliott Clarke). Jackson has also been active composing music for film, t.v.., and other media, including for the show "The Wonder Pets" (which has won four consecutive Emmys for "Outstanding Musical Direction and Composition”); "3rd & Bird!" (Disney Junior), and the "The Ocean Room" (which just won the Canadian Gemini Award).
As a writer, Jackson has written for such publications as the Village Voice and for five years maintained a popular column entitled “Living Jazz”, tracing his experiences as a jazz musician, and on jazz as a living, breathing art form (a focus he plans to continue with the imminent launch of his new online music course/membership site, "Jazz As a Verb".). As educator, Jackson has also given numerous workshops and master classes around the world and is on faculty at Hunter College, where he teaches courses in Jazz and Popular Music, and at the Harlem School of the Arts, where he directs their Jazz Combo and teaches - among others - the exceptional, 11-year-old prodigy Matt Whitaker.
Former Earl of March Trombonist and Coloratura soprano Sharleen Joynt has been praised for her "silvery, sparkling, substantial and resonant soprano" [Die Deutsche Bühne], her "scintillating high range, reminiscent of the most beautiful moments of Mady Mesplé" [Opernwelt], and "an artistic command that leaves the listener breathless" [Deutschland Radio].
During the 2015/2016 season, Sharleen stars as Christine in the Canadian Stage and Soundstreams co-production and North American Premiere of Belgian composer Philippe Boesman’s Julie, based on the 1888 Strindberg play, “Miss Julie”, and as Galatea in Acis & Galatea, making her Opera Piccolo San Antonio debut. In 2016/17, Sharleen joins the Orlando Philharmonic as Cunegonde for a concert staging ofCandide, and performs Queen of the Night in The Magic Flute with Pacific Opera Victoria. She will also join several orchestras in concerts ranging from Mahler 4, to Claude Vivier’s Lonely Child, to Operetta.
The 2014/15 Season included her China debut, as Zerbinetta in Oper Leipzig's production—and the Chinese premiere—of Ariadne auf Naxos, and Blonde in Die Entführung aus dem Serail in Augsburg, Germany, in their summer concert series. She also performed Zerlina in Don Giovanni with Against the Grain Theatre, both in Toronto and with the Ottawa International Chamber Music Festival.
Sharleen's 2013/14 Season included rejoining the Metropolitan Opera roster to cover Fiakermilli in R. Strauss' Arabella. She appeared with the Badisches Staatstheater Karlsruhe (Marie, La Fille du Régiment;Adele, Die Fledermaus), Theater und Orchester Heidelberg (Oscar, Un Ballo in Maschera), and made her Swiss debut with the Theater St. Gallen (Zerbinetta, Ariadne auf Naxos). She was also nominated for the prestigious “Der Faust” prize, awarded by the German Stage Association, for her performance in Wolfgang Rihm's Dionysos. For the 2012/13 Season Sharleen spent her second year as an ensemble member of the Theater und Orchester Heidelberg, performing Blonde in Die Entführung aus dem Serail and receiving critical acclaim for her role of Soprano 1/Ariadne in Wolfgang Rihm's Dionysos. She also made both a role and theater debut with the Badisches Staatstheater Karlsruhe as Marie in La Fille du Régiment. Her uncommonly honest embodiment of characters and fearless onstage presence in German Regietheater led to a 3-page article in the May 2013 issue of Deutsche Bühne magazine.
The 2011/12 Season included joining the Theater und Orchester Heidelberg ensemble for Frasquita inCarmen and her vastly critically acclaimed Zerbinetta in Ariadne auf Naxos, the role for which she was nominated for Nachwunschsängerin (Young Singer of the Year) by Opernwelt magazine. She also debuted with the Winter in Schwetzingen Baroque Festival as Fausta in the German premiere of Scarlatti's Marco Attilio Regolo. Sharleen's 2010/11 Season included joining the Metropolitan Opera roster to cover the role of Zerbinetta in Ariadne auf Naxos. She joined the Anhaltisches Theater Dessau ensemble, making her European debut as Oscar in Un Ballo in Maschera, followed by Adele in Die Fledermaus, and Despina inCosi Fan Tutte. She also appeared with the International Vocal Arts Institute in Tel Aviv to perform Zerbinetta under the baton of Metropolitan Opera conductor Paul Nadler.
In 2009 Sharleen made her Carnegie Hall debut singing the soprano solo in Schubert's Mass in G. For the2009/10 Season she was an Emerging Artist with Calgary Opera. She graduated from Mannes College of Music in New York in 2009 with her Masters degree in Vocal Performance. She has been a prizewinner in the Liederkranz Foundation Competition, the George London Foundation Competition, the Young Concert Artists International Auditions, the Licia-Albanese Foundation Competition, the Canadian Music Competition's International Stepping Stone, and the Palm Beach Opera Vocal Competition.
Colin Lloyd graduated from Earl of March in the spring of 2013. Throughout his time at the Earl, he was actively involved in school concert and jazz bands as a trombonist, soloist, and conductor. He has since finished his post secondary education at McGill University in Montreal, where he pursues his Bachelor of Music degree in Jazz Performance. Colin currently plays in groups within McGill and throughout Montreal and Ottawa, and is also investing time in his own solo project. He encourages every aspiring musician to always continue broadening their musical tastes, and to never stop listening to all the music the world has to offer!
Earl of March alumnus Alex Moxon is a guitarist and composer from Ottawa Ontario. To date he has performed and collaborated with many stylistically far-flung Canadian music mainstays while continuing to create, refine, and release his own music.
As a working musician in the 21st century, he has been omnivorous. Some of his favourite past musical experiences include opening for Fred Wesley (of James Brown & The JB’s) and Bernie Worrell (of Parliament Funkadelic), performing with the Central Band of the Canadian Armed Forces as the feature guitarist in their 2112: Rush Tribute show, sold-out record releases with The Chocolate Hot Pockets and with HILOTRONS, performing in the pit for the Broadway musical Beautiful (The Carole King Story), a 3 a.m duo set of freely improvised music and deconstructions of Spice Girls hits with drummer Michel Delage during the Ottawa Jazz Festival's 24-Hour Jazz Ramble, and performing with Candian indigenous superstar Iskwe and NACO at the 2019 National Arts Centre Gala.
Busy schedule aside, jazz endures as a centerpiece of Alex’s musical life. He works frequently as a leader and as a sideman in this context, and has led a weekly gig every Thursday for a decade with The HML Trio- first at Zola’s Italian Restaurant (2010 – 2012) and then at Options Jazz Lounge (2012 – present).
He has recorded five albums as a principal or collaborative composer: The Filthy Chapter (2013) by The Chocolate Hot Pockets, To Trip With Terpsichore (2015) by HILOTRONS, Chocolate Dreamz (2015) by The Chocolate Hot Pockets, The Feast (2016) by The Chocolate Hot Pockets, and Alex Moxon Quartet (2020).
Canadian Soprano Morgan Strickland is recognized for her “jewel-like tone” (The Boston Globe) and “consistency of vocal beauty throughout her different emotional states” (The Boston Musical Intelligencer).
A native of Ottawa, Ontario, Morgan began studying voice at the age of 8 and competed for many years in the Ottawa chapter of the Kiwanis Music Festival and NATS Competitions, winning first prize many times. Ms. Strickland holds a Bachelor of Music in Vocal Performance from the University of Ottawa and a double Master’s Degree in Vocal Performance and Vocal Pedagogy from New England Conservatory (Boston, MA) studying under the tutelage of Juilliard’s esteemed Lorraine Nubar. In addition, Morgan spent three summers at the Académie Internationale d'Eté de Nice, France, working closely with Lorraine Nubar and Dalton Baldwin.
Ms. Strickland performed the roles of Donna Anna in Don Giovanni, Contessa Almaviva in Le nozze di Figaro, Noémie in Cendrillon, Gertrude in Humperdink’s Hänsel und Gretel, Bastienne in a new adaptation of Mozart’s Bastien und Bastienne, and Nedda in Leoncavallo’s Pagliacci . Morgan was the soprano soloist in Larry’s Nickel’s “Requiem for Peace” presented by Carleton University in March 2018. Most recently, Morgan was featured in the role of Lola Markham in Gallantry: A Soap Opera.
Upon her return to Ottawa, Morgan co-founded SOPAC Ottawa (South Ottawa Performing Arts Collaborative), where she resides as co-artistic director, and established a fulltime teaching studio. She has recently been appointed as adjunct teaching staff for Carleton University’s music department. She maintains an active performance schedule while teaching in Ottawa and abroad.
Kim Vrieling has a Bachelor of Music from Mount Allison University in Sackville, NB majoring in Education, Clarinet, and Baritone Sax.
Kim has been volunteering with MusicFest Canada since 2001 and has held various positions, including Stage Manager and Volunteer Coordinator. Since 2009, Kim has held the prestigious position of Production Director and oversees the volunteers, logistics, sponsor equipment, showcase concerts, and communications for the festival.
Kim is also very active with Capital Region MusicFest, where she sits on the Executive Committee working as the Volunteer Coordinator. She also volunteers her time with KBS Dance and serves as their Stage Manager and Technical Director.
Katherine Ward joined CTV in the spring of 2013 as CTV Barrie’s newest reporter/videographer. She finished an internship in Barrie over the winter, and also interned at CTV News Channel in Toronto as a chase producer on Morning: Express. In 2015, she earned the position is a weekend anchor on CTV news Barrie. In 2018, she joined the CTV Toronto Team!
Katherine graduated with the highest marks in her year in the Journalism Print and Broadcast Accelerated program at Humber College. For her outstanding academic achievement, Katherine received two President’s Letters.
Katherine also holds a BA in Theatre Performance from the University of Toronto. She performed in the Orphan Muses with the University of Toronto in Germany.
Her interests include travelling, reading, and spending time at the cottage in Muskoka. At Earl of March, she was a pillar of the Music Department and played French Horn.
Trevor Wilson was born in Ottawa and began playing the violin at the age of five. In 2007 he entered the Ottawa Youth Orchestra Academy, with whom he acted as concertmaster while touring France, Belgium, and the Netherlands in 2013. Since 2014, Trevor has played regularly with the Ottawa Symphony Orchestra, and was also a member of the National Youth Orchestra of Canada in 2015. In addition to violin performance, Trevor took an early interest in composition and conducting. He has served as principal conductor of the University of Ottawa Pops Orchestra from 2015 to 2017, and studied conducting and composition at the European-American Musical Alliance in Paris, France during the summer of 2016. Also, this past summer he studied under the renowned pedagogue David Effron at the Miami Music Festival conducting institute. Trevor now attends the University of Ottawa and studies conducting with David Currie, and violin performance with Yehonatan Berick.