Terri-Lynn McNichol is a graduate of the music department at Dalhousie University in both piano & vocal performance and has been actively teaching all levels of piano, voice and theory for over 25 years. Currently residing in Saint John, N.B., she is also an organist and choir director, is the music director, voice coach and orchestra conductor for the Saint John Theatre Company’s main stage musical productions from 2013 to present, and is an active concert accompanist and performer across New Brunswick. Terri-Lynn is an active adjudicator for all levels of Piano, Vocal, Choral, and Musical Theatre classes for music festivals across the Maritime provinces, and most recently started a new part-time career as a school bus driver.

Terri-Lynn has been named a “Teacher of Excellence” by the Royal Conservatory of music, with several students earning Silver and Gold medals from the RCM in piano and voice. Over the years, many of Terri-Lynn’s students have earned scholarships to study music at Universities and Musical Theatre/Performing Arts programs across Canada. A number of Terri-Lynn’s students have been prize winners at the Local Music Festival level, with several students earning recommendations to the Provincial, as well National Music Festival Competitions.

Terri-Lynn is secretary and webmaster for the New Brunswick Registered Music Teachers’ Association (NBRMTA), is Secretary for the Saint John Music Teachers Association, and is a proud member of the Canadian Music Festival Adjudicators’ Association (CMFAA), the National Association of the Teachers of Singing (NATS), and the Canadian Federation of Music Teachers Association (CFMTA).

Richard Bennett (B.Mus.Ed, M.Mus.) was born in Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan (1960) and grew up as an “air force brat.” At the age of 12 he entered Middleton Regional High School where he quickly acquired a deep appreciation of music under M.W. Harvey.  He remembers early family life being filled with airplanes, art, music, plays, NHL & CFL, numerous house moves and “all things British.”   Middleton would have to wait 8 years while Richard finished his schooling in Summerside, P.E.I., graduating from Three Oaks High School in 1978 before attending Dalhousie University.

Mr. Bennett holds a Bachelor of Music Education Degree from Dalhousie University (1982) and a Master of Music (School Music) Degree from the University of Calgary (1996).  He has served on numerous curriculum development teams at the Nova Scotia Department of Education and Annapolis Valley Regional School Board.  He is an active member of the Nova Scotia Band Association, a former member of the CMEA Board of Directors, and a Past President of the Nova Scotia Music Educators' Association.

He completed the Wind Band Conducting Programme at the University of Calgary in 1992 (including studies with Vondis Miller, Glenn Price, Jeremy Brown, Craig Kirchoff, Stanley DeRusha, John Paynter, David Whitwell, Timothy Reynish, and Frederick Fennell).  In addition to his school bands he has, at various times, conducted the West Nova Scotia Regiment Band, the Acadia University Concert Band and Wind Ensemble, the Acadia Summer Winds, the Nova Scotia Youth Wind Ensemble, the Nova Scotia Junior Youth Wind Ensemble, as well as the Prince Edward Island Senior and Intermediate Honour Bands.  During the summer he often instructs at band camps including the South Shore Music Camp and Acadia Band Camp.  Mr. Bennett has also adjudicated at music festivals in Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island, New Brunswick, and Saskatchewan and is often invited to guest conduct and offer clinics throughout Atlantic Canada.

Mr. Bennett was Director of Bands at Middleton Regional High School, a position he held from 1982 – 2015 (33 years).  He taught instrumental music to students in grades 7 through 12 and directed the Beginner, Junior, and Senior Concert Bands as well as the Junior and Senior Jazz Bands.  Out of some 10,000 “non-contractual” hours of rehearsals came concerts, trips, clinics, guest appearances and many profound musical experiences with 1000 or so students of “MRHS.” Personal highlights include performing at Vimy Ridge (2001), the inspiration of Michael Colgrass’ remarkable graphic notation work (2009, 2012) and being witness to countless “lightbulb” moments.  He is most proud of many students expressing gratitude for “not just teaching us music but for teaching us about life.”

In his spare time he enjoys playing trumpet and flugelhorn with the “Annapolis Big Band.” He enjoys arranging for brass ensemble, concert band, wind ensembles, jazz ensembles, and orchestra (his “MacGillivray’s Cape Breton” was performed by Symphony Nova Scotia several years ago). He’s been known to really let his hair down as composer/arranger, keyboardist and “horn player” with his “Wednesday Nite Guys” free improvisation sessions or the “Tidal Funk Orchestra.” If there is pen and paper nearby he might dash off a quick cartoon and he has even dabbled in dinner theatre.  If you can’t find him he’s in the woods with his camera.

Mr. Bennett and his wife of 30 years, Phyllis, have three sons.  All five Bennetts lead busy lives but find time for musical activities such as bands, choirs, musicals and more.