SET THE STAGE!
Set the Stage! is one the Kamloops Music Collective's newest programs.
This one week, all day camp is perfect for kids who love to perform!
SET THE STAGE!
Set the Stage! is one the Kamloops Music Collective's newest programs.
This one week, all day camp is perfect for kids who love to perform!
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KISSM 2023 FACULTY
Jaymi Daniels
KISSM Music Director
Jaymi is the music director at Valleyview Secondary school in Kamloops, BC. She teaches concert band, choir, jazz band, and musical theatre. In the community, Jaymi is an associate director of the Kamloops Community Concert Band, and a member of the alto section in the Cantabile Choir. Jaymi is an executive member of the provincial board of music educators, an avid skier, and loves trivia and karaoke. Jaymi has been a staff member at KISSM since 2017, and is pleased to be a music director at KISSM this year.
Rachel Casponi
Music Makers Music Director
Rachel Casponi is a music educator, performer and advocate for music education. She holds Bachelor degrees in Music, Drama and Education, an Artist Diploma in Opera Performance and a Masters of Music. She achieved her Level One Orff certification, her Level One certification from the Canadian Wind Conductors Development Program and is a certified teacher in Ontario, Saskatchewan, Alberta and British Columbia. During her decade-long teaching career Rachel primarily taught band, but has also taught general music and choir. She served on the advocacy committee with the Saskatchewan Band Association, she helped organize the South Saskatchewan Junior Band program and served tirelessly on many music festival committees. She has taught every level of band from beginning band to senior band but is specifically passionate about beginning and middle years band. In addition to her experience as a band and music teacher, Rachel has worked professionally as a choir director, theatre instructor, voice teacher, executive director, arts administrator, stage manager and performer. Most of her experience has involved working with young people, for whom she has steadfastly dedicated her time and energy. As an educator Rachel has experienced firsthand the life-changing role music can play in a young person’s development. As an advocate for music education Rachel believes that access to a passionate music specialist is essential for young people, as is access to instruments, instruction and the opportunity to make music.
Sam Bregoliss
Technical Director
Sam is a professional Director, Choreographer, Dancer and Actor now residing in Kamloops BC. He has had the privilege of performing, choreographing, directing, designing and judging across Canada, the United States and Europe. In spring of 2018 Sam took over teaching the dance stream and some movement class at Vancouver Film School. Before his time in Vancouver he studied Musical Theater and Technical Theater at Sheridan College in Oakville, ON. During his time at Sheridan he had the opportunity to design, direct and choreograph You're a Good Man Charlie Brown. This production was done in partnership with Toronto Youth Theater. Which showed at Theater Erindale and The Lower Ossignton Theater In Toronto. During this partnership Sam worked with mentors Victor Young, past president of Actors Equity, Keith Pike Artist Director of Theater St. John and Adeen Ashton Artist Director of Toronto Youth Theater. Before attending Sheridan, Sam was heavily involved in the theater and dance community in his home town of Kamloops, BC. Growing up he had the privilege of working under the direction of Daryl Cloran and Valerie Easton on Western Canada Theaters production of Fiddler on The Roof. He's also has been an instructor and choreographer for their Stage One Theater School. He's trained with some of the best including; Mandy Moore (Choreographer of LALA Land), Mia Michael (SYTYCD) Daniel Kasha (Camp Rock 2), Stephanie Graham (Award winning Choreographer) and Wayne Cilento (Choreographer of Wicked). Sam currently works as the Operations Coordinator at the Kamloops Symphony.
Rob Hogeveen
Band Department
Rob Hogeveen rejoins the KISSM staff this year with enthusiasm and a smile. He has been teaching at KISSM for many years and always enjoys the experience. For Rob, KISSM is a family affair - both of his children attend the camp!
Rob has is Bachelor of Education and is passionate about teaching. On top of his music-teaching experience with KISSM, Rob is a music teacher at Lloyd George Elementary School, where he runs a very successful music program. While Rob enjoys playing many instruments, his personal specialty is in trumpet. He is looking forward to meeting this year’s musicians, both new and returning.
Jarrett Schill
Band and Musical Theatre Department
Originally from Kelowna, Jarrett attended Uvic (BMus'99) and his principal instrument is the saxophone. While at Uvic he majored in secondary instrumental music education. At Uvic he also acquired a fondness for choral singing through involvement with the Uvic Chamber Singers. Since 2000, Jarrett has taught at Kamloops' Brocklehurst Secondary School('01-'10) and afterwards in the newly reorganized Brocklehurst Middle School (grades 7-9) from 2010-present. Jarrett teaches a full course load of music classes including three beginner bands, two intermediate bands, a beginner jazz and senior jazz band -off time table clubs, choir and a life skills music class for exceptional learners. Brock's choirs perform at various care home facilities, at Blazer's hockey games (anthema), in addition to school and local festival performances. Brock's second year + bands jointly perform in the annual Santa Claus Parade in addition to local festivals and school performances. Brock's entire program takes an annual performance trip to perform at either the Sun Peaks or Whistler 'Cantando' festivals. This past March, the Brocklehurst Sr. Jazz band performed at the Kelowna Interior Jazz Festival, and received an invitation to perform at Music Fest Canada's Nationals competition in May of 2024. Jarrett is most importantly supported by a caring wife who thankfully understands what it means to be married to a music educator.
Brittany Zettergreen
Musical Theatre Department
Brittany fell in love with music and theatre at an early age, and pursued dance and voice while performing in a variety of musicals. Since then Brittany has received a Bachelors of Education and a Bachelors of Fine Arts, and is currently a teacher at Kamloops School of the Arts with specialties in Dance, Drama and Visual Art. She has worked professionally with the Stage North Theatre Society, The Laughing Stock Theatre Society, and the Kamloops Players. 2023 marks her sixth year at KISSM, and she is looking forward to another wonderful experience!
Samantha Levasseur
Musical Theatre and Band Departments
Samantha moved to Kamloops after receiving her Bachelors of Education from the University of Victoria in 2012. During the school year, Samantha teaches music at Our Lady of Perpetual Help School in Kamloops, and plays flute and piccolo in the Kamloops Community Band. In high school, Samantha became very involved in musical theatre, both on and off the stage. She performed in several productions before changing directions and working as stage manager for several more. After graduation, she had the opportunity to work as a director for a visiting theatre group, working with K-8 students. Samantha volunteered with KISSM during the summer of 2013, and was amazed by the atmosphere at the school, and the talent and dedication of the students and other staff members. She was thrilled when she was asked to join the faculty in 2014. 2023 will mark Samantha's ninth year at KISSM!
Christy Gauley
Choir Department
Christy is overjoyed to be joining the extraordinary KISSM staff again this summer. Her love affair with KISSM began long ago in the summer of 1994 when she attended the camp for the first time and has been a mega fan ever since! Christy holds a bachelor’s degree in Music majoring in Opera and Music History from the UBC, and bachelor of Education from UBC, and a masters of education from Gonzaga. She loves singing, directing, teaching, and randomly bursting into song. She has worked at South Sahali Elementary and at the district level as Arts Coordinator in sd73, but these days during the non-KISSM months of the year, you’ll find Christy inspiring young minds at Rayleigh Elementary where she teaches grade 5/6 band and music to all intermediate students.
Barb Durno
Music Makers Department
Barbara, a recent retiree, worked for many years as an International Baccalaureate Primary Years Program Music Teacher (PYP) and Elementary/Secondary Music Teacher. While living in Kenya, she studied traditional Kenyan percussion under Raymond Mtawali Makenzie from Kenyatta University. Barbara has World Music Drumming certification in marimba and world music as well as certification in Indigenous studies. Barbara is the owner of Marimba Musica, a business where she builds and supplies marimbas, mallets and marimba music arrangements to schools throughout BC.
Jordan Baker
Music Makers Department
Jordan Baker grew up in Kamloops, and first attended KISSM as a student in 2002. He enjoyed it so much that he’s come back nearly every year since, as a volunteer, board member, assistant faculty, and now faculty. The passion for working with children led to him receiving his Bachelor of Education from TRU in 2014, and he’s been teaching in the Kamloops Thompson School District ever since. He currently teaches English and Creative Writing at the high school level, but looks forward to the music (and the new colourful T-shirt!) every summer at KISSM. An avid trumpet player, Jordan serves as the Vice President of the Kamloops Community Band, of which he’s been a member almost since its founding 20 years ago. When not teaching or playing music, he enjoys spending time with his wife and two young children, or playing video games, board games and Dungeons and Dragons.
Tina Hebner
Music Makers and Ukulele Departments
Tina started playing music as a teenager and fell in love with classical guitar. As an adult she found herself with a collection of ukuleles and discovered how much she enjoyed playing that too! Tina has been teaching music for over twenty years, and when she’s not having conversations with her two music-loving cats, you’ll find her at one of the many group ukulele sessions she offers in the Kamloops area or teaching private lessons at one of her studio locations. She has been working at numerous camps at KMC and she’s been the most beloved ukulele teacher across all age groups!
Emma Tow
Music Makers Department & After-KISSM-Care
Emma grew up attending KISSM as a student and loved working as an Assistant Faculty Member for four summers. She has recently graduated from Queen’s University with a Bachelor of Arts Honours degree majoring in Art History. Emma has extensive performance and teaching experience in dance, music, and theatre. She has over ten years of training in ballet and various other dance styles, enjoys playing piano and violin, and has acted professionally across Canada at companies including Western Canada Theatre, The Arts Club and Thousand Islands Playhouse. She has previously taught at Western Canada Theatre’s Stage One Theatre School and Nuance Dance Studio. Emma is honoured and excited to be part of another wonderful summer at KISSM!
Carson Sautner
Band and Guitar Departments
Carson Sautner is a young professional guitarist with experience in many genres, specializing in classical guitar for the past 14 years. He first started at KISSM as a student in 2017 and continued to attend until 2019, and began in 2020 as an Assistant Faculty and has continued that role until this year where he will be Faculty at KISSM. He began pursuing a Music degree at the University of British Columbia for Classical Guitar Performance, later continuing at the University of Alberta and completing his Bachelors after moving back to Edmonton. Carson is excited for the opportunity to work with the Kamloops Music Collective in his new role and is looking forward to working with all the amazing students and teachers at KISSM!
Kyle Bates
Band and Music Makers Departments
Kyle Bates is an emerging young artist whose outgoing nature and versatility demonstrates a true care for his craft. Originally from Kamloops B.C, Kyle has developed a multi-faceted skillset by serving as a trumpeter, pianist, and educator. He continues to serve the Kamloops community by teaching at the Kamloops Music Collective since 2021. Kyle’s roots firmly support a passionate sentiment of advocacy and accessibility for music education in local communities.
Kyle is currently completing his 4th year of the Bachelor of Music Education at the University of Victoria under the tuition of Professor Merrie Klazek. During his time in Victoria, he has served as the Vice-President of the Music Students Association, an avid member of the UVSMEA, UVIC Wind Symphony, and as coordinator for the Music Discoveries Day Camp. Many will agree with the statement that Kyle has embraced a community-centered approach to his career as he aspires to connect, share, and grow with his peers and students.
Chris Ollinger
Band and Musical Theatre Departments
Chris Ollinger is a musician born and raised in Salmon Arm, BC. Growing up, he participated in multiple bands, choirs and school productions. Now, he has just finished his second year of a degree in music education at the University of Victoria and he's part of UVic Wind Symphony, UVic Big Band. He loves to sing and act, and while he's in a band he plays clarinet and bass clarinet and has talent for many more! This is his second year working at KMC and he can’t wait to be a part of KISSM 2023 once again!
Senora Dunford
Band Department
Senora Dunford is a young musician in her 3rd year of music education at the University of Victoria. She specializes in low brass with her primary instrument being the euphonium, and will jump at any opportunity to play with friends or peers. Senora’s goal is to help others nurture their passion for music. She is so excited for another year working at KISSM, this will be her third consecutive year and she is greatly looking forward to seeing all the students she bonded with in previous years, and meeting all the newcomers. With her commitment to her craft and her genuine passion for nurturing musical talents, Senora hopes to be a beacon of inspiration for students to lean on and learn from. Outside of music, she loves video games, frogs, and hiking!
Zach Leishman
Band and Musical Theatre Departments
Zach's Journey in music began in grade six when he started playing the tenor saxophone in his middle school band. Immediately falling in love with music, Zach decided that being a band kid was all he wanted to be, forgoing sports, or other arts in favor of his place in the band. After losing a bet and having to audition for the school musical in grade nine, Zach found an even broader home in the performing arts. This has led to Zach participating in even more bands, choirs, and musicals. Zach has fostered a love for music, the arts, and arts education, taking any chance to work with young aspiring artists. Zach is beyond excited to work with the next generation of musicians and artists this year at KISSM!
Paige Olsen
Marketing and Communications Coordinator
Musical Theatre Department
Paige has loved music since she played a young 5-year-old orphan in a community production of Oliver Twist in Northern BC. She attended Kamloops School of the Arts, graduating in 2018, having participated in every Drama and Musical Theatre show she could. She has participated in KISSM and has worked for the Kamloops Music Collective since 2018. Paige loves to sing, especially musical theatre music, and she competed in the Kamloops Festival of Performing Arts for nearly ten years in both the Classical and Musical Theatre categories. As well as taught voice at the Kamloops Symphony Music School, where she took her voice and music theory lessons. Paige is currently studying music at BYU in the States, where she focuses on contemporary voice and choral education. She loves working with kids and cannot wait to be singing her heart out with the KISSM students this summer!
Lucas An
Program Coordinator
Band and Music Makers Department
Lucas is an active percussionist starting at Valleyview Secondary School and now he's a percussionist in Kamloops Community Band for 2023 season. He has also been a baritone singer for several years with most recently helping out the SD73 Honour Choir's Tenor section as well as being part of a community choir group, Cantabile Singers of Kamloops. Lucas also has an outstanding record of leadership and public presentation! He started his work with the Kamloops Music Collective in early 2020 when he volunteered for the Band Together program. Being a Program Coordinator throughout the year, Lucas just cannot wait to be part of another epic summer at KISSM 2023!
Megan Alpaugh
Executive Director
With a background in event planning and administration, Megan has been working with the Kamloops Music Collective for nearly 5 years. Prior to joining the Kamloops Music Collective, Megan completed her Bachelor of Business Administration Degree at Thompson Rivers University, and had the opportunity to study Marketing and Advertising at the University of Canberra, Australia, for part of this time. After completing her Business Degree, Megan moved to Barrie, Ontario to attend Georgian College and complete a Graduate Certificate in Event Management, where she graduated with honours. She has since been lucky enough to work with the non-profit: The LiveUp2 Foundation as a Marketing and Event Coordinator, before she moved back to BC and joined the Kamloops Music Collective. Megan has also worked extensively in the retail and service industry, and enjoys the chance to meet and interact with members of the community.
KMC Office Assistant
Rachel Reid
Since before Rachel had even started elementary school she had been attending musicals, whether it was Les Miserables at the Queen Elizabeth Theatre in Vancouver, or local Summerland Singers and Players productions, she was hooked! She would fall asleep listening to the cassettes of musicals her parents’ owned. After receiving a diploma in Publishing and Design, and then a degree in Early Childhood Education; she worked in the Early Childhood Educational field and eventually found herself in Kamloops working and raising a family. Together with her family she spends a lot of her time playing video games and boardgames!