Clinicians

Canadian drummer/percussionist Mark Adam has shared the stage and studio with many of Canada’s leading artists and is fluent across a wide range of musical styles. From jazz with Phil Dwyer, Laila Biali, Dave Restivo, Adrean Farrugia, David Braid and Mike Murley, to award winning classical recordings with Derek Charke, the Calgary Philharmonic Orchestra and WIRED Ensemble, Mark’s love of music knows no bounds. He has played on recordings of country artists George Canyon and Dave Gunning, worked with leaders in modern dance at the Toronto Dance Theater and the National Ballet and enjoys a career in music production. Mark’s ability to hear across musical styles allows him to hear and develop artists’ voices and visions. He has produced albums for Laurenn Marchand (2016 Music Nova Scotia nominations for Solo Recording of the Year, Folk Recording of the Year and New Artist Recording of the Year), Carmen Braden (2020 ECMA nominee for Classical Recording of the Year, 2017 WCMA
Classical Composition of the Year), Tom Easley (2019 Music Nova Scotia Jazz Recording of the Year) and Kim Barlow (2019 Music Nova Scotia Folk Recording of the Year nominee). His latest projects include a sophomore album for Tom Easley, fourth album with Carmen Braden, a trio release with Phil Dwyer (BPM Trio, WCMA Jazz Recording of the Year Nominee)) and albums from East Coast songwriters Michael Dalton and Pat LePoidevin. Mark was a 2020 East Coast
Music Award nominee for Producer of the Year. He is a professor at Acadia University in Wolfville, NS and regularly appears as a guest presenter and educator for music festivals, universities, high schools and conferences across Canada.

Dorian was born and raised in Halifax, NS. Dorian completed his Undergraduate Degree in Music from Mount Allison University, while simultaneously studying Clarinet Performance at The Boston Conservatory. Dorian later moved to Toronto where he completed his Masters Degree in Clarinet Performance from the University of Toronto. As an artist, Dorian has participated in masterclasses across North America and throughout Europe. He has worked with world-renowned artists from leading orchestras including the New York Philharmonic, Berlin Philharmonic, and Toronto Symphony Orchestra. Dorian has performed at numerous prestigious venues including Sanders Theatre at Harvard, CBC Studios, and Roy Thompson Hall in Toronto. At present, Dorian is engaged with the local music scene, where he serves as a member of the Board of Directors with the Chebucto Symphony Orchestra. Dorian is also the principal Clarinetist with the Chebucto Symphony Orchestra, and an on-call musician with Symphony Nova Scotia. Above all, Dorian remains passionately dedicated to his clarinet and saxophone students. His students are members of provincial ensembles, community orchestras, and are leaders within their own school music programs.

Tristan De Borba is a classical and contemporary saxophonist and conductor and is quickly gaining a reputation as an innovative and engaging musician. Tristan has a strong interest in the music of our time. Tristan is a member of the Alkali Collective, a Halifax-based new music ensemble dedicated to the creation, performance, documentation, and educational outreach of 21st century music. Tristan is also one-half of the Strum-De Borba duo with fellow saxophonist Nicole Strum. As a soloist, his recording of Derek Charke’s Wired and Wound with pianist Simon Docking can be found on the ECMA nominated recording “Live Wired” (Centrediscs, 2015). Tristan also appears as saxophone soloist on “In the Wide Awe of Wisdom” featuring the choral music of Paul Halley (Pelagos, 2017). Alongside pianist Mary Castello, Tristan released a video recording of Fernande Decruck’s Sonata and William Grant Still’s Romance. Dr. Tristan De Borba completed a Doctor of Musical Arts degree at the University of Toronto. He is Assistant Professor at Acadia University in Wolfville, Nova Scotia where he teaches saxophone, conducts the String Orchestra and Symphonic Band and teaches musicianship. When taking a break from a busy performing and teaching career, Tristan can be found alongside his wife Sara and their dogs Lua and Sasi exploring beautiful Nova Scotia.

Shauna has performed in many festivals and conferences across Canada, including the Vancouver International Jazz Festival, Sonic Boom New Music Festival, the Montreal International Jazz Festival, Acadia University’s Shattering the Silence New Music Festival, Upstream Music Association’s Open Waters Festival, and the Halifax Jazz Festival, as well as events such as the Royal Nova Scotia International Tattoo. She has toured internationally with several ensembles, including a performance in Tokyo, Japan as a soloist with the Vancouver Pops Symphony Orchestra.

Shauna is a dedicated music educator with more than fifteen years of teaching experience. Her approach prioritizes well-rounded musicianship and practical skill-building, including strong technique, diverse repertoire, and a sound-driven approach to self-analysis. She offers lessons through her private teaching studio the Maritime Conservatory of Performing Arts. She also teaches at the post-secondary level at the Fountain School of Performing Arts at Dalhousie University. As a clinician, she has coached and led workshops for the Dalhousie University Wind Ensemble, the Nova Scotia Youth Wind Ensemble, the Nova Scotia Youth Orchestra, as well as many school band programs and community groups.

Shauna holds an undergraduate degree in music education and performance from Acadia University and a master’s degree in trombone performance from Université de Montréal.

James holds a Bachelor of Music in Performance from McGill University where he studied with soloist and educator Edward Carroll, a Master of Music in Performance from the University of Ottawa where he studied with Karen Donnelly, Principal Trumpet of NACO, and a Bachelor of Education in Secondary Instrumental Music from the University of Calgary.

James held a position with the Saskatoon Symphony Orchestra, and has performed with the National Arts Center Orchestra, Ottawa Symphony Orchestra, and PEI Symphony Orchestra. He has performed with chamber groups such as Altius Brass, and Capital Brass Works.

James was a member of the Canadian Armed Forces as a reserve musician for 16 years, where he has gained numerous awards and recognitions. He has performed with the Stadacona Band of the Royal Canadian Navy, Central Band of the Canadian Forces, La Musique du Royal 22e Régiment, and the Ceremonial Guard Band.

In addition to teaching at Acadia University, James teaches music and band with the Halifax Regional Center for Education. He is a regular clinician with the Nova Scotia Honour bands, and maintains a private teaching studio. James has also taught courses at the University of Ottawa.

Sean is or has been a member of several musical groups in Nova Scotia including Nova Brass Quintet, Scotia Brass, Cape Breton Brass Band, Second Wind Community Band, Cape Breton Orchestra, and Donkin Citizens’ Brass Band. Other ensembles in which Sean has been a member in the past include the Savoy Theatre Pit Orchestra and the Cape Breton University Pit Orchestra. He was co-conductor of Second Wind Community Band in Sydney, Nova Scotia. He was also a co-conductor with Second
Chances Community Band in Halifax. He founded and conducted the Happy Valley-Goose Bay Concert Band and the Labrador School Board Honour Band (Encore). Sean was also the conductor of the Dal Wind Ensemble (Halifax, NS).

Outside of Nova Scotia, Sean was a member of the Band of the Ceremonial Guard (Ottawa, ON), principal tubaist with the Newfoundland Symphony Orchestra , the Plumbing Factory Brass Band (London, ON), Stratford Concert Band (ON), Memorial University of NL Brass Quintet, Memorial University of NL Concert Band (principal), City University Symphony Orchestra (London, England), City University Brass Band, Guildhall School of Music and Drama Brass Quintet (London, England), and the
Guildhall Tuba Quartet (London, England).

Sean has served on various arts education boards over the years including president of the Newfoundland and Labrador Music Educators Association, vice president of the Newfoundland and Labrador Arts Council, president of the Nova Scotia Music Educators Association, and board member on the Canadian Music Educators Association.

Sean currently resides in Debert, NS and is extremely pleased to be the low brass
(Tuba/Baritone/Euphonium) clinician at Atlantic Festivals of Music this year.