THE KYO TEAM
We are proud to showcase the talent that makes Kawartha Youth Orchestra a premier music education organization.
Take a moment to learn more about our incredible team!
Orchestral Ensembles
Dr. Alexander Cannon
KYO Artistic Director
SKYO Conductor
UPBEAT Senior Instructor- Music Fundamentals
A skilled music educator, orchestral conductor, and orchestral trumpet player, Alexander Cannon assumed the Artistic Director leadership role for the KYO in July of 2021. Serving music organizations across Canada, he is also the Resident Conductor of the Guelph Symphony Orchestra and Music Director for the Guelph Youth Symphony Orchestra. He previously held conducting positions with the Vancouver Philharmonic Orchestra, the Kitchener-Waterloo Symphony, and at the El Sistema-inspired social program at the Saint James Music Academy in Vancouver, and led the Erato Ensemble as the Ensemble in Residence at Vancouver’s annual Sonic Boom Festival.
He has performed on trumpet with Vancouver Opera, the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra, Vancouver New Music, Redshift’s Negative Zed Ensemble, the Vancouver Metropolitan Orchestra, the Turning Point Ensemble, Chor Leoni Men’s Choir, the Vancouver Chamber Choir, and for Vancouver’s Music on Main, including for the International Society for Contemporary Music. Additionally he has performed at International Trumpet Guild Conventions in Dallas, TX and Bangkok, Thailand, the Las Vegas Music Festival, the Dublin International Festival in Ireland, the Chaiyi International Band Festival in Taiwan, the Coleman Chamber Ensemble Competition in California, and at the Fischoff Chamber Music Competition.
Dr. Cannon studied at the National Youth Orchestra of Canada, the Pierre Monteux School, the Lake Placid Institute, and the Centre for Advanced Studies at Chosen Vale. While a doctoral student at the University of British Columbia, he was twice awarded a University Graduate Fellowship. His brass students have attended Interlochen, Tanglewood, California Institute of the Arts, the University of British Columbia, the University of Toronto, the University of Victoria, McGill University, and the Curtis Institute. He enjoys an active schedule across Canada as an orchestral conductor, trumpet player, and adjudicator.
Jeff Clements
IKYO Conductor, JKYO/IKYO Winds
Jeffrey Clements is a composer, conductor, multi-instrumentalist and graduate of the University of Toronto, where he majored in music composition and York University, where he studied education. Since graduating, Jeff has explored many avenues of music making, including becoming an associate member of the Screen Composer’s Guild of Canada and participating in the Guild’s Apprentice Mentorship Program under the guidance of film composer Adrian Ellis. He has also written music for various media projects, including the student short film Birds of a Feather, a commercial for Simon Fraser University’s Creative Design Program, the fan made video game Pokemon:Sunday Version and Summer with the Shiba Inu by Quill Studios (The latter two of these projects received over 10,000 downloads each). As a concert composer, Jeff has written extensively for small chamber groups, vocal and instrumental soloists, wind ensembles and orchestras. Some recent performances of his works include his piece Hidden Narrative being performed at the Canadian Music Centre’s event The Extended Mind and his Kawartha Nights being performed at the first Toronto Tuba and Euphonium Symposium (TOTES).
Jeff has performed many solo bassoon recitals, often showcasing his own compositions, and has performed with ensembles such as the University of Toronto Symphony Orchestra, The Bermuda Philharmonic, Kindred Spirits Orchestra, The Li Delun Foundation Orchestra and the North York Concert Orchestra. Jeffrey has always been a multi-instrumentalist; besides playing bassoon as his main instrument, he also has extensive experience playing saxophone, flute, clarinet and piano. Jeff’s passion for teaching has only grown over his five years of experience giving lessons on woodwinds and piano and he is currently working as an occasional teacher for the Kawartha Pine Ridge District School Board and the Toronto District School Board.
Martin Gladman
IKYO/SKYO Percussion Conductor/Instructor
Martin Gladman is a percussionist and multi-instrumental musician holding an Honours Degree in Performance from Wilfrid Laurier University. Martin has worked supporting music programs in schools and community groups from St. Catharines to Owen Sound, including work as a drum teacher with Waterloo Music. While residing in the Kitchener-Waterloo area, he performed with groups including the Wellington Winds, Royal City Big Band, Kitchener Waterloo Community Orchestra, Cana Brava Latin Band, as well as pop bands including Used Parts and Omega.
In 2006 Martin returned to WLU, and continued on to University of Western Ontario’s Faculty of Education, where he graduated with Honours and won the Music Award. After his studies, Martin relocated to Northumberland and worked as an elementary music teacher for the Durham District School Board. Martin spent over a decade bringing the joy of music to students, running programs involving concert band, ukulele, recorder, voice, and hand drums. He also performed with local groups including the Peterborough Symphony Orchestra and the L’il Big Band, as well as pop performances with the Hilltop Project and as a solo acoustic artist.
Saskia Tomkins
Lead Strings Instructor, JKYO/IKYO
UPBEAT Senior Instructor- Viola
Saskia Tomkins is a master musician of Violin/Fiddle Viola, Cello and Nyckelharpa. She is classically trained with a folk background and a B.A.hons. in Music (Jazz), and she won All Britain Champion Irish Fiddler.
Over the years, Saskia has worked with many musicians, including: Jimmy Bowskill, The Chieftains, Kim Doolittle, Tim Edey, Tim Garland, “Jabbour”, Robb Johnson, Sonja Kristina (Curved Air), Ron Korb, James McKenty, Crispian Mills (Kula Shaker), David Newland, Donald Quan, “Sin E” Ted Staunton , “Sultans of String”, Miranda Sykes, “Uriah Heep”, Lotus Wight (Sam Allison), Ken Whiteley, “Al-pha-X” and Astrid Young, her husband Steáfán Hannigan and son Oisín Hannigan, and a plethora of other amazing musicians, actors and dancers!
Her theatre work includes: Originating the “Celtic-ifying” of the broadway hit “Come From Away”; The English Shakespeare Company and Michael Bogdanov; 4th Line Theatre, Ontario; Sadler’s Wells Theatre, London UK;
Saskia’s current personal projects include Steáfán & Saskia with Steáfán Hannigan, the instrumental jazz/roots duo 2ish, with Brandon Scott Besharah; the Celtic crossover group Cáirdeas and the jazz trio Marsala and the Imports. She frequently plays with Sultans of String and in the Maple Leaf Jug Band. Saskia is principal 2nd violin for Quinte Symphony Orchestra, and also teaches privately from her home near Cobourg, Ontario. and runs workshops at festivals.
Sally Wolf
Flute Instructor, JKYO
Sally joins the KYO staff as flute and recorder teacher having a well established studio practice in Peterborough, ON. She received her Performance Diploma on flute from the Royal
Conservatory in the Hague, the Netherlands. While in the Hague she also studied Baroque
Flute and learned Recorder and has, over the years, led an Early Music Ensemble, coached
Chamber Music ensembles and taught flute for Cammac/LakeField Music; and currently
teaches Flute at Lakefield College. In 2014 she was awarded the outstanding teacher award
from the Peterborough Registered Music Teachers. Her students have gone on professionally in music, as well as participated as amateur music lovers in many of Peterborough’s flourishing Bands and Orchestras.
Andrew Randall
Cello Instructor, JKYO
Andrew Randall is a long-standing member of the musical community in Northumberland County. Having started his musical education in church choir, Andrew quickly developed his love of music. Andrew started his instrumental music education on clarinet, then continued on to play the flute, baritone sax and oboe. He always loved string instruments and took up the cello in his preteen years. Through years of private instruction, he quickly became proficient.
Andrew is one of the three original creators of Journey Through the Arts – a week-long summer program that immersed children in the arts. The program still operates in Port Hope over 17 years later. Andrew is also a founding member, coach, and alumnus of La Jeunesse Youth Orchestra.
In past years, Andrew has been a long-standing member of the Northumberland Orchestra and Choir and frequent volunteer with the kids at Song in Port Hope.
Today, Andrew’s musical abilities are most utilized in the church community where he and his cello are in high demand.
Andrew is of the firm belief that music education is an important part of all children’s artistic development.
UPBEAT! Downtown
Dr. Alexander Cannon
KYO Artistic Director
SKYO Conductor
UPBEAT Senior Instructor- Music Fundamentals
See bio under Orchestral ensembles
Saskia Tomkins
Lead Strings Instructor, JKYO/IKYO
UPBEAT Senior Instructor- Viola
See bio under Orchestral ensembles
Cormac Culkeen
Youth Activities Leader
Cormac is a youth worker, songwriter, composer, and vocalist who lives and works in their hometown of Nogojiwanong/Peterborough, Ontario. Cormac is the vocalist of the duo Joyful Joyful, where noise and drone soundscapes are created that reference sacred music and traditional folk. Cormac is a frequent collaborator and co-conspirator, and has sung and created work with visual artists, filmmakers, and dancers, as well as other recording artists.
Cormac enjoys teaching and leading group singing, and has led workshops at Hillside Music Festival, MAW vocal arts, and Rock Camp for Girls. Cormac has worked with children and youth for many years, and is currently the Director of Youth and Family Ministries at All Saints’ Anglican Church where they have significant connection and involvement with neighbourhood families.
Katarina Thompson
Senior Instructor- Violin
Katarina is a second-year history and law student who is attending Trent University. Her love of music started when she played with the Menuhin Foundation Youth Orchestra in Bermuda, and grew stronger from that point onward. She has been playing the violin for 10 years, and has been continuously involved with orchestras and music throughout that time. This will be her 6th year of involvement with the Kawartha Youth Orchestra. Starting as a member of the Senior Youth Orchestra, Katarina realized her ability to help others when she helped mentor musicians in the Junior and Intermediate orchestras. She was involved with UPBEAT! Downtown last year as an assistant violin instructor, and is thrilled to be returning to the program this year. When she is not making music, Katarina loves to create visual art and write; she also has experience as a competitive swimmer and is a qualified National Lifeguard.
Rachel Duketow
Senior Instructor- Violin
Rachel has been playing violin since she was four years old, and is proficient in both violin and piano. Rachel has completed multiple music theory, violin and piano exams through the Royal Conservatory of Music, and won the Level 8 String Solo Concert Group last season with the Kiwanis Music Festival. She continues to work toward higher musical goals every year.
Over the years, Rachel has performed both classical and Celtic music concerts with her family, Rhythm and Grace Music – Duketow, across Canada. With her family, Rachel has had opportunities to take part in three seasons of a musical children’s series with Salt + Light Media.
Anna Eidt
Senior Instructor- Choir
Originally from Halifax, Nova Scotia, Anna benefited from a strong public music education before taking her intense love of choral singing to London, Ontario and then to the Toronto District School Board where she taught vocal music and English for eight years. After a brief dabble in some visual arts and community-centered entrepreneurship, Anna is delighted to be jumping into arts education in Peterborough.
Since her very first choir rehearsal in grade four to conducting at Massey Hall, Anna has relished in the power of group singing to foster connection, compassion, and joy. Anna is dedicated to helping young musicians develop vocal confidence, listening skills, and artistry that will translate to all their future endeavours.
Anna conducts the Peterborough Children’s Chorus Youth Choir, and teaches music in the Kawartha Pine Ridge District School Board. She holds a Bachelor of Music and Bachelor of Education from the University of Western Ontario.
Joanna Currie
Instructor- Music Fundamentals
Joanna is a French horn player studying Mathematics in the Teacher Education Stream at Trent University. She has been involved in several music ensembles, including The Ottawa Children’s Choir, the Ottawa Regional Youth Chorus, the Ottawa Youth Orchestra, the Ottawa Pops Orchestra, and the National Capital Concert Band.
With these ensembles, Joanna has had the opportunity to perform across the globe, including in France at the 100th Anniversary of the Battle of Vimy Ridge and at the Notre-Dame Cathedral, as well as several locations across Eastern Canada.
Joanna is in her second year playing with the Senior Kawartha Youth Orchestra and is very excited to be joining the KYO team.
Trina Goodwin
Nutrition Program Coordinator
Trina Goodwin has recently taken on the position of Nutrition Program Coordinator for UPBEAT! Downtown, our accessible, after-school music program for children in the City of Peterborough. Trina is passionate about all things food, compiles UPBEAT’s weekly menu, grocery shops for food items, and enjoys preparing and serving the kids healthy meals/snacks every Thursday.
Support Staff
Louis Molnar
Executive Director
Louis is an experienced executive leader with nearly 20 years in the not-for-profit environment. With a focus on strategic operations, they have led large community-based programs and corporate organizations across North America such as Pride Toronto, Twainbow, KMJ Consultants and TD Bank. In addition to an MBA in business strategy, Louis’ education includes studies in psychology, accounting, and international relations. With a life-long background in music, support of youth initiatives throughout Canada, and as an honouree of diversity awards internationally, Louis brings a passion for community to Kawartha Youth Orchestra.
Carolyn Hoy
Administrative Assistant
Carolyn Hoy has been involved in the Peterborough arts community since 2006. Carolyn sang with the Peterborough Children’s Chorus for 16 years. After graduating from the choir Carolyn joined the Board of Directors, and in 2019 took on the role of administrator for the organization. Carolyn now sings with the Electric City Singers in Peterborough and has joined the Kawartha Youth Orchestra team to help further arts in the Peterborough community. Carolyn actively advocates the importance access to the arts plays in the lives of children and youth and is excited to be joining the Kawartha Youth Orchestra team this season.
Board of Directors
Brett Goodwin
President & Human Resources
Brett Goodwin works at Fleming College in Lindsay and is the Dean of the School of Environmental and Natural Sciences. Brett claims he has no musical ability whatsoever nor any musical training (aside from a brief stint of piano-accordion lessons when he was 6). But both of his sons have greatly enjoyed being involved with the JKYO/KYO and their musical ability has certainly benefitted from their time with The Orchestras. Knowing how much these sorts of organizations rely on parent volunteers, Brett was willing to join the Board of Directors. Brett also serves on the Kawartha Trans Canada Trail Board of Directors, the Lindsay District Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors, and volunteers with Scouts Canada.
Joy Simmonds
Vice President & Community Engagement Committee
Joy has taken to the organization like a fish takes to water; she’s jumped in with both feet and is immersed within the Orchestras Program, as well as volunteering in UPBEAT!, our barrier-free, after school music program. Joy is also a musician and her passion for music carries over into the community as she empowers youth!
Joy first fell in love with the cello when it was randomly handed to her in grade 5 music class. After elementary school, there followed a long hiatus, but she never lost sight of her passion for the deeply layered and rich tones of the cello. She started to play in earnest again when her son Danny began lessons. She played alone quietly in her home until her first transformative experience at Lakefield Music Camp. There she was catapulted into the world of communal music making. She joined the Board and was Chair for 6 years.
Currently a member of the Peterborough Symphony Orchestra, The Red Room Quartet (flute, clarinet, viola and cello) and the Strong Song Chamber Ensemble, Joy is passionate about any kind of music-making. Professionally, she taught for 15 years in inner city Toronto schools. After moving to Peterborough, she transitioned to social work, providing psychotherapy and play therapy to children, adolescents and families before retiring 2 years ago.
Jeff Lingard
Treasurer
Jeff Lingard has recently joined the Kawartha Youth Orchestra Board as Treasurer. He is a Chartered Accountant who was born and raised in Peterborough, and was a graduate of Adam Scott Secondary School. Jeff attended Carleton University where he acquired a Bachelor of Commerce Accounting Concentration degree. He has been working in public accounting since 2000.
Jeff is currently the Treasurer for the Peterborough Business Social Club, and was past Treasurer of the Down Syndrome Association of Peterborough.
Jeff is an avid sports fan, a heavy metal music fan, and enjoys spending time with his family.
Peter Harris
Acting Secretary & Instrument Librarian Committee
Peter Harris was raised in Northern Ontario where he was taught by a former member of the Montreal Symphony to play cello. He attended University of Guelph where he obtained his BSc in Biology. Upon graduating, Peter went to Africa where he did a two-year placement as a CUSO volunteer in a remote village in Nigeria. Upon his return, Peter obtained his B.Ed. at the University of Toronto and taught for 30 years with the Trillium Lakelands School Board. In 1999, Peter began teaching e-learning courses as a founding teacher in what is now Ontario’s largest and longest running e-learning school. Peter has played in several community and university orchestras and continues to play with the Peterborough Symphony Orchestra.
Peter Hanmore
Director
Peter Hanmore has happily returned to the board of the KYO as a Director in 2020, having served as President and Librarian many years previous. Starting in high school Peter had a strong interest in music, and it was particularly rekindled when his daughter joined the KYO playing French horn. He enjoys helping to provide youth with opportunities to play and learn about music in an environment that would otherwise be unavailable to them locally. Peter has an H.B.Sc. Forestry degree (Lakehead U) and GIS Application Specialist diploma (SSFC) and works for the Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry as a Geographic Information Systems programmer/analyst. When not at work, Peter actively plays trombone and euphonium in several musical groups including the Peterborough Symphony, a brass quintet, and various pit orchestras. He also runs a pet photography business.
Jennifer Keelan
Director
Jennifer Keelan is a PhD researcher in the field of public health policy and history of science and technology. She is also the co-founder of a technical and scientific consulting firm based in Ontario. A recipient of the Ontario Career Scientist award, she was a faculty member at the University of Toronto where she taught Public Health Policy (Dalla Lana School of Public Health) and history of science and medicine. She also held an adjunct faculty position at the newly named Concordia University of Edmonton, in Alberta where she taught in the Public Health Certificate Online Programs. Her areas of research include public understanding of science, vaccine policy and anti-vaccinationism. She joined the Kawartha Youth Orchestra Board in the Fall of 2022.

Bryce Porter
Director
