2025 Adjudicators
Adjudicators for the Oilsands Rotary Music Festival are experienced musicians and educators who provide constructive feedback and guidance to participants. Their role is to evaluate performances, offer encouragement, and help musicians of all ages and skill levels grow in their craft. Through their expertise, they foster a positive and educational environment, ensuring a rewarding experience for all performers.
Piano Plan I: 8-12 yrs/Plan II: Gr. 2-5
ESTHER MADSEN
Esther Madsen is an active musician in the Edmonton area. She received her Associate of Piano when studying with Vera Shean. After more than forty years of teaching both piano and theory, her students have received many awards. But she also loves teaching music so that it brings joy to persons of all ages and stages in their lives.
Her choir experience came from an early age and she learned so many lessons along the way. After studying with Bruce Wheatcroft and at the University of Alberta, she has continued to find other clinicians to study with throughout her career. Her choral experiences have led her to churches in Ontario and in the Edmonton area, the Elk Island Honor Choir, and now the Festival Singers.
Esther feels that connecting music to our community is a vital part of the artistic thread that helps us all to learn and appreciate one another.
Speech Arts
JULES PEPIN
Jules has been involved in theatre for over 20 years, training through Trinity College London, where she earned her ATCL Performance Diploma in Speech and Drama. She also holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Drama from The University of Alberta. Jules is an actor, stage manager and director and is currently the Education Manager for The Grindstone Theatre School in Edmonton.
Classical Voice
KATHLEEN MORRISON
Kathleen Morrison, described as “riveting” by Opera Canada, is an internationally acclaimed operatic soprano and the Artistic/Executive Director of Alberta Vocal Arts, a nonprofit dedicated to promoting/preserving the classical vocal arts. She owns Voice by Kathleen, coaching singers across genres with an emphasis on healthy technique.
Since 2019, she is the director of Solo Voice Studies at Renert School and is a sought-after adjudicator and clinician. A Calgary native, she enjoys time with her Samoyeds, Alfie and Rosie, and is an award-winning Certified Trick Dog Instructor and Vice-President of the Samoyed Association of Canada. Upcoming performances include Aria Going to the Opera?, Evening Echoes with Alberta Vocal Arts, and Pergolesi’s Stabat Mater with the Calgary Concert Opera Company.
@kathleen__morrison
www.kathleenmorrison.com
Contemporary Voice
SONIA REID
Sonia Reid is a dynamic vocalist, seasoned performer, and dedicated vocal coach with over 25 years of experience. A graduate of Redeemer University with a Bachelor of Arts in Music, she holds certifications as a Licensed NeuroVocal Instructor for Popular Styles and a Suzuki Trained Vocal Teacher (Levels 1 & 2).
Her powerful, soulful performances have captivated audiences across Canada and the United States, including featured appearances at the Sasktel Jazz Festival, The Bassment, and the YXE Divas concert with the Saskatoon Symphony Orchestra (April 2024). Looking ahead, she will take center stage in a solo performance with the Saskatoon Symphony in April 2026. Sonia has also been recognized for her expertise in vocal training through media features, including an interview with CTV’s Caitrin Hodson discussing her innovative teaching methods.
As the founder of Sonia Reid Studios, Sonia works with singers and artists of popular styles, empowering them to develop their unique voices with confidence and artistry. Her studio also offers specialized training for vocal teachers and coaches. In addition to her studio work, she serves as a choir director and adjudicator, further contributing to the development of vocalists at all levels.
With a passion for performance and education, Sonia believes that music must first resonate with the artist to create a lasting impact on audiences. Her mission is to help singers discover their authentic sound while cultivating the technical skills and emotional depth needed to bring their artistry to life.
Connect with Sonia Reid Studios on all major social media platforms or visit www.soniareidstudios.com to learn more about her work, upcoming performances, and coaching opportunities.
Piano Plan I: 13 yrs+/ Plan II: Gr. 6+
Clark Schaufele
Alberta-born pianist Clark Schaufele enjoys a multi-faceted career, spanning genres beyond classical piano. On both the keyboards and the double bass, he has been involved in many performances, tours, and studio recordings, ranging from classical to jazz to country and folk. Recent performances have taken him to Japan, Taiwan, Australia, Austria, Germany, Holland, Poland, and throughout Canada, notably including performances at Stratford Music Festival, Regina Chamber Music Festival, The Banff Centre for Arts and Creativity, Rudolstadt Festival, and the Orlando Festival; and has collaborated with a wide range of artists including Mark Fewer, Lenka Lichtenberg, and Jayme Stone. He is in high demand across Canada as an adjudicator and clinician, on the local and provincial level.
Dedicated to his local communities, he frequently performs across Canada in series such as Gustin House, Ranva House, Regina Musical Club, Concerts in Care, and the Hands Across series. Presently, Clark is based in Toronto where he serves as Piano Instructor at York University and Director of Music at St Giles Church in addition to his busy freelance performance projects. He received his Doctorate in Music (Piano Performance) at the Université de Montréal under the guidance of Canadian pianist and educator, Paul Stewart. He holds additional degrees and diplomas from UdeM, Indiana University Jacobs School of Music, and the Royal Conservatory of Music.
Musical Theatre
RON LONG
Ron is a passionate voice teacher and performer based in Edmonton, with over 20 years of experience helping singers unlock their full potential. Originally specializing in musical theatre and opera, he has expanded his expertise to contemporary pop music, offering a well-rounded and versatile approach to vocal training.
Ron primarily works with adults and older teenagers, guiding many of his students into prestigious music programs across Canada and the U.S. He also specializes in vocal rehabilitation, helping singers recover from illness and vocal strain. As an Estill Master Teacher, Ron takes a science-based approach to voice training, focusing on technique, experience, and understanding the full capabilities of the human voice.
His teaching extends beyond private lessons—offering online instruction, bonus classes, and monthly recitals to foster a dynamic learning experience. Ron is also a sought-after adjudicator for music festivals across Alberta and Western Canada.
With a Master of Music in Opera and Musical Theatre from Southern Illinois University Carbondale, Ron has performed extensively with Edmonton Opera and is a proud member of Equity, Canada’s actors’ union. His students include Edmonton Opera chorus members, musical theatre performers, fellow voice teachers, and anyone eager to explore their vocal abilities.
He teaches both online and in person at his home studio in Edmonton’s Griesbach neighborhood. While his schedule is often full, he always welcomes consultations and vocal coaching sessions, specializing in audition preparation.
Choral Voice
JOY BERG
Professor Emeritus (from Concordia University of Edmonton), Dr. Berg is delighted to now be living in the Camrose community, continuing to be a sessional instructor at The Kings University as well as at the Augustana campus of the University of Alberta. Joy received her piano performance degree (U of Sask), education teaching certificate (U. of Alberta), and choral conducting degrees (U. of Alberta, U of Iowa), as well as a worship degree (Robert Webber Institute).
Joy has shared her love of the human voice through the doing (Joy sang for 16 years as an Alto with Procoro Canada, Edmonton’s professional choir), through the teaching (in her private studio), and through choral work (with her role as professor, with many guest conducting opportunities, with many adjudicating contracts, as well as with international choral tours). She has shared her love of the piano with accompanying, and adjudicating. Joy has a passion for the church musician – she has been a church musician from full-time to part-time in both Lutheran and Anglican denominations, and has taught university courses as well as led many workshops on various aspects of this role in the Church.
Joy has done extensive research on Canadian Hymnody (including being the Canadian representative to the LWF convention music for the 2003
convention in Winnipeg), and she is the curator for the Cypress Publishing church choir series, Songs for the Sanctuary.
Dr. Berg holds a Doctorate of Music degree in Choral Conducting as well as a Doctorate of Worship Arts. Joy started her business, Sanctuary Sounds, which includes the Camrose community choirs of Ubuntu:Collective. Joy also enjoys her continuing role in conducting The Kings Community and Alumni Chorus throughout the year, and is active as a church musician at Messiah Lutheran Church in Camrose.
Piano Plan I: 7 yrs. & Under/Plan II: Pre-Gr. 1 & Gr.1
DR. ELIZABETH CLARKE
Calgary-based pianist Dr. Elizabeth Clarke is active as a performer, collaborator, and teacher. She has performed numerous solo and chamber recitals in Canada and the United States, and has been a concerto soloist with the University of Victoria orchestra. She is an in-demand accompanist and frequently works with singers and instrumentalists of all levels. Elizabeth is also a founding member of the violin and piano duo, There is Room, an exciting new chamber group that exists to share music and hospitality across Canada.
As a teacher, Elizabeth previously held the position of Assistant Professor in Residence at Bradley University in Peoria, IL, where she taught piano, aural skills, and music history. She has also held teaching assistantships at the University of Victoria and Michigan State University. Currently, she is a sessional instructor at Ambrose University in Calgary, and maintains a private studio at Calgary Music Academy, where she teaches students from young children to adults.
Originally from Fort McMurray, Elizabeth studied at the University of Alberta, Augustana Campus (B.M. in piano performance), University of Victoria (M.M. in piano performance), and Michigan State University (DMA in piano performance and M.M. in music theory). Throughout
her studies she received numerous awards, including the Governor General’s silver medal, the Johann Strauss scholarship for advanced musical study in Austria, and a graduate student grant from the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada.
Handbells
PATSY ANDREWS-VERT
Patsy Andrews-Vert, originally from Souris, MB, received a Bachelor of Music Education from Brandon University (Brandon MB) in 1984. She also holds an Associate in Flute Performance from the Western Board of Music (1986). Patsy has taught students of all instrumental music levels in both Saskatchewan and Manitoba. She is retired from teaching in the Prairie Rose School Division and the Red River Valley School Division in South-Central Manitoba. She is an active clinician, adjudicator and conductor in handbells and band. Patsy is currently the Chair of the Handbell Guilds of Canada, and President of the Manitoba Guild of English Handbell Ringers. Patsy is also the coordinator of the Meridian Arts Festival in Starbuck, past Secretary for the Handbell Guilds of Canada, past president of the Manitoba Band Association, and a member of the Canadian Band Association. In her spare time, Patsy enjoys conducting the Trinity Lutheran Church Choir, the Trinity Lutheran Handbell choir, playing in the Ring Out! Handbell quartet, playing trombone in the Westwood Community Band in Winnipeg, mowing their 17-acre property, travelling, and volunteering in the community.
Oilsands Rotary Music Festival 