The 2025-2026 Board of Directors
Diana Bushell, President
Diana Bushell received a BMus from the University of Lethbridge and a BEd from the University of Alberta, and has been teaching elementary music and middle school band at St. Marguerite Bourgeoys School in Innisfail since 2005. Her band program continues to grow with more students each year, and her grade 7/8/9 band most recently won the award for Best Performance for a band at their level in the Red Deer Festival of the Performing Arts in 2024. Performing with groups such as the Central Alberta Chamber Orchestra, the Red Deer Monday Night Band, and the Parkland Dixielanders keeps her busy and active with her joy of playing the clarinet. She enjoyed serving as vice president of the Women Band Directors International Alberta Chapter from its inception in 2020 until 2024 and on the ABA board of directors since 2022, including acting as president since 2024. Diana’s passion in life is to instill a love of music within her students and to help them in reaching their full musical potential.
Diana Bushell received a BMus from the University of Lethbridge and a BEd from the University of Alberta, and has been teaching elementary music and middle school band at St. Marguerite Bourgeoys School in Innisfail since 2005. Her band program continues to grow with more students each year, and her grade 7/8/9 band most recently won the award for Best Performance for a band at their level in the Red Deer Festival of the Performing Arts in 2024. Performing with groups such as the Central Alberta Chamber Orchestra, the Red Deer Monday Night Band, and the Parkland Dixielanders keeps her busy and active with her joy of playing the clarinet. She enjoyed serving as vice president of the Women Band Directors International Alberta Chapter from its inception in 2020 until 2024 and on the ABA board of directors since 2022, including acting as president since 2024. Diana’s passion in life is to instill a love of music within her students and to help them in reaching their full musical potential.
Benjamin Leer, Vice President
Benjamin Leer is an educator, conductor, and trombonist from Fort McMurray, Alberta. He has Bachelor’s degrees in Trombone Performance and Secondary Music Education from the University of Lethbridge, and a Master’s of Music degree in Music Education from Western University in London Ontario. He is currently teaching at Holy Trinity Catholic High School, where he runs the band program, including Band 7, Band 8/9, Senior Concert Band, Jazz Academy, Senior Jazz Band, and extracurricular music programming. His groups have attended many music festivals in Alberta and beyond, including winning Gold Awards at the Canadian National Music Festival. Personally, he has performed in many different contexts, including as a gigging jazz artist as well as performances with the Celtic Tenors and backing up Joan Rivers. Outside of his paid job, he also serves on various community and provincial organizations, including the Friends of Suncor Energy Centre for the Performing Arts and the Alberta Band Association Board of Directors. He is intensely passionate about young people’s music education, and is an advocate for broadly inclusive practices in music education at all levels. When not waving his magic stick in front of school and honour bands, he enjoys cycling, reading, board games, and spending time with his wife, two children, and overexcited dog.
Benjamin Leer is an educator, conductor, and trombonist from Fort McMurray, Alberta. He has Bachelor’s degrees in Trombone Performance and Secondary Music Education from the University of Lethbridge, and a Master’s of Music degree in Music Education from Western University in London Ontario. He is currently teaching at Holy Trinity Catholic High School, where he runs the band program, including Band 7, Band 8/9, Senior Concert Band, Jazz Academy, Senior Jazz Band, and extracurricular music programming. His groups have attended many music festivals in Alberta and beyond, including winning Gold Awards at the Canadian National Music Festival. Personally, he has performed in many different contexts, including as a gigging jazz artist as well as performances with the Celtic Tenors and backing up Joan Rivers. Outside of his paid job, he also serves on various community and provincial organizations, including the Friends of Suncor Energy Centre for the Performing Arts and the Alberta Band Association Board of Directors. He is intensely passionate about young people’s music education, and is an advocate for broadly inclusive practices in music education at all levels. When not waving his magic stick in front of school and honour bands, he enjoys cycling, reading, board games, and spending time with his wife, two children, and overexcited dog.
Clayton Schafers, Treasurer
Clayton has worked in finance/accounting for over 15 years in public practice and industry, keeping himself busy in the role of Financial Controller for the Calmont Group of companies. He has served on the Board of Directors for the St. Albert Community Band for over 9 years and enjoys playing tenor saxophone and piano in the Saint City Big Band. Clayton has taken the stage of the Winspear Centre for different performances, including the Western Canadian premiere of "I Am Harvey Milk" for the 9th Annual Artists for Life Gala. He has participated in the MID Europe Music Festival in Schladming, Austria and played saxophone with the Cosmopolitan Music Society’s Llangollen Music Festival Tour to London, Wales and Ireland. Clayton enjoys working with all members on the board of the Alberta Band Association and hopes to encourage more people to be involved in their local community music groups.
Clayton has worked in finance/accounting for over 15 years in public practice and industry, keeping himself busy in the role of Financial Controller for the Calmont Group of companies. He has served on the Board of Directors for the St. Albert Community Band for over 9 years and enjoys playing tenor saxophone and piano in the Saint City Big Band. Clayton has taken the stage of the Winspear Centre for different performances, including the Western Canadian premiere of "I Am Harvey Milk" for the 9th Annual Artists for Life Gala. He has participated in the MID Europe Music Festival in Schladming, Austria and played saxophone with the Cosmopolitan Music Society’s Llangollen Music Festival Tour to London, Wales and Ireland. Clayton enjoys working with all members on the board of the Alberta Band Association and hopes to encourage more people to be involved in their local community music groups.
Caelyn Duffee, Secretary
Caelyn Duffee is a lawyer and musician based in Alberta. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in History & Classics from the University of Alberta, an M.Phil in History from Trinity College Dublin in Ireland, and a Juris Doctor from the University of Alberta. She was the clarinet section lead in her high school and had the honour to perform in the Junior Honour Band years ago. She plays five instruments, and her wide vocal range and years of musical theory allowed her to serve as the soprano I section lead for the University of Alberta Mixed Chorus for several years under Robert de Frece. Throughout her schooling and her career, Caelyn has participated in numerous musical endeavours, including semi-professional and amateur theatre programs in both Canada and Ireland. In Edmonton, she has performed with the Greenwood Singers—who sang at the Alberta Legislature during the service for Queen Elizabeth II—and she has also performed with the Players de Novo, an Edmonton-based theatre group drawn from Edmonton’s legal community. In her spare time, Caelyn enjoys reading, writing, and teaching herself new instruments from around the world.
Caelyn Duffee is a lawyer and musician based in Alberta. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in History & Classics from the University of Alberta, an M.Phil in History from Trinity College Dublin in Ireland, and a Juris Doctor from the University of Alberta. She was the clarinet section lead in her high school and had the honour to perform in the Junior Honour Band years ago. She plays five instruments, and her wide vocal range and years of musical theory allowed her to serve as the soprano I section lead for the University of Alberta Mixed Chorus for several years under Robert de Frece. Throughout her schooling and her career, Caelyn has participated in numerous musical endeavours, including semi-professional and amateur theatre programs in both Canada and Ireland. In Edmonton, she has performed with the Greenwood Singers—who sang at the Alberta Legislature during the service for Queen Elizabeth II—and she has also performed with the Players de Novo, an Edmonton-based theatre group drawn from Edmonton’s legal community. In her spare time, Caelyn enjoys reading, writing, and teaching herself new instruments from around the world.
Robyn Adams
Born and raised in southern Alberta, Robyn Adams has spent the majority of her life enveloped in music education and a love for musical expression and creativity. Having grown up in a family of piano and wind players, Robyn learned to play both piano and alto saxophone, and eventually found her niche in classical vocal performance and composition.
In addition to years of playing saxophone in her school's concert and jazz band, Robyn also spent a total of eight years in private voice lessons, and two years playing alto saxophone in the University of Lethbridge Wind Ensemble. Robyn holds a Bachelor of Arts in Theology degree with a minor in Music from Summit Pacific College, affiliated with Trinity Western University in British Columbia, with a primary focus in voice. While focusing her attention on developing her vocal technique over the years, Robyn has also spent over twenty years singing and playing piano in the church setting, as well as writing and recording original music.
With over 13 years experience working in music retail, Robyn now works as an Educational Services Consultant for Long & McQuade Musical Instruments in Edmonton, serving band programs and music teachers in South Edmonton, central Alberta, and all the way out east to Lloydminster, SK. Robyn also spent 3 years serving on the board of directors for the Alberta Music Education Foundation, assisting with social media, keyboard and strings programming, as well as Music Conference Alberta. She is involved in the Edmonton music scene as an active performer, focusing most of her attention on singing and playing keyboard in the contemporary party/event dance band, Stiletto. Robyn currently maintains a home studio where she spends her time writing and recording original music and has a strong passion for supporting music education in Alberta.
Born and raised in southern Alberta, Robyn Adams has spent the majority of her life enveloped in music education and a love for musical expression and creativity. Having grown up in a family of piano and wind players, Robyn learned to play both piano and alto saxophone, and eventually found her niche in classical vocal performance and composition.
In addition to years of playing saxophone in her school's concert and jazz band, Robyn also spent a total of eight years in private voice lessons, and two years playing alto saxophone in the University of Lethbridge Wind Ensemble. Robyn holds a Bachelor of Arts in Theology degree with a minor in Music from Summit Pacific College, affiliated with Trinity Western University in British Columbia, with a primary focus in voice. While focusing her attention on developing her vocal technique over the years, Robyn has also spent over twenty years singing and playing piano in the church setting, as well as writing and recording original music.
With over 13 years experience working in music retail, Robyn now works as an Educational Services Consultant for Long & McQuade Musical Instruments in Edmonton, serving band programs and music teachers in South Edmonton, central Alberta, and all the way out east to Lloydminster, SK. Robyn also spent 3 years serving on the board of directors for the Alberta Music Education Foundation, assisting with social media, keyboard and strings programming, as well as Music Conference Alberta. She is involved in the Edmonton music scene as an active performer, focusing most of her attention on singing and playing keyboard in the contemporary party/event dance band, Stiletto. Robyn currently maintains a home studio where she spends her time writing and recording original music and has a strong passion for supporting music education in Alberta.
Sean Bumstead
Sean Bumstead is a triple-threat performer, composer, and educator, who is active within the greater Edmonton area. He feels at home playing with all sorts of ensembles: big band, jazz combo, concert band, orchestra, punk band, heavy metal band - you name it. He also is an avid composer, focusing on creating new works for concert band. As an educator, he is in his 4th year at John Maland High School in Devon, Alberta, where his concert and jazz bands play regularly at both school and community events, and have represented both at the provincial and national level. Sean was the recipient of the Keith Mann Young Band Director Award in 2023.
Sean Bumstead is a triple-threat performer, composer, and educator, who is active within the greater Edmonton area. He feels at home playing with all sorts of ensembles: big band, jazz combo, concert band, orchestra, punk band, heavy metal band - you name it. He also is an avid composer, focusing on creating new works for concert band. As an educator, he is in his 4th year at John Maland High School in Devon, Alberta, where his concert and jazz bands play regularly at both school and community events, and have represented both at the provincial and national level. Sean was the recipient of the Keith Mann Young Band Director Award in 2023.
Caileigh Demuynck
Caileigh Demuynck is a music educator originally from Lethbridge, Alberta. She began her teaching career with Red Deer Catholic Regional Schools in 2020, where she taught elementary French Immersion as well as junior high band and choir. From 2023 to 2025, she also served as the Division Choir Director for RDCRS. She has recently relocated to St. Albert with her husband and now teaches music with St. Albert Public Schools.Caileigh is an active musician and vocalist in her community. She has performed with several ensembles, including the Red Deer Community Band Monday Night Band, and she currently sings and plays with the St. Albert City Saints Jazz Band. She is in the final year of her Master of Education in Educational Leadership at the University of Lethbridge and also holds a Bachelor of Music in Composition (2018) and a Bachelor of Education (2020) from the same institution. Caileigh is passionate about creating inclusive, engaging musical experiences for all students.
Caileigh Demuynck is a music educator originally from Lethbridge, Alberta. She began her teaching career with Red Deer Catholic Regional Schools in 2020, where she taught elementary French Immersion as well as junior high band and choir. From 2023 to 2025, she also served as the Division Choir Director for RDCRS. She has recently relocated to St. Albert with her husband and now teaches music with St. Albert Public Schools.Caileigh is an active musician and vocalist in her community. She has performed with several ensembles, including the Red Deer Community Band Monday Night Band, and she currently sings and plays with the St. Albert City Saints Jazz Band. She is in the final year of her Master of Education in Educational Leadership at the University of Lethbridge and also holds a Bachelor of Music in Composition (2018) and a Bachelor of Education (2020) from the same institution. Caileigh is passionate about creating inclusive, engaging musical experiences for all students.
Breanne Jamieson
Breanne is the Band and Musical Theatre Director at École Okotoks Junior High School. She holds a Bachelor of Music from the University of British Columbia and a Master of Music from Indiana University. After completing her graduate studies, she returned to Canada as Principal Horn with the Kamloops Symphony and performed widely as a freelance musician across Alberta and British Columbia. She later earned a Bachelor of Education from the University of Calgary and began her teaching career. Breanne continues to perform professionally in the Calgary area and is dedicated to fostering a lifelong love of music in her students. She also serves as the Vice Chair of the Board for the Rocky Mountain Symphony Orchestra. She is looking forward to serving on the Board of the ABA which has provided so much value to her life and the lives of her students.
Breanne is the Band and Musical Theatre Director at École Okotoks Junior High School. She holds a Bachelor of Music from the University of British Columbia and a Master of Music from Indiana University. After completing her graduate studies, she returned to Canada as Principal Horn with the Kamloops Symphony and performed widely as a freelance musician across Alberta and British Columbia. She later earned a Bachelor of Education from the University of Calgary and began her teaching career. Breanne continues to perform professionally in the Calgary area and is dedicated to fostering a lifelong love of music in her students. She also serves as the Vice Chair of the Board for the Rocky Mountain Symphony Orchestra. She is looking forward to serving on the Board of the ABA which has provided so much value to her life and the lives of her students.
Karly Lewis
Karly is an active educator and musician in Lethbridge, Alberta. She has been an educator for 23 years working with the Lethbridge School Division and the Rocky View School Division. Karly continually challenges herself to look for new ways to engage her students and believes that community involvement is important. She believes that everyone has the potential to strive to do their best in a supportive and inclusive environment where all students can thrive. She is currently the director of 225 aspiring musicians and has seen her band program flourish receiving awards for “Outstanding Performances”, enjoys teaching Health and engaging her students in project-based learning activities.
Karly currently performs horn with the Lethbridge Symphony Orchestra, Lethbridge Community Gold Band and the Bridge Brass Quintet. She currently serves on the Alberta Band Association Board of Directors, Women Band Director’s International Board of Directors, the Alberta Teacher’s Association Teacher Welfare Committee Board in Lethbridge, the Career and Technology Education Council, is a presenter at conferences in Alberta, and is on the Conductor Search Committee for the Lethbridge Community Band. She has been a lead teacher for 15 years in the Lethbridge School Division on Human Sexuality Curriculum Development and training as well as the district’s Women in Leadership committee.
Karly is an active educator and musician in Lethbridge, Alberta. She has been an educator for 23 years working with the Lethbridge School Division and the Rocky View School Division. Karly continually challenges herself to look for new ways to engage her students and believes that community involvement is important. She believes that everyone has the potential to strive to do their best in a supportive and inclusive environment where all students can thrive. She is currently the director of 225 aspiring musicians and has seen her band program flourish receiving awards for “Outstanding Performances”, enjoys teaching Health and engaging her students in project-based learning activities.
Karly currently performs horn with the Lethbridge Symphony Orchestra, Lethbridge Community Gold Band and the Bridge Brass Quintet. She currently serves on the Alberta Band Association Board of Directors, Women Band Director’s International Board of Directors, the Alberta Teacher’s Association Teacher Welfare Committee Board in Lethbridge, the Career and Technology Education Council, is a presenter at conferences in Alberta, and is on the Conductor Search Committee for the Lethbridge Community Band. She has been a lead teacher for 15 years in the Lethbridge School Division on Human Sexuality Curriculum Development and training as well as the district’s Women in Leadership committee.
Sara Therrien
Sara Therrien has been a band teacher with the Calgary Board of Education since 2018 and currently teaches at F.E. Osborne School, where her ensembles consistently earn 'Excellent,' 'Superior,' and 'Gold' rankings at local, provincial, and international festivals. She holds a Bachelor of Music (2016) and a Bachelor of Education (2018) from the University of Calgary, where she performed with the U of C Symphonic Band and Wind Ensemble. From 2012 to 2022, Sara served as a reserve member of the Royal Canadian Navy, performing across Canada on flute and saxophone with the National Band of the Naval Reserve and the HMCS Tecumseh Band. She has also performed with Westwinds Gold Jazz South and Wind Orchestra. Sara brings a strong blend of educational leadership, performance excellence, and community engagement to the Alberta Band Association. She is passionate about music education and works to instill a lifelong love of music in her students.
Sara Therrien has been a band teacher with the Calgary Board of Education since 2018 and currently teaches at F.E. Osborne School, where her ensembles consistently earn 'Excellent,' 'Superior,' and 'Gold' rankings at local, provincial, and international festivals. She holds a Bachelor of Music (2016) and a Bachelor of Education (2018) from the University of Calgary, where she performed with the U of C Symphonic Band and Wind Ensemble. From 2012 to 2022, Sara served as a reserve member of the Royal Canadian Navy, performing across Canada on flute and saxophone with the National Band of the Naval Reserve and the HMCS Tecumseh Band. She has also performed with Westwinds Gold Jazz South and Wind Orchestra. Sara brings a strong blend of educational leadership, performance excellence, and community engagement to the Alberta Band Association. She is passionate about music education and works to instill a lifelong love of music in her students.
Our Staff
Nathan Ouellette is a drummer, percussionist, and clinician based out of Edmonton Alberta Canada. Nathan is a graduate of Grant MacEwan University as well as St. Francis Xavier University were he received his Bachelors of Music with First Class Honors. In addition to his formal education, Nathan has continued to study with some of todays top innovators in percussion, most recently with jazz drummer Ari Hoeing in New York City and famed Afro-Cuban groups Los Munequitos and Grupo AfroCuba de Matanzas. He is also an experienced band leader and sideman, and can be heard performing all across Alberta.
Nathan also remains in high demand as a music educator. He has maintained an active teaching schedule for 15 years, and is well experienced in both group and private music education. As a clinician he has work for such institutes as Alberta College Conservatory, University of Alberta, and MacEwan University. Today, he continues his educational career as one of Alberta’s top percussion clinicians working with Jr. and Sr. High music programs all across Alberta.
Nathan was the former owner Brandenburg Music, Canada’s leading percussion source. His business is dedicated to the service and support of Alberta’s music community, offering a variety of services such as: percussion repair and maintenance, concert percussion rentals, private lessons, and a friendly and knowledgeable staff. He has been with the Alberta Band Association since 2022.
Nathan also remains in high demand as a music educator. He has maintained an active teaching schedule for 15 years, and is well experienced in both group and private music education. As a clinician he has work for such institutes as Alberta College Conservatory, University of Alberta, and MacEwan University. Today, he continues his educational career as one of Alberta’s top percussion clinicians working with Jr. and Sr. High music programs all across Alberta.
Nathan was the former owner Brandenburg Music, Canada’s leading percussion source. His business is dedicated to the service and support of Alberta’s music community, offering a variety of services such as: percussion repair and maintenance, concert percussion rentals, private lessons, and a friendly and knowledgeable staff. He has been with the Alberta Band Association since 2022.
The Priorities of the Alberta Band Association
We will....
1. Education - We will educate, mentor, and provide programs to advance band music in Alberta.
2. Recognition - We will celebrate participation and excellence in band music.
3. Community Building - We will engage our natural community of band clinicians, directors, teachers, students, families, and audiences to create a strong, vibrant community of band music practitioners and supporters.
4. Communications and Marketing - We will create greater support for band music by promoting its value and the role of the Alberta Band Association.
5. Governance - We will ensure a sound and sustainable governance structure.
1. Education - We will educate, mentor, and provide programs to advance band music in Alberta.
2. Recognition - We will celebrate participation and excellence in band music.
3. Community Building - We will engage our natural community of band clinicians, directors, teachers, students, families, and audiences to create a strong, vibrant community of band music practitioners and supporters.
4. Communications and Marketing - We will create greater support for band music by promoting its value and the role of the Alberta Band Association.
5. Governance - We will ensure a sound and sustainable governance structure.
The Principles of the Alberta Band Association
We believe....
1. Engaging our Community - We believe that engaging our community in a way that is meaningful to them will make us stronger and will create ambassadors for band music.
2. Embracing a Broad Perspective and Reach - We believe that increasing our reach will mean that more students, clinicians and directors will have access to quality band music.
3. Being Resourceful and Ensuring Return on Investment and Sustainability - We believe in approaching our work from the perspective of resourcefulness. We believe that assessing risks accurately, seizing opportunities, and ensuring our initiatives are worthwhile as well as sustainable will set us up for success.
4. Partnering with Like-Minded People and Organizations - We believe that collaborating with people and organizations who are passionate about all aspects of the musical experience will enhance our work and strengthen our organization.
1. Engaging our Community - We believe that engaging our community in a way that is meaningful to them will make us stronger and will create ambassadors for band music.
2. Embracing a Broad Perspective and Reach - We believe that increasing our reach will mean that more students, clinicians and directors will have access to quality band music.
3. Being Resourceful and Ensuring Return on Investment and Sustainability - We believe in approaching our work from the perspective of resourcefulness. We believe that assessing risks accurately, seizing opportunities, and ensuring our initiatives are worthwhile as well as sustainable will set us up for success.
4. Partnering with Like-Minded People and Organizations - We believe that collaborating with people and organizations who are passionate about all aspects of the musical experience will enhance our work and strengthen our organization.