Crystal holds a Masters in Vocal Pedagogy through the University of Wales, Trinity St. David. In addition to a Bachelor of Music Degree in Voice Performance.
She teaches private vocal out of her home studio in St. Albert. She is certified in all 3 levels in CCM (Contemporary Commercial Music), Somatic Voicework, the LoVetri Method ®, through Shenandoah University in Winchester, Virginia. She also completed Levels 1 and 2 of the One Voice Program in New York under the tutelage of Dr. Joan Melton.
Crystal has been teaching musical theatre at the Foote Theatre School, Citadel Theatre in Edmonton for over 20 years. She has toured throughout Western Canada in various musical productions and one production based out of Prague, Czech Republic. She toured with the Alberta Opera for 4 seasons and played a large role in creating and directing the Alberta Opera’s Artist in Residency Program.
A freelance vocal coach, she is proud to have worked on many musical productions with Eastglen High School; Austin O’Brien High School and Avalon Junior High School in Edmonton.
A busy entertainer, Crystal is a member of the local Edmonton tribute and show band ‘Crystal Blue & the Persuasions’ and ‘Dash Rip Rock’. Most recently, Crystal has been busy with the launch of Voice Body Works, which offers somatic voice work and coaching to singers, actors, and voice professionals.
Classical pianist Sylvia Shadick-Taylor approaches music from many angles. As both a soloist and a chamber musician, her emotionally-charged performances have been enjoyed throughout Canada and the USA, as well as in Europe and Asia. As a teacher, she has a large studio of students, many of whom receive special recognition in music festivals and examinations. Her love of teaching also carries into frequent work as a clinician and adjudicator throughout Canada.
Sylvia’s main musical passion is the exploration and promotion of works by Canadian composers. This passion was recognized by the Canadian Music Centre when they honoured her with the title, Ambassador of Canadian Music, in 2009. Sylvia’s fifth CD, Expressions, was nominated for the Edmonton Music Prize in 2015 and is a sampling of works by composers associated with New Music Edmonton. Her subsequent CD, Piano NorthWest featuring music of the Winnipeg composer William Pura, is being released on the prestigious CentreDiscs Label in 2015. Through recordings and concerts, Sylvia hopes to bring wider attention to the rich creative skills of Canadian composers.
Over the past three decades, Sylvia has truly been immersed in the Edmonton classical music scene. She has been involved with the University of Alberta, Edmonton Opera Association, the Edmonton Symphony Orchestra, Pro Coro Canada, New Edmonton Wind Sinfonia, Cosmopolitan Music Society and the Contemporary Showcase Young Composers Program and Music Festival. Summing up Sylvia’s contribution to Edmonton, John Charles of the Edmonton Sun once said, “pianists …such as Sylvia Shadick-Taylor…who shine and inspire, especially in contemporary music…help make Edmonton a city of cultural champions.”
Whitecourt Rotary Music Festival is proud to announce the 2025 Adjudicators:(TBD)
After joining the Edmonton Symphony Orchestra in 2013, Clayton Leung has immersed himself in the local arts scene; making appearances at the Alberta Baroque Society, C'mon Festival, Early Music Alberta, Edmonton Chamber Music Society, Edmonton Recital Society, Candlelight concerts, with the Chamber Orchestra of Edmonton.
Mr. Leung has performed both nationally and internationally with Kent Sangster's Jazz Ensemble, Obsessions Octet. Additionally, Clayton is a proud member of the Health Arts Society of Alberta and teaches at the MacEwan Conservatory.
Before moving to Edmonton, Clayton was the principal violist with the Newfoundland Symphony Orchestra and violist of the Atlantic String Quartet and regularly performed with the Victoria and Vancouver Island Symphonies.
A native of Fort Langley BC, he began violin lessons at the Langley Community Music School. He continued his studies at the University of Victoria, and then pursued the viola at the University of Minnesota and the Cleveland Institute of Music.
CHORAL SPEECH AND SPEECH ARTS:
Liane Litven has been teaching students of all ages since 1978 and has been able to offer her students over four decades of knowledge and teaching experience.
In addition to owning and operating her own dance studios for over 22 years, Liane is also a sought-after Adjudicator, Examiner, Choreographer and Dance Master for many Workshops and Conventions, Competitions and Musical and Variety shows throughout Canada. As well, she holds the Associate Diploma Certification with the Imperial Society of Teachers of Dancing and has successfully entered her students in their own exams and has seen them go on to reaching their own professional goals in the dance world.
Liane has also been instrumental in bringing dance education to a new level in Alberta. As Education Chairperson of the Alberta Dance Educators Association, she and her committee have successfully organized and hosted several Dance Teacher Conference/Expo events focused on dance teacher and administration education. She is passionate about “paying it forward” to the next generations of dance.
Liane is very excited to be adjudicating at the Whitecourt Rotary Music Festival this year and encourages each dancer to do their very best and enjoy the experience and not just the results. It is such a privilege to have the opportunity to see all the dancers put their hearts and souls into their performances!
Good luck everyone!