Adjudication Team 2026:
Mark Caswell
Hugh Johnston
Ralph McIntosh
Nancy Promane
Susan Urquhart
Allan Yzereef
Mark Caswell
Mark spent a lifetime teaching music at MDHS, a healthy, vibrant program earning the distinguished YRDSB Teaching Award of Excellence. As recognition for his years of leadership and volunteer activities, Mark was presented with the Canadian Sovereign’s Medal for Volunteers by The Chancellery of Honours, Rideau Hall, Ottawa. For the past two years, Mark has been an Artist Educator with Yamaha Music Canada facilitating clinics in schools across Ontario. This fall, Mark was invited to join a team of wonderful band educators from across Canada as part of the new True North Master Educator program. Mark is the Music Director for the Northdale Concert Band and the Unionville Theatre Company. Mark is a founding member of the Ontario Band Association, launching the Ontario Provincial Band Festival in 2001/2002 and continued to serve as the Festival Coordinator for 22 years. He is now the Festival Coordinator for the new Markham Winds Festival for Developing Bands.
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Hugh Johnston
Hugh is an active conductor and music educator in Kingston, Ontario. He is currently music director of The Kingston Youth Orchestra and The Kingston Community Strings. As a music educator for over 30 years, and concert band conductor, Hugh directed ensembles in music festivals throughout North America and in prestigious concert halls such as Orchestra Hall Chicago, Carnegie Hall, The Music Center at Strathmore in Washington D.C., and Cadogan Hall in London (U.K.). As a trumpeter Hugh studied with James Spragg and Robert Oades and has performed in many concert, jazz and brass bands throughout the years, and was a regular player with The Kingston Symphony from 1999 to 2013. During a distinguished career in music education Hugh was honoured to receive a Juno Award in 2012 as Musicounts Teacher of the Year.
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Ralph McIntosh
Ralph moved to Sudbury in 1982 when he began his career teaching music at Churchill Public School. In 1986 he joined the staff at Sudbury Secondary School as a Program Leader in the Board’s new Performing Arts Program. Over the next 20 years, Ralph developed new music courses, served as musical director for the school’s choirs, variety shows and musicals, and produced six student recordings. In 2005 he became the Board’s Arts Education Coordinator, where he had a significant impact at the elementary, secondary, and provincial levels. After retiring from teaching in 2015, Ralph assumed his role as the Director of Education at the Sudbury Theatre Centre. He continues to share his talents in the community as a vocalist, accompanist, event producer and arts advocate, and volunteers in support of the Young Sudbury Singers and the Joan Mantle Music Trust.
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Nancy Promane
Nancy Promane has been teaching music for over 30 years and holds a Masters degree in Music from the University of Toronto, a Bachelor of Music from McMaster University and a Bachelor of Education from Nipissing University. Her vast experience includes teaching Primary Music, Beginning Band, Middle School and Senior-level music. In addition, she has directed many Junior, Middle and Senior School ensembles. Ms. Promane is well-known in the instrumental circle for her techniques and practices of delivering and cultivating successful wind band programs. The Ontario Band Association has recognized her for her outstanding conducting skills, and her school bands have been awarded “Gold” status at the Ontario Band Festival and Heritage Music Festival in the United States. Ms. Promane continues to impart her love and knowledge of instrumental music to her students, while motivating, supporting, and collaborating with her colleagues. She has taught in both public and independent schools where she spent a 13 year tenure as Head of Music in an independent school. Recently, Nancy was seconded by Nipissing University, working with in-service teachers in the Bachelor of Education program. Currently, she is working as a sessional instructor at the Faculty of Music, University of Toronto. Nancy is pleased and excited to be a part of this year’s UTSC/OBA Small Ensemble Music Festival. ​​
Susan Urquhart
Susan is a vocalist, violinist and music director currently residing in Sudbury, Ontario . She has a thriving music studio and is recognized as a Royal Conservatory of Music Teacher Specialist. Susan has twice been recognized as a Gold Medal Teacher by the RCM. Susan is the music director of both The Sudbury Chamber Singers and The Bel Canto Chorus.
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Allan Yzereef
​Formerly on the music faculties of both Cambrian College and Laurentian University, Allan serves as the guitar coordinator for the annual Sudbury Music Festival and artistic director of Guitars Alive Sudbury festival. In addition to his solo career, Allan is a member of three local ensembles; The Sudbury Guitar Trio, The YzerSmith Guitar & Viola duo, and Duo Norteño. Allan made his international debut performing with The Sudbury Guitar Trio for the Ohio guitar society in Columbus, Ohio. The Sudbury Guitar Trio followed with an European tour, concertizing in Italy, Germany and The Netherlands.
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