Artistic Director Emeritus
Eli Kassner. Teacher, guitarist, b Vienna 27 May 1924, naturalized Canadian 1956. After studies in Vienna and Palestine he moved to Canada in 1951. He studied with Segovia in Spain in 1959 and in Winston-Salem, Mass, in 1966. He performed until 1967, playing on Toronto radio and TV, and in theatrical productions at the Stratford Festival in 1961 and 1962. He also accompanied the singers Malka and Joso on three LPs for Capitol Records. He was a co-founder in 1956 and president 1960-6 of the Guitar Society of Toronto, and was artistic director of five of its triennial festivals 1975-87. He began teaching at the RCMT and the University of Toronto in 1959. In 1967, when he established the Eli Kassner Guitar Academy, he resigned from the RCMT but continued to teach at the University of Toronto, where he established the University of Toronto Guitar Ensemble in 1978. This 22-member group performed in Cuba in 1982, in Martinique in 1987 and in Puerto Rico in 1989. Twelve of its graduates formed the Guitar Ensemble of Canada, which Kassner directs. He also taught 1974-6 at the École normale de musique in Montreal, and 1976-8 at Queen's University. His pupils have included Robert Bauer, Liona Boyd, Lynne Gangbar, Davis Joachim, Norbert Kraft, Gordon O'Brien, the Wilson-McAllister duo, and the jazz guitarists Andy Krehm, Carlos Lopes and Rob Piltch. The Guitar Society and many of his pupils paid tribute to Kassner at a Toronto concert on his 65th birthday. Carl Morey said of him that he 'virtually single-handedly created serious guitar studies in Toronto, if not in Canada' (Guitar Canada, Spring 1989).
Dividing his time beginning in the 1970s between music and microphotography, Kassner was a photographer and composer and performer of guitar music for the CBC TV series 'The Nature of Things,' winning the 1975 Bell-Northern Prize and the Monaco Award ($2,000) for the film The First Inch.
Smith, Harold. 'Eli Kassner: a biography,' Guitar Canada, vol 2, Spring 1989
Levy, Harold. 'The road to respect,' ibid
Blackadar, Bruce. 'Ovation for a guitar master,' Toronto Star, 20 May 1989
Artistic Director, Concert committee
artisticdirector@guitarsocietyoftoronto.com
Jeffrey McFadden has been acknowledged as one of the finest guitarists of his generation. Over the past years, concert engagements have taken him throughout Canada and the United States and into Europe. He has given World Premieres of works by numerous composers and has been a featured performer at several international music festivals, including "Guitar '87" and GuitarFest '91 in Toronto , Gitarren-Symposium Iserlohn, Lachine International Guitar Festival, the Columbus State Guitar Symposium, The Niagara International Chambre Music Festival, the National Flute Association (USA) Convention, the Festival Mediterraneo della Chitarra, the Acadia Guitar Festival and others.
In 1992, Jeffery McFadden was awarded a Silver Medal in the prestigious Guitar Foundation of America Competition and was also a prize-winner in the 1993 Great Lakes Guitar Competition. His debut recording was the first in the "Laureate Series" on the Naxos label and was released world-wide. Since it's release, this recording has sold in the thousands of copies. His playing has received enthusiastic critical acclaim; the "Daily Telegraph" of London (UK) exclaimed "McFadden's ability to make the guitar sing is second to none", and "Classic CD" has described his playing as "major artistry". His latest solo release features the complete didactic works by the 19th century composer Napoleon Coste. "ClassicsToday.com" raved about this disc saying, "Jeffrey McFadden is not only an extraordinary guitarist -- he's also an inspired musician." his latest disc, soon to be released is volume three of the complete works of Agustin Barrios on Naxos.
Many noteworthy events marked the past few seasons in Jeffrey McFadden's career. He had the opportunity to work under the great Pierre Boulez in a performance celebrating the awarding of the Glenn Gould prize to Boulez. Also, McFadden was counted among the most important guitarists of his day by his inclusion in the Maurice Summerfield lexicon, The Classical Guitar, Its History and Players. He also has performed frequently in the newly formed "Duo Spiritoso"' with American guitarist and composer Andrew Zohn
Jeffrey McFadden has collaborated with Canada's most prominent musicians and composers including Norbert Kraft, Robert Aitken, Ann Monoyios, John Beckwith and R. Murray Shafer. He is frequently heard on CBC radio and NPR in the United States both as soloist and ensemble player.
Jeffrey has given masterclasses and seminars at some of North America's most prestigious institutions including the Université de Montréal, Conservatoire de Music à Hull/Gatineau, University of British Colombia, Michigan State University and the Oberlin College Conservatory. He is a lecturer in guitar at the University of Toronto.
Please visit:
www.jeffreymcfadden.com
President, Membership committee
hlevy@guitarsocietyoftoronto.com
Harold Levy studied with Eli Kassner, our Artistic Director Emeritus, while at York University in the early sixties, was infected with a love for the classical guitar, became a member of the Society around the same time, and still tries to play daily. "There was a gangly, young kid who had the lesson after me who showed promise," he says. "Her first name was LIona!" Harold, who retired from the Toronto Star in 2006, has unabashedly used the guitar and its colourful world of music and musicians, to counter-balance his more sombre professional life as an investigative journalist, author of a book in process on miscarriages of justice in the area of forensic pediatric pathology, and criminal lawyer. He was recently re-appointed by Ontario Premier dalton McGuinty to another three year appointment on the Board of TARION - the regulator of the new home building industry in Canada. "I musn't confuse the two Boards," Harold quips. "TARION is the one with more than $200 million in assets!" "We have a very active, highly motivated Board," Harold adds. "The classical guitar is very much alive in Toronto
Vice President, Publicity & Marketing, Ticket sales, Front-of-House
hmorandclark@guitarsocietyoftoronto.com
Born in Britain, Heather came to Canada as a child. She holds a degree in Psychology and Life Sciences from Queen’s University, and her extensive professional background in banking and finance includes senior administration positions with TD Canada Trust.
Heather has wide-ranging experience in arts and culture, and not-for-profit boards. As well as holding the positions of Vice President, and Chair of the Publicity Committee on the Board of Directors for the Guitar Society of Toronto, she was recently appointed as a director for the Sauble Beach Guitar Festival. Heather was chosen to represent the Guitar Society of Toronto at the Guitar Foundation of America’s Conference in Austin, Texas in 2010.
Ms. Morand Clark’s community involvement includes participation in the Caledon Community Concert Band. She is a past Treasurer of Home and School Associations at Palgrave Public School and Allan Drive Middle School in Caledon. She has also served on the Board of Directors for the Caledon Arts and Crafts for Youth (CACY).
Heather has studied the classical guitar since the age of 13, and currently holds certificates from the Royal Conservatory of Music for Grade Nine. Her teachers include recording artists Michael Bracken and Drew Henderson. Heather has participated in master classes with, among others, Jeffery McFadden, John Mills, Marcin Dylla, Maximo Pujol, and Gerald Garcia, and attended numerous guitar festivals including the Acadia Guitar Festival (2007) and the West Dean International Guitar Festival (2004,06,08). She has attended, and assisted with the administration of, the Sauble Beach Festival since its inauguration in 2007.
Heather has performed and taught guitar in Caledon and Orangeville since 2003. New ventures include a foray into artist management and the publication of articles on international guitar festivals and symposia (including Canada, Europe) which have been published by Classical Guitar Magazine (UK) and Soundboard Magazine (USA).
Secretary, Concert committee, Membership committee
jsilver@guitarsocietyoftoronto.co
Biography coming soon...
Treasurer
drenegar@guitarsocietyoftoronto.com
In the past David has been associated with a number of Canadian Companies: Mercedes-Benz, 3M, Hallmark Cards, Dymo Products, MDS, Liquid Paper, International Vintners, Seagrams, Warm Weather International, Reeves Art Materials, and Investors Overseas Services, in various Executive Management capacities.
In terms of memberships and community organizations, David has been on the Boards of The Academy of Canadian Cinema and Television, and The North York Symphony. He is currently a member of The Art Gallery of Ontario, The Royal Ontario Museum, ACTRA, and The Toronto International Film Festival.
David's interests in music are wide and varied. He particularly enjoys the performers of classical guitar presented by The Guitar Society of Toronto, carefully selected by Dr. Jeff McFadden, the Artistic Director. He travels the world to uncover the finest classical guitar talent and brings them to Toronto.
Webmaster
dhenderson@guitarsocietyoftoronto.com
Drew Henderson holds a Master of Music degree from the University of Toronto where he studied classical guitar with Eli Kassner (Liona Boyd and Jesse Cook's teacher) and Jeffrey McFadden (Naxos Recording Artist). Drew continued his education in Italy, where he lived for six months on a grant from the Canada Council for the Arts, studying with virtuosi Lorenzo Micheli, Matteo Mela and Massimo Lonardi..
Drew has been very successful in the competition circuit, and has so far been awarded six international prizes. These competitions include: Les Concours International de Guitare Classique de Lachine (Montreal, 2003 & 2006), The Rantucci International Guitar Competition (New York, 2002 & 2004), the Columbus State Guitar Symposium and Competition (Georgia, 2006), and the Concorso Chitaristico "Citta' Di Voghera" (Italy, 2007).
As a performer, Drew has dazzled many audiences with his virtuosic technique, and sensitive phrasing. He performs regularly with Michael Kolk as the Henderson-Kolk Guitar Duo, and as a soloist. Drew has recorded two CD's to date, which can be heard regularly on CBC's Radio 2, and Classical Guitar Alive.
Please visit
/www.drewhenderson.ca
or
www.hkguitarduo.com
Information Officer
tsmith@guitarsocietyoftoronto.com
Timothy Smith is currently the owner and operator of Lowe’s School of Music – Port Credit. Aside from his success as a local business person, Smith has also proven himself as one of Canada's most talented young guitarists. He has performed regularly since he was a child, and has enjoyed success at various competitions throughout Canada, most notably 1999 when he was awarded the top prize at the Canadian Music Competition finals held in Edmonton, Alberta.
Smith studied the classical guitar for 13 years with Dr. Alvin Tung. During this time Smith also attended the International School for the Musical Arts (ISMA) for six consecutive summers from 1993 to 1998 where he was given the opportunity to hone his skills as both a solo guitarist, and as a chamber music performer. In 2003 studied for one year with the renowned Canadian pedagogue Eli Kassner, who himself studied with the great classical guitarist Andre Segovia and whose other students include Liona Boyd and Jesse Cook.
In 2003 Smith graduated from the University of Toronto with a Bachelor Degree in Classical Guitar Performance. He then continued his studies at McMaster University obtaining in 2005 a Master’s Degree in Music Criticism, which is an academic program focusing on music reviewing, music theory, critical thinking, and philosophy.
His debut performance was at age 12 in his home city of Mississauga. Later, while studying at ISMA, he was given the honour of being selected to perform in many of the concerts held by the school. In the summer of 1999 Smith received his professional debut when he was invited as a special guest artist at two performances of The Muskoka Lakes Music Festival. That season he performed brilliantly both as a soloist and in a duet with Alvin Tung. He subsequently received an invitation for a return engagement the following season.
In 2002 the Toronto Guitar Society asked Smith and his performance partner Drew Henderson to perform a duet recital to celebrate society’s 45th year. The anniversary celebration was the society’s largest event of the season, and the performance drew a standing ovation from the sold out crowd.
Aside from being an accomplished performer, Smith is also an experienced teacher. He began instructing privately at Lowe's School of Music – Port Credit in 1996, where he continued as a faculty member until 2005 when he became owner and operator of the school.
In 2008 Smith was honoured to be nominated a new member of the Toronto Guitar Society. Founded in 1956, the society is responsible for bringing countless guitarists to Toronto to perform, as well as helping create the Guitar Programs at the University of Toronto and the Royal Conservatory or Music. His work is helping to continue the society's long tradition towards the advancement of the classical guitar throughout the Greater Toronto Area and the rest of Canada.
Smith continues to share his musical knowledge with both his staff and students. His growing reputation as a skilled pedagogue has made Smith a highly sought after adjudicator across Ontario. Smith’s students currently compete and perform regularly, and several have been accepted into prestigious performance programs at various Universities, including the highly competitive program at the University of Toronto.
Please visit:
www.lowesmusic.ca
Development committee
Bio coming soon.....
Development committee
Mariette Stephenson is an emerging Canadian classical guitarist: since completing her B.Mus. at McMaster University, Mariette has continued her musical studies at the Royal Conservatory of Music where she received her ARCT. Recently Mariette completed her Masters of Music degree in performance at the University of Toronto under the Naxos recording artist Dr. Jeffrey McFadden: there she was the recipient of the Eli Kassner Guitar Scholarship, a University of Toronto Fellowship, and the Bernice Adams Bursary. She has performed in various master classes for, among others, Alverro Pierri, Dale Kavanagh, Gerald Garcia, the Los Angeles Guitar Quartet, the Canadian Guitar Quartet, Remi Boucher, and Nicolas Goluses.
Mariette has performed in numerous recitals, as a soloist and chamber musician in Canada and Italy, and was the recipient of an Arts Award from the City of Cambridge in 2006. Recently she had the honour of premiering new works for flute and guitar by Canadian composers William Beauvais and Patrick Power and the Brazilian composer Jonatas Batista-Neto. Mariette has also adjudicated at guitar competitions including the Stratford Kiwanis Festival.
