I’m pleased to announce the appointment of two new full-time faculty members in the Bachelor of Music program: trumpeter Brian O’Kane and trombonist Kelsley Grant.

A widely respected brass musician, Brian holds a master’s degree in jazz performance from the University of Toronto, and has played trumpet and flugelhorn with top domestic and international jazz artists, including the Kirk MacDonald Jazz Orchestra, Barbra Streisand, and Aretha Franklin. He is equally well known for his work with classical ensembles such as the Toronto Symphony Orchestra, the National Arts Centre Orchestra, and True North Brass. He has extensive experience as a pit musician and was a member of the Shaw Festival Orchestra from 2013 to 2016. Brian is also in demand as a clinician and adjudicator at colleges, universities, and music festivals.

Kelsley is one of the most sought-after trombonists in Canada. Since completing his graduate studies at the renowned Manhattan School of Music, he has toured internationally as part of Maynard Fergusonʼs Big Bop Nouveau and performed with Aretha Franklin, Michael Bublé, and Sophie Milman, among many others. Like Brian, Kelsley has extensive experience as a pit musician. His work can also be heard on the soundtracks of the movies Born to Be Blue, Cirque de Soleil – Alegria, and Les Triplettes de Belleville. In addition to Humber, Kelsley has taught at McGill University, University of Montreal, and University of Toronto.

With the addition of Brian and Kelsley to our full-time faculty, Humber remains a national leader in professional music training. Please join me in welcoming them to their new positions.

Steve Bellamy
Dean, School of Creative & Performing Arts