Originally from Summerside, Prince Edward Island, Dr. Dylan Maddix is Assistant Professor of Instrumental Conducting and Community Engagement at Memorial University in St. John’s, NL. In this role, he conducts the Memorial University Wind Ensemble and teaches undergraduate and graduate conducting.

Before this role, he worked as a Professor of Music and head of wind and brass studies at Cambrian College in Sudbury, Ontario. There, he conducted the wind ensemble and taught courses in music theory, wind/brass methods, and pedagogy. He also served on the conducting faculty at Laurentian University.

Outside of his teaching and conducting duties, Maddix serves as chair of the Canadian Band Association and is on the board of the Newfoundland and Labrador Band Association. He is also the founder and host of “The Band Room Podcast”, alongside composer Cait Nishimura, and hosts the conducting leadership podcast titled "Changing Your Pattern."
Maddix's academic journey includes a Bachelor of Music degree from Mount Allison University, a Master of Music degree in Trumpet Performance from the University of Toronto, and a Doctorate of Musical Arts degree in Conducting from Arizona State University.

Throughout this academic journey, he had the privilege of learning from accomplished mentors, including Jason Caslor (conducting, Arizona State University), Joe Burgstaller (trumpet, Arizona State University/Canadian Brass), Gillian MacKay (conducting, University of Toronto), Jim Spragg (trumpet, University of Toronto/Toronto Symphony), Linda Pearse (trumpet, Mount Allison University), and Alan Klaus (trumpet, Mount Allison University).
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His professional career as a trumpeter is diverse and engaging, involving collaborations with artists such as Sarah McLachlan, Roger Hodgson of Supertramp, The Video Games Live Orchestra, Johnny Reid, The Broadway Tenors, Hannaford Street Silver Band, Toronto Concert Orchestra, Hogtown Brass Quintet, and Vox Aeris Trio.

Maddix has conducted masterclasses at esteemed institutions, including the University of Toronto, Western University, Acadia University, Mount Allison University, and McMaster University. He has also provided his expertise as a conducting and music consultant for Netflix's "Umbrella Academy" and Global TV's "Private Eyes.

Dr. Jacqueline Dawson is in demand as a guest conductor, clinician, and adjudicator across Canada and the United States, appearing at numerous festivals, honour bands, and music conferences from coast to coast. Engagements have included the Ontario Provincial Honour Band, Minnesota All-State Band, MusicFest Canada, the Alberta Band Association Wind Symphony, the Maritime Youth Wind Ensemble, the Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra New Music Festival, the International Music Camp, and numerous provincial, regional, and divisional honour bands in both Canada and the U.S.

She has completed conducting and teaching residencies with the Royal Canadian Air Force Band and various school districts. Her dedication to music education has been recognized with several awards, including the 2003 University of Manitoba School of Music Excellence in Music Education Award, the 2013 University of Manitoba Teacher Recognition Award, the 2015 Manitoba Band Association Award of Distinction, and the 2024 University of Manitoba Community Engagement Award.

Dr. Dawson is currently Associate Professor and Director of Bands at the University of Manitoba’s Desautels Faculty of Music, where she conducts the Concert Band and Wind Ensemble, teaches music education courses, and oversees the graduate wind conducting program. Under her direction, the University of Manitoba Wind Ensemble has performed at festivals including the Cantando Festival (Edmonton and Sun Peaks), the Canadian Rocky Mountain Music Festival, and the Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra New Music Festival. The ensemble has also participated in numerous consortium commissions and world premiere performances.

Prior to her university appointment, Dr. Dawson taught in the public school system for twenty years and served as a sessional instructor at the University of Manitoba. She served on the board of directors of the Manitoba Band Association from 1999 to 2005 and continues to be actively involved with many MBA initiatives. She was Artistic Director of the Winnipeg Wind Ensemble from 2009 to 2020, helped establish the Winnipeg Youth Wind Ensemble, and is the founder of the newly formed Winnipeg Chamber Winds Collective. A passionate advocate for music education, she continues to spend as much time as possible working with young students and band programs.

Dr. Dawson has been published in the Canadian Music Educator Journal and Canadian Winds Journal, and has presented at conferences internationally, including the Canadian Music Educators’ Association National Conference, the Kansas Music Educators Conference, and the International Society for the Research and Promotion of Wind Music Conference.

A strong proponent of new music, she has led or participated in numerous commissions and premieres of works by composers such as Gary Kulesha, Kenley Kristofferson, Viet Cuong, Steven Danyew, Peter Meechan, Isabella Morrill, Holly Harrison, Karen Sunabacka, and others.

Dr. Dawson holds undergraduate degrees in music and music education from Memorial University of Newfoundland, a master’s degree in conducting from the University of Manitoba (studying with Dr. Dale Lonis and Earl Stafford), and a Doctor of Musical Arts degree in conducting from the University of Kansas under the tutelage of Dr. Paul Popiel.