Having much in common is such a blessing
Each of us being just one of ‘all’ six
Two brothers and three sisters we have for sharing
Both with a prairie background, we’re country hicks!

Dean was teaching ‘free’ group lessons in Langley
Such a deal Eloise couldn’t think of missing
It was such fun learning to play music gladly
And becoming his partner in a joyful uniting!

What a deal he received when we joined forces
Two teenage boys and a dog completed the package
But it was soon understood that we needed more voices
The birth of Kathryn in 1985 did complete the assemblage!

The next years were busy with our young family
Eloise’s career as Health Record Administrator was fine
And selling instruments Dean accomplished most cheerily
We enjoyed toasting our life with a glass of fine wine!

The next thing we knew Rob and James were done school
Out into the world they so bravely departed at quite a run
Quickly we were blessed with two granddaughters so cool
Amanda and Melissa grew up with ‘Aunty’ Kathryn—such fun!

Our priorities are clear- family, home, friends, church, and work
We love our little house, garden and yard that we play in
Friends and family are welcome and their visits are a perk
And of course ‘Sound of Music’ makes all of us grin!

Blessed we have been to have traveled very often
We’ve seen much of Europe, the British Isles—even Iceland
To Greece and Dubai where we saw sights not forgotten
This beautiful earth we inhabit is ever so grand!

We are really very proud of our family business
And are grateful for the wonderful loyal folks in the store
The gift of music promotes thought, love and kindness
The song in our hearts says “who could ask for anything more?’

The answer we give is “not us”
We are happy and healthy today
So this poem ends without finesse
Now we’ll go out and play!

Kathy grew up in this store. Playing on the tailgate of the delivery truck is one of her earliest memories. As her parents met in the store it is no wonder that she so enjoys the place herself. Kathy knows how to play the Piano and Guitar but doesn’t practice enough to consider herself a musician. This doesn’t stop her from striving to know all there is to know about the process of music making, the science behind it if you will. Kathy can be found most days in the store trying to keep up to date on the entire goings on in both the music school and store. If you have any questions she is the gal to ask because if she doesn’t know give her a day or two and she will find out (no matter how much she has to hound those who know more than her). Nothing makes Kathy happier than finding that perfect match between a musician and their tools. When not at the store Kathy can be found with her nose in a book or at UFV where she is studying history (don’t worry even with the degree you’ll still find her at the store; she just likes history).

Dave has been with Sound of Music since the fall of 2006. He can be found in the store Monday – Thursday from 1in the afternoon until about 9 in the evenings during the school year, and on assorted days during the summer months. He has had a love affair with music all of his life, as a child he participated in the Kiwanis Music Festival in bands and as a vocal soloist. In school Dave played the Cello and Flute before falling in love with the guitar. Dave has continued playing the guitar and accompanying himself vocally both as a solo act and as part of an ensemble. He enjoys performing professionally and will continue to do so for as long as he is able. Dave firmly believes there is no greater gift to give to a child than music.

Carlos’ education includes attending the Conservatory of Music in Mexico City, the Yamaha teacher’s course where he learned jazz, as well as being taught privately with some of the best jazz players in Mexico City. Carlos has been active in the music business as a performer, arranger, clinician, adjudicator, and music educator for many years. He started his formal keyboard training at the age of ten with organ piano and guitar and by the age of 14 he had started teaching music and was playing in weddings, anniversaries and gatherings. At 24 he was busy playing in jazz clubs, composing songs for radio commercials in Mexico City, arranging songs for different music groups and teaching music at Sala Chopin, a music school with over 1000 students.

Carlos brings his extensive wealth of experience and commitment of 35 years to his teaching. He has been working with talented students of all ages at the intermediate and advanced level. He had given performances, master classes, seminars and helped students to perform at festivals, concerts and Christmas recitals with great results.

Carlos is well known among the TMA circle for his out standings arrangements and his computer skills to arrange and record MIDI songs. He currently remains active performing, writing, and teaching at Sound of Music in Abbotsford B.C. where he is the Educational Director.

In addition to teaching piano at Sound of Music in Abbotsford, Carlos enjoys bringing his music to Health Care facilities for seniors to enjoy his music.

Kate has been taking piano lessons at Sound of Music since she was nine years old. She is now 21, and in her fourth year of a Bachelor of Arts degree at UFV. She is doing a double major in Psychology and Sociology. In addition to the piano, she has experience with large and small ensembles, playing the alto saxophone, clarinet, trombone, and accordion. She thoroughly enjoys the experience of teaching and helping young people grow their musical abilities.

Francesca has been teaching with Sound of Music since the fall of 2008. She is an aspiring classical concert pianist, recording artist, accompanist, teacher, and songwriter. She spent the past five years touring North America, recording and as well as filming with the award winning "Northshore Celtic Ensemble" she is no stranger to the stage, or the studio. The completion of their first CD ("Dusty Windowsill") caught the attention of CBC radio 2 and was aired for more than 6 weeks. She has also record six albums with the group with heir latest release bearing the title of her first published piece: "Where the Owl Nests." The summer of 2008 was spent in Quebec celebrating the cities* 400th birthday. Francesca and her band mates were the youngest group to represent Canada at the international "Mondial Des Cultures" festival as well as various local festivals in Quebec City and Montreal. Piano mentors include: Leona Bohmer, Dr. Anna Levy (who studied under a student of the legendary Neuhaus), Caroline Peters, and now is under the diligent care of Lilian Raglasky, Jean Ritter, and Carlos Castro.

In addition to teaching with Sound of Music Francesca is co-coaching the Abbotsford Collegiate Choir, accompanying a local Musical theatre company "A Broadway Collection", and is furthering her own musical education.

Art has been teaching Guitar and bass at the Sound of Music since the fall of 2003. He started out taking Conservatory piano at the age of 7. After 5 years of this training his parents bought him a guitar, an instrument that he knew held more interest for him. Art took 2 years of lessons while still living in Nanaimo. Shortly after moving to West Vancouver he joined a band at school. His band played for ‘Sock Hops’ and House parties. After graduating high school and spending a short term at College. Art left with the band he was with (Daily Planet) and started touring the country. He toured with a few different bands for 12 years. He has played in every province except Saskatchewan and the North West Territories. While touring he saw a lot of the country, met a lot of good and interesting people and had a lot of fun. He settled in Kamloops playing with a great band (The Rusty Elwood Band) for another 4 years. Since then Art has done lots of studio work, gigged some and taught music. Teaching is very rewarding and he hopes to continue doing so for as long as he is able.

Ken had the good fortune of being raised in a musical family where he learned to sing and play guitar at an early age. As a young boy of 5 or 6 years he was singing and harmonizing in the Jasper family group with his Dad, Mom, brothers and sisters. Dad played Hawaiian Steel guitar; Mom played accordion; the brothers played guitar; everyone sang. Ken’s first instrument was the Hawaiian steel guitar which he would play while singing for the neighbors. At the age of 10, Ken’s older brother taught him to play electric guitar which led to playing in various instrumental and vocal bands. While in high school, Ken played various brass instruments including trumpet and horns.

Ken has been a Musical Director, Worship Leader and Music Educator (vocal, instrumental, drama coach) for more than thirty years working in churches and other venues in Canada and the U.S.A. He has had the privilege of singing in various countries around the world; has worked on television and radio; performed with the Calgary, Edmonton and Vancouver Symphonies. For several years Ken was a joint-owner of a large state of the art recording studio and record company where he was a producer, arranger, background vocalist. Currently, in addition to his work as a financial advisor with Loney Financial Corp. he continues to be involved in solo and group singing, worship leading, and enjoys teaching vocals and guitar at the Sound of Music in Abbotsford, B.C.

Chris began teaching with us in 2004 upon his graduation from high school. He enjoys the challenge that teaching many students with diverse tastes and backgrounds in music. Chris has been studying guitar privately for the majority of his life and academically since he graduated from high school. In 2007 he completed the music certificate program from Kwantlen Polytechnic University, his first experience with Classical Guitar. In the fall of 2007 he moved his studies to VCC to study with Tony Koch as a contemporary jazz guitar major. His training under Koch includes classes specializing in ear training, music theory, jazz arranging and improvisation. Chris will graduate from this program with a music diploma in 2010. Chris has been involved with a handful of recordings and performances, mostly with classmates. He has recently joined an alternative rock band as their bass player.

Adam is a multi-instrumentalist and songwriter who has been with Sound of Music since 2008. He plays and teaches Guitar, Bass, Ukulele and Hand-drums. He learned to play music through independent study and a lot of jamming and collaborating with friends. Adam is a firm believer that playing with others and having fun with music, when reinforced with a little theory, is the best way to get very good very quickly. His motto is, “the best way to get great at playing is to love playing," and he does his best to inspire that love in his individually crafted lessons.

Adam is currently pursuing a career in education. He brings his passion for teaching to his music lessons and his other job with Parks and Recreation--where he teaches everything from soccer to skateboarding to a variety of age groups. You can also catch Adam playing children*s songs at Open Playtime almost any day of the week.

Adam also plays Bass in a local band called Goodthief, who won an Abbotsford Arts Council Arty Award in 2008, released their first album in 2009, and are currently working on their second album.

Samuel has been teaching with Sound of Music since the winter of 2009. He has lived in Abbotsford all his life. Early music influences ranged from Sharon, Lois and Bram to Abba to The Cranberries. When he was young Sam sang for his church’s children’s choir and then later with the men’s choir. When he turned thirteen Sam decided to pickup the guitar. His lessons started right here at Sound of Music with his first teacher, Rod Swanson. Rod taught Sam classical guitar RCM practical levels 1 and 2; however, much more concentrated was Rod’s influence of theoretical and historical teachings of music to Sam. Growing up in the folk scene of Abbotsford also had a large influence on Sam’s musical ability.  He now plays guitar and sometimes keys with his indie band O For Orange.