[name protected] – President
I have served on the Board since 2023, and was elected President in 2026. As leader of “Larry’s Jazz Guys,” I have performed on stage in The Jazz Room on countless occasions, most notably on our Opening Night, September 9, 2011. I was Principal Trumpet of the Kitchener-Waterloo Symphony for 30 years (1993-2023), and I continue to lead a very active playing career post-“retirement” from that position. I have made recordings with the Canadian Brass, the Canadian National Brass Project, and the Art of Time Ensemble, played on countless soundtracks and commercial jingles, and have performed in supporting orchestras for Herbie Hancock, Diana Krall, Brian Wilson, Jann Arden, among others. My engagement with the musical community of Kitchener-Waterloo and indeed across Canada enables me to engage the highest possible calibre of musicians to grace our stage at The Jazz Room!
[name protected] – Vice President/Board Chair
Live music, across many genres, has always been an important part of my life. I love how it brings people together, sparks shared memories, and builds community – unlike any other experience. When I first discovered the Jazz Room, I immediately knew I wanted to become a part of it, and the Grand River Jazz Society organization. After a few years as a front desk volunteer, I joined the Board of Directors. I enjoy applying my experience in governance, continuous improvement and grant writing – gained through a rewarding career in local government – to the team. I’m excited to help the organization grow and thrive into the future!
[name protected] – Treasurer/Showpass Administration
My involvement with the GRJS and The Jazz Room was motivated by my long standing interest in Jazz. I have been listening to jazz since my teenage years and have played as an amateur on flute and now bass. I also have an electronics manufacturing background and a strong interest in recording. I have recently taken on the Treasurer role for the Board, while also administering Showpass (ticketing software), reporting ticket sales and participating in our Jazz Jams.
[name protected] – Secretary/Artist Compensation
I joined the Board in 2019 after attending many performances at The Jazz Room in prior years. The Jazz Room had a warm and welcoming atmosphere and had become my “third place” – not home, not work, but a comfortable and comforting place to be in community with others. Though I’m not a musician, I thoroughly enjoy the exceptional and varied artists that perform at the Jazz Room. They have been delightful to interact with. With my engineering background, and in concert with the rest of the board, I have found many rewarding ways to contribute to the ongoing success of the gem we know as the Jazz Room. May it long bring Jazz to our community.
[name protected] – Financial Analysis and Strategy (PhD, CFA)
I was the founding Treasurer of the Grand River Jazz Society since its inception in 2011 up until 2025. I am a retired professor of Wilfrid Laurier University’s Business and Economics Department. I continue to manage the non-artistic side of the Grand River Jazz Society’s operations, building the systems that the GRJS uses to manage day to day operations, as well as the financial/accounting requirements. Recently, I have stepped back from some of these responsibilities in order to spend more time with my grandchildren, as well as more time to travel.
[name protected] – Huether Hotel liaison/Diversity, Equity & Inclusion
My first introduction to jazz was in the late 60’s at George’s Spaghetti House in Toronto. Musicians of note were Moe Kauffman, Phil Nimmons, Ed Bickert and Terry Clarke. In the 70’s my musical interests expanded to include studying classical guitar at the Eli Kassner Guitar Academy and being active in the Guitar Society of Toronto. Since inception I have been a strong supporter of The Jazz Room. In 2018, I was invited to join the board of the Grand River Jazz Society. Currently I serve as our liaison with The Huether Hotel. My responsibilities also include equity, inclusion and anti-harassment in our club. I enjoy being a member of a strong, working board and enjoy listening to great music in a fair, respectful, and comfortable setting.
[name protected] – Volunteer Coordinator
Prior to my retirement from OpenText in 2025, I enjoyed a career as a communications professional spanning over 40 years. Starting as a graphic designer in the last gasps of the “Mad Men” era, I transitioned into marketing and corporate communications after completing a degree in English from the University of Toronto. With my ability to express corporate strategy through visual and written communications, along with strong organizational skills, I contributed to the marketing, corporate and customer support communication efforts of leading high tech companies in the Waterloo Region. A lifelong volunteer, I have been the GRJS Volunteer Coordinator since 2022. I successfully rebuilt the volunteer base after the pandemic and I have helped to implement many organizational and technological improvements within the volunteer function.
[name protected] – Posters/Flyers Distribution
It has been a privilege and honour to serve on the Board of the Grand River Jazz Society since 2015. I have met so many wonderful musicians and patrons of the Jazz Room. With my lifelong interest in volunteering, I am actively involved in a number of other local organizations including: Deaf /Blind Ontario, K-W Habilitation, Best Friends of Big Brothers/Big Sisters, St. George’s Anglican Church in New Hamburg, KW Community Spirit Lions Club, and Lions Homes for Deaf/Blind People. As District President for the local Lioness Clubs, I had the privilege of being the only Canadian Lioness to speak at the USA/Canada Lions Leadership Forum in Salt Lake City, Utah. I have received the Sovereign’s Medal of Honour from the Governor General for my volunteer work.
[name protected] – Community Outreach
After a fulfilling career in dental hygiene, I pursued my love of music and enrolled in Laurier’s music program, graduating with a degree in vocal performance in 1988. Entering the teaching profession, I taught high school music and drama, conducting bands, choirs and directing musicals. A transition into teaching English Literature completed my rewarding career in education. In 2008, I co-founded the local jazz-based choir Soul Sauce, and directed the group until 2020, after which I have continued to sing with them. Since 2021, I have been a board member of the Grand River Jazz Society taking on the role of outreach to the community, guiding our Jazz Jams and Jazz in the Schools programs. In addition to musical endeavours, I have served on the board of the local YWCA, serving as chair of Club ’84, their fundraising committee. Currently, I also spend time supporting the good work of MCC as a volunteer at Thrift on Kent.
[name protected] – Artist Liaison
I have been licensed by the Law Society of Ontario as a paralegal since 2008 and have been self employed most of my working life. Serving on this working Board has allowed me to expand my skills into new areas, including hosting live jazz events and engaging with professional musicians. As part of my role on the Board, and as a hobbyist musician, I enjoy attending and participating in the bi-monthly jazz jams that the Grand River Jazz Society presents. One of my other passions is cycling, and I’m an active member of the Waterloo Cycling Club.
[name protected] – Youth/Community Engagement
I am a dynamic and versatile multi-instrumentalist based in the Kitchener–Waterloo region. A first-call session musician and sideman for over a dozen artists, I have performed to audiences of 3000+ and made more than 100 appearances in the past year alone. My work spans genres including pop, funk, hip hop, alternative rock, folk, country, and jazz. I share my passion as a jazz guitar instructor at the University of Guelph, and through my private teaching studio, mentoring the next generation of musicians. I am very proud to be an endorsed artist with D’Addario.
[name protected] – Technology Advisor
I’ve been a lifelong resident of Waterloo Region, and a graduate of the University of Waterloo’s Math program. For over 25 years, I’ve worked in software engineering and technology management here in Kitchener-Waterloo, and I currently lead software development at Adentro, a sales and marketing software platform. I started attending shows at The Jazz Room several years ago, drawn in like so many others by the music and the atmosphere. When a call went out for volunteers to help with tickets, I signed up, and I’ve since found myself at a point in life where giving back to this wonderful community feels like the right next step. That path led me to the Board. As Technology Advisor, I support the organization’s website, payment systems, back-office technology, email delivery, and the various digital tools that keep The Jazz Room running smoothly behind the scenes. It’s a role that lets me combine my professional background with something I genuinely love, and I’m glad to help make sure the technology side of things stays quietly out of the way so the focus can stay where it belongs — on the music.