Ms. Janet Irvine (formerly Wade) is currently the Music Director of the W.J. Mouat Secondary School Music Program in Abbotsford, British Columbia and is the former Concert Band Director for the Douglas College Concert Band. After attending Capilano College and Douglas College she received Bachelor’s Degrees in Secondary Music Education and English from the University of Victoria while maintaining a busy music studio teaching private music lessons and performing frequently as a freelance musician. Ms. Irvine shifted into public education working at various middle and high schools in the Qualicum and Abbotsford School Districts before her current appointment. In August 2022, she completed her Masters of Music through Central Washington University and the American Band College. Ms. Irvine maintains a busy schedule, in addition to teaching, by serving in various roles such as the President of the BC Music Educators’ Association, a member of the Canadian Music Educators’ Association board, Honour Band Guest Conductor, and Music Festival Adjudicator. Previous she has served as Assistant Conductor of the Fraser Valley Wind Ensemble (2021-2022), Vancouver Symphony Orchestra Crescendo Conference presenter (2019), and Jr. Band Conductor at the University of British Columbia Summer Music Institute (2017). Ms. Irvine previously served as the Clinics Coordinator and the Honour Ensembles Chair for the British Columbia Music Educators’ Association Conference, and as the First Vice-President and Acting President on the British Columbia Music Educators’ Association board. During the COVID-19 pandemic, Ms. Irvine co-authored the Guidelines for Music Education in British Columbia During COVID-19. Her co-authorship and music advocacy lead to a position with the BC Provincial Education Steering Committee’s Health and Safety Working Group where she worked closely with the British Columbia Ministry of Education, BC Teachers Federation, and the British Columbia Centre for Disease Control to create and write safety protocols for all schools across British Columbia. Her research and advocacy shaped policies and allowed music education to continue in schools during the pandemic. But her busiest job is raising her two young sons, Nikkolas and Jameson, and her dog, Carsie.
Mr. Shane Monkman Shane was born and raised in Chilliwack, B.C. Canada and currently resides there with his son Parker. Shane received his Bachelor’s of Music from the University of Victoria where he studied saxophone under Wendell Clanton. Upon completion of his degree Shane attended the Jazz Orchestra program at the Banff Center for the Performing Arts where he had the opportunity to perform alongside Canadian Jazz legends PJ Perry and Hugh Fraser as well as under the direction of Maria Schneider. Shane is currently the Music Director and Fine Arts Department head at G.W. Graham Secondary school. He currently teaches grade 9-12 Concert Band, grade 9-12 Jazz Band, grade 9-12 Choir and Pep Band. Ensembles from G.W. Graham have consistently performed well at local, national, and international music festivals including multiple jazz bands and vocal jazz ensembles who have won at the Lionel Hampton International Festival as well as concert bands and jazz bands that have earned Gold at MusicFest Canada.Shane has performed locally as a reed player with the Fraser Valley Wind Ensemble, the Bruce James Jazz Orchestra, the Moonliters Jazz Band and for musical theatre shows with the Chilliwack School of Performing Arts. When not involved in music Shane plays competitive men’s soccer and curling and enjoys camping and exploring the outdoors with his family.
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