The Adjudicators

Michael Faulkner – Voice

An active member of the Ontario Registered Music Teachers’ Association (ORMTA) Kingston Branch, Canadian Federation of Music Teachers Associations (CFMTA) and National Association of Teachers of Singing (NATS) Michael Faulkner holds a Bachelor of Music Degree from Queen’s University, Kingston and is also a graduate of the Royal Conservatory of Music A.R.C.T. (Piano Performer and Teacher, Vocal Performer and Teacher). Michael is also a member of the Canadian Music Festivals Adjudicators Association (CMFAA) and has adjudicated numerous music festivals, competitions as well as giving Masterclasses and performances within these communities across Canada. 

Known for his musical insight, beautiful tone and technical command, Michael began his music studies at age four, participating in numerous music festivals and competitions receiving many top awards and distinctions.

Michael enjoys a rewarding career as teacher of more than 60 weekly students of all ages and levels in piano, voice, pedagogy and theory. He teaches in person and online to students from across the country. Many of his students have received top honours, distinctions and awards throughout Canada and a large number have pursued careers in music as well. He also actively performs in his own community and across Canada and is well versed in Opera, Oratorio and Music Theatre repertoire. As an accompanist Michael is in high demand working with singers and instrumentalists of all ages and abilities from beginner to professional level. Michael has also enjoyed working for a number of years with Conservatory Canada as an examiner in piano and voice. He is a member teacher with Music for Young Children (MYC) and believes the start of music education at an early age is very important. For more than 35 years Michael has worked as a Church musician and frequently is asked to provide musical service and guidance to many Worship denominations. Michael’s community choir, Let’s Make a Choir in the Quinte region has more than 50 voices singing for various charities. Even virtually the community choir has remained strong rehearsing regularly. Michael believes that music is a lifelong passion and is always looking for new musical challenges and enrichment. Michael is an avid animal lover and enjoys skiing, hiking, attending music concerts and theatre.

Amanda Brunk - Voice

Pianist and music educator, Danielle McIntyre, holds a Master of Music (Piano Performance and Literature) and a Bachelor of Music (Honors) from Brandon University. Her mentors include Professor Robert Richardson and Professor Megumi Masaki. 

Since completing her degrees, Danielle has been an active member of the Ottawa music community where she has a full and bustling studio. In addition to her own teaching, Danielle enjoys working as an examiner for the Royal Conservatory of Music, adjudicator and giving masterclasses. Danielle currently sits on the Provincial Ontario Registered Music Teachers’ Association (ORMTA) and the Canadian Federation Music Teachers’ Association boards. 

Danielle has been teaching for 16 years and is very passionate about her students’; success. Her students compete in festivals and prepare for exams, but more importantly, learn about community outreach by performing monthly at retirement centres throughout Ottawa. 

Some of Danielle’s hobbies include traveling, hiking, paddleboarding, and volunteering. She currently volunteers at the Children’s Hospital of Eastern Ontario (CHEO) and The University of Ottawa through the Ottawa Therapy Dogs with her Bernedoodle, Lola. 

Tom Fitzgerald - Fretted and Fretless Strings

Tom is an accomplished fiddler and musician from Ontario, Canada, now based in New York City. He is a Canadian Grand Master Fiddle Champion (2012) and a Canadian Open Fiddle Champion (2012). Growing up in the centre of the Ottawa Valley, Tom was immersed in the rich tradition of Canadian Old Time fiddling and step dancing. However, over the years he has absorbed elements of other musical styles and traditions such as traditional and contemporary Irish, country, bluegrass, swing, jazz, and classical. 

Tom is a seasoned performer, having toured professionally with his family band “The Fitzgeralds” since he was 9 years old. The group continues to perform extensively across North America and Europe. In 2017 a video of the group’s acappella dance routine went viral via Ireland’s independent.ie, with over 7 million views. In 2023 Tom released an EP of original music “The Art of Done”, collaborating with renowned Irish musicians Brian Finnegan (Flook), Liam Bradley (Van Morrison), and Sean Og Graham (Beoga). 

Scott Mills – Winds and Percussion

Scott has been an active music educator and performer in the Quinte region for nearly 30 years. He initially studied jazz at Humber College and then went on to study classical music at Wilfrid Laurier University, and then earned his teaching degree at Queen’s University. He held the position of “James Briegel Chair in Instrumental Music” at Albert College where he taught instrumental music for grade 4 to 12 students for over 27 years. At Albert College he directed many instrumental ensembles including the Jazz Ensemble and the multi award winning Saxophone Quartet. He also formed and directed the Albert College Community Winds. This group was a community based band that brought adults and students together in a performing ensemble. 

Currently, Scott is bass trombonist with Canada’s oldest continually operating jazz band, The Commodores’ Jazz Orchestra, which formed in 1928. He has also been both bass trombonist and principal trombonist with the Quinte Symphony for 29 years. Scott is now also performing with the newly formed Brass Action brass ensemble who will be featured at both the Prince Edward County and Belleville Jazz Festivals this year.