Our Director

Neil Yorke-Slader
B.Mus., B.Ed., M.Ed.
Musical Director

Neil Yorke-Slader is a Superintendent of Instruction with the Ottawa-Carleton District School Board in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. He is the former head of Music at Earl of March S.S. and J.S. Woodsworth S.S. and began his teaching career at Meadowlands M.S. Neil has composed numerous works at various levels for jazz ensemble, several of which are available through UNC Jazz Press and Burnihla Music Publishing. He is currently the vice-chariman (Instrumental Jazz) of Musicfest Canada and is widely sought after as a jazz clinician and adjudicator.

Neil Yorke-Slader is well known throughout the Captial region for his dedication to Education and the Arts. He received the 2007 Ottawa-Carleton District School Board's Margarie Loughery Award for Lifetime Contribution to the Arts. In 1995, Neil received the City of Nepean's Distinguished Service Award for Arts and Culture. He has also been awarded the 1998 City of Nepean Distinguished Service Award for Education, and the 1998 Ottawa-Carleton District School Board's "Director's Citation".

Neil's reputation extends far beyond the Ottawa area, however. He was the recipient of the 2000 Ottawa International Jazz Festival's "Achievement Award" and in 1991 he received the International Association of Jazz Educators Award for Contribution to Jazz Education. He is considered one of the leading Canadian authorities on the teaching of stage band fundamentals and rehearsal techniques.