About the New Horizons Team
Dan Kapp, OCT, B.F.A. (Honours), B.Ed.
Director/Teacher
Dan has looked forward to the day that he could start a New Horizons Band program in Toronto for years. He first learned of the program through a friend of his, Ian Cuthbertson, who was a founding member and director of the now thriving program in Peterborough, Ontario. Dan is very excited to be able to realize this dream with the launching of the Long & McQuade Bloor New Horizons Band, or “Senior Band" for short. He has been working hard to see that this is an enjoyable and exciting experience for everyone involved.
Dan comes to this project with over 25 years of professional teaching and conducting experience. He holds an honours Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in Music Performance from York University and a Bachelor of Education from Queen’s University. He has also earned his Specialist Certificates in Instrumental and Vocal Music at the University of Toronto. Dan has conducted both high school and community bands here in Ontario and overseas. He has a very eclectic taste in music which is always reflected in the music his groups perform; styles such as pop, jazz, marches, musical theatre, movie scores, etc. to thrilled audiences. His demeanour is gentle and humorous, and always positive. He is in total agreement with Dr. Roy Ernst (original founder of the New Horizons Association) when he says “Your best is good enough”, always! Dan is also looking forward to making many new friends through the "Senior" Band.
Lisa Kapp, OCT, B.A., B.Ed.
Assisstant to the Director
and Head Librarian
Lisa comes to the team as a long time flute player, an instrument she learned to play in high school and has enjoyed ever since. As Dan's assistant, Lisa performs many invaluable tasks in the background. She is the voice on the phone many people have heard and will continue to hear. As an English teacher, her skills and efforts as our editor have been greatly appreciated. Her organizational skills have been essential in keeping Dan on track and focussed. But mostly, she understands and supports her husband in his efforts to make a New Horizons Band a reality in Toronto.
Jenny Peace, OCT, Masters of Music, B. Ed. B. Mus..
Conductor/Teacher
Jenny has wanted to get involved with the New Horizons program since she heard about the
She has recently retired from 33 years teaching high school music with the Halton Board of Education. She has conducted bands from beginner level, to honours level . Pursuing an interest in Music theatre Jenny has worked with a number of community Music Theatre groups in
She is a trumpet player who has played regularly with the Oakville Symphony for thirty years as well as many other community groups and has founded a brass quintet called the Falgarwood Brass.
Robert Mee, Mus. Bac., B. Ed., MM., Ph.D, ARCT
Rob first learned of the New Horizons Program back in 1993 when he was appointed Visiting Professor of Music Education at the Eastman School of Music, University of Rochester. In fact, Rob assumed Dr. Roy Ernst’s position while Roy was on an academic leave devoted to the organization and expansion of the first New Horizons Band Project that he had founded two years earlier in Rochester, New York. While at Eastman, Rob had the opportunity to observe and lead a rehearsal with the original New Horizons Band. That experience consolidated Rob’s belief in the value of life-long learning. Indeed, four years ago, prior to retirement, Rob began private cello study firm in his belief that it is never too late to learn to play an instrument.
Rob earned his Mus. Bac. And B. Ed degrees at the University of Toronto and then began his 32 year teaching career at the Upper School of Upper Canada College where he developed a comprehensive instrumental music program. Five years into his teaching career, Rob began work on his Master’s, and subsequent, Doctoral degrees in Music Education at the Eastman School of Music while continuing to teach full time at UCC. His research and work in Computer-Assisted Music Instruction for composition earned him the first Marshall McLuhan Distinguished Teacher Award in Canada. While still teaching music throughout his career at UCC, Rob was also appointed Director of Studies in 1990 and Assistant Head of the Upper School, Registrar in 2000. Rob was also a trombone instructor at the Royal Conservatory of Music.
Rob recently retired from full-time teaching and devotes his time to teaching trombone privately, free-lancing and doing volunteer brass and percussion coaching at an elementary school. In summer, Rob can usually be found paddling one of his canoes!
Rob is very excited to be part of the expanding New Horizons Band program at Long and McQuade.
Bruce Chapman
Business Manager
Bruce is a manager at the Bloor St. Long and McQuade, the largest retail music store in Canada. His resume includes the Vice Presidency of Musicstop, formerly a 9 store music chain in the Atlantic provinces, as well as 5 years as CEO of Portman's Music, a retail music chain based in Savannah, Georgia. Bruce was also the driving force in building the Canadian Conservatory of Music, a private music school based in Halifax with an enrolment of 3500 students. Bruce has also enjoyed success as a musician, with numerous recording, writing and television appearance credits. He has spent his life in music, and relishes every opportunity to help others enjoy the wonderful experience that making music can bring.