The Yardbird Suite is made up of a talented group of board members, staff, and volunteers, and support crew. Without them, we wouldn’t be the club that we are today.
President to the Board of Directors
Executive, Finance, Mentorship, Technology Committees
Trevor’s involvement with the Yardbird Suite is rooted in a deep love of the music and a genuine care for the community that gathers around it. His earlier experience as House Manager gave him a practical understanding of how the venue operates day to day and what it takes to create an environment where artists and audiences alike can feel supported and at home.
In his board role, Trevor has helped initiate and support the development of several committees, led visioning workshops to better understand the needs and hopes of the Yardbird’s many stakeholders, and advocated for the engagement of an external consultant to develop a strategic sustainability plan, completed in December. This work has focused on strengthening the organization’s administrative foundation so it can grow responsibly and remain a vital cultural space for decades to come.
Trevor approaches leadership as service. He is motivated by the belief that thoughtful governance, strong relationships, and care for both people and music are essential to ensuring the Yardbird Suite continues to thrive for generations.
Vice President to the Board of Directors
Chair of the Building Committee
The only thing better than jazz – listening to LIVE jazz at Yardbird Suite!
After thirty plus years attending the Yardbird, this is Phil’s second year as a Director to the Board and Chair of the Building Committee. Phil loves music and was introduced to jazz at an early age by a jazz musician who lived close by in the neighbourhood. He was too young to really appreciate it then, but jazz grew on him and continued to be part of his life through school, college, architecture school, and adult life. And jazz continues to play on.
Phil suggests the design process is a bit like a jam session – he enjoys exploring a design challenge by creative, open, collaborative problem solving. His extensive experience in the design and construction of buildings will focus on improving the patron, performer, and volunteer experience, and will help inform the Board regarding current and future plans for the Yardbird Suite.
Next time you’re at Yardbird and see Phil, stop by and say hi.
Secretary to the Board of Directors
Building Committee
In 2011, Nils moved to Edmonton with his partner, Stephanie, and was delighted to find a vibrant arts scene. With a performance diploma in Jazz from Island University in Nanaimo, BC, Nils has a rich background in performance and band leadership from his time on Vancouver Island. Since arriving in Edmonton, he has performed with various ensembles including the Don Berner Community Band, C-Jam Big Band, McEwan Outreach Big Band, Democrafunk, and numerous smaller groups and projects.
Nils has also built a significant career in the banking industry as a financial advisor and people leader. Recently, he transitioned into the construction industry, where he now applies his skills in Operations Management for a local Edmonton general contractor.
Treasurer to the Board of Directors
Finance Committee
CPA, CMA
Lorn Stanners has deep roots in Old Strathcona. His grandparents came to “the hood” in the early 1900’s, his parents lived in the hood, and he lives within walking distance of the Yardbird Suite. His accounting practice was above DaDeo restaurant for 25 years. In 2009 he sold his practice to Yates Whitaker, LLP and moved to their offices in the Old Strathcona Professional building. He retired at the end of June 2023.
He and his wife Linda have been Yardbird fans for 10+ years. Adrian Albert, a former EJS president, asked him in 2018 if he was interested in becoming the EJS Treasurer, and he joined the Board that year. His board experience started in 1970 with the Northern Alberta Sports Car Club (NASCC) as the treasurer. The NASCC ran the road racing at Edmonton International Speedway including the CAN-AM, TRANS-AM and Continental Formula A & B (now Indy car) races. In 1979 he became active with the Society of Management Accountants of Alberta, and served on many committees including: Professional Development / Professional Services / Practice Review and Nominating Committee, Practice Reviewer and Chaired the Appeals Committee. He also served on task forces for Entry to Public Practice and Alberta Security Commission Auditor Guidelines. He was elected three times to the CMA Provincial Council and to the Board of CMA Canada for three years. He also was the founder of CMA’s in Public Practice and served as Chair for five years.
Other Volunteer Board roles include:
• Pillar Senior Citizens Society (Board Member 1982 – 91)
• Ionic Club of Edmonton 1976, (Board Member and Treasurer 1984 – 90)
• South Edmonton Business Association (Board Member 1987 – 94)
• Old Strathcona Business Association (1996 – 2000 – Treasurer 1996, President 1997/1998)
• Edmonton Chapter, Canadian Association of Professional Speakers. Board member, treasurer and president. (2003 – 2014)
• Public Member, Alberta College of Occupational Therapists (2003 – 2005)
• Treasurer, Edmonton Rite to Learn Foundation (2008 – 2012)
• Santas Anonymous, Governance Committee member (2009 – 2011)
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE:
• Principal, Lorn B. Stanners Professional Corporation, Certified Management Accountant, Edmonton, Alberta. Practice started 1983 and sold to Yates Whitaker, LLP in 2009. He subcontracted his services to them, including managing their Estate tax practice.
• Expert witness – Alberta Court of Queens Bench and Institute of Chartered Accountants of Alberta Discipline Committee Hearing.
• Keynote Speaker/Session Presenter on personal / estate taxes, understanding financial statements for: McEwan College / Keyano College; Toastmasters; JCI Edmonton; Business Link; Investors Group; CIBC; Edmonton Chapter CGAs; Association of Professional Accounting & Tax Consultants, etc.
Director to the Board of Directors
Education Committee
Born in 1962 Quebec. Attended McGill University. Work – Royal Alexandra Hospital. Taught music for over 30 years & professional trumpeter.
Won the 2007 Alberta “Excellence In Teaching Award”. Presented music workshops -Toronto, Hamilton, Vancouver, Victoria, Edmonton, and Calgary.
Presented 21st Century Learner for music teachers with GETCA-NCTCA-AMC. Taught IB/PSDL Music, Concert Band, Wind Ensemble, Jazz Band, Concert Choir, Rock Band, Audio Engineering, Guitar, and Radio Broadcasting.
Jazz History – over four decades at the Yardbird.
Presently-Co-Director of an adult jazz band, Western Canadian Rep for JEN-Jazz Education Network, JEP-Jazz Education Producers and a board member ABA-Alberta Band Association. Member with ABA, CBA, CA-Choral Alberta, and CC-Choral Canada
Experience:
Music, Edmonton Catholic Schools Maurice Lavallee – 1993
Music Director, Edmonton Conseil Centre Nord (1993-1994)
Music Director, Edmonton Catholic Schools Elizabeth Seton (1993-1994)
Music Director, Edmonton Catholic Schools Louis St. Laurent (1994-2001)
Musique Professeur, Factultee St. Jean, Edmonton, Alberta – 1997
Music Director, Edmonton Catholic Schools St. Joseph High School (2001-2024)
Education & Skills:
AGRHS – Lennoxvillle, Quebec
McGill University, Montreal, Quebec (1980-1981)
University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta (1989-1993) B.Ed.
Trumpet Clinician (1990-1994)
Professional Trumpeter (1980-2022)
Cosmopolitan Music Society (1980-1989)
Gateway Jazz Band (1988-2020)
Conductor Clinician (2001-2002)
Co-Director-Capital City Jazz Band (2020-2022)
Director to the Board of Directors
Fund Development Committee
Denyse Doran is the third generation of her family born and raised in Old Strathcona.
Upon graduation from UAlberta, Denyse married Tommy Doran and joined the community of Jazz. Denyse has been going to the Yardbird for 50 years, attending hundreds of shows and organising many tributes and parties at the Yardbird.
Denyse created successful businesses on Whyte Avenue including Ananda Books, Jupiter Glass, and Remedy 109 St. She has produced many music concerts and
art shows and she enjoyed success as a realtor and mortgage broker.
Denyse has volunteered at the Cross Cancer Institute creating fancy Fundraising Galas and being a mentor to many living with cancer.
Currently, Denyse is both a volunteer and Yardbird Suite Board Member acting as Fund Development Team Leader. New Year’s Eve 2023 was a most successful event and raised significant funds for the Littlebirds.
Denyse looks forward to keeping the very best stage in Canada, Yardbird Suite, musically vibrant and financially strong.
Director to the Board of Directors
Murray Smith obtained his PhD at the University of Alberta from the Department of Secondary Education and his Masters of Music degree from Indiana University.
His professional performances include a wide variety of styles including orchestral, wind ensemble, jazz, pop, and country with artists such as David Baker, Tommy Banks, Wilf Carter, Peggy Lee, Eric Marienthal and the Louisville Symphony Orchestra. Murray has taught at MacEwan University and the University of Alberta in the Faculties of Education, Extension, and the Department of Music.
He has worked as a music consultant for Edmonton Public Schools and for six years Murray directed bands, orchestras, and a variety of ensembles in Qatar and Saudi Arabia. Look for chapters Murray contributed to Teaching Music through Performance in Jazz Vol. I, Vol. II, and for Beginning Ensembles. Listen for him on the Marvin Stamm/Bob Stroup C.D., Live at the Yardbird Suite, Snake Fence Country by the Edmonton Wind Ensemble, and with a.k.a. on Project Discovery. Murray is the past president of the Education Society of Edmonton the Edmonton Jazz Society.
Currently, Dr. Smith is the principal at Patricia Heights School in Edmonton.
Director to the Board of Directors
Jan’s professional career in private clubs spanned almost five decades. He worked at Edmonton’s Royal Glenora and Derrick Golf and Winter Clubs, in a variety of positions culminating in over 25 years as the General Manager, COO, and CEO of both not-for-profit, volunteer-governed organizations. Jan was responsible for the business operations and worked closely with Boards of Directors on strategic and long-range planning.
As a volunteer, Jan was a Director and President of the Edmonton Ski Club (2001–2008), Director of the Canadian Society of Club Managers (2010–2015), and, in addition to serving on the EJS Board, Jan is currently a Director of the Czech Society for Arts and Sciences.
While Jan has no music expertise, he is a life-long fan.
Director to the Board of Directors
I am proud volunteer and a new Director of the Yardbird Suite (EJS).
My Pride and joy are my 3 children and 5 grandchildren who are all musically talented, I am a self confessed live music junkie and dancer.
My career was split, while in University (Sociology and Political Science with a focus on Organizational Behaviour) I was asked to assist with the tear-down of the International Gift Show, I thrived in this environment and 2 years later was honoured to become the Western Region Coordinator. My last Show was in Toronto in August 2022.
I started working at Grant MacEwan Community College in the Community Education Division and moved on to positions in International and Program Services, Student Resource Centre, Alumni and Development and finally University Relations. I earned a variety of certifications including, Records and Information, Project Management, Mental Health First Aid, and Customer Service Excellence. Elected to the Executive of the MacEwan Staff Association, I had the pleasure to serve on many committees. During my 25 years at MacEwan I spent much of my time fundraising for the Student’s Association and Chaired the Run for the Cure Committee.
Volunteerism was developed at a very early age. I have been blessed to have been exposed to a wide variety of music genres and feel honoured to have been the Green Room Coordinator for the Edmonton Rock and Roll Society for 10 years.