CWJO

Musicians

Calgary Women's Jazz Orchestra
The CWJO is a new group on the Calgary jazz scene. 
Our mission is to encourage females to get involved in performing jazz
so the ensemble seeks to give opportunities to a variety of players.   
However, there is a strong committed core. 
Some of our members are professional gigging musicians,
while others are music educators/teachers, and others spend their days doing other things
but have a passion for music.  

 

Our Director

Kathie Van Lare

            Kathie Van Lare born and raised in Calgary, has been teaching music for over 35 years.  Although retired from full time teaching, she keeps busy directing the Foothills Society Community Concert Band, Westwinds Gold Jazz South, and the CWJO, as well as travelling all over Western Canada adjudicating and guest conducting.   Bands under Kathie’s direction have been the recipients of several awards and she has been the recipient of various personal awards: Alberta Band Association’s “Elkhorn Award” as the Band Director of the Year; Alberta Band Association’s “Vondis Miller Legacy Award”; Laureate in John Philip Sousa Legion of Honor at the MidWest Band and Orchestra Conference in Chicago. Women Band Directors International, “Scroll of Excellence”; and an Honorary Lifetime Membership from the Alberta Band Association. Kathie continues to be active as a free-lance musician (trumpet) and has performed with many groups including among others, the Calgary Philharmonic Orchestra, the Rocky Mountain Symphony Orchestra, Prime Time Big Band, Calgary Jazz Orchestra, Alberta Winds and Altius Brass. Besides music, Kathie enjoys woodworking, horseback riding and is an avid baseball fan. Go Cardinals!

TRUMPETS

Trombones

Saxophones

Rhythm Section 

Other musicians who have performed with CWJO ...

 

 
                                                   Jeni Taylor (trumpet)
                                                   Kathleen Degner (alto sax)
                                                   Holly Sangster (alto sax) 
                                                   Shari Klassen (bass)
                                                   Thea Person (vocals /trombone)
                                                   Nancy Partlow (trombone)
                                                   Madhu Aul  (alto sax)
                                                   Chantel Boderick (bass)
                                                   Sophie Pardo (guitar) 
                                                   Jaimie Dowling (guitar) 
                                                   Tetyana Haraschuk (drums/percussion)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sophie Pardo (guitar)

Aretha Tillotson (bass)

Chantal Broderick (drums)

Kathleen Degner (alto sax)

Shari Klassen (bass)

Thea Person (vocals/trombone)

Nancy Partlow (trombone)

Madhu Aul (alto sax)