Debbie Best,

originally from Ontario received her Bachelor or Music with Honours in Music Education and a Diploma in Education from McGill University, Montreal.  She is currently completing a Masters in Music, Conducting from the University of Manitoba.  She has also graduated from the Canadian Wind Conductor’s Development Program, a three-year intensive professional development program for conductors in Winnipeg, Manitoba and has worked with highly distinguished conductor/educators such as Craig Kirchoff, Paula Holcomb, Rodney Winter, Dale Lonis and Fraser Linklator.  Ms. Best has studied tuba with Alain Cazes and Dennis Miller of the Montreal Symphony Orchestra.  As guest conductor, she has worked with the Lakeshore Concert Band on several occasions and is currently a member and substitute conductor. 

Since 1995 Ms. Best has been the instrumental and choral music director at Rosemount High School of the English Montreal School Board and has conducted the Rosemount Symphonic Winds during countless performances including four European tours.  In 2000 she was awarded the Band Aid Grant ($ 10,000) from the Canadian Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences.  She has a serious commitment to the training of new teachers by being a cooperating teacher and pedagogical consultant as wel as giving seminars to pre-field experience students through McGill University.  She was invited to be part of the recent Canadian Band Association repertoire review and selection committee and has adjudicated high school and elementary music festivals in Montreal, Sherbrooke and Moncton, N.B.  She was also the senior concert band director at Camp Musical d’Asbestos this past summer.  Ms. Best is currently an active member o the CBA, FAMEQ and QMEA.