House Band Musical Direction by Scott Henderson

Drums – JD Johnson

Jhaun Devaki Johnson was born and raised in Jamaica. A lover of music and all things good! Drumming for over 25 years, JD has shared the stage with many award-winning artists, both from the secular and gospel realms.  He has worked alongside the majority of Alberta’s local artist pool, playing virtually every genre with authenticity and skill. JD has toured Canada with Caleb Hart and is a member of the touring reggae-R&B fusion group Sonic Alley.

Bass – Lisa Jacobs

Multi-instrumentalist, Lisa Jacobs, declares the bass guitar her most beloved. Playing her first festival at age 12 (Calgary International Blues Festival), she has gone on to write, record, music direct, perform and tour with a of variety artists including Jocelyn Alice, Jann Arden, Johnny Reid, Kyle McKearney and the Classic Albums Live series. She has a gold record, was awarded 2024 Bassist of the Year at the Canadian Country Music Awards, has a degree in music therapy and has spent a lot of time touring the world but loves living in Calgary.

Keyboards – Kate Melvina

Kate Melvina is a singer/pianist/composer and the brainchild behind psychedelic/space funk/soul/jazz collective Tendavillage, whose reach has amassed a loyal global fanbase. Kate has well-established herself in the Calgary music scene as prominent performer from piano lounges to high-profile events, festivals and residencies.

Guitar – Sam Coulson

English-Canadian guitar virtuoso Sam Coulson has toured the world as a member of chart-topping British prog rock band ASIA. Sam has released three solo albums including a rock instrumental, a classical album with some works by JS Bach and Fernando Sor, and most recently a blues rock album.

Vocals – Brandon Wood

Brandon Wood is a proud Calgarian who has been a dynamic force in the city’s arts scene for decades. He has held lead roles in many musical theatre productions, performed in the Calgary Stampede Grandstand Show, and continues to collaborate with local songwriters and artists. He has also performed with Calgary Opera, choreographed for the world champion Calgary Stampede Showband Dancers and held faculty positions with the Young Canadians and The SHOW Co. Brandon has also toured the world as a lead singer and dancer on luxury cruise lines. Whether on stage or mentoring the next generation, Brandon’s passion for music, dance, and theatre continues to inspire, reflecting the vibrancy and talent of Calgary’s arts community.

For 30 years Christian has worked across Canada, the US, and abroad, as an actor, director, musician, writer, and teacher. He has worked at major theatres across Canada, and has been featured in numerous radio plays, films and network television programs for CBC, Syfy, NBC, YTV, CBS, Hallmark, and many independent productions. He is a produced playwright, composer, teacher, and multiple Betty Mitchell Award winner, Critic Award winner, and AMPIA Nominee. Christian is Casting and Voice Director at Six Degrees Music and Sound where he has voiced, cast and directed countless commercials for local, national, and international brands, as well as documentaries, animations, radio plays, and audiobooks. He adapted and voice-directed four seasons of radio plays for WordFest, and three seasons of radio plays for Vertigo Mystery Radio. He was the voice-director and music supervisor on the award-winning animation The Legend of the Bunny Phantom, and the writer and co-director of the award-winning animation Poor Billy: Chapter One. Christian is thrilled to have acted with and directed Oscar winners, Emmy winners, Gemini winners, athletes, musicians, and many wonderful and inspiring actors across North America. Christian would like to extend a heartfelt thanks to all who support the arts.

Clarence Wolfleg Sr. (Agar) is from the Siksika Nation, his traditional name Miiksika’am translates to “Red Crane”. This traditional Siksika name was also his fourth great grandfather’s name, who watched our eastern Siksika boundaries for many years back in the late 1700’s.  He attended the Old Sun Indian Residential School in Siksika and registered by the name Agar Wolfleg. Later on, he used the correct name, Clarence Victor Wolfleg. Named after Siksika Chief, Chief Clarence McHugh who was his god father.

In 2013, he finished the last term with Siksika Nation Chief & Council.  He was elected for 10 terms as a member of Siksika Council and served under many Siksika chiefs.  He is a member of the Sacred Horns’ Society (Transfer of sacred Bundle 2015) and the Brave Dog Society which are traditional Blackfoot Societies.  He is a 5 year veteran of International Peace Keeping (NATO & UN) in the mid 1960’s. Upon his return from the Peace Keeping Initiative, he became a police officer and served 14 years as a RCMP Suppernumerary Constable and later as Alberta Special Constable. He served as Chief of Police for the Siksika Nation and worked for Corrections Canada.  He was also employed with the Native Counselling Services of Alberta.

Presently Clarence is recognized as a Siksika Traditional Spiritual Leader by Siksika Nation and is a spiritual advisor (Elder) at MRU, BVC (Iniikokaan Centre), Sunrise Addiction Services, Heritage Park, Calgary Board of Education, SAIT and City of Calgary. Clarence has been honoured by MRU with an Honorary B.A. (Sociology) and an Honorary Doctor of Laws Degree.

Oki! I am Clarence ‘Skip’ Wolf Leg Jr. I am a powwow drummer. I was raised on the Siksika Nation and am currently living in the city of Calgary. I was trained as a Blackfoot Style powwow drummer & singer with over 30 years of experience & have sung with various championship drums over the years. I am also an experienced educator & Interpreter of Blackfoot culture & history, Plains First Nations history, & teacher of Powwow Drumming. I recently worked at the Glenbow Museum as an Educator and was hired to drum for the Making Treaty 7 Cultural Society Theatre Group for 3 stage productions. I have also been hired to drum or provide teachings as a Knowledge Keeper throughout the city of Calgary & area since 2013.  

Elizabeth Stepkowski Tarhan is thrilled to celebrate the arts and artists in her home, Mohkinstsis/Calgary. Elizabeth has directed for Calgary Opera, The Shakespeare Company, Seadreamer, Drama on a Dime, Stage West, the Guild Hall YK, and new work in development at the Banff Centre for Arts and Creativity. She teaches her vocal development method and theatre workshops nationally and internationally. Elizabeth has appeared on stages across Canada, the US, Mexico and Scotland. She has received awards for her work as Shirley in Stone and Ashes, Marg in Marg Skaluba; Pissy’s Wife, and Fräulein Kost in Cabaret. Most recently, Elizabeth assisted Peter Hinton on a new production of Wagner’s Das Rheingold for Edmonton Opera, sang the role of Weird Sister #3 for Essential Opera and directed Nino Rota’s The Witty Squirrel for Calgary Opera. Upcoming, Elizabeth will be the Stage Director for Calgary Opera’s The Barber of Seville. MORE ART EVERYWHERE!

Elinor is a veteran of the Canadian Theatre Stage. Some of her select theatre credits, over the last 30 years include: Pig Girl at Theatre Network; The Soul Collector, Catalyst Theatre; The Ecstatics, Northern Light Theatre; Sweeney Todd, Vertigo Theatre; Angels in America, Alberta Theatre Projects; The Humans, Theatre Calgary; Boy Gets Girl, Theatre Junction (Betty Mitchell Award); Austentatious, Forte Musical Theatre; The Pink Unicorn, Lunchbox Theatre; 9 to 5 (Betty Mitchell Award), Stage West Theatre; Shakespeare’s Will, Sage Theatre; Urine Town, Ground Zero/Hit&Myth; Picnic, Ghost River Theatre; Helen’s Necklace, Handsome Alice; The Piper, Downstage Theatre; Richard III, The Shakespeare Company; The Spitfire Grill, Rosebud Theatre; Matara, Workshop West Theatre; The Blue Hour, Skirts A Fire Festival; Fly Me to the Moon, Shadow Theatre; Bingo Ladies, Hudson Village Theatre; Steel Magnolias, Theatre North West, Prince George, BC; A Sleigh Ride Christmas Carol, Caravan Farm Theatre, Armstrong, BC; The Importance of Being Earnest and Romeo and Juliet, The Globe Theatre. Elinor is a singer/songwriter with the duo, Spiderelli and a band member of Hello, Penguins! Elinor lives in Calgary, Alberta with her husband and pup.

Tribe Artist Society is an Indigenous-led Hip Hop and arts organization. Our mission is to help artists become their most powerful selves by providing access to Indigenous-friendly artistic spaces, education, coaching and mentorship. Tribe Artist Society creates sober spaces where Hip Hop, art, and Indigenous culture live. Their goal is to use these three tools to bring people of all nationalities together in the spirit of reconciliation, peace, love, unity and having fun.

Diversity Performing Arts Club of Calgary also known as DPACC (dee-pak) features the faces of Calgary’s children and youth from various cultures and walks of life. Their Mission is to provide an outlet for children and youth to express themselves while acquiring a spectrum of performing art disciplines that will make a positive impact on their lives.

The organization was founded in 2001 by Jennifer Duncan, an avid believer in youth development via the arts, and run with her daughter Sabrina Comǎnescu, a past performer in DPACC and now a current company dancer with Decidedly Jazz Danceworks.

DPACC performers receive a multicultural experience like none-other!  Their training consists of dance classes in Funk, Ballet, Dancehall, Soca, Jazz, Hip Hop, West African and Caribbean Folk as well as acting and singing classes. Their season is filled with tons of community performances including their annual summer Caribbean festival tour! They have had the pleasure of performing at Toronto’s Caribbean Festival formerly known as Caribana, Edmonton’s Cariwest festival, Calgary’s very own Carifest as well as in Victoria, BC or iLand and northern BC’s Caribbean Days.

The Calgary Stampede Showband, created in 1971, serves as the musical ambassador for the Calgary Stampede. Since then, it has become renowned worldwide, earning numerous awards and accomplishments. Currently, the group includes over 150 performers, aged 16 to 22, and performs nearly 200 times each year. The Showband showcases a wide variety of performances, from standstills and parades to field show competitions. Members promote western hospitality and values while maintaining a commitment to innovative performance art. The Showband program focuses on developing youth in the performing arts, fostering musical, performance, and personal excellence. Members build athleticism, artistry, and confidence through hard work and persistence. Since its inception, the Showband has earned several accolades, including the Sudler Shield, multiple appearances in the World Music Contest in Kerkrade, four appearances in the Tournament of Roses Parade, and are 7-time World Association of Marching Showband Champions.