Artistic Directors

Skye Eriksen

B.Mus., B.Ed. (UVic)

Teaching and making music are Skye Eriksen’s favourite things to do in the world. Her goal as a teacher is to cultivate and contribute to a life-long love of music in her students. A multi-instrumentalist and vocalist, Skye has been teaching music in various settings and has been performing as a professional saxophonist for many years. She has been an active performer in a variety of ensembles, groups, and bands, encompassing a wide array of genres and styles throughout the years. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Music Education and a Bachelor of Education from the University of Victoria, where she performed in many of UVic’s signature large ensembles, such as the Wind Symphony and Vocal Jazz Ensemble. Additionally, a dedicated volunteer, Skye served on the executive of the University of Victoria Student Music Educators’ Association (UVSMEA) for two consecutive years. 

Skye has taught and conducted ensembles and musical groups of various ages and experience levels, including guest conducting the Vancouver Island Saxophone Ensemble. She has extensive experience directing concert band, choir, vocal jazz, and jazz band, in elementary, middle and high school settings. Skye is also regularly sought after as a clinician for secondary and middle school band programs; she is grateful to have worked with many budding musicians in both the Greater Victoria and Greater Vancouver areas.

Devoted to refining her musical craft, Skye has attended many workshops and conferences, including the highly regarded Boers-Nace Choral Conducting Workshop in Seattle, where she studied with respected conductors Richard Nace and Dr. Geoffrey Boers, Director of Choral Activities at the University of Washington. Skye is currently teaching in the K-12 public school system. Skye is passionate about providing students with opportunities to develop musicianship, artistry, personal expression, confidence and community through music – all while having fun in the process!

Nicholas Renaud

B.Mus. (UVic), B.Ed. (UBC), Grad. Dip. Ed.–in progress (SFU)

Nic Renaud is passionate about teaching and working with others toward musical growth and fun performances. Nic has taught and conducted many choral and instrumental ensembles, from beginner bands to university-level choirs. He has also sung professionally in many ensembles and as a soloist. Nic is currently teaching secondary school band and choir in the public school system. 

Nic’s past conducting engagements include: Assistant Conductor of JoyVox Community Choir (Abbotsford, BC), Assistant Director of the University of Victoria Vocal Jazz Ensemble, Director of the UVic Vocal Jazz Women’s Chorus, Guest Conductor of UVic Massed Men’s Chorus, and Guest Conductor of the UVic Chamber Singers. In 2018, Nic was honoured to serve as Intern Conductor of the BC Youth Choir under the tutelage of esteemed Canadian youth choir conductor, Allison Girvan. Nic earned his Bachelor of Education specializing in Secondary Music and French at the University of British Columbia where he received the prestigious Outstanding Practicum Award. He graduated with a Bachelor of Music degree from the University of Victoria where he double-majored in Secondary Instrumental Music Education and Voice Studies. During his undergraduate studies, Nic was twice selected as one of eight university students to receive a fellowship to attend the UCLA Wind Conducting Workshop where he studied under the guidance of notable American band conductors, including Jerry Junkin (Dallas Winds) and Dr. Travis Cross (UCLA Wind Ensemble). 

Nic is currently pursuing graduate work in the Faculty of Education at Simon Fraser University, where his studies are focused on inclusion, interaction and connection in the classroom. He is devoted to building community and cooperation through the study of music, engaging in innovative teaching that involves a variety of games and activities to foster teamwork, and empowering students to grow in confidence as they learn to express their creativity through group music-making and engaging musical performances.