Our Staff & Teachers

Jo Blaak

Program Coordinator,

Violin

Jo started her incredible music journey at the age of 3 on the piano. Her grandmother, a European concert violinist, was influential in her love for the violin and lovingly introduced the instrument to her at the age of 9. She studied music under the tutelage of the late Harry Gomez another European concert violinist and studied viola for three years under the tutelage of Stephen Dann a world-renowned violist.

Jo has been teaching violin in Abbotsford since 2005 and taught at North Poplar Fine Arts School in Abbotsford for nine years as well as Unity Christian Elementary School in Chilliwack for seven years as well as teaching privately.

She is  a past member of the Fraser Valley Symphony as well as she is  presently the lead fiddler of the Central Fraser Valley Fiddlers which has been in operation for over 50 years. She has worked with the Fraser Valley Metis Association for the last 4 years  as their fiddle/violin teacher teaching group lessons to adults and children.

Jo teaches both classical and fiddle to all ages.

Liisa Neissim

 

Guitar & Ukulele

Liisa has been teaching music privately for 30 years in voice, piano, guitar, ukulele, french horn and trumpet. She studied classical voice at UBC and received her Bachelor of Music, with a minor in piano, in 1989. She also studied classical guitar privately for several years.

After moving from Vancouver in 2001,she founded Stepping Stone Music Company in Matsqui Village.

Currently she is composing and singing with Kitchen Sync and has two CDs of her own original music.

Liisa has been conducting choirs for over 20 years, and started her current projects, Joy Vox Community Choir and Voce Destino, in 2001.

Liisa has received awards such as the 2006 Arty Award for Outstanding Artist in Music in Mission, BC, the Mission Muse Award in 2014 for Arts Advocate,  and was nominated for the Myrtle Everett Woman of the Year Award in Abbotsford in 2007. She also received the Celebration of the Arts Award in 2018 for Arts Advocate - Educator/Mentor.

Marcus Ranger

 

Bagpipe

Marcus is a bagpiper with 16 years of experience. Originally from the Kootenays, he got his start on the instrument with the cadet program there in 2008, then got involved with the lower mainland pipe band scene in 2018. He's played with multiple bands over the last 6 years including the Correctional Services pipe band, the Harrison Highlanders Pipe Band, and presently, the competition band, Greighlan Crossing. Marcus plays both competitively and otherwise and does numerous band and solo performances and competitions over the course of the calendar year.

Emily Wright

 

Handbell Choir

Emily is new to directing handbells but brings a strong musical background and a genuine love for ensemble music. She first discovered the joy of handbell ringing at Chilliwack Secondary School, where her passion for ensemble performance began. Now studying upright bass at Douglas College, Emily draws from her growing expertise and years of experience as a clarinetist to bring thoughtfulness and energy to her role.

With plans to become a music teacher after her studies, Emily is dedicated to nurturing musical growth. She strives to create a supportive and collaborative environment where musicians of all levels feel empowered to learn, grow, and create meaningful music together.