Julia Sunay is a New York City–based Maestra and Music Director with more than two decades of experience as a pianist, vocal coach and educator. Born and raised in Calgary, Julia is especially delighted to return to Alberta to join the faculty at the Banff Centre and contribute to its renowned artistic community. Julia’s Broadway and select touring credits include Associate Music Director and Conductor for Beetlejuice, Music Director for Jersey Boys, and Associate Music Director for the first U.S. National Tour of An Officer and a Gentleman. Most recently, she has worked on several New York productions, including Schmigadoon!, Little Shop of Horrors, All Out: Comedy About Ambition, and Gotta Dance. Known for her versatility and collaborative approach, Julia works extensively with performers and musicians and regularly music supervises auditions throughout New York City.

Heather Bouchier (Seeseequasis) is proudly Plains Cree from Beardy’s & Okemasis Cree Nation (Treaty 6 Territory) in Saskatchewan. She attended the Academy of Fashion Design in Saskatoon and has been sewing since 2001.

In 2013, Heather showcased her first collection at Western Canada Fashion Week as an emerging designer. Since then, she has gone on to showcase all over North America, Japan and has dressed for red carpet events such as Toronto International Film Festival, the Juno Awards and the Canadian Screen Awards.

Her designs often feature up-cycled and sustainable materials blended with traditional techniques such as beadwork, horsehair and dentalium shell work. Mixing traditional and modern, Heather has been working with 3D printing dentalium shells and incorporating into her work. This has played a pivotal role in her time spent alongside other artists during the Indigenous Haute Couture Residencies Heather has participated in.

Currently, Heather runs her own business creating for clients/customers Jewelry, Alterations, Bridal wear, ready to wear couture, Custom Sewing, costumes and cosplay.   She produces fashion shows, teaches workshops and mentors.

Heather is also the Creative Director of the Indigenous Empowerment Fashion Collective in Edmonton and the Co-Founder of Edmonton Indigenous Fashion Week

Rhonda Johnson is a First Nations Cree multidisciplinary artist and fashion designer whose creative practice is grounded in culture, identity, storytelling, and community. As the founder and designer of Acahkos Designs, Rhonda works across fashion, textiles, appliqué, beadwork, and visual art, creating contemporary works that honour cultural knowledge while embracing innovation and individual artistic expression.

Her work is inspired by cultural teachings, the natural world, family, ancestry, and the strength and resilience of Indigenous women and men. Through her multidisciplinary practice, Rhonda explores the connections between art, fashion, culture, and lived experience, using creativity as a way to share stories, celebrate identity, and create meaningful connections.
Rhonda is committed to supporting Indigenous artists and emerging creatives while contributing to greater representation of Indigenous voices within the arts and fashion sectors. Her practice is guided by cultural pride, mentorship, creativity, and a desire to create lasting opportunities for community through art.

Gregg Belisle-Chi (池敏超) is an Chinese-American guitarist and composer living in Brooklyn, New York, who over the past decade has been “busily establishing himself as an important and distinctive new voice in the contemporary guitar world” and “has emerged as one of the most creatively dexterous musicians.” (Earshot Jazz) 

Described by the New York Times as “a subtle stunner,” his sideman playing has traversed paths between the Jazz and Improvised Music scenes of New York City to the realms of Rock, Pop, and Electronic Music. His own compositions and projects prioritize “beauty both in concept and execution, making us luxuriate in its immersive sonorities.” (Part-Time Audiophile) 

Within a career of mercurial interests, he has performed with Bill Frisell, Tim Berne, The Bad Plus, Nels Cline, Henry Threadgill, Stomu Takeshi, Hank Roberts, Chris Potter, Mat Maneri, Tom Rainey, Jim Black, Ches Smith, Nasheet Waits, Marc Ducret, Steve Swallow, Chris Lightcap, Trevor Dunn, Ralph Alessi, Cuong Vu, Emma Frank, and many more in the Jazz, Improvised, Rock, and Chamber music worlds.

Tina Priceman is a violinist and artist manager from Forest Park, Illinois, and co-founder of Big Fish Booking and Management Companies. After nearly a decade of touring internationally as a musician, Tina shifted her focus toward artist management, bringing firsthand touring experience to her work behind the scenes. Today, Tina works primarily with artists in jazz and creative music and manages The Bad Plus, Nate Smith, Jeff Parker, SML, and Miguel Atwood-Ferguson. Her approach to management is informed by years spent on the road and a firsthand understanding of both the creative and practical sides of building a sustainable career in music. Tina continues to perform, albeit less, and has recently shared the stage with Reid Anderson of The Bad Plus, Makaya McCraven, and others.