We welcome the wonderful Dr. Gillian MacKay, from the University of Toronto Faculty of Music to the Band Room Podcast! Join Dylan as he and Dr. MacKay discuss her formative years growing up in Lethbridge, Alberta, when she caught the conducting bug, influential teachers and her thoughts on being a performing conductor/educator. 

About Gillian

Gillian MacKay is an Associate Professor of Music at the University of Toronto, where she conducts the Wind Ensemble and teaches conducting, trumpet, and music education. An award-winning teacher, Gillian has an active professional career as a conductor, adjudicator, and clinician. She has conducted honour bands throughout Canada and the United States, and in 2001 was chosen to conduct the National Youth Band of Canada. A sought-after adjudicator, Dr. MacKay has judged Canadian band festivals at local, provincial, and national levels. In addition, she has judged band competitions in Singapore and Thailand. In October 2007, Gillian was the conductor of the Southeast Asian Youth Orchestra and Wind Ensemble in Bangkok, a group which has members from countries throughout Southeast Asia.

Dr. MacKay has presented clinics and workshops at provincial and state conferences in Canada and the United States, and is known for her work on the relationship between conducting and mime. Also recognized as a conducting pedagogue, Gillian leads the University of Toronto Wind Conducting Symposium each July, and has been the guest instructor at other symposia in Canada. As a trumpeter, she is active as a recitalist and chamber musician, and has a particular interest in the French solo trumpet and cornet music of the 19th century. Gillian holds degrees and diplomas from the University of Lethbridge, McGill University, the University of Calgary and Northwestern University. Previously, Dr. MacKay was Instructor of Brass at Medicine Hat College, and Director of the School of Music at the University of Windsor.

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