Christopher Palmer joined Symphony Nova Scotia in 1985, and he has been here ever since.  Chris was born in The Hague, Netherlands, of Canadian parents who were posted to Canadian Embassies abroad, and he grew up in London, England. He graduated from the Royal College of Music in London, and later from the University of Ottawa.  He is grateful to have been taught all that is best in the European and North American schools of bassoon playing.

Before moving to Halifax, Chris played engagements with the Scottish Chamber Orchestra in the U.K., the Vancouver Symphony, and the National Arts Centre Orchestra in Ottawa. He has performed as a soloist with Symphony Nova Scotia and Nova Sinfonia and has played solo recitals as far away as Nairobi, Kenya and Sydney, Australia. 

Chris teaches bassoon at the Maritime Conservatory of Performing Arts, and he often coaches the winds of the Nova Scotia Youth Orchestra. 

As a conductor he has directed Nova Sinfonia and the Chebucto Symphony Orchestra. Chris plays organ at his church and is also busy as a composer and arranger.  Most recently his “Concerto Haligonia” was commissioned by Symphony Nova Scotia in 2023, to celebrate their 40^th anniversary. 

Dr. Leonardo Perez is a dynamic and versatile conductor recognized for his expressive leadership, thoughtful programming, and commitment to guiding meaningful orchestral experiences across educational and professional settings. Currently the Conductor of the Dalhousie Symphony Orchestra, his artistic and pedagogical focus is on presenting core symphonic repertoire alongside innovative and collaborative projects.

 His recent programming reflects a commitment to both the standard canon and a broad range of musical voices, with works ranging from Beethoven and Florence Price to Manuel de Falla and contemporary Canadian composer Jocelyn Morlock. He has also collaborated on genre-defying projects, such as the interdisciplinary performance of Ki’kwa’ju, a reimagining of Prokofiev’s Peter and the Wolf incorporating Mi’kma’ki storytelling and artists. In addition to his performance engagements, Dr. Perez serves as the Conducting Instructor at Dalhousie University, providing instruction and mentorship to emerging conductors.

 An active guest conductor and clinician, Dr. Perez has appeared as Guest Conductor and Violin Soloist with Nova Sinfonia on multiple occasions. He regularly leads workshops with youth and educational programs across North America, such as the Nova Scotia Youth Orchestra and the Pennsylvania Music Educators Association District Festival Orchestra. Previously, Dr. Perez served as Director of the Symphony Orchestra at Indiana University of Pennsylvania, where he conducted a wide range of orchestral masterworks and contributed to the growth and visibility of the program. His early conducting experience includes the East Carolina University Symphony and Chamber Orchestras, as well as assistant conducting for ballet productions.

 Dr. Leonardo Perez holds a Master of Music in Orchestral Conducting from East Carolina University, where he studied with Jorge Richter. He also pursued additional conducting studies with Lucinda Carver at the University of Southern California.

After graduating from the University of Toronto and the prestigious Orchestral Conducting program atthe Hochschule für Musik und Darstellende Kunst in Vienna, Mr. Oleskevich returned to Canada and began a 25-year association with Opera Hamilton as Assistant Conductor and Chorus Master. He conducted numerous productions including Die Zauberflöte, La bohème, L’elisir d’amore, Les pêcheurs de perles, Die Fledermaus, Eine Nacht in Venedig and Die Csárdásfürstin. He has performed as guest conductor with Symphony Nova Scotia, Chebucto Symphony, Nova Sinfonia, Hamilton Philharmonic, Kitchener-Waterloo Symphony, Toronto Operetta Theatre, Toronto Symphony Youth Orchestra, Canadian Children’s Opera Chorus, Scarborough Philharmonic, Mississauga Symphony Orchestra and the Ottawa Valley Festival. While in Austria, he conducted the Pro Arte Orchestra for radio broadcast, the Academy Orchestra and the Niederösterreichische Tonkünstler Orchester in the Musikverein in Vienna. Recognized for academic and musical achievement, he received numerous awards and bursaries that include a Canada Council grant for conducting and has taught at the University of Toronto, McMaster University, Acadia University and Dalhousie University. Most recently he was the Music Director of the Chebucto Symphony, the Director of the Dalhousie University Symphony and conducted Dalhousie Opera’s production of Encounters. He also conducted Suor Angelica, Gianni Schicchi, Carmen and Don Giovanni for the Halifax Summer Opera Festival. Happily retired, Mr. Oleskevich lives in Port Williams in the Annapolis Valley, Nova Scotia, where he finds himself very busy with photography and family history research.

Greg Burton continues to manage a varied career in music that includes conducting, performing and teaching. Greg’s association with professional orchestral music in Halifax dates back to the Atlantic Symphony days and continues with Symphony Nova Scotia, with whom he performed, for many years, as a trombonist and is now a regular guest conductor.

Greg has been privileged to have been Music Director of the York Symphony Orchestra, The North York Concert Orchestra, the McMaster Chamber Orchestra, the Halton-Mississauga Youth Orchestra, as well as the Nova Scotia Youth Orchestra. Greg enjoys working with university-aged musicians and has held positions at a number of universities including The University of Toronto, McMaster University, Acadia University and Mount Allison University. He was Director of Arts at Hillfield Strathallan College in Hamilton, ON from 2005-2015.

When not making music, Greg keeps busy working on his family’s farm in Middleton, New Brunswick, as well as spending time with his grandchildren, Linus, Edie and Leyda

Gary Ewer is a composer, arranger, conductor and clinician. A native of Halifax, he received his Bachelor of Music degree in music composition from Dalhousie University. He subsequently studied composition at McGill University with composers Alcides Lanza and John Rea. He has been conducting Symphony Nova Scotia’s Link Up concerts for children for the past several years. He also has an extensive background in choral conducting as the current director of Dalhousie University’s Collegium Cantorum, as well as former director of The Dalhousie Chorale and Chamber Choir. He has also most recently been a Senior Instructor of Music at Dalhousie, teaching aural skills, music theory, orchestration and choral techniques.

As a public school music teacher for many years, Mr. Ewer conducted concert bands, choirs, and the Halifax Schools Symphony Orchestra. Mr. Ewer’s choral and instrumental compositions and arrangements have been performed by The Elmer Isler Singers, Symphony Nova Scotia, Halifax Camerata Singers, and many other ensembles. His works are published by Cypress Choral Music and Pantomime Music Publications.

Petty Officer 1st Class David Moulton is a trombonist with the Stadacona Band of the Royal Canadian Navy. Since joining the Canadian Armed Forces full-time in 2005, he has been an assistant conductor with the Central Band of the Canadian Forces, the Royal Canadian Artillery Band and, currently, the Stadacona Band of the Royal Canadian Navy. David was the national conducting instructor for the Canadian Armed Forces Music Branch. As musical director, he conducted the Mississauga Temple Band, Vancouver Island Brass Ensemble, University of Toronto’s Brass Band/Choir and many military brass ensembles.

David earned his Master’s degree in conducting from the University of Toronto, studying under Raffi Armenian (Orchestral) and Denise Grant (Wind Ensemble). He is currently the trombone instructor at Dalhousie University’s Fountain School of the Performing Arts and performs regularly on trombone in Symphony Nova Scotia. As a trombonist and often as a euphonium soloist, David was a member of Capital Brassworks, the Canadian Staff Band, Intrada Brass, and the Ottawa Symphony Orchestra. He also performed with the National Arts Centre Orchestra, Hannaford Street Silver Band, Victoria Symphony, and iTromboni. David has adjudicated school bands at a number of MusicFest, Canada U. He lives in Halifax with his wife, Charmaine, and sons Arthur and Sterling.

Nathan Beeler is a musician, music educator, and conductor from Dartmouth, Nova Scotia. He is currently the Vice-Principal of Halifax Regional Arts, one of Canada’s largest publicly funded fine arts education organizations. Nathan has been a music educator for thirty-four years.

Nathan holds a bachelor’s degree in music education from Acadia University and a master’s in conducting from the University of Manitoba. He will complete all requirements for the Doctor of Musical Arts degree in April of 2025 from Boston University. He is a regular guest conductor with the Nova Scotia Youth Orchestra and has conducted many noted ensembles in Halifax, including Scotia Brass, Dalhousie University Wind Ensemble, and Nova Sinfonia. Nathan is in demand as an adjudicator, clinician, and speaker. Nathan studied conducting with Dr. Greg Burton, and Earl Stafford, former music director of Canada’s Royan Winnipeg Ballet.

Nathan is the author of Everything Matters: Fifty Essays on Music Education and is the recipient of the Prime Minister’s Award for Teaching Excellence, one of Canada’s top awards for educators.

A member of the Prince Edward Island Symphony Orchestra since 1991 and its principal clarinetist, Karem J Simon is thrilled to conduct today’s performance of Nova Sinfonia. Dr. Simon brings a wealth of musicianship and conducting experience to the podium. He is known as a passionate and sensitive musician able to inspire players and musicians of diverse backgrounds. Under his leadership, the UPEI Wind Symphony was transformed into one of the leading wind ensembles in this region. His progressive approach to programming and performance standard led to the creation of 22 albums with that ensemble.
Throughout his career, Dr. Simon has been a guest conductor with a variety of
ensembles, including the Prince Edward Island Symphony Orchestra, the National Youth Band of Canada, and numerous honour bands. He served as associate conductor of the PEISO from 2020-2023.
As a clarinetist, Karem remains active as a soloist, chamber, and orchestral musician. He has been a featured artist with the PEISO, the Saint John String Quartet, the Atlantic String Machine, and Gros Morne Summer Music. His album, Solitary Clarinet, released in 2022, is a collection of pieces for unaccompanied clarinet. It is available on all the major online music streaming platforms.