Our Conductor and Staff

James R. McKayProf. McKay maintains an active schedule as a bassoonist, conductor, acoustic researcher, university teacher and adjudicator. He appears on over a dozen commercial recordings with artists including James Campbell, Anton Kuerti and Steven Staryk, and with ensembles including the Festival of the Sound, the Amadeus Ensemble and the Contemporary Chamber Players of Chicago. He is frequently featured as a soloist or conductor in broadcast concerts on the CBC and NPR networks and in many North American, Japanese and European music festivals. His book, The Bassoon Reed Manual, which details Lou Skinner's theories and practice of bassoon reed making, was published by Indiana University Press in 2000.

Formerly the Chair of the Department of Music Performance Studies in the Faculty of Music at the University of Western Ontario, Prof. McKay is currently the Director of the Reverberation and Acoustics in Performance Laboratory, a part of the National Centre for Audiology at Western, where he carries out research on room acoustics with special attention to the perceptions and needs of musicians in relation to reverberation. Prof. McKay is the Music Director of Symphony Hamilton.

Our Staff

Symphony Hamilton depends on the following group of gifted and devoted individuals to look after many of the day-to-day operations of this organization.

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Leah Higens, Manager Orchestra Operations

As Manager Orchestra Operations, Leah is a master at co-ordinating multiple tasks required for concert performances and rehearsals. Leah has been dealing with the public for many years and truly enjoys it. Her experience spans outside the orchestra to include the Ancaster BIA and summer concert series wit Fieldcote Museum, also in Ancaster.

From Janitor to Pastry Chef and Administrative Assistant to Retail Management she has been fortunate to meet wonderful people and work with inspiring leaders in their field.

Leah excels at customer service and looks forward to helping Symphony Hamilton’s audience enjoy their concert experience starting with the purchase of your ticket. Always smiling and ready to assist where-ever you need her.

Judi Partridge, Director of Business Development

As an experienced senior manager and strategic thinker, Judi is respected as a community advocate and collaborator with all levels of business, government, education, charitable and diverse cultural sectors in Hamilton, Burlington and Halton. Board of Director membership includes: Hamilton Chamber of Commerce, Trillium Foundation, Hamilton Future Fund, Hamilton Gallery of Distinction, YMCA and United Way Community Campaign just to name a few. Judi joined Symphony Hamilton as Director of Business Development in June, 2008.
Jeannie Martire

Jeannie Martire, Personnel Manager

Jeannie Martire has been personnel manager of Symphony Hamilton for over 10 years.
Graham Young

Graham Young, Librarian

Graham Young maintains an active schedule as a performer, volunteer and businessman. Completing a Bachelor of Music at McMaster University in 1974, he went on to graduate studies at the University of Victoria and at the University of Western Ontario (B. Ed). For the last 22 years Graham has been the principal trumpet of Symphony Hamilton and the McMaster University Chamber Orchestra where he is also the personnel manager. He is the leader and founder of the Celebration Brass quintet and plays soprano cornet with the Weston Silver Band. He is also in demand as a soloist with choirs and churches in the Hamilton area.