Executive Director and Co-Founder

Kris is an internationally recognized guitarist and music educator with over 30 years of professional experience. In 2018, Kris founded Empower Through Music with the purpose of gifting music education and instruments to younger musicians who would otherwise not have access. He carefully balances his time between being a father of twin toddlers, owning a music school and hosting a weekly podcast that delves into inspirational stories of how music has positively impacted the lives of his students.

Vice President and Co-Founder

Jillian is a Registered Clinical Counsellor who co-founded ETM with Kris with the goal of supporting their community in accessing and enjoying music along with the mental health benefits that it brings. Within ETM, Jillian offers mental health insights and resources to help drive our voice.

Development Director

Don is one of those guitarists that plays with a passion rarely seen, it's that same passion he applies towards serving his community. Alder’s music career has garnered many awards and accolades, and has a long history of working with non profits in hands on leadership roles. In 2022 Don was one of six musicians to receive the Queen's Platinum Jubilee Lieutenant Governors award to acknowledge his lifelong work of bridging music to inspire and create positive change in Canada and around the world. Don is very proud to be part of ETM’s history making journey.

Advisor

George is a retired businessman, rancher and sailor who has sat on philanthropic boards and is presently the chair of The Helpalittle Foundation. For the past four years music has empowered his life. He hopes to aid ETM bring the same thrill to others.

Director of Assisted Technology

Tony’s life took a different turn the day he lost his sight. After a 13 year struggle, he started learning guitar when the pandemic started. That’s when he met Kris who changed his life in so many ways. Since then, Marco has enrolled in his Masters of Assistive Technology and Human Services from CSUN, California State University Northbridge and serves as a board member for ETM.

Director of Communications

Sasha is currently Vice President of Investor Relations and Public Relations with a publicly traded company. She is also the Executive Creative Director of a BC based design and communications firm she founded seventeen years ago. Sasha brings to ETM an extensive and varied background in marketing, branding, design, and communications. Music is a tremendously important to her, and she has discovered first-hand about the realities of music being an outlet and stress relief from challenging times, and something that she passionately believes should be accessible to everyone, regardless of circumstances.

Director of Addictions and Mental Health

Sherry Mumford Ph.D., is retired from government having worked in the mental health and addictions field, and is now an independent consultant. Her love of music goes back many, many years starting with her own piano lessons, and continued with her two sons, and grandkids. Sherry believes that music is the window to the soul and is a key to unlocking many emotions. She supports its effectiveness for people of all ages who struggle. Empower Through Music knows all about this and she is very proud to be a Board Member.

Director of Health

Dr. Cameron Dehoney, a highly skilled cardiologist in New Westminster, British Columbia, not only excels in delivering exceptional cardiac care but also embodies the role of a devoted father. Beyond his medical expertise, Dr. Dehoney finds joy in playing the guitar, often engaging in spirited jams with fellow enthusiasts. This multifaceted approach reflects his commitment to both professional excellence and a rich personal life.

Director of Grant & App Development

Darren is a Software Engineer in the Vancouver tech industry who started his music journey learning guitar from Kris. Inspired to continue growing, he then tackled songwriting and navigating the recording process. Now he records and releases his music with an empowered group of young musicians called Coastal Town. Darren is excited have the opportunity to engage and inspire young people with music… to give them the same gift that was given to him.

Technical Advisor

Robert has close to 30 years of hardware design experience in the computing and telecommunication industry in Vancouver. He has also been playing guitar and bass for over 30 years with various local bands, and met Kris along the journey a number of years ago when seeking out flamenco lessons. While technology has always been a part of the music industry, we are now at a point on the technology curve that makes the enrichment of music accessible to everyone, and determining how to apply this technology to empower future musicians who until recently were overlooked is very exciting.

Chief Technology Officer

Josh is an accomplished software developer with a background in and passion for video games. His passion for guitar is more recent and was ignited after an episode of South Park poked fun at people like Josh for being good at Guitar Hero but not guitar. He soon met up with Kris and the rest is history. Josh's graduate project, aiding a musician with cerebral palsy, profoundly influenced him, fueling his enthusiasm for Kris's ETM initiative focused on assisting children.

Executive Administrator

Erica stands as a key contributor and organizational expert at Empower Through Music, seamlessly guiding and orchestrating various aspects of our initiatives. Her multifaceted skills and passion for our mission make her an invaluable asset, driving our organization forward with purpose and precision.

Head Teacher (ETM)

Jeremy McKay has spent his life surrounded by music. 15 years teaching elementary school has taught him that the only consistent in teaching is that every child is unique. Teaching at its best is meeting the student at their starting point, and guiding them to success in a way that fits their needs. There is nothing more rewarding than that moment of joy when a student finds that spark of joy and confidence they didn't know was there.

ETM Instructor

Mojo Kemp, the driving force behind the “Everybody Speaks Music” podcast, believes deeply in music's universal language. He leads extensive drum circles in his community, guiding people to find their unique rhythm while promoting harmony and mental peace. As a composer and performer, Mojo emphasizes music's unifying power, aiming to connect people through shared musical experiences and demonstrating that music transcends all boundaries.

ETM Instructor

Julia Geaman started playing drums in the garage when she was 16 years old after deciding to buy a drum kit with some money she saved up. It started out as something to entertain her but soon grew into a passion and obsession that makes up the biggest part of her life.

ETM Instructor

Emily Erhart is a singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist currently residing in Vancouver, BC. Growing up in a musical household, Emily sang in choirs and began taking piano lessons at age 9. In addition, she took up the saxophone in school band and began teaching herself the guitar. Emily has a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Toronto where she studied both Anthropology and Music. In her program she focused primarily on musical theory and history and enjoys seeking out the ‘why’ behind the music she plays and teaches.

ETM Instructor

Viral is a versatile multi-instrumentalist, vocalist, and music educator, enriches Horizon School of Music with his expertise in various genres. He has diplomas in both contemporary and Indian classical music. As a member of "The Burnouts," Viral has captivated audiences at major venues, and his solo album 'Passing Circles' highlights his songwriting skills. Additionally, he's involved in audio engineering at key Vancouver venues. Viral teaches a range of instruments, including guitar, piano, and traditional Indian instruments, and offers workshops on recording and live sound. His teaching approach is personalized, focusing on students' emotional well-being and holistic growth.

Music Therapist

Payton, an experienced musician and teacher, excels in guitar, voice, theory, songwriting, and piano. She discovered her love for music at age ten with her first guitar. Her journey includes performances in choirs, jazz groups, musicals, bands, and at Kiwanis Music Festivals. Payton recently completed a music therapy internship, aiding children and adults in palliative care. She's anticipating her Bachelor of Music Therapy and Associate of Arts in Psychology degrees from Capilano University in January 2024. Committed to unlocking each student's innate musicality, her teaching approach is tailored to individual needs and goals.

ETM Instructor

Kyla Rockingham, a passionate drummer and singer, channels her love for music into inspiring the students she works with at Empower Through Music. With extensive experience and training in working with neurodivergent youth, Kyla brings a diverse range of teaching methods honed through years of dedication. Her unwavering commitment has made her an integral part of the Empower Through Music community since its inception, contributing to the organization’s mission from day one.