Executive Members & Guest Conductor
Guest Conductor for 2026-2027
Jacob Caines is a conductor, musicologist, and performer based in Halifax, Nova Scotia. He is a faculty member at Dalhousie University, where he conducts the Dalhousie Wind Ensemble and teaches musicianship and theory. A dedicated researcher, Jacob’s doctoral work is funded by the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council (SSHRC) and explores topics including urban scenographies, queer geography, and the role of queer phenomenology within music institutions and cultural spaces.
Jacob is also a research fellow with PULSE Montreal, studying queer neighbourhoods and the ways performance and the arts contribute to preserving and understanding these communities. His work as a writer and speaker has been featured at conferences and in publications across Canada and internationally.
As the founder of ClassicalQueer.com, Jacob leads initiatives such as the Canadian Database of Queer+ Classical Musicians and the CQ Podcast, connecting with artists around the world. His interdisciplinary approach to music and education has led him to teach across a variety of faculties and institutions.
In addition to his academic work, Jacob is an accomplished performer. He served as music director for the award-winning national tour of Hedwig and the Angry Inch and is a founding member and clarinetist of the ALKALI Collective, an ensemble dedicated to performing and commissioning works by living Canadian queer and BIPOC composers.
Executive Director – Holly Hartlen- admin@nsjwe.ca
Holly Hartlen (BMusEd Dalhousie 1995, MEd Acadia 2017) is a native of Truro, N.S. and a proud product of the legendary Ron MacKay/Truro & District Schools Band Program. She studied trumpet performance with Geoff Thompson, before settling into music education. She has played with a number of reserve and regular forces military bands, including the Band of the Ceremonial Guard, the Canada Remembers Band- formed in recognition of the 50th Anniversary of D-Day (in Canada, England and France), and the Land Forces Atlantic Area Militia Band. She currently plays trumpet with the Hubtown Big Band and The Nova Brass Quintet and performs as a classical soloist when the occasion arises. Holly has been teaching instrumental and classroom music for 24 years. She now teaches just over 400 students at Central Colchester Junior High, in Onslow, NS. She is a firm believer in the fundamental importance of arts education, especially in music, for all humans aged 0 to 125. Holly and her husband Steve live in Truro and have raised 3 musical children with Buster the border collie and Phineas the cat.
Librarian- Paul Hutten- librarian@nsjwe.ca
Paul (BAM, BMus, BMusEd, MA, MEd, PME) currently teaches grades 6-12 music at Central Kings Rural High School, and the focus of his career has been developing creative and collaborative ways to foster music literacy in middle school band programs. Paul has worked with the Nova Scotia Department of Education on curriculum renewal teams, has been a pilot and implementation teacher, is the founding director of the Acadia Youth Band, and a long time teacher and conductor with Acadia University Summer Music Institute. Paul co-leads a Masters cohort in music curriculum development at Acadia University where he is also a part-time instructor. Paul has also been a church organist and choir director for over thirty years, and has taught piano privately for nearly forty years. He has raised four children with his wife, Rose, and the entire family can sing in tune.
Treasurer- Colin Langille- Treasurer@nsjwe.ca
Colin Langille (BMus McGill, BEd Acadia, MMus McGill) began his career as a church organist and choir director before making the transition to public school teaching in 2008. Colin has been teaching instrumental music at the middle school level for the past 11 years and is currently the band and music teacher at Brookside Junior High outside of Halifax. In addition to teaching, Colin is a published composer of music for church and school concert band. Colin lives in Lower Sackville with his wife Jennifer, children Madison and Joshua, and (his true love) Ollie the poodle.
Personnel Coordinator- Danielle Chute- media@nsjwe.ca
Danielle is a native Newfoundlander, grew up all over Ontario and came to Nova Scotia to study music at Acadia University where she graduated with both a BMus and a BEd. After graduation Danielle worked for the HRCE as a substitute teacher for several years, as well as running woodwind clinics for various schools. Danielle was a private instructor for Long and McQuade for several years teaching private woodwind and beginner piano lessons. Danielle is now a Woodwind Specialist with the Halifax Regional Arts program within the HRCE. She holds the position of Principal Conductor of the Sackville Community Band and is a performing saxophonist with the Sackville Concert Band, Glass Winds – Nova Scotia Women’s Wind Ensemble, 4 Strong Winds saxophone quartet, and various pit orchestras for musicals throughout Nova Scotia. Danielle has served on the NSJWE board for 16 years.
Social Media Coordinator – Amy Cameron
Amy Cameron is an elementary music teacher in the Annapolis Valley, originally from Cape Breton Island. Amy is currently in her third year of teaching. She holds a Bachelor of Music and a Bachelor of Education from Acadia University and is currently pursuing a Master’s in Curriculum Studies in Music Education from Acadia University. Deeply involved in the music community, Amy serves as a conductor for the Acadia Youth Band, a clinician and board member with the Nova Scotia Youth Wind Ensemble, and a member of the Annapolis Valley Honor Choir literacy team. Additionally, she is active in the musical theatre community throughout the valley, sharing her passion for music with performers of all ages.
Equipment Coordinator – Noah Shankel
Noah Shankel is an elementary music teacher in the Annapolis Valley. Noah is currently in his third year of teaching. A graduate of Acadia University, Noah holds both a Bachelor of Music and a Bachelor of Education, and is currently pursuing a Master’s in Inclusive Education from St. Francis Xavier University. With a foundation in percussion, he shares his knowledge through work with community ensembles, including serving as a conductor with the Acadia Youth Band and performing in several musical theatre groups.
Student Liaison – Maddy Langille – liaison@nsjwe.ca
Maddy Langille has been a member of some youth band or another since she first picked up a drum stick in the sixth grade, including several years of NSJWE and NSYWE. Maddy has a passion for helping others using music, spending time as both a nursery worker and doing recreation therapy at a seniors care facility. She currently has her sights set on early childhood education to bring her love of music and percussion to the next generation of pre-primary students. Outside of the band world, Maddy loves graphic and music video design and teaching her budgie as many new tricks as possible.