Born, raised, and educated in Saskatchewan, Brian pursued further musical studies in New Jersey, Australia, France, and the University of Calgary. Now retired, for many years he taught band, choir, jazz studies, guitar, and general music to students from grades seven through university level in Saskatoon, Australia, Prince Edward Island, and military schools in Germany.

Over the years Brian was musical director for about 20 high school musicals, and as a proponent of new music, he commissioned eight composers from Saskatoon to write works for various performing groups. As a writer he has been published in Cadenza, the International Trombone Association Journal, and Canadian Winds, was editor of the Sask. Band Association journal, contributed to local music curricula, and wrote a high school guitar course. Recently he became a mentor teacher for emerging band directors.

Outside of school, Brian has been in demand as a low brass clinician, a conductor and/or coordinator for band camps, Brass Days or Jazz Days, an adjudicator for music festivals, and a conductor of the Saskatoon Symphony Orchestra, where he annually conducted music for their “Silence is Golden” event. In recent years he conducted both the University of Saskatchewan concert band and wind orchestra. 

Honours include the Saskatchewan Music Educators outstanding Achievement Award that recognizes outstanding accomplishment and an ongoing dedication to excellence in music in 2004, the Sask. Band Association Distinguished Band Director’s award in 2012, an honourary life membership to SMEA in 2014, and life membership in the American Federation of Musicians in 2019. 

As a trombonist, Brian has been a member of the Saskatoon Symphony Orchestra for decades, and has performed with various brass quintets and jazz groups over the years. He can often be heard performing with the Saskatoon Jazz Orchestra, the Toon Town Big Band, the Saskatoon Klezmer band, and the Saskatoon Opera orchestra.