2026 Adjudicators

Susan Millar Boldissar holds a Bachelor of Music degree from the Oberlin Conservatory of Music, where she studied with Darrett Adkins, Andor Toth Jr. and Frances-Marie Uitti. She was the recipient of both the Dean's Merit Award and the International Conservatory Student Award. She earned her Master of Music from Indiana University Jacobs School of Music, where she was recipient of the coveted Eva Heinitz Award, and served as Associate Instructor of Violoncello and Teaching Assistant to Professor Eric Kim. Susan received her pedagogical training for stringed instrument instruction through completion of the minor cognate string pedagogy graduate program at Indiana University Jacobs School of Music.

In addition to her classical foundation, Ms. Boldissar boasts a mastery of improvisational music, use of looping and effects pedals, performance on the Morin Khuur (Mongolian Cello), the stroh cello (a cello with a brass bell from 1915), use of extended and experimental techniques. She composes and arranges music fitting the unique specifics of instrumentation in her teaching, both for individual lessons and group/orchestral settings.

Susan has performed across the U.S. and Canada as a soloist, chamber musician and with orchestras. Solo performances include The Jeffery Concerts in London Ontario, the Bach Around the Clock festival in New Orleans, Oberlin Conservatory's faculty guest recital series, Here, Here and Aeolian Musical Arts Association in London Ontario as well as improvised music series such as Instant Opus with Lori Goldston (of the band Nirvana), in New Orleans. 

Performances as soloist with orchestra include the National Academy Orchestra, as Susan was the winner of the NAO concerto competition in 2008, Music Box series with The Furniture Music Ensemble in New Orleans. Ms. Boldissar has performed in many orchestras including the Memphis Symphony Orchestra, the Arkansas Symphony Orchestra, the Louisiana Philharmonic Orchestra, and served as principal cellist of the Columbus Indiana Philharmonic during her tenure at Indiana University. Susan’s teachers include Eric Kim, Emilio Colón, Janos Starker, Darrett Adkins, and Frances-Marie Uitti.

Ms. Boldissar was the founding director, conductor of the Mount Carmel Academy Chamber Orchestra and Instrumental Ensemble program, providing instruction as well as composing/arranging all music performed in the program.   She served as Instructor of Chamber Music for the Greater New Orleans Youth Orchestras, and director of  the Homer Plessy strings program.  She has held positions of Instructor of Violoncello with the Young Artist’s Academy, the Endangered Instrument Project in New Orleans, and has taught for Indiana University String Academy.   In London, Susan leads the cello instruction at El Sistema Aeolian, and maintains a busy teaching studio offering both in-person instruction and virtual lessons to students all over the world, with students performing as soloists in North Carolina, and Indiana.

Brandon Leis, MA in Community Music (2015), Honours Bachelor of Music in Vocal Performance (2004), Opera Diploma (2006)
Wilfrid Laurier University

Brandon Leis is a versatile and passionate conductor, performer, educator, workshop facilitator, and church musician. A regular tenor soloist with regionally and nationally acclaimed orchestras and choral societies, he specializes in opera and oratorio, musical theatre, and concert arias.

Since 2004, Brandon has led youth, adult, and university choirs, as well as orchestras and ensembles across southwestern Ontario. He currently serves as Artistic Director of the Menno Singers in Kitchener.

A multi-instrumentalist and vocalist, Brandon has served as a church musician, choral scholar, and music director since 1997. He is frequently invited to lead congregational music workshops in ecumenical church settings throughout the province and is currently Director of Music at Stirling Avenue Mennonite Church in Kitchener.

As an educator, Brandon is a sought-after adjudicator, clinician, workshop facilitator, and guest conductor for young and amateur musicians in Canada and the northern United States. He has taught at Eastwood Collegiate Institute, Rockway Mennonite Collegiate, Heritage College and Seminary, and Conrad Grebel University College at the University of Waterloo. Since 2009, Brandon has been teaching in the Faculty of Music at Wilfrid Laurier University where he has held various studio and classroom teaching roles and played a key role in designing and coordinating the undergraduate program in Community Music.

When he's not making music, Brandon can often be found volunteering as a coach on the ice, field, or in the gym—supporting his three kids in their various sports teams.

Matthew Pope, DMA, is a solo and collaborative pianist, adjudicator, and teacher in London, Ontario. A graduate of the DMA program at Western University (London, ON), Dr. Pope's research and performance interests focus on French repertoire of the late 19th- and early 20th-centuries, with a particular focus on the works of Gabriel Fauré (1845-1924) and Claude Debussy (1862-1918).

During his academic career, Dr.  Pope studied with John-Paul Bracey, Dr. Brett Kingsbury, and Stephan Sylvestre, and won numerous scholarships and awards including the UWO Gold Medal for Piano Performance in 2013, and two Ontario Graduate Scholarships (2014 and 2018). He also spend three weeks studying with Jean-Paul Sevilla in France during the summer of 2021, and is a former student of pianist, Ron Greidanus (Georgetown, ON). Dr. Pope enjoys working in collaborative settings as a pianist and orchestra continuo player (both on harpsichord and organ) and has worked with conductors Lydia Adams, Charles Demuynck, Mervin Fick, Ron Greidauns, Simone Luti, Dr. Patrick Murray, Tyrone Paterson, Stephanie Potvin, and Robert Raines (1947-2011).

Matthew is an avid performer as a pianist, harpsichordist, and organist, and has performed as a soloist and/or ensemble player with numerous groups in the GTA, including the Georgetown Bach Chorale, the Bach Elgar Choir (Hamilton, ON), the Masterworks of Oakville Choir, the Oakville Chamber Orchestra, the Mississauga Chamber Sings, and the Brampton Symphony Orchestra, and Kammerchor London and Magisterra Solists in London, ON. A standout of his most recent engagements includes appearing as a soloist in a performance of all three double harpsichord concertos of JS Bach with Kammerchor London in May, 2025. In addition, Dr. Pope is President for the Ontario Registered Music Teachers Association's London Branch, and Director of Music at St John the Evangelist Anglican Church in Strathroy, ON. 

Linda has an honours Music Degree from Western University and an Education Degree from Althouse College.  She taught secondary school instrumental music for 32 years, in St. Thomas and London.    Her bands won many awards locally, regionally, and nationally.  Linda also won many teaching awards, including the Award of Distinction from the Thames Valley District School Board and a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Jack Richardson Music Awards.  She also served on the Ontario Music Educators’ Association Board for 6 years.  Linda is currently teaching Conducting/Instrumental Rehearsal Techniques at Western University and is loving adjudicating around the province and on the East Coast.   She also gets to travel the world with her competitive Dragonboat team!

Yunyi (Nunu) Zhang holds a Licentiate Diploma in Piano Performance from McGill University studying under the tutelage of Marina Mdivani; a Master of Music in Piano Performance from the University of Western Ontario, studying with Jean-Paul Bracey; a Bachelor of Music (Honours) in Music Theory and Composition from the University of Western Ontario; an A.R.C.T Performer Diploma (Honours with Distinction) from the Royal Conservatory of Music of Toronto; and has recently completed an A.R.C.T Diploma in Piano Pedagogy from the Royal Conservatory of Music of Toronto.

An active member and advocate of the Ontario Registered Music Teachers Association (ORMTA), Nunu served as past chair of the Website and Social Media Committee for the London ORMTA branch. Beyond performing, accompanying, adjudicating, and teaching, she also enjoys volunteering at retirement homes, sharing the joys of music with individuals, especially those in palliative care or living with disabilities.

Most recently, Nunu had the privilege of beginning her adjudicating career at her hometown's Grey Bruce Kiwanis Music Festival in Owen Sound. Nunu will be adjudicating Kitchener-Waterloo Kiwanis Music Festival in April 2026. She is dedicated to cultivating a warm and welcoming environment in all her teaching, ensuring students feel valued, supported, and at ease as they explore new concepts at the piano.

As a sought-after piano and theory teacher, Nunu has a full studio in London, Ontario, and takes great pride in the progress and achievements of her students. Her teaching philosophy centers on nurturing each student’s musical expression, while also supporting their personal goals and growth. Nunu embraces the unique personalities of each student, finding joy in the diversity they bring to her teaching.