Meet Our Course Leaders

Have 30+ years of wellness/rehabilitation experience. BSc kinesiology. Conflict resolution mediation certificate, Justice Institute participant feedback: "Nelda is a skillful, informative, creative, energetic, compassionate and passionate facilitator. She'd adjusts her curriculum to meet the group's needs. Intuitive manner. Emphasizes the importance of taking care of yourself and learning to be your own best friend."

Active primary care medical practice for 38 years; academic appointments with University of Calgary and more recently, UBC.

Jane Atherton is an Interior Designer with a coastal aesthetic, located in the Comox Valley.

Larry Bambrick has worked in television for more than 30 years. He's an award-winning writer and producer of documentaries and scripted series. Shows he's worked for have appeared on CTV, CBC, Global, Discovery Channel, National Geographic, and STARZ, among others.

DK Beitel is a Certified Narrative Enneagram Teacher with thirteen years of experience, who studied with Helen Palmer. She has worked as a registered nurse, massage therapist and Reiki practitioner. DK believes everyone ought to have the opportunity to study this powerful transformational system. DK currently holds Enneagram classes, workshops, personality typing interviews, and partners with other practitioners to offer complementary therapies.

Native to BC, I've done surveying, worked for a number of towboat companies & for BC Ferries. Now retired to the Comox Valley (which reminds me somewhat of my youth), I enjoy forest walking. I would like to introduce other ElderCollege participants to the many varied forest trails this region is so blessed with. Camaraderie, exercise (moderate) and contemplation of nature are the purposes of these scenic hikes.

John Black is Professor Emeritus in Liberal Studies at Vancouver Island University. He has a doctorate in philosophy from UBC, and has led many art history field schools to Europe. He is a volunteer group leader with VIU’s Adventures in Mind, a program offering educational travel to lifelong learners.

I started to meditate in 2001 at a monastery in Thailand. I ordained as a nun for 7 months. Since then, I have done a lot of retreats (including 3-month silent retreat), have practiced many different types of meditation and undertook many trainings to develop my skills as a meditation teacher and mentor. I am a former nurse, currently working as massage therapist and recently certified as Functional Health Coach.

Irene is an osteopathic practitioner and athletic therapist with 25 years of clinical experience. She has worked with a variety of clients whose issues range in complexity of condition and activity level. Irene works in improving mobility and function to the structure of the body, the cranial-sacral system, and the organs and their attachments.

Jess earned his PhD in Physics from UC Berkeley, then moved to TRIUMF in Vancouver 1973. He became a professor in the Physics Department at UBC in 1977 and has been a professor emeritus since retiring in 2011 and taught various courses at VIU ElderCollege since then. He helped develop a new research field and has been a fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science since 2020. Jess is also an aspiring science fiction author as well as a Canadian M75 champ in 300 metre hurdles and second in pole vault. He remembers being a fisherman… when there were fish.

Kristina Campbell is an artist, counsellor and facilitator who graduated from UVic with a Bachelor of Fine Arts (Honours) in 2009. Her multi-media practise includes painting, experimental film, video and drawing with charcoal and oil sticks. Campbell’s fascination with mythology, metaphor, symbols, and dream imagery is a unifying theme throughout her work. She is passionate about all forms of creative expression and loves sharing her playful and inspiring artful existence.

Lyle has been a member of the Canadian Bar Association since 1983 and is a strong supporter of public legal education. He has taught with Athabasca University, Fairview College, Grande Prairie Regional College, the Alberta Real Estate Association, the Council for Lifelong Learning and the Rural Learning Network and helped create The Estate & Financial Planning Institute and FEP Institute Inc. He has given several courses for ElderCollege.

I am a retired postal worker and worked fulltime for a number of years as the Education Officer for the Pacific Region CUPW. I believe adult education, whether it be for seniors or union members, is important. One of my other passions is films so when the opportunity came to assist Heather on her film course at ElderCollege I jumped at it.

Phyllis Chubb has studied and practiced both Western and Eastern astrology for nearly 50 years. She holds formal accreditation in both disciplines and an MA in Counselling from SFU.

Originator and leader of Mystic Valley Voices, a universal chanting community since 2003 in Courtenay. Previously, chant master on retreats around the US for the enlightened teacher,Gangaji . Several trips to India singing in temples and Holy sites. Many years of experience singing in choirs starting in high school and university. Voice training with Terence Kelly, music director at Imani Baptist church in Oakland, California (mixture of gospel and classical operatic). Locally, singing with Just in Time choir, and lead roles with Coval Choristers.

The counsellors from the Comox Valley Hospice Society bring with them a wealth of knowledge and experience related to end-of-life including palliative care, supporting caregivers, anticipatory grief and bereavement. With deep understanding, passion and specific interests; Angela Hope, Corrie Howard, Kasia Stepien and Tamara Tkachenko, will take you on a journey filled with compassion and nurturing curiosity.

David has served in the financial services industry since 1997 in roles spanning from the training and development of other advisors to serving as both an independent and institutional advisor. In addition to being a Certified Financial Planner, he holds two senior specific designations as well as an advanced tax and estate designation.

Gordon had a career working in engineering for BCTel (Telus). His interests lie in physics and electronics. Aside from building his own airplane he has restored countless radios from older tube varieties to solid state and has researched the history of this remarkable appliance that most of us possess.

Jane Dawson has a PhD in Adult Education from UBC and takes a participatory approach to lifelong learning. Her writing and teaching explore questions of meaning, identity and spirituality in multiple cultural contexts and modes of creative expression.

Christine Dickinson is an educator with a passion for regional history. She co-authored Atlin: The Story of British Columbia's Last Gold Rush (Atlin Historical Society, 1995), which received the Lieutenant-Governor's Award, Watershed Moments, and Step Into Wilderness.

Bachelor of Education - Industrial Education Teacher, including House Construction, for 30 years.

David Gordon Duke has degrees from UBC, the University of North Carolina, and the University of Victoria. He teaches at the School of Music at Vancouver Community College and regularly contributes essays and reviews to The Vancouver Sun and the online journal of the North American Association of Music Critics.

Bruce Dunn was a music director and conductor of the Kamloops Symphony for 27 years and Symphony of the Kootenays for 13 years. He taught orchestral conducting at UBC for 16 years and has presented these talks in Kamloops and the UK. He is now retired and living in Campbell River.

Retired Fighter Pilot, Airline Captain and Business jet pilot. Addicted to technology and things that move fast. But now our world is changing faster than most expected and the transition in ground transport to both sustainable and clean energy is impacting us all. Learn how we can benefit from this change. Dale will share his personal journey to owning not one but now two fully electric vehicles; and how solar panels play a role and the impact of these vehicles to our planet, our neighbourhoods, and our wallet!

I taught literature and writing, with an emphasis on Canadian literature, in the English department at MacEwan University in Edmonton for twenty-seven years, retiring to the Comox Valley with my wife in 2014.

Michael Fisher, PhD, is a retired educator who has focused on the impact of psychological, cultural, political, and philosophical issues on education, and how it often fails to emancipate us from the oppressions that hurt us. He is an author of over 200 articles and 15 books and is a popular teacher on YouTube. Michael has focused on the phenomenon of fear and fearlessness, and he refers to himself as a ‘fearologist’.

Robin Fisher, historian, has taught at several Canadian universities and has researched and published on the history of First Nations/settler relations in British Columbia. His most recent book is a biography of the British Columbia anthropologist, Wilson Duff.

Mike Fuller has had careers with IBM, in Real Estate sales and property management. Mike taught business courses in Managerial Finance, Human Resources and Business Policy at three Canadian universities. He was a TEC (The Executive Committee) chairman that met with and counseled CEOs in small and mid sized companies. He has also been a business consultant in strategic planning and leadership.

I am a retired teacher-guidance counselor of 30 years experience. I was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis over 20 years ago and have been using Cannabis as my medicine for the last 10+ years with significant improvement. I have since then been giving Cannabis as a medicine classes in my neighborhood when I lived in Manitoba.

Director with Drawdown BC (a non-profit society whose primary purpose is educating and engaging citizens about the climate solutions found in the research of Project Drawdown). Climate reality leader. Current chair of Sustainability Action Group for the Environment (SAGE), which has hosted a number of educational events in the Comox Valley. Veterinarian.

Stewart Goodings is a retired federal and provincial assistant deputy minister who worked on many technical assistance missions to Russia, Ukraine, Poland, Romania, China, and the Philippines. He also chairs the annual Denman Island Readers and Writers Festival. He has history degrees from Queen's University and the University of Toronto.

Having been interested in the history of medieval England for many years, Alana is delighted to have an opportunity to share her enthusiasm. She is an experienced instructor and has taught every level from primary to post-secondary. She has also provided several history courses for Comox Valley ElderCollege. However, please note that Alana does not take history too seriously, so a lighthearted approach is to be expected.

Jacqui is the mother of six, with nine grandchildren (so far!) She taught Kindermusik for 15 years, acquiring a solid foundation in infant and early childhood development and music enrichment. She is a licensed Simply Music Piano teacher, sings alto in the Just in Time Choirs “Unplugged” group, and leads singalongs at the Filberg Centre and D’Esterre Seniors Centre.

Ted is a retired pipefitter, who raised his family in Victoria, then relocated to the Comox Valley and full retirement in 2012. A lifetime love of hiking and exploring soon led Ted to participate in ElderCollege and "Scenic Hikes." Ted took over leading the hikes in 2014 and has happily continued ever since.

I retired to the Comox Valley in 2003 after varied careers as a clergyman, university lecturer, global development administrator and animateur, community college administrator and counsellor of teachers. What these all had in common was the value of lifelong learning. It was a delight to discover Eldercollege and to participate in facilitating, not teaching, the art of writing.

Turning our attention inward to the deeper realms of the self is called meditation. I’ve been a dedicated practitioner of meditation since 1970, including 8 years of living in an ashram (Sanskrit term meaning monastery). For 30 years I worked as a psychotherapist in the Vancouver area. The Foundations of Contentment Program is an integration of the understandings I’ve gained through my meditation and psychotherapy practice. I moved to the Comox Valley in 2017, drawn by its outdoor wonders and to partake in the fabulous hiking, biking, swimming and snowshoeing available here. Latin dancing is also a passion of mine, and I’ve been actively involved in helping develop the Latin dance community in the CV.

With over forty years of business IT experience, and dozens of years helping family, friends, and teaching adult education computer-related classes, I have a wide set of experience and expertise to take advantage of with computer-related topics. Most recently, I have worked with and personally used the Google and Microsoft cloud email solutions, cloud drive solutions, and other applications. I’d like to pass along my knowledge and experiences for those that want to come up to speed on these services.

Terrance James, PhD, is a retired public school teacher and administrator, post-secondary instructor, and rehabilitation consultant. He has authored eight books on education, psychology, and local history, and three biographies. He is president of the Comox Valley Writers Society.

Marilyn Jones, BA honors English (U of A), MPub (SFU), enjoys sharing her keen interest in female authors, publishing history and the arts.

Evelyn Keith grew up in the Edmonton area, and taught school there for a number of years. She and her husband Rod relocated to the valley in 2012, and she is active with a number of organizations.

Rod Keith was raised in Edmonton. He worked in various aspects of strategic and long-range planning for urban and provincial parks. He moved to Courtenay in 2012 with his wife Evelyn.

Kathleen, like many seniors, has had two professional careers. Initially, she was a nurse midwife who worked in Peru and South America for twenty years. When she returned to Canada in her mid-forties, she commenced university studies in psychology. After completing her post-master studies, she taught university classes and had a private practice counselling psychology.

B.A. English (dramatic lit.focus), film criticism and review courses; Credential, classroom teacher B. C.; M.Ed. Communications and Media; further study in popular culture, but uncompleted Ph.d. Life long film buff who has led film courses for ElderCollege previously.

25+ years of theatrical clowning have seen Diana Kolpak tame lions, dance as a prima ballerina, perform liposuction on herself, seek fallen stars in frozen wastelands, fight epic cream pie battles, and navigate the ocean of love as a former-mermaid-turned-lounge-singer. Clown makes all her dreams come true. www.dianakolpak.ca

Joel received his MIT degree in physics, though his expertise and interests span many sciences, particularly biology and astronomy. After a successful science career, mostly researching radar applications, he enjoys organizing and presenting courses in many scientific fields designing them for the interested layperson, without the use of mathematics. His courses focus on imparting a general understanding of the subject, rather than on esoteric details that would require prerequisite knowledge.

Sharon's paintings are energized, expressive and are created using collage, paint and a variety of mark making tools to make a unique statement. Her inspiration is the dynamics of light, movement and life of the image.

Steve Lane, Ph.D., is a retired English professor and academic administrator whose research falls into two main areas: the English Romantic poets, and the American writer Ernest Hemingway. As a faculty member at Vancouver Island University (VIU), Steve delivered upper-level courses in both his areas of research. Specific to this course, he has presented papers at all the International Hemingway Conferences since 1992 (save one in 2008), the most recent being 2022 in Sheridan, Wyoming. Since retiring in 2019, Steve has kept busy with several courses for the VIU ElderCollege.

Bonnie began studying Non-Violent Communication after she moved to Courtenay in 2013. She has taken a one-year online course and several in-person workshops. She has also twice brought certified NVC instructors to the Valley to give workshops for interested people and held ongoing practice groups. She has taught this course at ElderCollege several times and developed some rewarding friendships as a result.

Kim Letson enjoys travelling and writing about her adventures. With three creative nonfiction travel memoirs published, she is working on a fourth. She feels that through exploration then sharing our stories, we achieve a greater appreciation and compassion for other cultures. When at home in the Comox Valley she spends her time writing, gardening, walking with friends and planning her next trip.

I was a fighter pilot in the Air Force for 24 years before retiring to Comox to begin my practise as a financial advisor. I have been with Edward Jones investments for a little over 7 years and I have Chartered Investment Manager designation. Outside of work, I also serve as co-chair on the board of directors at the Division of Family Practice. When not working, I enjoy skiing, mountain biking, and camping.

Funeral director and embalmer, a death doula, hospice volunteer and board member, as well as an educator and facilitator for end-of-life planning. Passionate about building community and conversations around end of life to live more fully today.

Norman has always had an interest in visual arts, amateur photography and teaching. He spent many years with the Edmonton Public School Board in high school positions including teacher of Graphic Communications, Department Head, teacher-consultant, and Assistant Principal. In 1999, Norman received his Doctor of Education Degree from the University of Alberta. Since retirement, Norm has been teaching his life-long interest of photography with ElderCollege.

Ms Catherine McCann, BScPharm, MBA, is a pharmacist for over 30 years, owns the Comox Medicine Shoppe Pharmacy. She serves a community-based geriatric population, working to keep seniors healthy so they can continue to enjoy an excellent quality of life.

Robert McDonald spent his career in technology and management. Since retirement, he has spent time learning about and experiencing the mystical aspects of different spiritual traditions, attending courses at theological college, doing workshops at retreat centers, exploring monasteries and churches in Europe, being blessed in the inner sanctum of Indian temples, spending hours in a sweat lodge or fasting for three days in the desert.

I moved to the Comox Valley in 2016 and jumped at the opportunity to take classes at CVEC since I had some spare time on my hands. My first choice was the Writers' Workshop to wake up that budding Mark Twain. The class was topped at 10 participants. There were many others interested in attending but they could not be accommodated. I thought that was a shame so when they asked me in my second semester whether I would be willing to facilitate another class to double the number of participants, I jumped at the chance and have been so glad that I did. I don't teach, I facilitate, proven by the fact that I have learned much more from my classmates than I could even begin to teach them. After three years of doing this, I have learned that the Writers' Workshop is a loving journey into the minds of the participants with all the emotion, challenges and rewards that entails.

Linda is an active volunteer who has lived in the Valley for 40 years. More than 450 EC members and others have taken this course. It was created after many life experiences (her own and of others who have shared them with her). Participants have found the course meaningful, informative, valuable, and an eye-opening experience. Linda feels rewarded just for being able to present this course.

Heather is an independent dementia trainer and consultant, certified through Positive Approach to Care with Teepa Snow. Heather brings her skills, knowledge, and curiosities to various aspects of this work, from what she experienced through the dementia journey with her father, and what she has learned since his passing. Dementia care and support has become her compassionate life's work.

Joyce McMenamon is a Master Composter from the Comox Valley, an Organic Master Gardener, and an avid food gardener. She has been making rich wormy compost for decades and enjoys helping others make compost successfully and safely.

I have been working in education for over 40 years, starting as a high school chemistry teacher in the UK and then in Zimbabwe. In 2001, we moved to Calgary where I found my niche at Mount Royal University as an instructor for first year and upgrading students. Having endured enough Calgary winters, we have found the Comox Valley the ideal place to live!

Jim Moscovich is a retired professor of Classical Studies (Western University, London Ont.). For many years he was also an advisor to the Acquisitions Committee of McIntosh Art Gallery (Western). Jim has presented lectures and courses at ElderCollege on Ancient History, Mythology, and Cryptic Crosswords, his current retirement pastime along with his enthusiastic interest in guitars.

Lived in and worked in Comox Valley for 48 years and moved to Campbell River 4 years ago. Worked for the provincial government as an appraiser of property (tax assessor).

 Later in life worked in private business as a private real estate appraiser. Retired member of Appraisal Institute of Canada [ AACI. P.app]. Retired member Professional division of REIBC [RI]. Retired member of Royal institution of Chartered Surveyors [MRICS].

Appraised (valued), many Strata’s/ Condominiums from individual units to Conceptual developments.

Served on volunteer and paid boards related to the property field. Currently Chair of the Campbell River Board of Variance. Served on strata council in many positions.

Debbie Narver BSc, MBA, MScIB worked in a variety of technical and leadership roles. She discovered the physical and stress relieving benefits of yoga 20 years ago. Fascinated by this subject, Debbie enrolled in Yoga Teacher training and completed her 200 hour certification in 2014. She enjoys some volunteer teaching, and sharing her knowledge and experience with others.

Daniel sculpts by carving materials such as wood, marble and other stone. Daniel also sculpts by building and assembling, using substances such as wood, metal, foam and plastic. He also paints with acrylics on canvas, wood, and even black velvet. Daniel was raised Catholic, but now describes himself and his art as Post-Catholic. Using examples of his work, he will speak to his background, his mission, and his artistic process.

Professor emeritus, Dept of History, University of British Columbia. Forty-plus years of teaching at all university degree levels of history, including world history, race in America, U. S. and Canadian history. Since retirement, several years of teaching in ElderCollege formats in Vancouver. Published books on American history and African slavery in the Americas as well as research articles and academic reviews. I moved to Courtenay in November, 2020.

Following an early career in international trade development, Robert Noon held leadership positions in a global foundation developing health and education institutions in Pakistan, South and Central Asia, Africa and the United Kingdom. In two terms totalling nine years he lived in Karachi, Pakistan where he was secretary to the institution’s board of trustees. His last assignment was in Canada developing strategic plans for a planned museum in Toronto.

Spent a dozen years doing scientific research at Universities in the UK and California, studying Immunology and Virology, before starting a 30-year career developing novel pharmaceuticals. Retired after nearly a decade leading a UBC spin-off biotech company creating a new type of drug to control inflammation and infection. Has taught this course at ElderCollege in Parksville and Comox since 2016.

Susan has taught improv at North Island College's ElderCollege for many years. She believes in the power of laughter. Susan has also facilitated improv programs for young adults at North Island Distance Education School.

Sharon is the executive director of Operations at Providence Living. Originally from the UK, she graduated with BA (Hons) in Nursing in 1994 and a MSc in Education in 2007. She has over 15 years of operational and strategic leadership experience, serving in clinical and leadership positions across the care continuum. Sharon has a passion for excellence in seniors’ care and is excited to be part of this initiative.

Jennifer is a retired lawyer who has been interested in issues related to elder care for the last 17 years, an interest prompted by care issues for her parents, but leading to involvement in several community groups and projects. She is currently the coordinator of Comox Valley Elders Take Action.

Sandra Petrie has taught in both private and public schools in Scotland and Canada. She is a student of learning who believes that all of life teaches something. Sandra writes for fun and as an excellent way of spending time with friends. She is constantly amazed at what she discovers in herself and others. She will not correct your grammar, spelling, or punctuation even once (unless you ask her to).

Gary is a 10-year member of CVEC and has served six years on its executive. He has delivered the CVEC bridge courses many times.

Originally from England, Sue studied art in London and later went on to become a graphic designer and art director. She came back to her fine art roots in 2010 and has been a full-time artist since 2015. She works on live edge wood. Her work has been shown at the Robert Bateman Gallery, and both the Sooke and Sidney fine arts shows and is displayed at various galleries.

Ken is a retired physiotherapist/kinesiologist interested in passing on knowledge gained in his professional practice over the years.

Practiced law in Alberta 1973 - 1993. Appointed to the Alberta Court of Queen's Bench 1993 and to the Alberta Court of Appeal in 2002. Retired in 2013 and moved to Comox Valley in 2014. Was legal counsel for Joe Clark during Constitutional Referendum held on October 26, 1992. Gave talks and papers on constitutional issues to Alberta Bar and to judges across Canada.

During his working years, Barry was an educator with a career focused on school aged children who learn differently. In addition, he ran many professional development sessions for teachers on various topics, in both Canada and the United States. As an educational consultant, in a variety of school settings, he learned the importance of actively building teams.

Spearheaded the construction of the successful Galloping Goose Trail in Victoria, BC. Former Capital regional Director and former Member of Parliament for Victoria.

Roland Semjanovs and Dianne Volrich have created several art / history based presentations for ElderCollege. These have been focused on subjects such as customs and ceremonies, public art, and the Franklin expedition. Roland and Dianne live in Fanny Bay and collaborate on stories.

Peter began his career in 1969 teaching art education at the University of Victoria. After 10 years, he left teaching to pursue a full-time career as an artist. Peter's art is inspired by his Ukranian heritage and his life growing up on a farm in eastern Alberta. In 2003 Peter received the Queen's Golden Jubilee Medal for his contribution to Canadian art.

BA Economics, LLB UBC 42 years Lawyer ,course presenter, Law Society of BC, Trial Lawyers Association, Continuing Legal Education Society of BC, and with Greenline Canada across Canada.

Annie Smith has been teaching theatre and directing plays for most of her life--on Vancouver Island and in other parts of B. C. and Alberta. She has a particular interest in Canadian women playwrights and Indigenous theatre and performance. She also teaches for SFU's 55+ Program and for Antioch University in the US.

Heather Soos is a self-taught wildlife artist, working in several mediums including acrylic, oil, and scratchboard. She has been creating fine art paintings of animals and birds, along with other subjects, for over 35 years. She works in detail to create paintings with high realism. She shows her work locally and internationally and is a Signature Member of the Society of Animal Artists, an international organization of animal painters and sculptors.

The counsellors from the Comox Valley Hospice Society bring with them a wealth of knowledge and experience related to end-of-life including palliative care, supporting caregivers, anticipatory grief and bereavement. With deep understanding, passion and specific interests; Angela Hope, Corrie Howard, Kasia Stepien and Tamara Tkachenko, will take you on a journey filled with compassion and nurturing curiosity.

John Sterk practiced corporate and commercial law in Edmonton. He taught real estate law in the Faculty of Law, UofA and is the author of a legal text. He holds a BA (1964), an LLB (1967) and an MA in Dutch History (2005). He is Kings Counsel and a former president of the Canadian Bar Association in Alberta. Recently, he taught Canadian Business Law at University Canada West.

Larry Stevenson was appointed as the chief executive officer of the Island Corridor Foundation on August 1, 2018, to provide leadership and expertise to revitalize rail operations on Vancouver Island. He has over 25 years of railway experience from the shop floor to the executive levels of the organization, and extensive experience as an entrepreneur and business consultant.

Ms. Wendy Stewart-Fox is a pharmacist with over 15 years of experience. She serves a community-based geriatric population, working to keep seniors healthy so they can continue to enjoy an excellent quality of life.

Lucas was introduced to meditation in 2004 while in India. He discovered a sense of contentment and inner peace that he had been seeking. This created a passion in him to share his practice with others. Lucas has shared many meditation sessions in schools, groups and spiritual centers.

Gregg spent long years outside Canada working in less commonly visited corners of our world - first as a Canadian volunteer teacher, then with various international development agencies. After returning to Canada, he started taking extended cycling tours to remote areas. Past board member of Comox Valley Cycling Coalition.

45 years as an educator: 28 years in SD71 (Highland; GP Vanier); 21 years as Grad Programs Professor: Royal Roads; 5 years as Grad Program FOM Professor: VIU. Applied Systems Thinking expert, with (First Class) Double Honours BAs (Lit & History): SFU (first degrees of this type issued in Canada) - (First Class) Masters degree (Leadership/Organization): Royal Roads - Education Doctorate: Online Education (ABD, with defense completed; revisions in progress).

Ted has degrees in Geological Sciences from UBC and Queens. His career in mineral exploration and production has taken him throughout Canada and to 35 other countries.

I'm an eclectic artist dabbling in its many forms and have Lead 5 art-associated courses with ElderCollege.

Allan Vonkeman is a retired police officer whose journey of healing and transformation engaged many modalities and spiritual traditions. He has collected teachings and technologies in the quest for purpose, compassion, and healing. These experiences provided sharable tools to gift in service to others. He is an accredited Coach, a healer, a student of the ancient wisdom traditions, an Astrologer, and an Elder & Pipe Carrier in the Cree tradition.

Born and raised in Paris, did undergraduate studies in Caen in Normandie, moved to Montréal to teach plant physiology to students almost my age, did graduate studies in Raleigh (North Carolina) and worked 30 years in research for the Canadian Department of Agriculture. From a soil biologist, expert at chemical control of nematodes, I turned genetic engineer, and finished as head of a department of Molecular Biology. Dr. Vrain retired 18 years ago, but he resuscitated 10 years ago, with a mission to educate about the chemical contamination of food and feed from sprayed GMO crops and cereals. I have lectured extensively across Canada and the USA on this topic. I have now retired from this campaign to give more energy to create the Botanic Garden and the vision of Innisfree. On the side I enjoy growing food, teaching about life and all our relations. And I cook at the Green Dream Cafe.

David Vranjes is a retired Comox Valley secondary school principal who also worked as a sessional instructor for the University of Victoria for 13 years. David has a Masters Degree in leadership and communications with a specialty in psychological foundations. He has extensive experience as a keynote speaker, professional development facilitator, teacher and instructor, and workshop facilitator.

Bruce Walton has Ph. D in Canadian history. He is a lifelong music fan, and has been a DJ at CKCU-FM in Ottawa since 1992. He has lived in the Comox Valley since 2015; this will be the third version of "All That Jazz ".

Alpha Woodward, PhD, has designed and directed graduate music therapy programs in Canada, Ireland, and the USA. She is a certified music therapist with over 17 years of clinical experience in hospitals, governmental institutions, and with youth recovering from war (Bosnia and Herzegovina). In 2023, Alpha was invited to present her post-war work at two Ukrainian universities. She is a Fellow of the Association of Guided Imagery and Music (AMI).

Mike has been photographing birds since 2004 and wrote bird columns for the NORTH ISLANDER for ten years before it was closed. He has also self-published six successful books including three on Vancouver Island Birds and one on Vancouver Island Butterflies.

Ann brings her experience as an educator for over 50 years and her 35 years of studying Taichi to ElderCollege. She has worked with physically and mentally challenged children and adults and understands different styles of learning. This allows her to bring an individualized approach to her instruction. Now retired, she teaches a free weekly Taichi class in Comox.

A collective of three death doula practitioners (Janet, Sherri, and Madeline) serving the Comox Valley and beyond, providing compassionate guidance in dying, death, grief, and bereavement. Death doulas, or end-of-life doulas, offer non-medical support for those facing the end of life, at any stage in their journey, while being mindful and inclusive of their loved ones. Death doulas utilize their skill sets to educate and empower individuals and the community.