Teacher Biographies

Jill Benton  

Jill Benton graduated from the Island Ukuleles A group in 2005. She volunteered in Africa through 2007, then returned to teach the B groups and begin her nursing degree at Camosun/UVic. She has been teaching with the Island Ukuleles ever since. She has also been a member of the UVic Orchestra, Sooke Philharmonic Orchestra, and Civic Orchestra.

Lorelee Bergeron  

Lorelee graduated from UVIC with a Bachelor of Education and a major in music and drama. She played the ukulele as part of course work in UVIC with Bonnie Smith and loved it. Lorelee also studied piano up to grade 9. She has three children actively involved in Island Ukuleles.

Melanie Leask  

Melanie started playing the ukulele when she was 9 and is an alumna of Island Ukuleles. She has been involved as a teacher with the Little Ukers program for over four years and helps teach the other Island Ukuleles ensembles when needed. She enjoys passing her love of music to the next generation of young players.

Matthew Martin  

Matthew has been involved in music since the age of 8 getting his start on the violin and then moving into brass instruments at the age of 10. Matthew picked up the trumpet for the first time in grade 6 and has never looked back. Matthew went to Esquimalt High School playing trumpet in the then prestigious Jazz Studies Career Preparation Program finishing high school there as the lead trumpet player. Matthew proceeded on to the University of Victoria, earning a Bachelor of Education and Professional Teacher's Qualification with concentrations in secondary music and social studies. While at UVic, Matthew performed in many ensembles as the lead trumpet player including the UVic Jazz Orchestra and Don Wright Symphonic Winds.

Matthew has taught and mentored many programs including the Vic High R&B Band, District of Soul, and of course the Island Ukuleles Little Ukers program.

Matthew looks forward to another fun year with Island Ukuleles and the Little Ukers.

Marcello Sequeira  

Marcello "Ukestermoe" is a graduate of the Pacifica Ukes program in Campbell River, B.C. Marcello graduated from the Canadian College of Performing Arts and is an accomplished ukulele soloist. He recently released his second solo item entitled "Covered in OOK". Marcello is enjoying working with our gifted students and is a great asset to "Island Ukuleles".