|
Proship Recruiters
Cindy Blackburn
Band Recruiter
514-485-8823 x230
Cindy Blackburn was born in Montreal where she studied drums, trumpet, guitar and bass. Cindy has lead her own bands as a drummer. She performed her beloved American country music at the St-Tite Western Festival. She is the most experienced recruiter on the Proship Team. If she can’t find it, we have to build it.
Michael Connon
Recruiter - Saxophone, Trumpet & Trombone
514-485-8823 x222
Mike began studying music at the age of 9 in Canton, Connecticut and participated in festivals all throughout high school including All-State musician honors and hit gold at the Berklee National High School Jazz Festival. Upon his graduation, Mike moved to Montreal to study towards a bachelor's degree in Jazz Performance at McGill University under the tutelage of Dave Turner, Donny Kennedy, Remi Bolduc, and Chris McCann and had the privilege to play with Slide Hampton and Oliver Jones. Mike joined Proship in 2010 and continues to play around Montreal.
Mira Dahn
Recruiter - Drums, Percussions, Reading Bands
514-485-8823 x237
Mira was born into a musical family in Halifax, Nova Scotia. She was raised in Clyde River, Prince Edward Island where she began studying the violin and piano at a young age. While still in grade school she played in the PEI Symphony Orchestra, was concert master of the local youth orchestra, and studied with various accomplished violinists including Mela Tanenbaum, Philippe Djokic, and her aunt, Nancy Dahn. She completed her Music Performance degree at Concordia University in Montreal and continues to perform with various ensembles in the Montreal area. Mira started at Proship in 2010.
Martin Héroux
Recruiter - Guitar, Bass, Upright Bass and Bands
514-485-8823 x249
Martin Heroux, born in Montreal, is a very versatile electric bassist having studied jazz/pop music at the College Lionel-Groulx in Sainte-Therese, Quebec. Martin is a freelancer having performed in numerous events including "Les Francofolies". He was a showband bassist onboard Holland America ships from 2005 to 2006. Besides being a full time agent at Proship, Martin is a devoted student of the Indian Tabla, studying with Sri Hindole.
Jarryd Torff
Recruiter - Pianists
514-485-8823 x231
Jarryd Torff grew up in Fairfield, Connecticut, exposed to the world of jazz early on in life by his father, Brian Torff, a respected jazz bassist, composer, and educator. As a saxophone player, Jarryd has received several awards including Most Outstanding Performer at the Norwalk Jazz Festival, Most Outstanding Performer at the International Music Camp, a scholarship to attend Berklee School of Music's 5 Week Summer Program and the Woody Herman Jazz Award. Jarryd graduated with a degree in Jazz Performance at McGill University in Montreal. Currently Jarryd writes, records, and performs with his hip-hop/jazz group called Ruckus. He joined Proship’s recruiting team in 2011.
Andrés Velilla
Recruiter - Lounge Bands, Country Bands, Duos, Piano Bar Entertainers
514-485-8823 x242
Born in Bogota, Colombia, Andrés Velilla has been surrounded by music all his life. At age 14 he moved to Miami where he discovered new types of music and fell in love with electronic music. Andrés bought his first turn tables and started to experiment mixing Trance and moved to Paris where he discovered House Music. Andrés earned a degree in Psychology, with a cluster in Marketing from Concordia University and studied sound design and audio technology at Musitechnic in Montreal. With a degree in psychology and marketing, his knowledge in audio technology and love for music, Andrés found at Proship the perfect environment to use his musical ear and people skills, making him a great asset to the company.
Proship Betrieb
Patrice Duchemin
Account Manager
514-485-8823 x229
Patrice Duchemin was born in St-Jean-sur-Richelieu, QC, where he started his musical training at the tender age of 7 with piano, guitar and clarinet lessons. Patrice holds a Bachelor's degree in Jazz Piano Performance from Universite de Montreal. He worked for 10 years onboard various ships for 5 major cruise lines as a pianist and Musical Director where he had the chance to work with renowned guest entertainers. He also formed partnerships with different vocalists as a composer, arranger and orchestrator and his music has been broadcast on national radio stations. Patrice released his first CD of original compositions in 2006.
Greg Buckles
Account Manager
514-485-8823 x234
Born in Indiana, Greg has been a member of the Proship team since 2004. Greg spent three years working as a musician on various cruise ships with Celebrity Cruises and Holland America Line. He brings a wealth of experience in the musical field and he continues to be very active on the Montreal music scene playing with a variety of groups in a variety of styles. Greg also has a B.S. in acoustical engineering from Purdue University.
Ronny Lessard
Operations Manager
514-485-8823 x225
Ronny was born in Louiseville, Qc, where he started playing the drums at the tender age of 12. After playing in the drum corp he joined the Syracuse Brigadiers who went on to win the World Championships (DCA) in 1999. Ronny continued his studies alongside Paul Brochu (UZEB). He went on to open the Montreal Drum Fest with his duo, the Drumologues. His career took him to sea where he played on several luxury cruise ships before joining the Proship team.
Mélanie Lagacé
Contracting Manager
514-485-8823 x236
Melanie was born in Gagnon, Quebec, and joined the Proship team in 2004. Mel has held several positions at ProShip Entertainment Inc. and has worked in both the administration and recruiting departments. Her experience in recruiting musicians has provided Mel with a unique background and insight which allows her to excel in her current position as Contracting Manager. The contracting department supports thousands of entertainers each year and plays a key role in ensuring an unmatched experience for both our entertainers as well as our clients.
Serina Grosz
Contracting Coordinator
514-485-8823 x227
Serina was born in Montreal, Quebec. Her educational background includes a Diploma in Social Science and a Certification in Travel and Tourism. She began her career in the Hospitality industry as a Administrative Manager for a hotel in the Eastern Townships. Her experience in the Tourism industry has provided Serina with a unique background and insight which allows her to excel in her current position as Contracting Coordinator. The contracting department supports thousands of entertainers each year and plays a key role in ensuring an unmatched experience for both our entertainers as well as our clients.
David Potvin
Adjudicator and Media Coordinator
514-485-8823 x250
Born in Montreal to a family of musicians, David Potvin taught himself to play keyboard and read music at age 5. David then took on the violin, moving on to drums and classical percussion. He holds a Conservatory's Superior Studies degree in music performance, played with symphonies and orchestras internationally, and performed for 7 years at sea as sideman and band master. David has perfect pitch and he is our adjudicator.
Proship Administration
Daniel Thibault
CEO, Proship Entertainment
514-485-8823 x232
Daniel Thibault was born in Montreal where he began formal music training at the age of 6. Daniel graduated with a Bachelor in Music Performance from Concordia University. He played saxophone professionally and has a platinum record to his credit. Daniel's entertainment background and experience include producing soundtracks in Hong Kong, conducting an orchestra at Carnegie Hall as well as producing an Off-Broadway play. Daniel's experience at sea as a show producer and musical director was the reason he founded Proship Entertainment in 1987.
Don Bellows
Vice-President, Finance and Administration
514-485-8823 x233
Don Bellows was born in Montreal where he began his career as an auditor for a major chartered accounting firm followed by a successful banking career culminating as the Chief Operating Officer of a major Canadian bank subsidiary. His educational background includes a Bachelor of Commerce Degree and a Graduate Degree in Public Accounting. He is a Certified General Accountant; member of the Order of CGA's of Quebec. Don was ready for some excitement so he joined the Proship team as Vice President, Finance and Administration.
|
