Nicole Henning (Founder & Director):
Nicole has been teaching instrumental, vocal and musical theatre in the Durham and York regions for the past 18 years. Nicole is currently teaching at Captain Michael VandenBos P.S. in Whitby. Nicole holds a Bachelor of Commerce degree from the University of Guelph and a background in tourism which allows her to look after both trip planning as well as the business side of Durham Jazz. She obtained her Music Education Degree from the University of Toronto. Nicole is the founder of the Durham Jazz Organization and has directed a band for the last 16 years. She continues to love each and every day with the DJ family and is excited to direct a big band this year as well as being the vocal coach.

George Karounos (Director):
George has been teaching in the Durham District School Board for 17 years and is currently teaching at Scott Central P.S. in Uxbridge. Prior to teaching, he received a Bachelor of Fine Arts from York University, with a focus on jazz guitar and jazz trumpet. George has performed in a variety of jazz combos and large ensembles at various jazz festivals and jazz clubs throughout the GTA over the past two decades.

Thomas Steele (Director):
Thomas Steele is a saxophonist, composer and music educator. He has been a director with Durham Jazz for nine years and is the head of instrumental music at Maxwell Heights Secondary School. He regularly performs with, and composes for, his large ensemble the ‘Thomas Steele 10Tet’. Their second album titled is slated for release in January 2027.  Thomas holds a Bachelor of Music from the University of Toronto and a Bachelor of Education and Master of Education from Queen’s University.

James Morris (Director):
James joined the Durham Jazz team eighteen years ago as a member of our very first band. Since then, he has continued to volunteer and work with the bands from year to year in a variety of aspects. As he attended O’Neill CVI’s Performing Arts program he was a great advocate for the Durham Jazz program within his school. James has just graduated from the Humber College Jazz Performance degree program. James received his Masters in Composing for Film, Television and Video Games from Berklee School of Music in Valencia, Spain and completed his Bachelor of Education at the University of Toronto and is teaching at Duffin’s Bay Public School.

Tim Mundy (Director):
Tim is a multi-instrumentalist and music educator. Tim has been teaching elementary music, drama, and dance in the Durham District School Board for 4 years and he is currently teaching at C.E. Broughton P.S. Tim joined Durham Jazz as a director in 2024, and now directs the Downbeat ensemble.  He holds a Bachelor of Music degree from the University of Toronto and a Diploma of Teaching from Queen’s University. Tim is an active playing member in bands around the GTA, both in combos and big bands.

Russell Matthews (Director):
Russell is a saxophonist, pianist, and arranger in the Durham region.  He attended the O’Neill CVI Performing Arts program and continued his education receiving a Bachelor of Music in Jazz Performance from the University of Toronto.  After performing professionally and teaching privately for a number of years in Toronto, Russell moved back to the Durham Region and has since built a career in real estate sales and financial education. He continues to perform and arrange, predominately for his 9-piece pop-funk band based out of Kingston.