Profile Category: Music

Born in Sarnia, Ontario, Torrie Seager relocated to Toronto to pursue a career in music. While enrolled in the Humber College Jazz program Torrie studied with and was mentored by Canada’s top Jazz musicians including Pat Labarbera, Ted Quinlan, and David Occhipinti. After completing his studies Torrie began working as a sideman while fronting his own ensembles. Torrie’s sideman credits include contributions to artists like Johnny Alexander, Evren, Lewis Moorman, Ogguere, Dr. Draw, Os Trophies, The Human Rights, Vivienne Wilder, and The Gordon Hyland Group. Since 2012 Torrie has been a key member of the dream pop trio, Hush Pup. Hush Pup has released two EP’s, Darlene and Waterwings, and has done three cross-Canada tour. Torrie also joined the group of Canadian composer Erik Colin Ross in September 2016 and will be involved in performances and recordings with that ensemble. Torrie teaches guitar, bass, piano, and ukulele at all levels in every genre.

Toronto based pianist, composer and arranger Danae Olano is originally from Cuba. Her career
began to blossom while studying at the University of Arts in Havana. Her music is influenced by
the Afro-Cuban music tradition, Classical music, Jazz, Brazilian rhythms, and more. She
focuses on the legacy of the great Cuban pianists as well as the Masters of Jazz. Winner of two
Juno Awards and Grammy Nominated, Miss Olano holds multiple classical piano awards such as
Musicalia and UNEAC. She is a versatile pianist, founding member of the all-female band “Jane
Bunnett and Maqueque”, she also collaborates with other musicians in the city having the
opportunity to learn new styles of music and enrich her own. She has performed in some of the
world’s most prestigious jazz clubs, including Birdland, Blue Note and Bimhuis as well as in
leading festivals such as the Monterrey, Newport and Saratoga Jazz Festivals in addition to Jazz
al Parque in Bogota. Olano not only writes music for her band, but she also collaborates with visual
artists and has recently been awarded Best Original Soundtrack by the Capital Film Festival in
Madrid for her collaboration on the experimental short film “Sunlight Around the Corner: The
Golden Sparrow”.

Natalie Julien is a theatre/screen artist & musician. She started studying classical music from a very young age & studied musical theatre as her post secondary focus. When she is not performing, she runs Little Rebels baby music & development classes, group theatre classes and private voice & piano lessons. She has over ten years of teaching experience in various settings with people of all ages, backgrounds & experience.

Her classes are fun, engaging and focusing not just on building a strong and healthy instrument, but working on confidence and self-esteem through music and performing. So excited to be here at Koffman amongst well celebrated musicians!

Brendan Swanson’s first language is piano. Born in Alberta, currently based in Toronto, Ontario, Brendan has been immersed in music since infancy. Showing an early talent for piano, he quickly progressed to RCM Grade 10 by age 12 and then studied jazz piano at 15. Since relocating to Toronto, he has graduated from the Humber...

Jake Koffman, born in Toronto, is part of the next generation of musicians and educators dedicated to the preservation, the integrity, and the evolution of jazz music. Born into Canadian music royalty, Jake grew up admiring the accomplishments of two grandfathers who were musicians inducted into the Order Of Canada. On his mother’s side is...

Andra Henderson has been an active performer and educator for over a decade. She majored in vocal music at the highly acclaimed high school Cardinal Carter Academy For The Arts, and graduated with an additional music diploma for her training in musical theatre, opera, jazz, and choral music. She then completed her Bachelors of Music...