Jennifer has been making music and teaching piano for more than 45 years, inspiring everyone from beginners to seasoned band players.

She leads The Shire Concert Band, Shire New Horizons Bands, and Sydney Southeast Symphonic Winds — and has also created school music programs, concerts, and camps along the way.

Recognised with the Cook Community Award and trained at Trinity College London, she’s passionate about sharing the joy of music with her community.

When she’s not waving a baton or sitting at the piano, you’ll likely find her travelling, cooking up something delicious, or playing games with friends and family.

Ralph is a proud member of the New Horizons Band in Sydney, Australia. While music has always been a big part of his family’s life — with his wife Jennifer and their children being lifelong musicians — his own musical journey began later in life, at the age of 61.

For most of his working years, he was involved in sport and focused on raising their children. Music was something he loved deeply, listening to everything from 60s middle-of-the-road classics to jazz, classical, and musicals. But he never imagined himself as a player — until retirement gave him the time and opportunity to explore that side of life.

With Jennifer’s wonderful encouragement, he joined the New Horizons Band beginner group and took up the bass clarinet. Just six months later, he progressed to the intermediate band, and within a year, he was performing with the concert band. You could say he enjoys a challenge!

Within two years, he began playing with The Shire Band — a sister group to New Horizons — aimed at secondary school students working at a Grade 3 to 5 level. It’s been a joy to be part of such a talented and enthusiastic group.

Shelley Hazen is the new Administrative Assistant for NHIMA since May 2025. She was raised in a musical home, where her father played jazz piano and her mother supported all of her musical interests — including making costumes for performances. Music was a constant presence in her life, with frequent jam sessions and a household filled with music at all hours. She began playing the flute in high school and has remained connected to music ever since. That passion carried into her family life as well, where she encouraged and supported her two sons, both of whom became skilled piano players. Shelley is an active member of the New Horizons Band at the Don Wright Faculty of Music in London, Ontario. She began in the Intermediate Band playing flute, and has progressed to the Advanced Band. Recently, she started learning the alto saxophone and currently plays it in the Intermediate Band as well. The saxophone has become a new and exciting part of her musical journey. Shelley also brings a strong background in administration and organization, with experience that includes working at an arts-based school. In her spare time Shelley also teaches yoga, golfs and plays pickleball. I would like to thank Shelley Hazen for doing this interview. If you would like to find out more about Shelley’s New Horizons Band, please go to https://music.uwo.ca/outreach/new-horizons-band.html

Mary Kitchen and her husband Allen are founders and directors of the Butler New Horizons Folk and Gospel Band in Butler, Pennsylvania. Mary has played guitar since her teen years, but missed her chance to learn violin in school when her family relocated. In her 50s she decided it was never too late, and started violin lessons at her local music store. She loved playing, and soon learned that what she enjoyed most was bluegrass fiddling. Now she takes part in many jams, both locally and at Chautauqua Institution, where she and her husband spend time during the summer. Mary and Allen started a New Horizons group in Butler because they wanted to share the joy of music with other adults.

Mary grew up in Pittsburgh, and attended Duquesne University and Pittsburgh Theological Seminary. She has served several congregations as a Presbyterian minister since 1980, and is now semi-retired, pastoring two small churches in the Butler area. She includes music in virtually every service, often with Allen who plays keyboards.

This interview took place in May 2025 via Zoom.

If you would like to find out more about Mary’s New Horizons Folk and Gospel Band, please visit their Facebook Page here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/515715490764259/