Trina Nestiobo, Singer/Song Writer

Hardly a newcomer to the music scene, Trina Nestibo has been composing and crooning soulful tunes since childhood. With twenty years of classical piano training, post-secondary studies in voice, an appearance at Carnegie Hall with the Brandon University Chamber Ensemble, a Bachelor's Degree in Music Therapy and a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from the University of Windsor under her belt - it's clear that Trina is dedicated to her music career.

Trina Nestibo's spirited music blends rock, soul, country and blues creating a sound that induces involuntary toe tapping. She writes meaningful songs about real experiences, while accompanying herself skillfully on acoustic guitar, squeezebox and piano, bare feet stomping every step of the way. Trina's gritty yet soulful and sweet voice is an instrument unto itself. At home on the stage, this no-nonsense woman captures listeners with her heartfelt honesty, story-telling and contagious energy.

"Sings her truth with the poise and graceful confidence of a seasoned songbird." David Ward, CKUA, Afternoon Edition

Trina has been touring extensively throughout Canada's western provinces since proudly and independently releasing her solo debut album, "Someday: So Far" (October 2008). Nestibo's album is receiving regional and national recognition and radio play, and her sophomore release is presently in the works. She is working with Western Canadian Music Awards Nominee Rob Smith (Engineer of the Year 2009) at Rocky Mountain Studios in Calgary and plans for an autumn release of her new collection of originals.

In March 2009, Trina performed at the Engineered Air Theatre in Calgary's Epcor Centre as part of the prestigious annual Alberta Music Series which was played nation-wide across CBC Radio and broadcast throughout Alberta on CBC Television. Throughout her career, she has also appeared on stages at venues and events such as: The Neil Young Tribute Show, Edge of the World Festival, Lilac Festival, Mountain View Music Festival, Atlin Summer Music Festival, South Country Fair, as well as the Rocky Mountain, Full Moon and Northern Lights Folk Clubs in Calgary & Edmonton, AB. She has shared stages with the Wailin' Jennies, Pied Pumpkin, Steve Pineo, Brock Zeman, Charlie Hase, Tim Leacock, Dan Walsh, Mel Wilson, Kit Johnson, John Hyde and others too numerous to mention.

On the side, she freelances musically with several bands, leads children's music programs and facilitates songwriting workshops.

"Delivers her songs with a high degree of polish and musical sophistication and a warm, magnetic presence on stage."
Katherine Duncan, Host, Producer, CBC Radio Calgary

Derek Zhi Guang Chiu, pianist (b. July 24, 1977)

Canadian pianist Derek Zhi Guang Chiu began formal music training with Brian Cross in Calgary, Alberta. Mr. Chiu continued his studies with Dr. E. Gregory Butler and Joel Hastings at the University of Windsor, where he graduated with Bachelor of Music Therapy. He attended the Manhattan School of Music, graduating with a Master of Music degree in May 2003 under the guidance of Solomon Mikowsky (featured in Benjamin Saver's book The Most Wanted Piano Teachers in the USA) and Donn-Alexander Feder. Mr. Chiu has also worked with notable chamber musician Daniel Epstein of the Raphael Trio and has performed in master classes with Janina Fialkowska, Robin Harrison, James Howsmon, Lorrin Hollander, Ramzi Yassa, Cecilio Tieles and Jesus Angel Rodriquez.

Notable recitals have taken place in New York City, Toronto, Calgary, Windsor, and Connecticut. He has performed with the Windsor Community Orchestra on three occasions, the Rockland Symphony Orchestra and most recently with the Briercrest College Orchestra. In the summer of 2002, Mr. Chiu was invited to perform at Solomon Mikowsky's International Piano Festivals with performances in Tenerife (Canary Islands), Vila Seca (Spain), and Paris (France). He continues to perform actively throughout the United States and Canada. Mr. Chiu has presented lectures on topics such as the Piano Sonatas and Piano Concertos of W.A. Mozart. Performances of Mr. Chiu have been heard on Fairchild Radio in Canada.

A founding member of The Shimura – Chiu Duo with violist Noriko Shimura (Japan), the two have performed in Canada and the United States. The ensemble began performing together in 2002 while attending the Manhattan School of Music in New York City. Their musical relationship began in Dr. Kenneth Cooper's "Baroque Performance Practice" class and continued at the Rockland Conservatory of Music where they were faculty members. The Duo continues to be coached by Dr. Cooper, a world renowned 18th Century music specialist, musicologist, harpsichordist, and conductor.

As an adjudicator, Mr. Chiu has judged the National Federation of Music Clubs Competition and twice, The Florentine Music Center Annual Piano Competition. He is a member of the College of Examiners for the Royal Conservatory of Music. Mr. Chiu was also a member of Frederick Harris Music testing panel for the recently released Christopher Norton's Connections series. Previously, Mr. Chiu served as the Assistant Director at The Rockland Conservatory of Music where he was a member of the piano and chamber music faculty.

"...an excellent pianist..." – World Renowned 17th and 18th Century Music Specialist Dr. Kenneth Cooper

"…adept at playing many different types of piano literature, having particular affinity for the music of the Classical period, especially that of Mozart, a composer in which he truly understood. Also, his technical mastery of the keyboard allowed him to easily perform the more difficult works of Franz Liszt and Sergei Rachmaninoff." – Steinway Artist Joel Hastings.