"Music is the mediator between the spiritual and the sensual life."
- Ludwig van Beethoven
We the Teachers
Nova Pon has been studying and playing flute since 1994, teaching since 2001 and has had a lifelong passion for art music.
Her flute teachers have included Ingrid Crozman and Philippa Fullerton. She received a Bachelor of Music from the University of Calgary, where she performed with the U of C Orchestra, Wind Ensemble, Symphonic Band, Flute Choir, Wind Quintet, Harmoniemusik Ensemble and various chamber ensembles under her own direction. From 1999-2003 she was also a Naval Reservist musician with the HMCS Tecumseh Band and National Band of the Naval Reserve. Along with teaching, Nova performs with Quintessence Winds, of which she is a founding member, and pursues a career composing concert music and music for the media. Her music has been performed in concerts by the Calgary Philharmonic Orchestra, University of Calgary Orchestra, Sempre la Musica, Ensemble Resonance, the Rubbing Stone Ensemble, The Prairie Saxophone Quartet, and chamber ensembles including Dr. Jeremy Brown and Edmond Agopian. In rare spare moments, Nova pursues her interests in philosophy, art, architecture, and outdoor adventures.
art and adventure.
Christiaan Venter has been studying clarinet since 1992 and piano since 1987. Christiaan has a Bachelor of Music degree
from the University of Calgary where he performed in the University of Calgary Symphonic Band, the U of C Wind Ensemble, the U of C Orchestra,
the U of C Harmoniemusik Ensemble and various chamber groups. During high school Christiaan began composing music and has been composing ever
since. At University he studied composition with Allan Bell, David Eagle, Miroslav Spasov, Hope Lee and William Jordon. He composes both film and concert music having composed music for such diverse films as
Wake of a War Bride, The End (feature co-scored with Nova Pon), Binty, and Citadel. His concert music has been performed in Canada, Thailand, and Slovenia by (among others) Ensemble Resonance,
Land’s End Chamber Ensemble, University of Calgary Orchestra , Quintessence Winds, Calgary Saxophone Quartet, Victoria Symphony, Prairie Sax Quartet and the Rubbing Stone Ensemble.
Christiaan currently lives in Calgary where he composes, teaches piano, theory, and clarinet, and performs with the wind quintet Quintessence Winds.
Christiaan infuses his teaching with his deep passion for music. His other interests include philosophy, film, adventure and reading.
Nova Pon has been studying and playing flute since 1994, teaching since 2001 and has had a lifelong passion for art music.
Her flute teachers have included Ingrid Crozman and Philippa Fullerton. She received a Bachelor of Music from the University of Calgary, where she performed with the U of C Orchestra, Wind Ensemble, Symphonic Band, Flute Choir, Wind Quintet, Harmoniemusik Ensemble and various chamber ensembles under her own direction. From 1999-2003 she was also a Naval Reservist musician with the HMCS Tecumseh Band and National Band of the Naval Reserve. Along with teaching, Nova performs with 
Christiaan Venter has been studying clarinet since 1992 and piano since 1987. Christiaan has a Bachelor of Music degree
from the University of Calgary where he performed in the University of Calgary Symphonic Band, the U of C Wind Ensemble, the U of C Orchestra,
the U of C Harmoniemusik Ensemble and various chamber groups. During high school Christiaan began composing music and has been composing ever
since. At University he studied composition with Allan Bell, David Eagle, Miroslav Spasov, Hope Lee and William Jordon. He composes both film and concert music having composed music for such diverse films as
Wake of a War Bride, The End (feature co-scored with Nova Pon), Binty, and Citadel. His concert music has been performed in Canada, Thailand, and Slovenia by (among others) Ensemble Resonance,
Land’s End Chamber Ensemble, University of Calgary Orchestra , Quintessence Winds, Calgary Saxophone Quartet, Victoria Symphony, Prairie Sax Quartet and the Rubbing Stone Ensemble.
Christiaan currently lives in Calgary where he composes, teaches piano, theory, and clarinet, and performs with the wind quintet Quintessence Winds.
Christiaan infuses his teaching with his deep passion for music. His other interests include philosophy, film, adventure and reading.