Dean Markel is a trumpet player, conductor, and educator based in Vancouver. He is a founding member of the Free Range Brass Quintet and maintains an active performance schedule across the region. His career has included performing as Second Trumpet with the Muncie Symphony Orchestra, freelancing with the Dallas Wind Symphony, and working as a brass specialist in Texas. Dean is currently Head of the Music Program at St. George’s School, where he teaches band and conducts the Wind Ensemble. He holds degrees from Brandon University, the University of Minnesota, and a Doctor of Arts in Music from Ball State University.

Originally from Winnipeg, MB, Ferdinand has been performing on trumpet for over 40 years. By day he is an elementary Band teacher for the Richmond School District. A founding member of the Free Range Brass, Ferdinand has enjoyed many years of collaboration and performance with the ensemble. In addition to his teaching and ensemble work, he freelances on trumpet across the Lower Mainland. Past performances include appearances with the Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra, Winnipeg Baroque Ensemble, Winnipeg Wind Ensemble, Willingdon Church Orchestra, Pacific Symphonic Wind Ensemble, and the West Coast Mennonite Chamber Choir.

As a horn player, Pauline is a versatile musician who has a passion for introducing people of all ages to this noble instrument. Currently Pauline freelances in the Vancouver Area with the Vancouver Symphony, the Vancouver Metropolitan Orchestra, as well as a wide variety of choral, chamber and musical theatre engagements. An accomplished player, Pauline has been selected to participate in music festivals and ensembles around the world. Favourite performances include Dan Forests’ “Jubilate Deo”, the Brahms requiem (for wind quintet, string quintet and choir), “The Legend of Zelda” with Video Games Live, and the yearly outdoor concerts with VMO at Jack Poole Plaza.

Greg Passmore is a trombonist and music educator who grew up with the North Vancouver Public School Music Program and the North Vancouver Youth Band while studying privately with Robert McLeod. He later studied with Ian McDougall and Eugene Dowling while playing with the National Youth Orchestra of Canada. Early professional engagements included terms with the Victoria Symphony, 11 years with the Vancouver Island Symphony and 8 years with the touring quintet I Tromboni.  With degrees from the University of Victoria, University of British Columbia and Grant MacEwan University, Greg continues to make music primarily with the Vancouver Metropolitan Orchestra, the Pacific Symphonic Wind Ensemble and the Free Range Brass.  He currently is Director of Bands and Instrumental Music at Notre Dame Regional Secondary School in Vancouver and lives in South Surrey.

Starting with a favourite childhood album called Tubby the Tuba, Bruce has always been drawn to the sound of the instrument. After debuting with the Newfoundland Symphony in 1979 and studies at the Banff Centre and the University of Toronto, he left music for a career in animation. A Director and Creative Director for over three decades, Bruce’s films, television series, interactive projects and hundreds of international commercials have earned him accolades world wide. But the love of brass chamber music called him back from a long hiatus, and he’s delighted to be playing with the Free Range Brass.