Our Teachers

Graham Howell is a flute, clarinet, and saxophone teacher and performer. He did his formal training at the UBC School Of Music, graduating with a bachelor’s degree in saxophone performance. And while at UBC, he studied 20th century art music, symphonic works, big band jazz, and experimental avant-garde repertoire. Serious about pursuing the classical method, Graham flew to France one summer between school years to study with concert saxophonist Jean-Marie Londiex. Classes were held in the beautiful French Riviera town of Nice, where students from all of the world gathered to study with their musical mentors. From the Riviera to military bases back home: Graham served in some of the finest military bands in Canada. For example, The Band of the Ceremonial Guard in Ottawa; The Canadian Forces School Of Music in Esquimalt; and 15th Field Artillery Band in Vancouver.

After leaving the Reserve Forces, Graham enjoyed touring with Canadian pop icons, such as SkaBoom!, The Powder Blues, Ralph The Beatnik Poet, and Lee Aaron. Of late, some of the most interesting work has involved musical theatre. Graham has played piccolo, flute, clarinet, and saxophones in pit orchestras for Victor/ Victoria (Metro Theatre), Into The Woods (Jericho Arts Centre), City of Angels (Granville Island Performance Works), It’s A Wonderful Life (Gateway Theatre), 9 To 5 (Capilano University), Amélie (Fringe Festival), Cabaret and Urinetown (Studio 58, Langara College).

Graham‘s recent projects include performing with country music sensation Karen Lee Batten the rich Motown voice of Riley Inge, The Silver Stars, jazz vocalist LJ Mounteney, Alex Browne’s “The Boulevardiers”, and Vancouver City Singers conducted by Holly Denney. Graham also tours with the multimedia show A Night of Bowie — a tribute to the music of David Bowie, headlined by singer Syl Thompson.

Graham is proud to have prepared students for Berklee School of Music, UBC, and other Canadian university music schools. In addition, he regularly coaches students for RCM exams, both practical and theory, and now has several RCM gold-medal-winning students.

Graham shares his passion for classical music with his wife, mezzo soprano soloist, Melissa Howell. Together, they have performed in local productions of Mozart’s The Magic Flute (The Opera Project), Mozart’s Requiem (Dunbar Ryerson United Church), The Singing Bank — a Downtown Eastside opera outreach program (Opera Bravissima), and An Evening Of 1920s Cabaret (Postmodern Camerata).

Graham has been teaching woodwinds privately since 1978 and is pleased to be a member of the Oakridge Music teaching faculty.