2026 Adjudicators

Melvin James Hurst has adjudicated nationally and internationally. He has spent his entire career working with young people and adults, encouraging them in their music-making.

He has a keen sense of pedagogy and enjoys interacting with students who are serious about their craft. Whether teaching piano or voice, or accompanying and coaching singers as they prepare for auditions, festivals or examinations, he brings insight to the preparations. His positive attitude and sense of humour are appreciated by both parents and youth.

 

 Formerly, as President of the Canadian Music Festival Adjudicators Association, he worked with Festival Committees and fellow adjudicators across Canada. The festival movement has been an interest of his since he started playing in a small rural festival in Saskatchewan as a child. The opportunity to play in a Festival was the impetus for continuing his career in music. He believes in life-long learning.

 

Mr. Hurst holds the ARCT Diploma in piano, a B.Ed (with Distinction) from the University of Saskatchewan, and an M.Mus from the University of Oregon. His studies included the International Centre for Music Education in Ludwigsburg, Germany, where he studied with Hubert Giessen and Hemut Rilling.

 

Website: Melhurst.ca