Mandart Chan

Mandart Chan is a second-generation visitor on the lands of the Coast Salish People on Turtle Island.  He was born and raised in Richmond, British Columbia (BC), along with his three older siblings, by immigrant parents from Hong Kong. His journey in music started when he introduced to band via his siblings and his teachers.  Being a young student, he decided that Trumpet would be a good instrument for him, but quickly realized that woodwinds, particularly Clarinet, was his passion.   Throughout Elementary & Secondary School, Mandart spent the majority of his time in the music rooms, playing in as many ensembles as he could, and learning as many instruments as he could get his hands on.  At the age of 13, he enrolled as a cadet with the Royal Canadian Air Cadets in Richmond, only to join the band. Through four years of cadet training,  Mandart not only learned about playing in a marching band, but also teamwork, leadership, effective communication, and aviation.  Both his experience at school and as an Air Cadet motivated him to pursue a career in Music Education. 

Mandart graduated from the University of Victoria in 2003, from the Bachelor of Music  Program, where he was able to study under Dr. Gerald King (Music Education, Conducting), Patricia Kostek (Clarinet), Sandra Pohran-Dawkins (Chamber Ensembles), Janos Sandor (Conducting), and Dave Dunnet (Music Education).   While studying music & education, Mandart had enrolled in the Canadian Armed Forces (Cadet Instructor’s Cadre Officer) where he worked with the Canadian Cadet Program as an adult leader.  This allowed him to practice all the fundamentals and theories that were taught to him in classes.  He completed his teaching practicum in 2004 at Belmont Secondary School (Victoria, BC) under the guidance of Ms. Joyce Kopan and Ms. Glynis Dawson.  His teaching career led him to the Calgary Board of Education (Calgary, Alberta) where he taught grades kindergarten through 10 in Music and Theatre.  After four years, Mandart was able to return to Victoria, back in the music rooms of Belmont Secondary School.

As a life-long learner, Mandart was accepted into the Master of Music (Performance) program with the American Band College (ABC), then with Sam Houston State University.  He graduated from ABC in summer of 2014.  He is currently pursuing a Master of Professional Education in Equity, Diversity and Social Justice at the University of Western Ontario.

Having still been involved with the Canadian Cadet Organizations, Mandart now holds the rank of Major and is currently the Area Elemental Advisor (Air Cadets) for Vancouver Island in BC, where he helps guide and mentor Cadet Corps & Squadron Staff.  He is a past-president of the BC Music Educators’ Association and is currently the secretary of the Canadian Music Educators’ Association.  He is currently on-leave from the Sooke School District, as he is in the position of the Anti-Racism Curriculum Coordinator with the Ministry of Education in British Columbia.  Mandart currently resides in Victoria, BC with his partner Jason, and their rescue pup, Tikka.