Dave McKinnon knows brass playing, how it’s done and how to teach it. Starting in 1973 as a soprano in the powerful Canadian Commanders line, he then moved on to the Toronto Optimists, adding mellophone to his skill set and continuing with the Seneca Optimists through 1977.
The next 15 years saw him guide the Ventures to several DCI Division A Championships, as they became the only all-female unit to hold that and the “All Girl” titles simultaneously in 1980, and finishing in the DCI top 25 in 1986.
Dave’s accomplishments as brass caption head and supervisor with the DCI Champion Canton Bluecoats since 1994 are further evidence of his consummate teaching ability. He is a member of the Bluecoats Hall of Fame and has adjudicated brass for both DCA and DCI.