THE ONTARIO STEELPAN ASSOCIATION

Ontario Steelpan Association, the culmination of an initiative by Toronto based steelpan leaders, arrangers, tuners and other pan enthusiasts to promote and preserve their musical art-form in Canada through an umbrella organization, was incorporated as a not-for profit organization on November 7 2002.   Its Mission is “to promote excellence in all facets of steelpan in Canada, by providing open, accountable leadership in all matters related to the recognition, growth and development of the steelpan and the steelpan community; and to do so with absolute respect and trust”. 

The official launch of OSA on June 26 2003 was attended by  Vernetta Calvin-Smith, the Consul General for Trinidad & Tobago; Councillor Joe Mihevc (The Mayor’s Office); Keith Byer, Vice President, Pan Trinbago; Keynote Speaker, Dr. David Trotman, Professor of Caribbean Studies at York University and Guest of Honour Dr. Ellie Mannette, the world’s most renowned and accomplished steel pan tuner who was at that time Artist in Residence at West Virginia University.  In 2012, the organization will celebrate its 10^th anniversary.

As a core partner in the annual Caribana™ Festival, OSA has worked with the Caribbean Cultural Committee and the Festival Management Committee to develop Pan Alive into its flagship event on the Caribana™ Friday Night.  The event graduated from Fort York in 2003 to Lamport Stadium in 2005, and continues to grow both in the number of steelbands participating and the audience in attendance. 

Since its inception, OSA has worked in partnership with a variety of local educational and social community organizations and individuals to develop this unique musical invention and its devoted community, one that has grown and spread in the last decade throughout to the GTA and beyond.   It has assisted Toronto District School Board (TDSB) to present Pan Fest, a long standing (since 1990), non-competitive steelpan event in which over 20 elementary and high schools participate annually at Bickford Centre.  At Pan Alive 2009, OSA awarded its first scholarship to a young panist who is pursuing post-secondary education in electro-acoustic sound.

The Board of Directors is committed to extending the reach of the steelpan into the wider community by nurturing relationships between its member steelbands and schools that offer steelpan programs to students, as well as presenting public workshops and concerts in steelpan and steelpan related activities.

OSA is a leading advocate for community development and artistic excellence.  Membership is open to steelbands and any individual interested in furthering the organization’s goals of creating professional, educational and other growth opportunities for the steelpan in Canada.

ONTARIO STEELPAN ASSOCIATION 2011 BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Chair:  H. Ian Jones

Corporate Secretary / Program Director:  Delano Thomas

Treasurer:  Megan Chuck

Registrar:  Michael H. Phillips

Director:  Wendy Jones

Director:  Ishma Huet-Alexander

Director:  Edwin John

Director (ex-officio):  Ken Bhagan