Music Camp Faculty

Dr. Paul Rushka – Camp Director, Bass

Award-winning bassist & educator Dr. Paul Rushka has been a dedicated instructor of adolescent and young adult musicians for over 25 years. He is currently on faculty at St. Francis Xavier University in Nova Scotia and is an online instructor at the VSO (Vancouver Symphony Orchestra) School of Music, the premiere community music school in BC. He has substantial experience working with many high schools throughout the lower mainland of BC, where he has led small jazz ensembles, which focused on the development of practical jazz improvisation skills, taught private bass lessons, music theory classes, led clinics for small and large ensembles, and contributed to music department functions. Paul has served as adjudicator at regional and national music festivals, and prior to moving to Nova Scotia, was on the faculty at Vancouver Community College.

As a performer, Paul has performed on over 20 albums and several CBC broadcast recordings, toured throughout Canada, China, parts of the United States and Europe. He has performed at most major Canadian Jazz Festivals, and has performed and/or recorded with an extensive list of jazz luminaries. 

Paul holds a Doctor of Music degree from McGill University, where he was the recipient of a prestigious 3-year Joseph-Armand Bombardier CGS Doctoral Scholarship from SSHRC (Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada), which funded his research on the compositional language of Canadian jazz legend Kenny Wheeler.

Heidi Burns – Drums

Heidi Burns is a drummer from Antigonish, Nova Scotia, currently based in St. John's, Newfoundland. She is a graduate of St. Francis Xavier University, holding a Bachelor of Music degree with Honours. Prior to moving to St. John's, Heidi had been an active member of the Nova Scotia music scene, collaborating with a variety of groups and artists. Heidi has spent time playing a range of styles including jazz, rock, pop, country, indie, and folk. In addition to her work as a performing drummer, she has enjoyed teaching private drum lessons for the past five years.

                                                                                Heidi is super excited to be part of the StFX Summer Music Camp.

Brendan Fitzpatrick – Guitar

Brendan Fitzpatrick is a musician and educator from St. John’s and a graduate of St. Francis Xavier University, holding a Bachelor of Music Degree with Honours. Brendan has been playing guitar since the age of five and bass since the age of seven, having studied with some of Atlantic Canada's finest musicians. He started teaching music lessons in 2022 and has since taught students of all ages and varying skill levels. Drawing from his experience playing multiple genres of music, Brendan is a well-rounded instructor, capable of teaching all styles from rock and country to jazz and blues and beyond. Growing up, Brendan loved participating in music camps every summer. These camps helped instill a lifelong love of music and performing. 

Brendan is thrilled to be joining the faculty of the St. FX Summer Music Camp.