Meet the 2026 Adjudicators

Lauren Helmer has been a music educator in Kitchener, ON, since 2009. Presently, she is the Associate Director of Bands of Eastwood Collegiate Institute’s Integrated Arts Magnet Program. Previously, Lauren taught at Preston High School in Cambridge, ON, where she gained recognition by developing its award-winning jazz ensembles and wind ensembles. All of her bands have consistently achieved the highest honours at the provincial and national level, competing at various festivals, and competitions, both locally and abroad. 

As a performer, Lauren was the associate principal trombonist, and 2nd trombonist of the Guelph Symphony Orchestra for 8 years before joining the Stratford Symphony Orchestra in 2012. After 14 years of service, Lauren retired from the Canadian Army Reserve Forces in 2021. She was the trombone section commander of the internationally honoured Royal Hamilton Light Infantry Band since 2007. Prior to joining the RHLI, Lauren spent four summers performing on Parliament Hill in Ottawa, with the Band of the Ceremonial Guard, from 2007-2010. 

As a conductor, Lauren is the first woman appointed as Artistic Director of the Guelph Concert Band (2022); one of the longest running concert bands in Canada. She has studied wind ensemble conducting with Dr. Denise Grant, the late Michael Purves-Smith, and has attended conducting clinics throughout North America. Lauren holds the position as the Assistant Conductor of the Kitchener-Waterloo Youth Concert Band, she is the Artistic Director for “Summer Music” Camp in Southampton Ontario, and she serves as the brass coach for the Grand River Blues Camp. Lauren is also a sought-after clinician, being called to work with middle and high school groups throughout Ontario.

Lauren is a member of the Canadian Band Association, the Ontario Band Association, the Ontario Music Educators’ Association, the National Band Association, and is the Provincial Chair of Ontario for the Women Band Directors’ International. 

When she is not teaching, Lauren enjoys both performing with, and directing local wind ensembles, big bands, and brass groups. Lauren holds an Honours Bachelor of Music Education from Wilfrid Laurier University, and a Bachelor of Education from the University of Western Ontario. Lauren spends her down-time enjoying multiple cups of coffee, exercising, snowboarding, golfling, and spending time with her husband Andreas, and their daughter Nora.