Board of Directors

Music BC’s Board of Directors meet quarterly and provide oversight to the operations of the organization. Learn more about our Board of Directors and their diverse set of qualifications and lived experiences below.

Nate Sabine (Blueprint)

President

Nate Sabine boasts a thriving career spanning more than 25 years in Vancouver’s entertainment and hospitality scene. His journey began with self-producing club nights, organising live hip hop shows, and managing local artists during the late 1990s and early 2000s. This initial foray paved the way for Nate to ascend to the position of Director of Brand and Marketing at Donnelly Group. Subsequently, he became an owner in diverse ventures ranging from retail to restaurants, culminating in his current role as the Director of Business Development at Blueprint, the west coast’s largest independent live concert and festival company.

Demonstrating a keen focus on industry advancements, Nate serves as the President of Music B.C., the Chair of Hospitality Vancouver Association, and holds positions on the Board of Directors for both Downtown Van and ADVANCE, Canada’s Black Music Collective.

Dan Turcotte (Monstercat)

Vice President

Daniel Turcotte oversees all commercial departments at Monstercat, including business affairs, sync & partnerships, streaming & radio, digital rights management, live digital programming, and international market development. Monstercat is one of electronic music’s most influential independent record labels. Founded in 2011, its mission has remained the same: to empower a creative and passionate community of artists and fans through innovation.

Saralyn Purdie (Taylor Oballa Murray Leyland LLP)

Secretary

Saralyn started her career in the BC music industry over 10 years ago with a summer internship at 604 Records and never looked back. At 604 Saralyn found a passion for event coordination; planning and executing concerts and livestreams for various 604 and Light Organ artists. In 2018, Saralyn left 604 to pursue entertainment law, starting a law degree at the top 30 law school University of Birmingham in the UK. Graduating with a First Class LL.B. She is now a practicing lawyer representing Canadian artists as an Entertainment lawyer at Taylor Oballa Murray Leyland LLP.

Tony Yacowar (CPA)

Treasurer

Tony is an accountant and business manager with over a decade of experience in BC’s music industry. Tony is currently CFO for Toronto-based Royal Mountain Records. Tony’s past roles include Rifflandia Entertainment Company, DMCL Entertainment Group, Secret Study Projects, Boompa Records, Tonic Records, and Public Records (non-profit grant program in partnership with TELUS).

Suzette Amaya (SAMAYA Entertainment)

Director

Suzette Amaya is Kwakwa̱ka̱ʼwakw – Cree, Nisga’a, Coast Salish pf the GwaSala-Nakwaxda’xw Nation, living on the unceded territory of the Coast Salish peoples–Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish), Stó:lō and Səl̓ílwətaʔ/Selilwitulh (Tsleil-Waututh), and xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam) Nations known as Vancouver.

Suzette Amaya created & produces/hosts the award-winning radio show ThinkNDN on CFRO 100.5fm, (a Radio Host Producer since 1997) and is owner of SAMAYA Entertainment curating and Producing Concerts, Festival, Conference and supporting Indigenous Artists as well as her Production company co-owned by her husband DJ Stanley (Stanley Amaya) and managing her Brand as a Public Speaker and Influencer.

Ashley Sperling (Strut Entertainment)

Director

Ashley is a music and marketing enthusiast with a passion for storytelling, cultivating relationships, events, and technology. She has more than a decade of experience in the Canadian music industry, and is currently the Director of Marketing and Brand Partnerships at Strut Entertainment – a music, lifestyle, and entertainment marketing and PR agency.

Jeff Ojeda (Phase Management)

Director

Jeff Ojeda is a passionate entrepreneur with over 15 years of experience in the music industry. His experience ranges from working on the road as a guitar technician, to building brands for names: Nickelback, Keshia Chanté, Florida Georgia Line, Flo-Rida, Morgan Wallen, Dallas Smith, Universal Music, Roger Taylor (QUEEN), Big Loud, Island Def Jam, Chris Lane and more. He is now leading the way managing Canada’s most successful independent breakthrough artist in 2022, Kyle McKearney.

Justine Murdy (Scrap Arts Music)

Director

Justine Murdy’s experiences range from material culture enthusiast to manager, founder, artistic director, producer, writer, and designer (lighting, costume, marketing, instruments). In 1998, Justine brought her world of design to Gregory Kozak’s world of music (instrument design, performance, composition, choreography). They established Scrap Arts Music to create “Sculptural Music from the Materials Around Us.” Using recycled and salvaged materials of a harbour city in the midst of a massive construction boom as “source” for the instruments, Scrap Arts Music explores concepts of “transformation” through materials, processes, design, movement and sound – while making great music and having a fun time!

Teon Gibbs (100 Collective)

Director

Teon Gibbs is quickly becoming one of the most recognizable and influential voices in Western Canada. Teon has learnt to not be afraid to take risks with his art. His pen touches on everything from social issues, to relationships, to industry politics and of course to an introspective look into his own come up. This fearlessness, coupled with great songwriting and his rich vocal tone is the reason why he is able to shine so consistently on tracks.

G-Luve (Vancouver Mural Festival)

Director

Rising Star G –Luve first stole the show being born at a house party in Hamilton, Ontario. G-Luve also supports the community, continually lending his talents to philanthropic organizations. G-Luve works with the Vancouver Mural Festival as the Sales/Sponsorship Manger.

Shantel Heit (Watchdog Management)

Director

Shantel Heit currently works as a Project Coordinator for the BC-based artist management firm Watchdog Management. At present, Shantel helps to manage all aspects of the musical careers of BC based artists Mother Mother, Peach Pit and more. She also works part-time at the Commodore Ballroom as a Box Office attendant.

Howard Redekopp (How Weird Productions)

Director

Howard Redekopp is a record producer with over 20 years experience working nationally and internationally with multiple Grammy award nominated records, a Latin Grammy nominated record and a Juno award winning record to his credit. Howard is passionate about sharing what he learns with aspiring creators, as well as giving back to the music community through his role as a Music BC board member and Creative BC advisory committee member.