Our Team
The Fresh BC Talent Quest: Performance Enhancement Studio 22 Advisory Board consists of a unique and diversified group of individuals with decades of music industry experience between them. Our management team has a wide range of ‘hands-on’ experience in their areas of expertise and interest, including: professional performer, workshop facilitator, voice coach, recording artist, musical theatre, stage management, tours, travel, tourism, office management, marketing, advertising, media support, Toast Masters support, actors and movie industry personnel.
Get to know us!
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Denis Chaykowski
FBCTQ Founder, Author & Singer/Songwriter
Denis Chaykowski is the Fresh BC Talent Quest founder with over 30 years of music industry experience. Singer, Songwriter, Special Events Producer, Music festivals to Studio CD Producer - you name it, Denis has done it!
It all started after high school graduation, when his band won 'Alberta Battle of the Bands'. They then went on to open for The Collectors, a headliner show in Edmonton Gardens. This was followed by exclusive studio recording time at the NAIT Institution Studio and a successful tour through BC, Alberta, and Saskatchewan with their booking agency.
Denis continues musically today as a solo performer, writing and recording new original songs, working on FBCTQ’s new website launch (designed by Lauren Weaver) and getting ready for Fresh BC Talent Quest - Performance Enhancement Studio 2022, celebrating 10 SEASONS in the 2022 New Year!
To-date Denis has authored and produced local music projects, as well coordinated annual music events, festivals and shows. All of this on top of working with both nonprofit and private businesses in supporting young performers (ages 9 - 18) in their music quest; starting in the 1980’s in the Clearwater North Thompson community, now promoting in the Penticton Okanagan area as of 2012.
Denis Chaykowski has done it all - literally! If you know Denis, you know he is one of a kind with a heart of gold. Take a look below into the past ventures Denis has successfully taken on.
Business Roles
Restaurant Owner/Operator - Brookfield Cafe (1993 – 1997) -
Clearwater community first Food Bank Christmas Concerts December 1993. Local artisan wall display (sales) and support.
Created first outside patio music venue, Community August Street Dance, Annual spring to fall afternoon Coffeehouse and local Artist market venue'
Owner / Operator - Yellowhead Fruit Stand - daily operations, sales, fruit p/u
House DJ - Wells Gray Hotel Pub, F&B Mgr. Entertainment Promotions and Marketing - created year round in-house pub - restaurant events and promotions.
D&D Sound Mobile DJ services to North Thompson Okanagan, 100 Mile, Cariboo Blue River communities. Weddings, ball tourneys, community dances, grads, etc.
Allendale Mini-Mall - Food Operations Manager, Outdoor markets, Christmas to coffeehouse events, grad car washes, Developed increase in bus tour business
Little Fort Cafe - Motel RV Campground Operations Mgr. great family business. Catering to locals, travellers & campers.
BC Super Host - Workshop Presenter
Facilitator / Service Hospitality Trainer
Music Industry / Performers Workshops
Seasonal Tour Guide Driver/guide weekly touring BC, Alberta Rockies and USA: the 'Circle Eight' tour with Auzzies, Brits, USA German and Israel guests: never a dull moment. Wild Goose Tours 'Best job ever!
Performer Roles
Singer & Songwriter
Musician - Singer, Backing vocals, Guitar & Harmonica
Producer - Special Events, CD Production Recordings, C-Me Live presents' events
Battle of the Bands - Edmonton Band opening for “Collectors” Headliner act known now as' ' Chiliwack '
Band Tour - Toured Western Canada in BC, Alberta and Saskatchewan
Studio Experience - Lead Vocals, Backing Harmonies, CD Productions & Auditions
Event MC / Host Festivals Entertainment venues, Coffeehouse, Fund raisers, shows
Fresh BC Talent Quest - Founder / Mentor - Talent show producer of young talent. Creating NEW performance opts. Promote FBCTQ season winners to Main stage at Penticton Peachfest, Provide busking, special 'private' events, local area coffeehouse venue showcases.
Manager Roles
Workshop Facilitator - FBCTQ Performers Music & Skills Workshops, Parents / Performers Music Industry Summit. Open to all performers.
Penticton Peachfest - Stage Manager - August 2013 - 2017, Local bookings, Back stage security protocols, Green Room, daily festival logistics. Coordinate with Security and Volunteers. Registration, etc.
Community Event Organizer - Artisan Markets, SS Sicamous Christmas Craft Show / Summer Music nights, Month of November Christmas Venue, Opus, Elite Rest. and Tugs Tap House 'Open Mic Night', Teen Coffeehouses, Talent Shows, West Bench Community Father's Day annual Yard sale event. Peach-fest stage Mgr.
Penticton BC Winter Games – Stage Manager - February 2016
Performers' Rehearsal Studio Venue - Creating and managing a venue to all performers' solo / group practises, hands-on interactive practices to assessment of your performance, etc.
C-Me Live Productions Specialized Roles Sound Support: Clearwater BC Day Music Festival, Arts Health & Wellness Expo. Kamloops Society Comm. Living music shows, Local Artisan Craft Shows, Weekly Music Night, Penticton Christmas Market, Summer ARTS Markets, Entertainment
Fundraiser Supporter - Penticton Art Walk, Penticton Food Banks, Shaw OSNS Telethon, Share-a-Smile & Make-A-Wish Telethon, Fresh BC Talent Quest Fund raisers support talent / workshop events.
Tiana Ferlizza
FBCTQ Alumni & Music Program Support
Tiana Ferlizza has been involved with Fresh BC Talent Quest (age 11) since 2012 where she placed first in Season 1 performing in a duo group 'Cool Beanz" with Katie Sterk and placed first in Season 7 as a solo performer. Tiana has since been involved in annual talent shows, special event shows and ongoing support. In 2015 Tiana accepted our invitation as our FBCTQ -S5 youth presenter to facilitate a fun and interactive music workshop for performers aged 9 - 12 which was a success! Other responsibilities Tiana assists with for FBCTQ include workshops, fundraisers, organizing of events as well as MC and host. October 2020, Tiana was MC and Co-host at our FBCTQ SEASON 8 finals, as well at the FBCTQ Morning After CD Release Party August 2021 at the Orchard House in Penticton.
Tiana has always been a very strong and focused competitor, supportive of all the other performers and providing mentorship as well as moral support. Tiana continually strives to be the best that she can be in reaching her life and music goals. Her awards and accomplishments reflect her hard work, musical theatre commitments and belief in herself. She puts on a great stage show, sets high performance standards for herself and maintains positive determination to succeed!
Tiana has successfully embarked on her journey as a solo artist entering major musical competitions throughout the province and attending University music programs in British Columbia (North Van. Capilano University 2020) and Toronto, Ontario (Sheridan College, 2022).
Achievements & Credentials
Musical Theatre National Competitions - 2018-2021 - Vocal Variety Winner 2019, Vocal Variety Runner-Up 2018, Musical Theatre Runner-Up 2018 & 2019
Soundstage Productions Penticton Performer - 2012-2019 - (Lead) Katherine - Newsies; (Supporting Lead) Alice - The Secret Garden; (Supporting Lead) Brat - Whistle Down The Wind
Workshop Facilitator - FBCTQ Season 5 - Musical Theatre Presenter Workshop Presenter for ages 9 - 12
Kiwanis Music Festival - Live Performer - 2010-2021 (11 years!)
Summerland Secondary Graduate - 2019
Capilano University - Musical Theatre Program - 2019/2020
Sheridan College - Toronto, Ontario - 2022 - further Musical Theatre studies
Canadian Royal Conservatory of Music - Grade 10 Voice & Grade 10 Theory
Awards:
Fresh BC Talent Quest - Youth Workshop Presenters Award
Eva and Hugh Cleland Award (PKMF)
Tri-Discipline Scholarship (PKMF)
Senior Acting Award (Summerland Secondary School)
Fine Arts Award (Summerland Secondary School)
Deans List (Capilano University)
BC Arts Council Scholarship
Kevin Fai
Audio & Tech Support
Kevin Fai is a major part of Fresh BC Talent Quest's audio and sound productions with his company Audio Junkie Music Productions! Born from the love of music, being a musician, live sound & studio engineering, Audio Junkie Music Productions was formed back in 2017 and has grown over the years by providing live sound engineering and studio recording to artists like The Hillside Outlaws, Amy Bishop, Daniel Wesley, The Heels, Cory Gallant. Taylor Rae and Leslie Thompson just to name a few.
Audio Junkie offers services in live engineering and in the studio for artists of any genre. AJMP studio is a fully digital studio with a fast workflow, which gets your songs or demo ideas done quickly and efficiently. If you are an aspiring artist that is also needing other instrumentation in your songs (drums, bass, guitar, keys, or even needing backing vocals), we can produce a full production in-house.
Meet the crew:
Kevin Fai - mulit-instrumentalist (guitar, drums, bass, keys & others), recording/live engineer and producer. Guitar player & songwriter from Moving Lines and guitar player from the popular Okanagan cover band, Timbre Wolves.
Jill Fai - lead singer & songwriter from Moving Lines and lead singer in Timbre Wolves, Jill has a vocal range of 4 octaves and can cover a multitude of genres
Contact us!
Lauren Weaver
Marketing Coordinator & Website Developer
Lauren Weaver has been involved with Fresh BC Talent Quest since the summer of 2021 when she crossed paths with Denis Chaykowski at the Blenz Coffeehouse Series in Penticton. Lauren has been actively assisting behind-the-scenes in preparations with Fresh BC Talent Quests new website for the January 31, 2022 launch, as well to promoting the new Performance Enhancement Studio 22, and organizing other marketing and promotional tasks. Lauren also has a passion for music and played the drums for a number of years!
Lauren graduated from the University of Guelph in Ontario with a Bachelor of Commerce degree, majoring in Marketing Management. Looking to expand her horizons, she moved to the west coast in 2020 where she discovered her professional area of interest in digital and print marketing, social media content and website creation. She has experience in various industries including: technology, entertainment, gardening, arts and wellness, as well as real estate (3 RE/MAX brokerages and their agents). Lauren currently resides in the lower mainlands and offers freelance marketing services with her new company, Shift Marketing. Lauren is always open to making new connections and exploring creative possibilities. Get in touch and say hi!
Bryan Chamberlain
Graphic Artist & Professional Musician
Growing up in Southern Ontario, Bryan started piano at age 8. Ultimately enrolling in the Royal Conservatory of Music program, completing Grade 9 at age 15. He was fortunate to have incredible teachers whose urging and encouragement allowed him to fast track in the program, achieving this lofty goal at a very young age. Bryan performed in his first band at age 17. Throughout his life, he has had the pleasure of performing in numerous bands with phenomenal musicians, focusing on Blues and Classic Rock. For the past few years he has been honored to be keyboardist with the “Yard Katz” in Penticton, and has since moved to Victoria.
Music has been a huge part of Bryan's life. He was owner operator of “Ye Olde Music Shoppe” in Dawson
Creek B.C. for 16 years and Branch Manager for Mother’s Music and Drum Shop for 5 years in the 80’s in Vancouver. Bryan met Denis Chaykowski several years ago and has collaborated with him on numerous music projects in Penticton as well as Fresh BC Talent since 2012. Bryan will continue on as part of the Performance Enhancement Studio 22 advisory team in the New Year!