About Brent Ward

Brent Ward is a part-time bass teacher and guitar builder (luthier). 

Brent's Music Training and Experience
  • before taking up bass as his main instrument, completed 8 of 10 Grades of Practical and Advanced Piano Rudiments at the Royal Conservatory of Music (RCM) in Toronto, Canada
  • Also Achieved Advanced Rudiments of Music Theory at RCM
  • learned to play bass at age 16
  • completed courses in jazz improvisation through www.musicdojo.com, under renowned jazz educator Adam Nitti

Hear a sound clip at MySpace 

  • band member and leader for jazz, blues, fusion, and progressive rock bands 1979-present
  • former bassist with the The Contemporary Group, composed of music university graduates  from Sir Wilfred Laurier University, Humber College, and Brock University
  • Winner, Best Jazz Combo, The Canadian Stage Band Festival, Calgary, Alberta, 1985

 Guitar-Building Training and Projects

  • Received private guitar-building lessons from two full-time guitar builders in the Kitchener and Guelph, Canada, (2000-2003)
  •  After building several of his own solid-body instruments, built custom electric basses and guitars for local Cambridge, Ontario Musicians
    (see the gallery for samples). 

Experience with Youth

  • provided summer programs to teenagers and children as a camp leader at the YMCA in London, Ontario Canada, 1981-1983
  • Canoe trip guide to Northern Canada for Camp Walden, a summer camp catering to teenagers, 1987-1988
  • Young Men's President in a North American church organization for 4 years, responsible for implementing programs for youth (1992-1994), (1997-1999)
  • Toronto, Canada Young Men's President responsible for training local young men's presidents (1994-1997).  Also trained youth in leadership principles.

 Teaching Experience and Education

  • Full-time professor at DeVry University, Orlando, Florida for 15 years
    (1994- Present)
  • Corporate trainer to Osceola County Municipality, and  Ocoee Hospital on delegation, management of change, and conflict resolution
  • Bachelor of Arts, University of Western Ontario
    London, Ontario, Canada, 1985
  • Master's of Business Administration
    Richard Ivey School of Business, London, Ontario, Canada, 1992
  • Microsoft Certified Solutions Developer, Microsoft Corporation, 2001 
  • Candidate for Masters of Project Management, Keller Graduate School of Management, Orlando, Florida
  • Candidate for Master of Information Systems (MIS), Keller Graduate School of management, Orlando, Florida
  • Part-time Curriculum Manager, DeVry University Corporate Academics (1996-1997)