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We remember...

In November, 2009, the world lost one of the most uniquely-talented
and warm-hearted singer-songwriters,
Haydain Neale,
front-man of Jacksoul and one of the influential forces
of the Songwriters Association of Canada
and the whole Canadian music scene.
Whitby SASS alumni, Laila Darwish has written in
to share her own memories of Haydain's contributions
to her own creative joy.
Laila, and a dozen other SASS students, met Mr. Neale
during a week in April, 2006, when he mentored them at the
Metalworks Institute. Says Laila of his passing,

"It is such a terrible tragedy as he was such a
beautiful and kind-hearted man.
I have so many fond memories of him from the
SASS Metalworks week."

Nancy Jones
was one of the first SASS teachers to join the program in Durham.
A brilliant senior swing band conductor, her intermediate band students
and SASS writers benefited from her musical expertise,
her uncommon warmth, loving encouragement of creativity,
sense of wonder and inner joy.
The picture below was taken at one of her Lincoln Alexander P.S.
late-afternoon writers' enrichment workshops. I know that Dale, Oso, Tasha, and I
remember this day well, as well as many cheerful conversations, upbeat e-mails,
and the marvelous creative accomplishments of her students which were
such a credit to the investment of her time and energy. Bless you, Nancy Jones.

Tasha Forster writes:
Nancy was an amazing woman. She was a great mentor and friend to me, she helped me
survive as a beginning music teacher in Durham. Her spirit, enthusiasm and caring
nature were appreciated by all of those who worked with her. Our SASS group did some
great things... She always encouraged the students in their songwriting efforts and was
eager to help out any way she could. She will be greatly missed by the SASS community.

Please write us at the "Contact Us" page
if you would like to add to this tribute page to friends of SASS
whose inspiration and kindness we do not wish to forget.