Meet the Board
The Critical Hits Orchestra cannot function or exist without the behind-the-scenes work done by the board members. The board below are instrumental to the success of the ensemble.
Michael Kim
Musical Director, President
Michael is a Yamaha Artist and one of Canada's top lead trumpet players. He has a wealth of experience across multiple musical genres, with Jazz being his specialty. He has worked with an abundance of established ensembles and professional musicians - too many to name. But one thing is for sure, Michael Kim is a name that everyone knows and is in demand by band leaders around the world.
Read more about Michael Kim and his projects on his website:
michaelkimmusic.com
Jim Hopson
Board Member
Jim Hopson is a JUNO Award-nominated trombonist, alphorn artist, multi-instrumentalist, composer, and educator based in Vancouver, BC, Canada. An active touring artist, he has performed concerts on four continents to date. Jim is an adjunct professor at the UBC School of Music, where he teaches low brass and directs the jazz ensemble. A dedicated teacher and communicator, Jim frequently presents brass, alphorn, and improvisation workshops at high schools, universities, conferences, and festivals throughout the world. He is a prolific session musician and digital creator, contributing music to numerous albums, TV shows, video games, and films. Jim’s three studio albums “West Coast Nights” (2015), “Generations” (2018), and “en plein air” (2024) are available on Bandcamp, on all major streaming/download platforms, and on his website phonomusic.com. Jim holds a Master of Arts degree from Simon Fraser University and a Bachelor of Music (with distinction) from the University of Victoria.
Julian Borkowski
Board Member
Julian Borkowski is a multi-instrumentalist, composer and educator based in Vancouver,
British Columbia. Having started with the trumpet, Borkowski began playing the piano while
earning his Bachelor’s Degree at Capilano University under the mentorship of Brad Turner. He
later earned his Master’s Degree from The University of Oregon while studying with Paul
Krueger (trumpet) and Keith Brown (piano). Having shared the stage with such musicians as
Carl Allen, Cory Weeds, and Eric Alexander (on trumpet) as well as Nick Biello and Charlie
Porter (on piano), Julian continues to teach and perform in the Vancouver area.
Mo Miao
Treasurer
Mo Miao (B.Mus., B.Sc., Ph.D) received his undergraduate degree in saxophone performance studying with Dr. Julia Nolan at the University of British Columbia. Well versed in chamber music, Mo is a founding member of the Azura Quartet, winning first place in chamber music at the 2017 Federation of Canadian Music Festivals competition, and making appearances with the Saxophilia Quartet. Active in the Vancouver jazz scene, Mo has regularly performed or recorded with numerous professional large jazz ensembles, including the Vancouver Legacy Jazz Orchestra, West Coast Big Band, Vancouver Jazz Orchestra, and the Jaelem Bhate Jazz Orchestra.
Outside of music, Mo holds a Ph.D in Cell and Developmental Biology from UBC. His Ph.D research studied genetic networks which control early development of cartilage. Currently a postdoctoral fellow, his research seeks to identify sets of gene variants which underlie human neurological diseases, while also engaging with undergraduate education and curriculum design.
Mia Gazley
Secretary
A saxophonist and educator, Mia Gazley (she/her) is active throughout Vancouver and the lower mainland. She performs regularly with ensembles such as the Pacific Symphonic Wind Ensemble and the Vancouver Jazz Orchestra, and can be heard holding down the baritone saxophone chair in the Vancouver Jazz Orchestra's CD, "VJO Meets Brian Charette".
In addition to her active performing and gigging career, Mia maintains a large saxophone studio, teaching students from elementary school to retired adults.
When not teaching or performing, Mia is busy working as a board member of the Vancouver Youth Music Foundation, and is the Executive Director of the Vancouver Youth Wind Symphony. She holds a Master of Music from the University of Florida and a Bachelors in Music from the University of British Columbia, both in saxophone performance. Mia is also a Rousseau Mouthpieces performing artist.
When not playing saxophone or teaching, Mia enjoys playing a large variety of video games.
Kevin Jackson
Board Advisor/Educational Representative
Vancouver-based trombonist, recording artist, and educator Kevin (KJ) Jackson is recognized across Western Canada for his versatility in orchestral, jazz, and commercial music.
KJ also records for film, television, and media, and is a brass recording artist with Pandemonia Music. He has studied with artists including Andy Martin, Wycliffe Gordon, and Delfeayo Marsalis.
As an educator, KJ serves as Director of Bands at West Point Grey Academy in Vancouver and maintains a private brass studio. He holds a Master of Music in Orchestral Trombone from the University of British Columbia, along with degrees in Music and Education from the University of Lethbridge.
KJ is a RATH performing artist and performs on a Rath Custom R3F with a red brass bell and tuning slide, and yellow brass hand slide with a 31 leadpipe. He also plays on a Rath Custom R10 trombone with a nickel silver bell and hand slide, and a gold brass tuning slide.