Members of the Naden Band
Commanding Officer – Lieutenant (Navy) Ben Van Slyke, CD
Originally from Richmond, BC, Lieutenant (Navy) Benjamin Van Slyke, CD, joined the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) as a reservist with the 15th Field Regiment Royal Canadian Artillery as a musician in 1995. During his time in the reserves, he had many wonderful experiences with the regimental band as well as several taskings with the Ceremonial Guard in Ottawa. Lt(N) Van Slyke also had the opportunity to perform on the trumpet all over North America in varied settings, building a wide array of experience as a musician.
In 2005 Lt(N) Van Slyke transferred to the regular force after successfully auditioning and being offered a position with the Stadacona Band of the Royal Canadian Navy (RCN) in Halifax, NS. After three years with the band, he was posted to the Canadian Forces Language School in Shearwater, NS for second language training on a year long course. In 2009 upon completion of second language training Lt(N) Van Slyke was posted to La Musique du Royal 22e Régiment at BFC Valcartier, QC. He was promoted to the rank of Warrant Officer in 2012 and posted back to the Stadacona Band.
In 2016, Lt(N) Van Slyke was sent on the Unique Skill Qualification (USQ) for conducting brass and reed ensembles at CFB Borden. After completing the USQ he was posted to the Royal Canadian Artillery (RCA) band in Edmonton, AB taking on the newly created role of Standards and Training manager for the unit. Posted to the Naden Band of the RCN in 2018 Lt(N) Van Slyke finally returned to the best coast although that was short lived as he was promoted to Chief Petty Officer 2nd Class and posted to Music Division, Canadian Forces Logistics Training Centre at CFB Borden in 2019. During that posting he enjoyed getting a better understanding of the Music Branch and working on the training that will develop better competencies of Canada’s military musicians.
Lt(N) Van Slyke received his commission in July 2021, was promoted to his current rank, and posted back to the Naden band to complete his music officer training. He took command of the Naden Band in June of 2022 and is very thankful to be on the west coast working with such outstanding musicians.
In his off-time Lt(N) Van Slyke loves spending time with his wonderful daughters, Abigail and Alena.
Chief – Chief Petty Officer 2nd Class Daniel Keels, CD
Born and raised in St. John’s, Newfoundland, Chief Petty Officer 2nd Class (CPO 2) Daniel Keels, CD, began playing trombone at the age of 11. He joined the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) in 1989 as a musician with the Band of the Ceremonial Guard in Ottawa. He continued to work with the Ceremonial Guard in the summers while serving with the Royal Newfoundland Regiment Band. In 1992, CPO 2 Keels transferred to the Regular Force (RegF) and was posted to the Canadian Forces School of Music in Borden, MB until he was posted to the Air Command Band in Winnipeg in December 1993.
When the Music Branch was reduced in 1994, he re-mustered to Field Artillery. Upon completion of battle school in Shilo, MB, he was subsequently posted to “B” Battery of 1st Regiment Royal Canadian Horse Artillery. Two years later, CPO 2 Keels transferred back to the Primary Reserve as a musician in 1996, this time serving with The Band of the Royal Winnipeg Rifles. Returning to Newfoundland in 1996, he served again with the Royal Newfoundland Regiment Band as well as the Atlantic Area Army Band.
After completing a Bachelor of Music degree at Memorial University in 1998, CPO 2 Keels re-enrolled in the RegF and was posted to The Royal Canadian Artillery Band in Edmonton where he spent the next ten years. He was promoted to Warrant Officer in 2004, and in 2008 was posted to The Central Band in Ottawa. After completing the Assistant Director of Music course in 2010, CPO 2 Keels was promoted to his current rank. He completed the year-long French course at Canadian Armed Forces Language School in Gatineau in July of 2012 and was subsequently posted to Québec City as Band Sergeant Major with La Musique du Royal 22ième Régiment.
In August 2015, he returned to Edmonton as Band Sergeant Major of The Royal Canadian Artillery Band. He was recently posted to The Naden Band of the Royal Canadian Navy in September 2022.
He is married to Karen, a former CAF musician, and they have two daughters, Zoe and Sarah.
Band Members:
PO 1 Ginette Gibeault
S1 Laura Andrew
S1 Elisabeth Lisik
Vacant
Vacant
PO 2 Rebecca Hissen
MS Laura Engsig
S1 Samuel He
S1 Andrew George
Vacant
Vacant
PO 1 Jeff Cooper
PO 2 Barrie Sorensen
PO 2 Roy Styffe
PO 2 Jean Potash
PO 2 Allison Zaichkowski
PO 2 Blythe Heywood
PO 2 Steve Champ
PO 2 Steve Donegan
PO 2 Miguel Valdes De La Hoz
Vacant
Vacant
PO 2 Alon Soraya
PO 2 Mike Wade
S1 Marcus Hissen
S1 Zack Everett
PO 2 Bob Fearnley
PO 2 Winston Hind
S1 Leslie Perrin
Vacant
Vacant
PO 1 Paul Richey
CPO 2 Brayden Wise
PO 2 Ross Macdonald
S1 Kyle Reyes
S1 Simeon Weststeijn
S1 Sandra Veilleux
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