Meet The Team

Patti Ghuman (she/her) serves as the president for the Surrey Jazz and Arts Society. A lifelong admirer of jazz, classical music, and the performing arts, Patti is passionate about helping the next generation of artists thrive.
Although not a musician herself, Patti has a deep appreciation for the dedication and creativity that music education fosters—an appreciation that has grown even stronger through her son’s experiences as a musician. She believes that providing access to quality instruction and performance opportunities helps young people develop confidence, discipline, and a lifelong love of the arts.

Professionally, Patti brings a background in community service and nonprofit leadership, using her organizational and communication skills to strengthen the society’s programs, fundraising, and community outreach.

As a board member, Patti is committed to expanding the reach of Surrey Jazz Art Society and opportunities for aspiring musicians and ensuring that the arts remain a vital part of the community. She values music’s power to connect, uplift, and inspire communities.

Paula Lindsay (she/her) brings a lifelong passion for music and a love of community to the board of Surrey Jazz Nights. She served as the Board Chair for the Pacific Mennonite Children’s Choir and has worked in the capacities of church music director, piano teacher, accompanist, worship leader and songwriter. Paula has performed with the Nanaimo Symphony Orchestra as a flautist and the Malaspina Choir as a mezzo-soprano. She studied flute, piano and voice at Malaspina College and had the privilege of being mentored by two incredible band teachers: the late Gerald Taylor and Bryan Stovell. When she is not working at the Newton Public Library, where she loves hosting English Conversation Classes and Book Clubs, she can be found hiking with her husband and tending her back yard orchard and coffee plantation.

Nishant Amatya (he/him) is a Nepalese-Canadian educator, composer, and arranger based in Vancouver Island, on the unceded traditional territories of the Coast Salish (including, but not limited to the Cowichan, Malahat, Tsartlip, and WSÁNEĆ) peoples.

He has been arranging music since he was in high school, and his first composition, Journey's End, was performed by the UVic Wind Symphony in October 2022. He completed his BMus in 2023, and a BEd in 2024, both at the University of Victoria. He majored on the clarinet, but plays a variety of instruments, including the trombone and guitar. Nishant's works have been performed and read by multiple groups, including the UVic Wind Symphony, Victoria Symphony, Isabel Leong's Ghibli Jazz Orchestra, and the Kasperl Quintet. His musical inspirations include Joe Hisaishi, Yoko Shimomura, Carlos Eiene and Charlie Rosen. He is glad to be able to help give back to the community he grew up in as the Treasurer for Surrey Jazz Nights.

Dave Ashton (he/him) and his wife attended a Surrey Jazz Nights event a couple of years ago in support of their local high school jazz students. They were so impressed by the event and continued attending SJN shows whenever we could. Soon Dave met Harmeet and was instantly impressed by her enthusiasm and inspired by her vision for providing opportunities for young musicians to grow and to play right here in Surrey. Dave had the opportunity to serve on other non-profit boards and is a part of a family that loves music. Dave has had the great pleasure of serving as the Secretary for Surrey Jazz Nights since 2024.

Naomi (she/her) is a vibrant violinist. She performs with the Vancouver Symphony, her group the Alderwood Ensemble and baroque violin with the Pacific Baroque Orchestra. Prior to moving to Vancouver in 2014, Naomi was the Associate Concertmaster of the Toledo Symphony in Ohio for eight seasons and held the post of Concertmaster of the Mansfield Symphony in Ohio for five seasons. Naomi holds a Master Degree from Oberlin Conservatory, as a pupil of Marilyn McDonald and a Bachelor's degree from the University of Minnesota, as a pupil of Almita and Roland Vamos.

Throughout Naomi’s 20 years as a professional musician she has maintained private violin teaching studios. The discovery of her students as they grow and learn to play the violin has always been a passion for her. In her spare time, Naomi loves cooking fine food, listening to her son play jazz drums in various combos and playing with her very cute cat Sumi.

Harmeet Kaur Virdee (she/they) is a double bassist, composer, educator, and arts administrator from Surrey, BC. She is a graduate from the Arts and Entertainment Management program at Capilano University and the VSO Performance Prep Program. Harmeet is currently continuing her education at the University of Toronto in the Interdisciplinary Music Studies Program. She has studied with established jazz musicians such as Jodi Proznick, Jon Maharaj, Miles Black, and Noah Franche-Nolan.

As a musician and composer Harmeet gains inspiration from the sounds and behaviours of nature, as well as visual arts and human emotions. She strives for her music to connect to something bigger than herself, and for it to resonate and touch any listeners. Harmeet believes that music is a powerful form of expression and communication. Music has the ability to express thoughts, emotions, and feelings that words lack and can connect us with others on a deeper level.

“It is an honour to share the joy and passion of music with the Surrey community and the next generation of musicians. In anything I do I hope to help a younger me, because so much growth can be brought into reality if we all take care of our younger self. We see what could have benefited us and now give that to the future. If we all do this together we will completely transform our communities for the better.” - Harmeet Kaur Virdee

Atessa is the Event Managers for Surrey Jazz Nights’ Emerging Artists Series. She has been with Surrey Jazz Nights from the start, both as a musician and as a volunteer. She is currently studying Political Science and French at the University of British Columbia. Atessa is also a part of the UBC Jazz Ensemble, where she plays the guitar and electric bass. In her spare time, Atessa can be found at the thrift store, spending time with her family and friends, or going to the beach.

We would like to respectfully acknowledge that Surrey Jazz Nights is located on the traditional, unceded, territory of the Katzie, Kwantlen, Semiahmoo and other Coast Salish Nations.

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