1975 – 1981 Ian first started to study vocal technique and interpretation with Jane Kee (Ellison). Her approach can be best described as “the voice as the window to the soul”. He learnt much about how who you are shapes how you naturally use your voice.
In ’81 he started giving private singing lessons as well as assisting at several of Jane Kee’s singing intensives given at Concordia’s Loyola Campus.
In 1988 he attended a workshop at the McGill music faculty given by Jo Estill. Her physiological approach backed up by years of peer reviewed scientific research really changed his idea of how to train voices. After many years of work and experimentation with the Estill system he attained Licensure as a Certified Master Teacher of the Estill Voice Training System in 2002.
At the invitation of the City of Montreal, the Society presented a pavilion on endangered wildlife at Man and His World for four consecutive summers. Canadian wildlife, extinct and threatened, was featured in the extensive exhibition. The Zoological Society was pivotal in drawing attention to the plight of the St. Lawrence Beluga whale and has worked extensively to protect this endangered mammal.