School closed on Thanksgiving Monday

Thanksgiving is happening on Monday, October 13. Here is the schedule for this weekend:

Building Hours:
Saturday, October 11: 9:00 – 6:00 pm
Sunday, October 12: 9:00 – 5:00 pm
Monday, October 13: CLOSED

Office Hours:
Saturday, October 11: CLOSED
Sunday, October 12: CLOSED
Monday, October 13: CLOSED

There will be no Ballet classes on Saturday.

The building will not be open on Monday, October 13. Have a happy thanksgiving!

Learn how to sing with the Kodaly method

At VAM, our Kodaly (pronounced Koe- die)  classes are now open to all students, including those new to Kodaly.  You no longer require previous years’ experience to join the program.
Kodaly is the perfect complement to any instrumental training, or the perfect class for someone wanting to learn music, but not able to study an instrument.

In our Kodaly program, your child will learn to sing, on pitch and with confidence!

We use our voice to learn how to read music…

We develop the oh-so-important sense of internal beat….

We learn how to listen closely to the music we are making….

We learn how to express phrasing…

We learn how to keep different musical “parts” happening at the same time…

We learn how to interact with other people in our music making….

We build the musicianship needed for every instrumentalist…

And we do all this in a fun and encouraging atmosphere!

Instrumental teachers love it when their students take Kodaly!  Ask your teacher!

Audition info for Chamber Music Institute

Calling all students RCM Grades 9 and above! Come audition for Chamber Music Institute, VAM’s premier chamber music training program. You’ll get to experience ensemble playing in an intimate setting and get coached by some of Vancouver’s greatest musicians.

Audition info
Thursday, Sept. 26 & Friday, Sept. 27
7:30 – 9:30 pm (both days)
Room 22B
Please come prepared with a piece of your choosing, and be prepared to sight-read. The audition will be longer than 10 minutes long.

To book an audition, please email [email protected]. Time slots are subject to availability.

Welcome back BBQ’s

To kick off the school year, our Orchestra and Suzuki programs will be holding barbeques for their students. If you belong to either the Orchestra or the Suzuki Violin program, come and meet your fellow colleagues and enjoy some food after your first rehearsal!

VAM Junior Symphony/Intermediate Symphony: Thursday, September 4th at 6:30 pm
VAM Symphony Orchestra: Friday, September 5th at 7:00 pm
Suzuki Violin: Saturday, September 6th at 12:00 pm

We look forward to seeing you there!

Get your books here!

We have a variety of RCM and Suzuki books available for a range of instruments and levels, as well as Orff, Kodaly, Theory and more. Come to the VAM Gift Shop on the 2nd floor and buy your materials for the upcoming school year.

For a full list of what we carry, check out our 2014-15 Book List.

Welcome to the 2014/15 School Year!

The 2014/15 year is starting next week. Are you ready?

If you have not yet registered for the 2014/15 school year, we encourage you to do so before school starts (find out our summer office hours here or start the online registration process here). If you’re coming to visit us in person, make sure you have the following ready:

  • Times and days of classes you want
  • Confirmed lesson time with your private lesson teacher
  • EXACT cash or cheque

This will ensure a speedy registration and help us help you better!

Class Info

All VAM classes and lessons will start the week of Tuesday, September 2nd. The following classes and teachers will start the week of Monday, September 8th:

  • Bach Babies
  • Mozart Mites
  • Rossini Rascals
  • Lessons and classes with Evelyn Creaser
  • Lessons and classes with Mary Thomson
  • Lessons and classes with Judy Fraser will start on Saturday, September 6th.

Please check with your teacher for more details.

Welcome back!

New Orchestra level!

Calling all string players ages 5-7 who want to experience the thrill of playing on a team! Led by DeAnne Eisch (Suzuki Violin Head, VAM Junior Symphony director), VAM’s newest orchestra, Pre-Junior Symphony (affectionately known as the PJ’s) is the perfect ensemble for violin, viola and cellists at Suzuki books 2-4 or RCM grades 1-3. PJ’s will cover the basics (note-reading, feeling the beat, following the composer’s instructions) providing students with the joy of playing in a group and forming musical friendships. Come take your first step onto the Orpheum stage!

VAM Pre-Junior Symphony
Thursdays 
5:00-6:00, Koerner Recital Hall
With VAM Private lessons: $130
Standalone: $260 (does not include registration fee)

Contact the front office at (604) 734-2301 or go here to register your child today!

6 Questions with Dora Brooks

For our last interview with our Leading Ladies, we were happy to take a few minutes of Dora Brooks’ time to chat about her roles and her history with opera. Dora is an alumni of our College Program, where she completed her Artist Diploma and Bachelor of Music degress in Voice Performance with David Meek. She’s been the recipient of many prestigious scholarships and bursaries, and has most recently received a generous award from the Vancouver Opera Guild. She’ll be singing the role of Angelica in Suor Angelica.

If you’ve enjoyed these interviews, why not come down and check out their talent in person? Buy tickets for Suor Angelica & Gianni Schicchi here.

What do you enjoy most about singing Suor Angelica?

I love this role very much, for many reasons. What I most enjoy, though, is the build of the character arc, both musically and dramatically. She’s a very real and honest character and her music is gorgeous.

Favourite scene from Suor Angelica and why?

Suor Angelica is my favorite Puccini opera, so it’s hard to pick just one scene. I guess I’d pick the end of the opera from la Principessa’s entrance on. It’s considered two scenes, but the first flows so well into the second, and it feels like one extended scene. So much happens in such a short time- from joy to heart break to loss of reason to a miracle and more. Performing it is emotionally draining in the best way. This section also contains Senza Mamma, which is one of my favorite arias. The music is glorious in this whole section.

What should the audience listen or look for when they come to watch the production?

In both operas we have people singing from off-stage. It’s particularly effective in Suor Angelica during the miracle. I heard it for the first time last night and it’s so very much better than I’ve ever heard done; I’ve actually performed in Suor Angelica twice before. One time the chorus actually sang from the choir loft up in the rafters of the curch we were performing at. This sounds even more amazing than that! It’s also the first time you will hear any male voices. As for things to look for, there are a seemingly infinite number of small details to see, as directed by Jeanine Fynn. For example, I’ve watched a bunch of rehearsals of Gianni Schicchi and I’m still noticing more. But I won’t tell you what they are- that would spoil the fun!

What’s your favourite part of the productions?

Again, how to choose? The most overall would be singing the role of Suor Angelica. When I first started singing opera I thought it was a role I’d never have a chance to sing. Which was sad for me since it’s one of my favorites. I’m very happy that things have changed so that I can. I’ve also enjoyed learning new things through the process of costuming the production. One of the things I love about both singing and costuming is that there’s always something new to learn- I love being challenged.

How did you get into opera?

I only ever sang a couple opera arias before I started at the Academy. I had been training for about ten years as a classical and musical theatre singer, but I was too young for opera. I’d not been exposed to very much of it, either. That changed when I started at VAM right out of high school and discovered that I could sing opera. I very quickly fell head-over-heels in love with it and now I can’t imagine going without!

What have you enjoyed the most during your experience at VAM?

I’ve been at the Academy first as a college student, now as a private student. I’ve loved how many performances there are for the opera program throughout the year. Any chance to perform and develope my craft makes me happy. Working with David Meek and the other fabulous people he’s brought in to work with us
(John Arsenault and Jeanine Fynn for example) has been a treat.

Finally, any last words?

I think that if you’re new to opera, or aren’t sure about it, that this would be a good show to check out. These two operas are so different from each other that there’s a little bit for everyone to enjoy. Whether you like drama, tragedy or comedy we have you covered. Prefer under-handed trickery? Done. Familial tension? Ok. Simple joy at a beam of sunlight turning a fountain’s water golden? Yes. Physical comedy? We have that, too. I’ve had such a great time working on this show and I’d love to share it with people. That’s one of the best parts!

Dora Brooks

Dora Brooks

6 Questions with Melissa Bideau

For the third part in our special interview series, we’ll be interviewing the first of our two Angelicas, Melissa Bideau. Melissa is a 4th year Voice Performance Major, studying with David Meek. If you’re a frequent attendee of our Orpheum Series, you may recognize her from her beautiful performance at our recent Showcase Concert. Here’s her answers below!
What do you enjoy most about singing Angelica?
I love this character so much. The music is so deep and beautiful and i get to explore such a wonderful range of emotions with Angelica. 
Favourite scene from Suor Angelica and why?
The scene between Suor Angelica and her aunt. This is where you really begin to understand Suor Angelica and the conversation they have pulls you in for the rest of the Opera. 
What should the audience listen or look for when they come to watch the production?
Listen to how Puccini’s music grabs your heart as he fully expresses the emotions in the music. 
What’s your favourite part of the productions?
They are both so different. I think that is what makes them so good together. The listeners will be taken on a journey through tears and laughter. 
How did you get into opera?
I grew up in a musical family and played the violin for quite a few years. I’ve always loved being on stage and when I saw my first opera at the age of 17 I knew that was what I wanted to do.
What have you enjoyed the most during your experience at VAM?
I love the close relationships that I have with my teachers and peers. Everyone is so supportive and has greatly contributed to my growth as a musician and as a person. 

Finally, any last words?

This has been such a wonderful experience for me as this is my first major role. I am so grateful for everyone that I have been able to work with and it’s going to be a really good show. Please come share in this beautiful music and wonderful experience. 

Melissa Bideau

Melissa Bideau

2014 Kay Meek Competition Results

On Friday, June 6th, we had 6 young musicians compete for the chance to perform as a soloist with VAMSO for the 2015 Showcase Concert. Many thanks to our adjudicator, Kemuel Wong!

Kay Meek Winner – Grace Sohn, cello
Eva Bene Scholarship – Saul Domingos-Morales, guitar
Alice Diane Bray Memorial Scholarship – Katrina Goh, soprano
Dr. Alex Drennan Scholarship – Sharon Xiao Han Yang, piano
Beckie McDonald Stewart Scholarship – Sa Rang (Diana) Kim, violin
Provincial Chapter, IODE Scholarship – Tian Fei, piano

Congratulations to Grace Sohn, who will perform in May 2015! Congratulations to all our finalists, and to those who participated in preliminaries!