We began the year with a fresh start — quite literally — in our newly renovated space! Thanks to support from the Northern Development Initiative Trust, our students and families now enjoy a more welcoming waiting area, an updated office, and a beautiful new teaching studio.

Our musical family grew with the addition of two talented educators: voice teacher Danielle Klaponski and violin teacher Maggie Corbett. Their energy and passion have already made a big impact in the studio.

Maggie Corbett leading an activity at one of this year's music parties

More than 300 students joined us for private and group lessons this year — from tiny beginners to enthusiastic adults in our brand-new group guitar classes. With help from the BC Arts Council and the City of Prince George, we were able to keep lessons accessible. Generous private donors contributed over $5,000 to our bursary fund, helping make lessons possible for 10 families facing financial barriers. They also funded $2,550 in scholarships through our annual Scholarship Competition, recognizing some of our most dedicated young musicians.

This year’s Level 6–9 Scholarship winner, Larkin Imbao, with scholarship competition adjudicator Ken Hall.

In the words of one of our bursary recipients:

“I am a single mom to my son, and these funds have lightened my financial burden so I was able to spend most of my income for our basic needs and for my mom who has medication to maintain her health. The fund has been a huge help not just to me but to our whole family and to my twin sister helping us out financially as well. I am grateful that despite these obstacles, I am still able to send my son to music school so he can continue his journey in being a great musician and for his love for music. I hope one day I will be able to help students achieve goals just as you have helped us.”

Allison Bell, Maggie Corbett, Kayleigh Francis and Shoshanna Godber performing at one of this year's Faculty Chamber Concerts

Thanks to continued support from the City of PG and donors like you, we shared music beyond our walls — bringing performances to care homes, schools, and the wider community. We also ran a music class at Nusdeh Yoh elementary school, helping children explore creativity and connection through music. One audience member shared this about our faculty concerts:

“The Conservatory of Prince George warmly welcomed us and made us feel at home in our new city. With their public concerts—many of them free with donation—people of all income levels can attend, and we’ve enjoyed hearing young children, fine adult students, and Conservatory teachers perform. It was not only the classical music, but other genres were also welcome with the same heartfelt acceptance. I am of the opinion that the Conservatory of PG contributes positively to the identity and well-being of Prince George more than one can expect from a teaching institution.”

Sponsored by IREN, we were able to continue collaborating with the PG Symphony Orchestra on the PG Symphony Youth Orchestra program, and the group completed a successful tour including two concerts in PG and a school tour to neighbouring communities.

Our summer Orchestra North program returned bigger than ever, with over 60 students and the launch of Festival North, five evenings of live music in Prince George and a northern tour to Burns Lake, Houston, and Smithers. This was made possible by donors, grants from the City of PG, the Government of B.C., and the PG Community Foundation — and through the generosity of venue sponsors like Trinity United Church.

And last but not least: we bought a grand piano! Thanks to a $35,000 grant from the PG Community Foundation, $12,200 from PS Pianos, $2,000 sponsorships from Integris and Trinity United Church, and many generous individual gifts — including a $5,000 matching donation from Eli Klasner — we not only met but exceeded our fundraising goal. The result? A stunning new Yamaha grand piano which will soon be elevating performances in our space for our students and staff as well as many other community groups.

Thank You!

None of this would have been possible without you.

Whether you gave a donation, attended a concert, shared our programs with a friend, or simply believe in the power of music — thank you. Your support is what keeps our students learning, our teachers inspired, and our community connected through music.

We can’t wait to see what we’ll create together next.