Meet Our Board of Directors

I hope you all came through the recent windstorms unscathed, and that your power (if it was out) is now back on! We noticed some flickering lights during Friday’s AGM and recital but thankfully it didn’t stop the proceedings. Speaking of the AGM, allow me to introduce our Board of Directors:

President: Gert van der Walt
Vice President: Sarah Hollett
Secretary: Lela Zimmer
Past President: Kim Menounos
Director: Randy Roy
Director: Lisa Baker

We want to thank Kim Menounos for her many years of service to the Conservatory, both as a board member and as our president since 2021. We are very grateful that she has agreed to stay on the board as past president!

Interested in helping shape the Conservatory’s future? We are always happy to hear from community members who would like to get involved!

Investing in the Conservatory’s Future!

And speaking of the Conservatory’s future, we are delighted to announce the extraordinary gift of $87,000 from Kasper Walraven. This remarkable gift is an investment in the Conservatory’s future. The funds will be set aside to strengthen our long-term financial stability, helping ensure that we can continue serving students and families in our region for years to come.

We are deeply grateful to Kasper for his generosity and for the confidence he has shown in the Conservatory and the work we do.

While this gift is a tremendous boost to our long-term stability, our annual fundraising remains as important as ever. Each year, we rely on the generosity of our community to fund bursaries for students who need financial assistance and scholarships that recognize musical achievement and support for our day-to-day operations.

With Giving Tuesday coming up on December 1, we invite you to help make music education accessible and rewarding for students throughout our region. Whether you choose to support our bursary fund, scholarship fund, or general operations, your gift makes a big difference!

’Tis the season of many concerts!

And now, on to the music! We have a wonderful lineup of concerts coming up, featuring Conservatory faculty, students, and some fantastic community collaborations.

Nov. 15 at 3pm Reflections in Sound — our first faculty chamber concert of the season, focusing on classical minimalism and featuring works by Erik Satie, Philip Glass, Hans Zimmer and Ludovico Einaudi.

Nov. 21 at 7:30pm You’ll be able to spot five Conservatory teachers at the next PGSO main stage concert: Roots Beneath 

Dec. 5 at 2pm and 7pm The PG Symphony Youth Orchestra returns with another Celtic Christmas extravaganza. The concert will include Tapestry Singers, Nechako Fiddlers, Twasome Highland Dancers and other special musical guests. The afternoon show is already sold out and there are very few tickets left for the evening concert! Grab them before they're gone!

Dec. 18-20 Spot several of the Conservatory’s teachers on stage and in the pit as part of the PGSO and Judy Russell’s production of Elf: The Musical. 

Dec. 20 A Winter's Eve' returns with songs and poems celebrating Christmas. Join Shoshanna Godber, harp, Dave Godber, guitar, Raghu Lokanathan, accordion and Jody Newham, narrator for familiar favourites alongside lesser-known gems—from medieval English carols to Scottish fiddle tunes to Gordon Lightfoot. Stay for a reception after the concert and help us celebrate the release of the new Christmas album! 

Important Dates/Events for Students and Families

Nov. 11 the Conservatory will be closed to honour Remembrance Day.

Nov. 17 registration opens for the PG and District Music Festival which is celebrating its 75th anniversary this year! 

Nov. 25 Join Birgit Allgaier, creator of our student planner, for a free, informative online session on how to make the most of this valuable practice tool! Learn how to set SMART goals, track your progress, and use your planner to make your musical practice more focused, effective, and rewarding. 

Dec. 11 Winter student recitals. 5pm for all students and 7pm for adult students.

Dec. 21-Jan. 1 The Conservatory will be closed for the winter holiday.

Upcoming Programs

Nov. 25 Advanced Saxophone Quartet

Dec. 2: Preparatory/Level 1 Music Theory

Dec. 4 Sunrise 2 (for 3 and 4 year olds) with Erica Skowron 

Dec. 9/10 Winter session of Rhythm, Rhyme and Song (for children 3 and under)