Teaching in Small Rural Communities; Challenges and Rewards for Teachers

​Saturday 9:30-10:00
Session description to come.

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Angela Sommer - Angelkeys Music Studio - Vernon BC
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Royal Conservatory Certified Teacher,  BC Registered Music Teacher Vernon Chapter,  Conservatory Canada affiliated teacher, I have taught full time in BC and online across the world since 1988 and before that as a student and student teacher in Germany. 
I had the privilege to grow up and be able to study music through an integrated program in my high school that was similar to the ARCT program of the Royal Conservatory of Canada, as well as having the opportunity to travel and perform all over Europe as a teen and young adult. I hold a diploma of technology in Operations Management from BCIT. 
After immigrating to Canada, I started to realize how different music and arts are viewed here especially after my husband accepted a job in Williams Lake, in a rural area, in 1993.  The experience was very different from my own upbringing but was a rewarding and exciting journey with the students I was able to work with.   My approach to teaching, repertoire, performance changed in many different ways and I found myself using technology a long time before anyone else did because of the immense distances that people in rural areas have to cover.  ​www.angelkeys.ca 

Alexander Technique

​Saturday 10:00-10:30
Singing and making art together is good for us, but why exactly? Thanks to the work of the likes of Dr. Stephen W. Porges and his Polyvagal Theory, we ca
Yanik Giroux - Yanik Giroux Performing Arts Studio - Victoria BC
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Quebecois “pure laine”, Yanik is a voice coach, accompanist and music director living in Victoria, British Columb

Social Engagement & The Vagus at the Heart of the Art

​Saturday 10:45-11:15
Singing and making art together is good for us, but why exactly? Thanks to the work of the likes of Dr. Stephen W. Porges and his Polyvagal Theory, we can now look into somatic explanations as to why making music feels so good and find ways to further contribute to this wellbeing. From the concept of co-regulation, to the understanding of “neuroception” and the creation of safe work and study spaces, being able to meet the students where they are and adapt to their needs is an important pedagogical asset; even more so following a pandemic that has challenged our autonomic nervous systems and disturbed our sense of safety and belonging, bringing in a wave of anxiety for some students, and affecting commitment and participation with our theatre audiences. It's within that framework that we can look into the integration of healthy concepts and practices into our work in order to build and keep our creative community active and engaged.
Yanik Giroux - Yanik Giroux Performing Arts Studio - Victoria BC
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Quebecois “pure laine”, Yanik is a voice coach, accompanist and music director living in Victoria, British Columbia. A graduate from the University of Montreal (Voice Performance), the Canadian College of Performing Arts and the Chemainus Theatre Acting Internship, he is a Musical Theatre and Contemporary Commercial Music specialist; he is Artistic Director for Pacifique en Chanson, an artistic residency for francophone singer-songwriters in Vancouver.
Yanik is Governor for the NATS Northwestern Region, Associate of Trinity College London-UK, attended the CCM Vocal Pedagogy Institute at Shenandoah University, Virginia and holds certification in Somatic Voicework™-The LoVetri Method.          www.yanikgiroux.com

Thinking in Pictures, Talking in Weaves; Learning Styles of Neurodivergent Students

​Saturday 11:15-11:45
Neurodivergent (ADHD, autistic, anxiety disorder, gifted intellectually) students can be creative, musical, eager to learn --- and challenging to teach. This presentation will discuss the learning styles and interaction modes of ND students, offering strategies for teachers in both individual lessons and group activities.
Nancy Curry,PhD, M.M. - Victoria Conservatory of Music, Canadian College of Performing Arts - Victoria BC
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Nancy Curry has been teaching neurodivergent students for over 25 years, from preschool to adult, in a variety of situations from individual music lessons to summer arts camps to postsecondary music and theatre departments. A professional vocal coach/pianist, she has toured with outreach programs of Edmonton Opera, Nevada Opera, and San Diego Opera, and taught at six postsecondary institutions, including over fifteen years at the University of Northern Colorado's Summer Enrichment Program for gifted and twice-exceptional youth. Dr. Curry holds a M.M. in vocal coaching and collaborative piano from the University of Southern California and a PhD. in applied theatre and drama education from the University of Victoria with a research focus on drama education with autistic individuals. Her PhD dissertation, an ethnographic study of autistic adults exploring a story-theatre curriculum, received the Distinguished Dissertation Award from the American Association of Theatre and Education.

Lost Echoes of Hope

​Saturday 11:45-12:30
The trilogy of choral/instrumental pieces uses music to educate students and deepen their awareness of antisemitism/hate that occurred during the holocaust. Students will connect with history as they learn the lyrics and melodies while developing their vocal skills and artistic expression. Beyond being an educational tool, this music fosters remembrance, emotional connection, empathy, and a meaningful performance experience that resonates far beyond the classroom. Victims and survivors of the holocaust are honoured and commemorated in a sensitive way through music and the performing arts.
Christie Morrison - Victoria BC
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Christie holds an ARCT / BMUS degree in voice performance and has been a teacher for over four decades. As a member of The National Association of Teachers of Singing, Christie has adjudicated extensively throughout both the United States and Canada, contributing her expertise to the development of young vocalists across North America. Christie is a renowned composer and her musical compositions have garnered numerous first-place awards across Canada, highlighting her exceptional talent and dedication to the arts.
​Among these accolades, she is particularly proud of her holocaust composition” Lost Nursery Rhymes of Innocent Children.” Notably, Ingleside Middle School in Phoenix AZ. has become the first to incorporate her trilogy and its accompanying lesson plans into its curriculum, utilizing the performing arts to educate students about antisemitism and the Holocaust.
Christie Morrison Educator (A.R.C.T / BMUS Voice Performance) Composer (A.C.W.C.) Adjudicator (N.A.T.S)

The Singer-Actor: Intention and Expression
(Classical & Musical Theatre Masterclass)

​Saturday 14:00-15:00
Because singing requires such a vast amount of technical knowledge and concentration, many singers regard acting as an afterthought: gesturing and indicating, instead of experiencing. Rather than focusing on externals, we will identify the problem the character is trying to work out within the aria or song. In every dramatic situation, a character must have a goal or objective; we are always trying to get something, either from someone else — or ourselves. The presentation will begin with an introduction to the basic concepts of an inner-focused acting technique. Then, each person will be asked to sing. After a first run-through of their aria or song, we will analyze their character's dramatic situation and explore options for them to incorporate as they sing again.
Debra Wiley-Hart - Pro Singer/Actor - Victoria BC, New York City NY
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Debra Wiley is a singing voice specialist and an internationally acclaimed acting teacher, performance coach, and stage director. She specializes in helping the performer integrate singing and acting. (M.A., New York University, in both Acting and Vocal Performance). Debra has taught and directed performers in the U.S. at institutions that include The Juilliard School, Manhattan School of Music, Mannes College of Music, New York University, Marymount Manhattan College, Harlem School of the Arts, Henry Street Settlement, the John J. Cali School of Music at Montclair State University, and the Lee Strasberg Theater and Film Institute (20 years). She has directed plays and numerous classical recitals with groups and individual performers. Master classes, seminars and residencies include: Operafest, Songfest, the Danish State Theater School, the Danish Actors Union, Screen Actors Guild Conservatory, American Federation of Television and Radio (AFTRA@Work Program), Chamber Music America, NYU Steinhardt, the Mannes College of Music and Disney Theatrical Productions.    www.debrawiley.net

Lessons from 20th Century Classical Singers

​Saturday 15:00-15:45
Examining the belief structures and artistic expression of pivotal 20th century classical singers in North America, this presentation will take participants on a brief historical journey through arts institutions, socio-economic realities, aesthetic tastes, and personalities gleaned from biographical research and personal interviews. Internal and external factors impacting career decision-making and artistic process will be identified in terms of self-determination theory (Ryan and Deci, 2000) to inform vocal pedagogy and career trajectory. Possibilities for applying key ideas to the present time in one's own teaching and career will be discussed.
Angelina Van Dyke - Angel Music Studios - Vancouver BC
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 Lyric soprano Angelina Van Dyke has released two recordings in sacred classical and operatic music with accompanist and baritone Eric Hominick. With an MA in Vocal Pedagogy from the Voice Study Centre at the University of Wales, she trains singers and pianists at her own Angel Music Studios, serves as NATS Vancouver Chapter's secretary, and manages performing engagements with a classical ensemble called Augmented Five. She is also an applied linguist, having taught English for Academic Purposes to foreign students at Simon Fraser University and published research in the areas of oral interlanguage pragmatics (appropriate language use in context for second language learners), education, and teacher cognition.          www.angelmusicstudios.com

Canadian Musical theatre Repertoire Exploration

​Saturday 16:00-16:45
Singing and making art together is good for us, but why exactly? Thanks to the work of the likes of Dr. Stephen W. Porges and his Polyvagal Theory, we can now loo
Yanik Giroux - Yanik Giroux Performing Arts Studio - Victoria BC
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Quebecois “pure laine”, Yanik is a voice coach, accompanist and music director living in Victoria, British Columbia. A graduate from the University of Montreal (Voice Performance), the Canadian College of Performing Arts and the Chemainus Theatre Acting Internship, he is a Musical Theatre and Contemporary Commercial Music specialist; he is Artistic Director for Pacifique en Chanson, an artistic residency for francophone singer-songwriters in Vancouver.
Yanik is Governor for the NATS Northwestern Region, Associate of Trinity College London-UK, attended the CCM Vocal Pedagogy Institute at Shenandoah University, Virginia and holds certification in Somatic Voicework™-The LoVetri Method.          www.yanikgiroux.com

Learning, eh? Lightning Sesssions

​Saturday 16:45-17:15
Singing and making art together is good for us, but why exactly? Thanks to the work of the likes of Dr. Stephen W. Porges and his Polyvagal Theory, we can now loo
Yanik Giroux - Yanik Giroux Performing Arts Studio - Victoria BC
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Quebecois “pure laine”, Yanik is a voice coach, accompanist and music director living in Victoria, British Co

Exploring the Plangere Editions Canadian Art Song Catalogue

​Saturday 17:15-18:00
Did you know that Northwest NATS has access to a free online database of art songs by Canadian composers? In collaboration with Plangere Editions, NATS Vancouver Chapter is pleased to give our NATS friends the same access you would have to these publications as if you had purchased them for you personal use. Come and explore this valuable resource with Vancouver Chapter President, Geordie Roberts.
Geordie Roberts - Capilano University - Vancouver BC
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Geordie Roberts has enjoyed pursuing his musical dreams in beautiful Vancouver BC since1981, attending the School of Music UBC, singing with the Vancouver Chamber Choir, teaching voice at Capilano University providing music leadership at Highlands United Church. He has been NATS Vancouver president for a long long time. 

Wellness for Teachers
Special Guest: Daniela Cubelic from Silk Road Tea.

​Sunday 9:00-9:45
Have you ever been unsure of what a specific ornament is let alone how to sing it? This presentation will explore various different Baroque
Daniela Cubelic - Chief Tea Ambassador & Founder - Silk Road Tea, Victoria BC
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Originally from Waterloo Ontario, Adam is a singer, voice teacher and music educator living in Victoria, BC. He has perfo
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Is My Voice Baroken?
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​Sunday 9:45-10:15
Have you ever been unsure of what a specific ornament is let alone how to sing it? This presentation will explore various different Baroque Vocal Ornaments including Trills, Trillo, Mordents, Turns and Appoggiaturas. You will first learn how to recognize these different ornaments by their notation on the page as well as their musical context. With the use of demonstrations and audience participation you will then have the opportunity to sing these ornaments yourself.
Adam Dyjach - Victoria BC
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Originally from Waterloo Ontario, Adam is a singer, voice teacher and music educator living in Victoria, BC. He has performed as Tenor soloist with various groups on Vancouver Island and the mainland including the Vancouver Island Symphony, Victoria Philharmonic Choir, Chilliwack Symphony, Bach on the Rock, Pacific Baroque Festival, Sooke Philharmonic Choir, Via Choralis, Malaspina Choir, North Island Choral Society, Cowichan Consort, Oceanside Concert Choir and the Handel Society of Music. Adam is the new music director at Fairfield United Church that worships at United Commons on Quadra St. He is a full time member of the Vancouver Island Chamber Choir and also sings with Vox Humana for individual concerts throughout the year. In addition to performing, Adam teaches music lessons out of his home studio AD Music and at the Taber Music School. As of this year he is also the president of the NATS Victoria Chapter.     www.adamdyjach.com

Songs of the Fjords: An Introduction to Nordic Art Song Repertoire & Languages

​Sunday 10:15-11:00
Join Norwegian-Canadian diction coach and singer Kiiri Michelsen for an interactive exploration of the enchanting art song repertoire of Norway, Sweden, Denmark, and Finland. From hearing art song examples to discussing both well-known and lesser-known Nordic composers, this presentation is an invaluable gateway for teachers who would like to further explore this rich and under-performed repertoire. Active language work and discussion will give participants a window into the accessibility of the Nordic languages, and resources for scores, lyric diction, and coaching will be shared. Discover the delights of Nordic song with a coach and performer specializing in this lovely repertoire!
Kiiri Michelsen - Victoria Conservatory of Music/Camosun College, CCPA - Victoria BC
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Mezzo-soprano and diction coach Kiiri Michelsen performs and coaches repertoire in 13 languages, and her passion for languages and exacting attention to detail keep her coachings in demand both locally and internationally. Throughout her career, Kiiri has been devoted to introducing singers and audiences to the Nordic art song repertoire, and has been performing and coaching repertoire from Norway, Sweden, Denmark, and Finland for over 20 years. She has received both grants and scholarships in support of her Scandinavian language and lyric diction research/studies, and is presently engaged in a writing project relating to lyric diction in these languages. Her unique blend of skills as singer, voice teacher, diction instructor/researcher, and diction coach have enabled her to develop a highly specialized and effective method of coaching which yields high-level results in singers of all levels. She is on faculty (voice/lyric diction) at both the Victoria Conservatory of Music/Camosun College and the Canadian College of Performing Arts, and maintains an online diction coaching studio for singers, conductors, voice instructors, and vocal coaches internationally.       www.kiirimichelsen.ca

Rock Your Style!
(CCM Masterclass)

​Saturday 11:15-12:15
Singing and making art together is good for us, but why exactly? Thanks to the work of the likes of Dr. Stephen W. Porges and his Polyvagal Theory, we can now loo
Yanik Giroux - Yanik Giroux Performing Arts Studio - Victoria BC
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Quebecois “pure laine”, Yanik is a voice coach, accompanist and music director living in Victoria, British Columb