Sessions & Speakers

Teaching in Small Rural Communities; Challenges and Rewards for Teachers

Saturday 9:30-10:00

Living and studying music in Germany did not prepare me to teach in a small community in British Columbia. When my husband accepted a job in Williams Lake, it felt like professional suicide. However, my eager students taught me about their own musical journeys. I encountered indigenous music, country, heavy metal, worship music, and the usual fare of RCM and CCM programs. I learned new skills, teaching methods, and online teaching before online teaching was a thing. Despite small-town challenges, my students excelled. I offered private lessons, group sessions, choirs, workshops, and performance coaching, including professionals who wanted to speak more clearly, feel more comfortable in front of a crowd and learn how to use microphones. As the only voice teacher in the area for over 15 years, I saw many students succeed in competitions and auditions. I believe I gained more in this environment than if I had stayed in Vancouver. Despite disliking the northern climate, I loved the people and the diverse musical experiences. My move to Vernon was a 'retirement' move for my husband. Once again, new place, new experiences and the music goes on.
I will share some of the things that worked and didn't work to encourage others to not be afraid to make the move when offered to do so.

Angela Sommer - Angelkeys Music Studio - Vernon BC

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

Student-Led Learning for Success in the Studio

Saturday 10:00-10:30

Supporting Student-Led Learning in the voice studio gives singers agency over WHAT they want to say and HOW they want to say it. This presentation encourages teachers as they guide students through their unique (and often messy!) learning journeys so that they can define what success means to them and express themselves no matter where they are in their learning process.

Robyn Driedger-Klassen - Vancouver Academy of Music, Robyn D Klassen Voice Studio - Vancouver BC

Robyn Driedger-Klassen has been seen on many recital, concert and opera stages. Known particularly for her zeal for new music, she performs and premieres many works by contemporary composers. Under the Turning Point Ensemble Orchestra, she is a director of Defining Voices, a training program for composers learning to write for voice and small ensemble. She also directs Opera Sparks, an audition prep program for young professional singers. Robyn is the Voice Department Head at the Vancouver Academy of Music where she teaches in their college program. She is the voice teacher for Chor Leoni and also owns and operates Robyn D Klassen Voice Studio, through which she gains immense satisfaction and joy working with advanced students of classical voice. She is always ready to give unsolicited reading recommendations, and is passionate about gardening. She lives with her husband and two young vocal critics and is an expert at avoiding Lego underfoot. www.robynklassenvoice.com

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, Canadian College of Performing Arts - Victoria BC

Yanik is a graduate from the University of Montreal (B.Mus-Voice Performance), the Canadian College of Performing Arts and the Chemainus Theatre Acting Internship Program.
As vocal coach, music director and accompanist, he participated in tours and music festivals across Canada and Europe.
Performing and directing credits include performances with Victoria Operatic Society (A Chorus Line), Theatre North West (Dancock’s Dance, Portia White, All Shook Up), Chemainus Theatre (Hello, Dolly!, Sherlock Holmes, Little House On The Prairie), Langham Court Theatre (Jacques Brel, 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee), Belfry Theatre (Urinetown), Pacific Opera Victoria (La Traviata), Butchart Gardens (Showtime!, Love Matters) and Kaleidoscope Theatre (Little Shop Of Horrors, Aladdin, The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe).
He also directed for companies in Montreal (Broadway II) and Toronto (Bye Bye Birdie, Seussical), and has been artistic director for Pacifique en Chanson in Vancouver for the past eleven years.
He is Governor for the Northwestern Region of NATS, Associate of Trinity College London-UK, holds certification in Somatic Voicework™-The LoVetri Method and attended the CCM Vocal Pedagogy Institute at Shenandoah University.
On top of coaching graduating students at the Canadian College of Performing Arts and teaching the Teen Ensemble at VOS Musical Theatre, Yanik keeps busy at his own studio, Yanik Giroux Performing Arts Studio, specializing in Musical Theatre & Contemporary Commercial Music. 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

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; a Trilogy of Choral & Instrumental Pieces

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

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

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

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 Bites

Saturday 16:00-16:45

Anne of Green Gables? For sure, that's Canadian. But we have so much more than that! Repertoire exploration session for a quick overview of some well known (and less known!) Canadian musical theatre repertoire and composers.

Yanik Giroux - Yanik Giroux Performing Arts Studio, Canadian College of Performing Arts - Victoria BC

Learning the Canadian Way, eh?
(Lightning Sessions)

Saturday 16:45-17:15

These quick 10-minute Lightning Sessions will offer an overview of some Canadian institutions and programs available to all voice students looking for further training in voice, theatre and the performing arts.

RCM Syllabus with Angela Sommer
Capilano University Programs with Billy Gollner
Open Discussion on other programs available in & around BC

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

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.

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

Sunday 9:45-10:30

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

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

Is My Voice Baroken?

Sunday 10:30-11:00

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 - AD Music - Victoria BC

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

Mic'd Up Ready; a Mic Technique Short

Sunday 11:15-11:45

Having to sing with a mic can be a scary thought for some students (and some teachers too!). In this short session, we'll do a quick overview of the types of mics available to CCM singers, how to hold and handle them, and how they can help in sound production appropriate to each style and genre of singing.

Kim Greenwood - Vivid Voice Studio - Victoria BC

Kim Greenwood is a multi-faceted artist and educator whose work spans genres from jazz to classical. An actor at heart, her story telling shines through in her performances while her warm, smooth vocals evoke images of singers from bygone eras.
Kim’s passion for performing and educating have always gone hand in hand, each influencing and informing the other. She opened her private studio, Vivid Voice, in 2000, was on faculty at The Canadian College of Performing Arts from 2012 to 2021 and she was also a lead instructor for the online voice teaching platform Singdaptive from 2020 to 2022.
As a highly respected educator, Kim has been on the faculties of numerous programs including the VCM’s Summer Intensive Program, the U-JAM’s Summer Camp, and the BC Vocalist Society’s program. Kim finds great joy in teaching all levels of singers, and she has taught professional singers from around the world including Broadway. Her professional affiliations include The Somatic Voicework(tm) Teachers’ Association (SVTA), the National Association of Teachers of Singing (NATS) and the Pan American Vocology Association (PAVA). www.kimgreenwood.ca

Pop & Rock Your Style!
(CCM Masterclass)

Sunday 11:45-12:45

Sing in style, YOUR style! This masterclass will help students shine through their uniqueness and individuality, belt it out and develop confidence through vocal technique tips and exercises appropriate to their chosen style of contemporary music.
This session will begin with a 15-minute presentation on the use and application of Somatic VoiceWork(™) The LoVetri Method principles, followed by students presenting a song of their choice in any CCM style.

Billy Gollner - BG Vocals, Capilano University - Vancouver BC

Billy Gollner is a singer, actor, musician, and internationally recognized voice teacher based in Vancouver, Canada. He teaches singing, acting, movement, and VoiceOver at Capilano University’s Department of Theatre, where he works in both the Musical Theatre and Acting for Stage & Screen programs. Billy also runs a thriving private voice studio (BGvocals.com) and teaches students around the world, including Grammy and Juno Award winners, Broadway and West End performers, emerging artists, and collaborates with SLPs and ENTs to restore injured voices.
Billy is a faculty member for The LoVetri Institute for Somatic Voicework™ and contributed to The Vocal Athlete: Application & Technique for the Hybrid Singer (2nd & 3rd eds). Billy holds degrees from the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland (Master's in Musical Theatre Performance), Vancouver Community College (Bachelor's of Music in Voice), and Simon Fraser University. A soaring tenor, his diverse performance background spans from pop/rock to opera, from musical theatre to gospel -- you name it, he's probably sung it! www.bgvocals.com

Teaching in Small Rural Communities; Challenges and Rewards for Teachers

Student-Led Learning for Success in the Studio​

Social Engagement & the Vagus; at the Heart​of the Art

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

Lost Echoes of Hope; a Trilogy of Choral & Instrumental Pieces

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

Lessons from 20th Century Classical Singers​

Canadian Musical theatre Repertoire Bites​

Learning the Canadian Way, eh?(Lightning Sessions)