The Board of Governors of the Victoria Conservatory of Music is pleased to announce the appointment of four new members: Amanda Wilson, Erica Mattson, and Neil Barman were elected to the Board at the society’s recent annual general meeting; and Conservatory employee Jeremie Grandbois has been acclaimed as the non-voting staff representative to the Board for 2024.
The Board also elected its executive leadership team for the coming year: Shelley Williams moves from Vice Chair to becoming the 19th Chair of the Victoria Conservatory of Music (the first being Mrs. Alix Goolden), Michael McEvoy becomes Vice-Chair, Brock Campbell becomes Secretary, and Alison McCluskey returns as Treasurer.
The Victoria Conservatory salutes outgoing Chair, Shannon von Kaldenberg at the conclusion of an historic period of growth and change for the institution, which turns 60 this year. During Shannon’s time on the Board, the Conservatory launched the Chwyl Family School of Contemporary Music and the School of Music Technology and Creativity, while also opening a second location with seven music studios in fast-growing Langford, in partnership with the YMCA and the Greater Victoria Public Library.
Notable changes to our Executive Committee
Shelley Williams, Chair
Shelley Williams is a retired lawyer and advancement professional. After practicing law for 17 years she retired to raise her family, returning to work in in the advancement department of an independent school in West Vancouver. Before moving to Victoria, Shelley sat on the boards of the Lions Gate Hospital Foundation, BC Diving, North Shore Dolphins Dive Club and Collingwood School, and was a volunteer with numerous charities. She brings to the VCM over 30 years of experience in not for profit fundraising campaigns and events, alumni relations, and communications and marketing. A life-long music lover, she studied piano and violin for many years and played in a university orchestra.
Michael McEvoy, Vice Chair
Michael McEvoy was appointed Information and Privacy Commissioner for BC on March 5, 2018. He previously held the position of Deputy Commissioner to the Office of the Information and Privacy Commissioner. As Deputy Commissioner, Mr. McEvoy played a key senior leadership role in the enforcement of the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act (FIPPA) and the Personal Information Protection Act (PIPA). He was responsible for leading and managing systemic investigations of significant public interest issues, and the development of policy papers and guidance for organizations and public bodies. Mr. McEvoy led British Columbia’s efforts to coordinate actions with regulatory authorities throughout the Asia Pacific region. Mr. McEvoy obtained a Juris Doctorate from the University of Manitoba in 1985 and a Bachelor of Arts in 1980 from the University of Winnipeg. He has been a member of the Law Society of British Columbia since 1986. Mr. McEvoy was a public school trustee for 12 years, including two terms as President of the British Columbia School Trustees’ Association and one term as President of the Canadian School Boards’ Association. He has also served on numerous campaign committees of the Greater Victoria United Way, chairing its 2009 campaign. Mr. McEvoy is married with two grown daughters. He prides himself as a charter member and elite player with the Victoria Grey Leafs’ old-timer hockey team.
Brock Campbell, Secretary
Brock is a Partner at The Graphite Group, Chartered Professional Accountants. With over 15 years of experience in public accounting, he focuses on tax preparation and planning for individuals, estates and corporations in addition to assurance services and financial statement preparation. A native of Edmonton, Alberta, he was a professional classical musician holding Principal Tuba positions with the Victoria Symphony Orchestra, New Mexico Symphony (USA) and the National Youth Orchestra of Canada. An advocate of life-long education, he has degrees in music from the University of British Columbia (BMus) and the University of Alberta (MMus) as well as business certificates from Camosun College and the University of Victoria. He was an instructor of accounting at Camosun College and taxation technical reviewer for pre-certification programs at the Chartered Professional Accountants of Canada. In his spare time he enjoys golf, poker, home improvement projects and holds a Private Pilot License – Areoplane with a Night Rating.
New members to our Board of Governors
Neil Barman
Neil Barman is an architect in Victoria, BC Canada who originally moved to the city from Montreal approximately 35 years ago. He has worked with a number of architecture firms in Victoria and is now an industry product specialist with Vectorworks, Inc. a company that creates design software for architects, landscape architects, interior designers, and entertainment designers. In his role at Vectorworks he thoughtfully creates a variety of marketing resources to foster brand awareness, produces thought leadership material, guides customers towards the most effective use of Vectorworks software, as well as assists with the development of the software. His professional areas of interest are energy analysis, future-conscious building practices, project collaboration, and presentation methods. He is also a co-designer of Victoria’s first LEED Platinum home, located at Harling Point. En route to practicing architecture he completed degrees in Environmental Studies and Architecture (Waterloo) and Visual Arts (UVic). He has always been interested in the arts and their connections to communities and has previously served on the Board of Intrepid Theatre.
Erica Mattson
Erica Mattson (she/her) has 20+ years of experience helping governments, cultural institutions, non-profits, funders, philanthropists and purpose-driven organizations create transformative change for the people and communities they serve.She brings 20 years of experience in strategic marketing and communications, fundraising, major events and campaigns and non-profit leadership and governance to the Conservatory, along with a deep appreciation for the power of music and the arts to transform the lives of individuals and communities.Erica is a practicing visual artist, a lifelong music enthusiast and a parent of two school-aged kids. She runs an independent creative consultancy, serving as a strategic advisor and coach to leaders in the social impact and cultural sectors locally and nationally, as well as co-producing innovative research, systems change and sector development projects in collaboration with a network of artistic, academic and institutional partners.
Amanda Wilson
Amanda’s varied career has encompassed public relations, communications and marketing for arts organizations on Vancouver Island and Toronto as well as businesses of all shapes and sizes. Through her work in local media and as the co-owner of Spark Strategic Group, she has become well known and connected within both the non-profit and business community in Victoria. Amanda is well versed in crafting engaging campaigns that drive revenue and awareness for brands and a big believer in authentic, honest strategies fueled by the selective and appropriate use of marketing tools.
Jeremie Grandbois, Staff Representative (non-voting)
Jeremie has 20+ years of experience in the music industry as a performing artist and has been an arts administrator at the VCM since 2018. His work helped guide the VCM through the pandemic to receive the 2021 Lieutenant Governor of BC Award for exceptional leadership, community engagement and commitment to mentoring others. He has been the VCM’s Facilities Booking Coordinator, Administrative Assistant and Volunteer Coordinator for over 5 years but will be transitioning to a new role as Development Coordinator, Special Events and Sponsorship, in February 2024.Jeremie holds a Bachelor of Arts, Combined Honours in Law and Philosophy, from Carleton University. He explored the relationship between law and technology, focusing on issues such as technological neutrality and digital liberty, and is currently completing Carleton University’s Master of Philanthropy and Nonprofit Leadership (MPNL) program, the only one of its kind in Canada. Born in South Korea but raised in Ottawa, Jeremie relocated to Victoria to further pursue a sustainable career in the arts and music. He has been playing guitar for over 20 years and has also lived in France and New Zealand. When he isn’t playing guitar or studying at the library, he is usually discussing paleontology and dinosaurs with his Albertan wife.
