On May 24, we celebrate the birthday of Mrs. Alix Goolden — a key figure in the founding of the Victoria Conservatory of Music and one of the most enduring champions of musical education and performance in British Columbia.
Born in 1897, Anne Alexandrina “Alix” Goolden was a woman of vision, compassion, and conviction. A dedicated philanthropist, she believed wholeheartedly in the power of music to enrich lives and strengthen communities. Her involvement in the Conservatory’s founding in 1964 helped establish what would grow into one of Canada’s most respected music schools — a place where learners of all ages and abilities could find their musical home.
Mrs. Goolden was known not just for her support of the arts, but for her hands-on involvement in shaping the Conservatory’s mission and values as our first honorary president of the Board of Directors. Her dedication laid the groundwork for an inclusive, student-centered approach to music education that still defines us today.
In 1997, when the Conservatory expanded into the heritage building — the former Metropolitan United Church — the stunning concert hall was renamed the Alix Goolden Performance Hall in her honour. With its soaring ceilings, gothic windows, and breathtaking acoustics, the Hall stands as a lasting tribute to her belief that music deserves a beautiful space in which to be heard and celebrated.
Today, thousands of students and audience members walk through the doors of Alix Goolden Performance Hall each year. Every note played and every voice lifted is a continuation of the legacy Mrs. Goolden helped create.
Happy birthday, Mrs. Goolden — thank you for helping make music live here.
