Each year the VCM is pleased to welcome a number of guest teaching artists to work with our students in one or more program areas. Guest program instructors can either be an existing member of faculty teaching in another program area, or one from our ever-expanding artistic community!
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David Yates has a B.A. (2001) from The Evergreen State College, with equal time spent studying writing, theatre, music, and dance. Recently joining the Victoria Conservatory of Music, he currently gives lessons in Didgeridoo, and teaches Solo Concert Prep, Solo Concert Presentation, and the class Foundations of Stage Presence for the VCM’s Department of Postsecondary Studies, VCM/Camosun Diploma in Music Performance. David has performed as a dancer with the Vancouver Opera, has danced and choreographed for film, and spent several years performing in local theatre shows with the Dusty Flowerpot Cabaret, among others. He has worked in elementary and middle […]
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Recently awarded the designation of “Professor Emeritus of Piano and Music” at Ambrose University in Calgary, Edwin Gnandt has relocated to the beautiful city of Victoria. As of September 2021, he will join the music faculty at the Victoria Conservatory of Music. He continues to enjoy a collaborative career in music as pianist, accompanist, author, adjudicator, competition juror, workshop clinician and international speaker. He adjudicates festivals across Canada and recently as a juror for the Canadian Music Competition (CMC), the National Stepping Stone Competition, the Bosendorfer (BC) Piano Competition and the Steinway Junior Competition. In 2022, Mr. Gnandt will be […]
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Dr. Elizabeth MacIsaac has directed choirs of all ages in Canada, France and the United States. A profound believer in life-long learning and always honing her craft, Elizabeth seeks to generate creative musical engagement along the joyful path of collective singing. In making music a cornerstone in education and a lifelong activity, Elizabeth has received grants for choral outreach to school music classes in the Greater Victoria area, to commission many Canadian choral works and to found a conducting training apprenticeship for aspiring young choral conductors. Elizabeth maintains a dynamic double career as both singer and conductor. She lived in […]
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Dr. Alexander Richards is an active pedagogue and performing artist, having appeared in concert in Canada, the United States and Europe. As a concert saxophonist, Alexander has been a featured soloist with ensembles at the University of Victoria Wind Symphony (2011), the University of Minnesota Wind Ensemble (2013), and at the University of North Texas. In addition, Alexander has presented recitals, in both solo and chamber music capacities, at many prestigious festivals and conferences, including the Darmstadt International Musikinstitut, the Texas Music Educators Association conference, and many North American Saxophone Association conferences. As a both a performer and pedagogue, Alexander […]
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Stevan Paranosic is the Principal Trumpet of the Vancouver Island Symphony. Previously he performed as Acting 2nd Trumpet with the Victoria Symphony for 7 seasons and has appeared with trumpet sections of the Vancouver, Kamloops, Prince George, and Okanagan Symphony orchestras. He holds a Bachelor of Music degree from the University of Windsor and a Masters degree from the University of British Columbia. A big fan of brass chamber music performance, Stevan is active as a member, arranger and organizer of many brass groups. He is a core member of the Festive Brass quartet, which performs at The Butchart Gardens […]
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Jany Lu is a keyboard faculty member at the Victoria Conservatory of Music, and she enjoys working with the next generation of musicians to enrich their musical life. While in Toronto, ON, she studied various curriculums and piano methods including Yamaha, Alexander Technique, and workshops with the Alan Fraser Piano Institute. She taught for three music schools including the University of Toronto Piano Pedagogy Program. There she taught group and private lessons using curriculum that she carefully designed. Jany is a Yamaha Certified teacher and has taught group lessons for young children from the age of three to five at a Yamaha School.
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Gina Johnson provides a safe, supportive, and fun environment with a balanced approach to learning. Depending on the age and needs of the student, a lesson usually will include lots of movement, creative learning ideas, and singing together. She focuses on helping her students learn to sing healthfully and learn basic music theory. She is also a Linguistics student, and finds that to come in handy when explaining the body mechanics behind talking and singing. Gina is prepared to help students through these complexities! She has prepared numerous young students for VCM Song Competitions and would be glad to help any student prepare for RCM exams […]
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Jennifer Turner is a classically trained soprano with a diverse repertoire that ranges from Baroque, Classical, and Romantic through to avant-garde and Musical Theatre. She earned her M. Mus from the University of Manitoba under the tutelage of Tracy Dahl as well as a Diploma in Music and AVCM in Vocal Pedagogy from the Victoria Conservatory of Music, where she studied with Ingrid Attrot and Nancy Argenta. As a voice teacher, Jennifer welcomes students of all levels, ages, and abilities to explore singing in a safe and supportive environment. Students will be encouraged to discover their unique sound and full […]
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Emily Mahbobi is pianist, composer, photographer, and music teacher, born and raised in Victoria, BC. In 2018, Emily became a member of the keyboard faculty at the Victoria Conservatory of Music, where she offers private lessons to piano students of all ages. In addition to her love of classical music, Emily has a passion for music technology, and during her undergrad, learned to play UVic’s famous Buchla synthesizer. In 2020, she became part owner of local music studio Quadratic Sound.
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