COVER LETTER + RESUME
Through an unorthodox journey, I’ve made a vibrant life out of viola performance and musical composition. Combined with the strict classical training of three degrees, I’ve embarked upon a street-smart education of building connections, creating my own opportunities and bringing disparate entities together to facilitate more engaging and relevant projects and performances. For example, I’ve bridged the Canadian Music Centre with the Prince George Symphony and the Maritime Museum, the HR MacMillan Space Centre with the Borealis Quartet, and my own solo project with numerous small businesses across BC. In this sense, I bring a practicality and usefulness to music creation that falls outside the purview of the regular academician.
After graduation from UBC, I used street performance to build an audience, founded an award-winning rock trio (Georgia Straight Poll and Telus Storyhive Winner), developed a unique solo act with loop pedal, and established several rewarding musical collaborations. Under the public eye, I’ve risen to in-house composer for the Artists for Conservation Festival, in-house composer for Mills’ Pictures Studio, lead player of Sons of Granville, and violin and viola instructor at the World of Music and Arts school, but to name a few of my stations. I’ve gained in-depth experience working with Avid Sibelius for musical notation and composition, with Logic Pro for mixing and music programming, with Indiegogo for fundraising, and hands on experience with content creation for social media. From a classical vantage, I’ve gained significant orchestral and recitalist experience working as principal for the Prince George Symphony and the Vancouver Pops, and as a chamber musician with Vancouver Duo and the Arbutus Duo. Whether you’re looking to grow as a performer or as a composer, I hope to illuminate new paths along your journey as a musician.
EDUCATION
BMus Degree in violin and viola performance (2003 - 2006) under Farida Basharova from the South African College of Music, University of Cape Town.
BMus Honors Degree in viola performance (2007) from the South African College of Music, University of Cape Town.
MMus Degree in viola performance (2008 - 2010) under David Harding from the University of British Columbia, School of Music.
Banff Viola and Orchestra Workshop Program (2011) - Received full RBC scholarship for the Banff International Music Festival led by Curtis Institute Professor Roberto Diaz.
Hot Springs Festival (2011) - participated in a two week international viola and orchestral workshop in Hot Springs, Arkansas.
Orchestra North Academy Professional Development (2021)
Masterclasses with musical director Roxi Dykstra, chamber music workshops and recitals with young post-graduate players and a compositional assignment in collaboration with the Vancouver Maritime Museum, in Smithers BC.
Creative Writing, Canadian Literature and Canadian History at Langara (2022)
Completed three Canadian focused courses at Langara College, which granted deeper societal awareness and improved writing skills.
TEACHING EXPERIENCE
Violin / Viola Teacher at World of Music and Arts (2021 - present) Private instruction for over 30 students, ranging from beginner to RCM level 8. Each year, students perform in Summer and Winter school concerts, enroll in RCM exams and the BCCM Festival.
Violin / Viola Teacher at Ava Music School (2017 - 2021) Worked with 12 students between the ages of 6 and 16, and used the Suzuki Method and RCM for syllabus and exams. Ran violin summer camp programs and recitals throughout the summer of each year.
String Player Coach for the Vancouver Pops Symphony (2016 - 2019) Led sectionals on film and Broadway music for end-of-term concerts at the Chan Centre. Served as principal violist and admin support for the A-level symphony orchestra under musical director, Tom Kuo.
Composition Instructor at D.P Todd High School in Prince George (2019). Gave compositional classes to a class of 10 music students for a string quartet composer’s festival, sponsored by the BC Canadian Music Centre.
PRINCIPAL PLAYER ORCHESTRAL EXPERIENCE
Acting Principal Violist of the Prince George Symphony Orchestra (2016 - 2021) Promoted from sectional violist to principal within the first year of contract. Led the viola section through numerous ballet performances of the Nutcracker, Handel’s Messiah and the standard orchestral repertoire.
Principal Violist of the Vancouver Pops Symphony Orchestra (2016 - 2019) - coached and guided the viola section for pops concerts at the Chan Centre, with sectionals and regular rehearsals.
Principal Violist of the South African National Youth Symphony Orchestra (2006)
In my fourth year at UCT, I auditioned and served as principal viola for the South African Youth Orchestra that toured to Germany to perform in the International Beethoven Festival.
COMPOSER HIGHLIGHTS
Submerged (2021)
Written in collaboration with the Vancouver Maritime Museum and performed by the Orchestra North Academy ensemble. A six minute string quartet work using extended techniques and inspired by the Ben Franklin submersible.
Caulfield in the Cape Suite (2021) Commissioned and performed by the Prince George Symphony orchestra for their 2020/2021 season. Based on South African folk music and juxtaposed with J.D Salinger’s Catcher in the Rye.
Oceanus for viola and piano (2021)
Written for my own viola and piano duo, the Arbutus Duo. Premiered at the Instrumental Measures performance series.
Flux (2019)
Commissioned by the Vancouver Metropolitan Orchestra. A six minute symphonic work for the VMO opening Spring Concert of 2019. World premiere took place on April 5th at Shaughnessy Heights United Church under maestro Ken Hsieh.
St Roch Suite (2019)
Commissioned by the Regional District of Fraser and the Prince George Symphony Orchestra, in collaboration with the Vancouver Maritime Musuem. The performance included a slideshow of archival photographs, and spoken word by award-winning poet, Jude Neale. The work was premiered by the Prince George Symphony Orchestra and Nova Voce choir under maestro Michael Hall on March 9th, 2019.
Life in the Universe (2018)
Commissioned by the H.R. MacMillan Space Centre for their 50th anniversary. Performed by the Borealis String Quartet in the Star Theatre for two sold out shows. Later, recorded and released on Redshift Records.
Parade of War (2018)
Parade of War was selected as one of six pieces for the Jean Coulthard Readings by the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra and led by maestro, William Rowson and composer-in-residence, Jocelyn Morlock.
Mill’s Studios Soundtracks (2016 - present) Composed and produced over a dozen full feature soundtracks for independent filmmaker, Jason Mills. Films received widespread distribution via Vision Films, based in L.A. In-depth experience using Avid Sibelius for scoring, and Logic Pro for mixing and music programming. Some full feature soundtracks include: Big Foot Country (2018), Beyond the Line (2019), The Key to Christmas (2020), Elvis the Pig (2021) and others.
Promising Practices Soundtracks (2015 - present)
Film composer for the ongoing Promising Practices docuseries by the Canadian Aboriginal AIDS Network, and Circle of Eagles organization. Focus on health issues impacting First Nations communities across Canada, requiring a sensitive musical treatment.
Festival Composer for the Artists for Conservation Organization (2015 - present) Commissioned to compose and perform original music for the AFC’s annual festival at venues such as Grouse Mountain, the Blue Shore Financial Theatre at Capilano University, and the Vancouver Convention Centre.
