March 2026 – Majestic Mozart with the Vancouver Island Symphony
Heather is a professional horn player and a core member of the Vancouver Island Symphony. Join her and the VIS for their classical series program at the Port Theatre in Nanaimo on March 14th, 2026.
CLASSICS SERIES
MAJESTIC MOZART
MARCH 14, 2026 | 7:30 PM
PRE-CONCERT TALK: 6:30 PM
Join the Vancouver Island Symphony for an exhilarating evening as they unveil the world premiere of Dorothy Chang’s newest work which showcases the virtuosic playing for our own principal musicians. The program intensifies with Respighi’s Trittico Botticelliano. Concluding the dynamic lineup is Mozart’s illustrious Symphony No. 41, ensuring a captivating musical experience throughout.
CONDUCTOR: Cosette Justo Valdés
GUEST ARTISTS: Paolo Bortolussi , flute; Hannah Addario-Berry , cello; Lani Krantz , harp; Christopher Lee , clarinet
When not performing music professionally, Heather teaches the Alexander Technique, a unique tool for improving posture and changing movement habits. For more information about private sessions, workshops, and group classes, please contact Heather through this website.
March 2026 – “Soul Diva”, Sonia Reid with the Kamloops Symphony
Heather is a professional horn player and a frequent performer with the Kamloops Symphony. Join the KSO this March for an evening of great SOUL music!
Soul Diva: A Change is Going to Come
March 6 & 7, 2026 / 7:30 PM
Sagebrush Theatre, Kamloops
Sonia Reid’s powerhouse voice commands the stage, effortlessly soaring from Dionne Warwick’s iconic highs to the vivid soulfulness of Stevie Wonder’s classics. Backed by the vibrant KSO, this night brings soulful favorites to life with fresh orchestral flair — delivering a perfect mix of fun, passion, and pure musical joy.
Featuring
Janna Sailor, conductor
Sonia Reid, vocalist
PROGRAM
A Change is Going to Come
Say a Little Prayer for You
River Deep, Mountain High
Feeling Good
With a Little Help from My Friends
Knocks Me Off of My Feet
and much more!
When not performing music professionally, Heather teaches the Alexander Technique, a unique tool for improving posture and changing movement habits. For more information about private sessions, workshops, and group classes, please contact Heather through this website.
February 2026 – Keynote Speaker, “Horn of Plenty” Vancouver Island Symphony
Please join Heather for LECTURE 5 of the Vancouver Island Symphony’s Keynote speaker series.
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 19, 2026
2:30 – 3:30 PM
Oliver Woods Community Centre
6000 Oliver Road, Nanaimo, BC
Speaker: Heather Walker, VIS 4 th Horn
Heather shares the twists and turns of her musical journey —from training and travel to life as a freelance musician. She’ll compare performing in both symphony and opera orchestras, how to navigate a full concert season, and what really happens in rehearsals and auditions. As a fitness instructor and posture specialist, Heather will also connect the dots between music, movement, and well-being.
February 2026 – Cuban Festival with Vancouver Island Symphony
Heather Walker is a professional horn player and a core member of the Vancouver Island Symphony. Join her for the upcoming performances of Cuban in Nanaimo and Courtenay. February 14th, 7:30 PM at the Port Theatre, Nanaimo and February 15th, 2:00 PM at the Sid Williams Theatre in Courtenay. more information: https://vancouverislandsymphony.com/2025-26-cuban-heartbeats/
A thrilling evening filled with the rhythm, passion and joy of Cuban music! Join Artistic Director Cosette Justo Valdés and her amazing guests for an evening of virtuosity and fun! Romantic arias from Cuban operettas, Cuban jazz standards and more will make this evening the perfect way to spend Valentine’s Day!
CONDUCTOR: Cosette Justo Valdés
GUEST ARTISTS:
Sarah Caulfield, soprano
Harold López-Nussa, piano
Ruy López-Nussa, drums
Lino Piquero Bueno, double bass
Roberto Vizcaino Jr., Cuban percussion
Miguel de Armas, piano
FEBRUARY 12 – 14, 2026
FEB 12: Opening Night: A Night in Old Havana
FEB 13: Waves of Latin Jazz
FEB 14: Cuban Heartbeats
FEB 14: Cuba in Her Carry-on (Family Show)
When not performing music professionally, Heather teaches the Alexander Technique, a unique method of kinaesthetic education that addresses inefficient movement patterns which can lead to poor posture, tension, back pain, and many other symptoms. Please contact Heather for more information about lessons, workshops, and group classes in the Alexander Technique.
January 2026 – Shaken, Not Stirred…music of James Bond with the KSO
Heather Walker is a professional horn player and frequent performer with the Kamloops Symphony Orchestra. Join her for this special concert…Shaken, Not Stirred: The Music of James Bond. January 9 & 10, 2026 at 7:30 PM and January 10, 2026 at 2 PM. All concerts at the Sagebrush Theatre, Kamloops.
Join Jeans ‘n Classics and the musicians of the KSO for an concert of thrilling James Bond music! From Goldfinger to Skyfall, experience the iconic themes, heart-pounding action, and timeless elegance of 007’s cinematic soundtracks. Grab your martini and enjoy a night of spy-worthy music!
Featuring: David Bui, conductor and Jeans ‘n Classics
When not performing music professionally, Heather teaches the Alexander Technique, a unique tool for improving posture and changing movement habits. For more information about private sessions, workshops, and group classes, please contact Heather through this website.
December 2025 – Holiday and Kids Shows with the Kamloops Symphony
Heather Walker is a professional horn player and a frequent performer with the Kamloops Symphony. Please join us to celebrate the festive season!
Christmas with the KSO
December 12 & 13, 2025 / 7:30 PM, Sagebrush Theatre
The holiday tradition brings the joy of Christmas to life with festive favourites, carol sing-alongs, and timeless holiday classics. Whether it’s the sparkle of the season’s best-loved songs or the warmth of cherished melodies, this concert fills the air with holiday cheer. Gather your loved ones and embrace the spirit of the holidays, as the KSO spreads joy and creates memories that will last a lifetime. Daniel Black, conductor, and the KSO Chorus with Tomáš Bijok, chorusmaster
The Snowman: Kids Concerts
December 14, 2025 / 2 PM, Sagebrush Theatre
Featuring: H. Blake: The Snowman and other holiday favourites! The beloved Oscar®-nominated short film comes to the Sagebrush Theatre with the score performed live by the musicians of the KSO for audiences both young and young-at-heart! Daniel Black, conductor
When not performing music professionally, Heather teaches the Alexander Technique, a unique tool for improving posture and changing movement habits. For more information about private sessions, workshops, and group classes, please contact Heather through this website.
November 2025 – The Celtic Tenors in Nanaimo with Vancouver Island Symphony
Heather Walker is a professional horn player and a core member of the Vancouver Island Symphony. The VIS will be performing three festive Christmas shows at the Port Theatre in Nanaimo.
Join the Celtic Tenors for an unforgettable performance of vocal brilliance and festive cheer. Enjoy their enchanting blend of Celtic charm with timeless favourites and modern hits, alongside a heartwarming selection of Christmas favourites. This special concert promises to be a mesmerizing celebration of Celtic culture and the joyous spirit of Christmas, leaving your heart soaring and your spirit uplifted!
CONDUCTOR: Cosette Justo Valdés
GUEST ARTISTS: The Celtic Tenors
Concerts are on Friday November 28th 7:30 PM, and Saturday November 29th at 2:00 PM and 7:30 PM.
https://vancouverislandsymphony.com/2025-26-the-celtic-tenors
When not performing music professionally, Heather Walker teaches the Alexander Technique, and amazing tool for changing our habits of movement and thought to become more efficient, natural, and full of ease and poise. It can help with all sorts of postural re-training, repetitive strain injuries, tension, pain, and balance issues. For more information on lessons, workshops, and group classes, please contact Heather at 250-716-3464.
November 2025 – “Bella Italia” Opera feature with Vancouver Island Symphony
Heather Walker is a professional horn player and a core member of the Vancouver Island Symphony. Join her for the next concert at the Port Theatre in Nanaimo (November 8th) and the Sid Williams theatre in Courtenay (November 9th). More info: https://vancouverislandsymphony.com/
Whether you’re new to opera or a devoted aficionado this concert promises to uplift your spirit and nurture your soul. Experience the enchanting voice of soprano Sarah Caulfield as she delivers a stunning performance bringing to life the rich themes of love, laughter, betrayal, seduction, passion, heartache, tragedy, and comedy. Enjoy a thoughtfully curated selection of your favourite opera pieces, showcasing the masterpieces of iconic composers such as Rossini, Bellini, Verdi and Puccini.
CONDUCTOR: Cosette Justo Valdés
GUEST ARTISTS: Sarah Caulfield, soprano
PROGRAMME
G. ROSSINI: Overture “Semiramide”
G. ROSSINI: Una voce poco fa from “Il barbiere di Siviglia”
V. BELLINI: Casta Diva from “Norma”
G. PUCCINI: Si, mi chiamano Mimi from “La Bohème”
Vittorio MONTI: Csárdás
Amilcare PONCHIELLI: Danza delle ore from “La Gioconda”
G. VERDI: E strano! / Sempre libera degg’io from “La Traviata”
G. VERDI: Prelude to Act I “La Traviata”
G. VERDI: Lo vidi e’l primo palpito from “Luisa Miller”
G. DONIZETTI: Di quai soave lagrime… Perche di stolto giubilo? from “Poliuto”
G. VERDI: Overture “La forza del destino”
When not performing music professionally, Heather teaches the Alexander Technique, a unique tool for improving posture and changing movement habits. For more information about private sessions, workshops, and group classes, please contact Heather through this website.
Oct./Nov. 2025 – Vancouver Opera performs Verdi’s Rigoletto at QE Theatre
Rigoletto
Composed by Giuseppe Verdi, Libretto by Francesco Maria Piave
Premiered 1851 in Venice Sung in Italian with English Projected Titles
DATES October 25th, 30th, and November 2, 2025
VENUE Queen Elizabeth Theatre Vancouver, BC
RUNNING TIME Approximately 2 hours and 30 minutes, including one 25-minute intermission.
The tragic tale of a father’s desperate love for his daughter—and the dangerous double-edged sword of vengeance—set against a backdrop of decadence and dark intrigue. The jester Rigoletto had long enjoyed the privilege of mocking the Duke of Mantua’s adversaries, but when his beloved daughter becomes the target of the morally corrupt Duke’s abuse, Rigoletto sets in motion a revenge plot that careens with the propulsive energy of an edge-of-the-seat thriller while bringing themes of opulence and oppression into sharp focus. Under director Glynis Leyshon (Flight of the Hummingbird) and the baton of Vancouver Opera Music Director Jacques Lacombe, unforgettable pieces like “La donna è mobile” and the heartwrenching “Caro nome” will soar to life, sung by extraordinary voices like the sought-after American baritone Michael Chioldi as Rigoletto, and, as Gilda, the award-winning UK-based Canadian soprano Sarah Dufresne, who Opera Canada praised for her “tremendous dramatic presence,” and “astonishing vocal dexterity.” In a new production built in partnership with Pacific Opera Victoria, our 2025–2026 season opener will push this tense tragedy’s boundaries while staying true to Verdi’s immortal story of love and revenge.
Heather Walker is a professional horn player and a core member of the Vancouver Opera Orchestra. When not playing her horn, she teaches the Alexander Technique, a unique method for changing movement habits, improving posture, increasing awareness and avoiding tension and injuries. Please contact her for more information.
October 2025 – Ravel Piano Concerto, Dvorak Symphony and Rossini with VIS
Heather Walker is a professional horn player and a core member of the Vancouver Island Symphony. Join them for the 25/26 season opening concerts at the Port Theatre in Nanaimo on October 18th and the Farquar Theatre in Victoria on October 19th.
Immerse yourself in an evening of vibrant and lively orchestral masterpieces that promise to captivate and delight. Experience the playful spirit of Rossini’s “L’italiana in Algeri Overture,” where humour and energy take centre stage. Revel in Ravel’s “Piano Concerto,” a dazzling blend of jazz influences and lyrical beauty that showcases his innovative style. Finally, let the cheerful and uplifting melodies of Dvorak’s “Symphony No. 8” transport you to a world rich with Bohemian folk influences and natural splendour. This concert is a celebration of rhythm and colour, offering a dynamic journey through the unique voices of these master composers.
CONDUCTOR: Cosette Justo Valdés
GUEST ARTIST: Stewart Goodyear, piano
PROGRAMME
G. ROSSINI: L’italiana in Algeri overture
M. RAVEL: Piano Concerto in G Major
A. DVOŘÁK: Symphony 8, op. 88, B. 163, G Major
For more information: https://vancouverislandsymphony.com/2025-26-goodyear-plays-ravel/
For tickets: https://www.porttheatre.com/choose-seats/?id=13801
When not performing music professionally, Heather Walker teaches the Alexander Technique, and amazing tool for changing our habits of movement and thought to become more efficient, natural, and full of ease and poise. It can help with all sorts of postural re-training, repetitive strain injuries, tension, pain, and balance issues. For more information on lessons, workshops, and group classes, please contact Heather at 250-716-3464.