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.
September 2025 – Jaeden Izik-Dzurko plays Chopin piano concertos in Kamloops
Heather Walker is a professional horn player and a frequent performer with the Kamloops Symphony. Join her as she performs the opening concert of the Kamloops Symphony season. Soloist Jaeden Izik-Dzurko, fresh off winning the 2024 Leeds International Piano Competition, returns to the BC Interior to perform both of Chopin’s Piano Concertos in Kamloops and Salmon Arm.
September 27, 2025 / 19:30, Sagebrush Theatre, Kamloops
September 28, 2025 / 15:00, Nexus @ First United, Salmon Arm
Michael Newnham, conductor, Jaeden Izik-Dzurko, piano
PROGRAM
Donkin: Three Autumn Scenes
Chopin: Piano Concerto No. 1 in E minor, Op. 11
Chopin: Piano Concerto No. 2 in F minor, Op. 21
When not performing music professionally, Heather teaches the Alexander Technique, a method for becoming aware of harmful movement habits and posture and re-learning how to move with ease and efficiency. Heather teaches private sessions, group classes, and introductory workshops. Please contact her for more information at 250-716-3464.
July 2025 – Vancouver Opera performs free outdoor concert at Deer Lake Park
Free Event! Sunday, July 13 | Deer Lake Park, Burnaby: Concert starts at 7:30PM
Music Director Jacques Lacombe leads the Vancouver Opera Orchestra in an evening of duets, arias, and timeless music, featuring highlights from Verdi’s eternally thrilling Rigoletto, Mozart’s light-hearted Così fan tutte, Puccini’s most enduring story, La Bohème, and more!
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.
April/May 2025 – Vancouver Opera performs Puccini’s classic Madama Butterfly
Heather Walker is a professional horn player and a core member of the Vancouver Opera Orchestra. Join them this April & May for performances of the beloved opera “Madama Butterfly”
MADAMA BUTTERFLY
Composer – Giacomo Puccini Libretto by Luigi Illica and Giuseppe Giacosa Premiered 1904 in Milan DATES April 26 – May 4, 2025
VENUE Queen Elizabeth Theatre Vancouver, BC
RUNNING TIME Approximately 2 hours and 40 minutes, including one intermission.
Stunning visuals, transcendent melodies, and a timeless tale of love and loss make Madama a must-see season finale. Puccini’s sublime masterpiece closes out our celebratory 2024–2025 season in grand style, with five performances conducted by VO’s Music Director, Maestro Jacques Lacombe.
This extended run boasts a double cast bursting with world-class talents, including Tokyo-born soprano Yasko Sato. Praised for her “disarming, honest, refined and authentic” approach, she makes her VO/Canadian debut as Cio-Cio-San, having previously explored the role’s complexities in performances throughout Italy, the US, Belgium, Slovenia, Greece, Spain, and Japan.
The story of Pinkerton, an American Lieutenant stationed in Nagasaki, who marries a young Japanese girl, Cio-Cio-San. For him, it’s a marriage of convenience, a touristic fantasy abroad before he finds himself a “real” (American) bride. For Cio-Cio-San, it begins her story of tragically unrequited love.
One of the greatest works in operatic history, Puccini’s poignant, deeply emotional music steers Madama Butterfly through love, heartbreak, hope, and tragedy.
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. Please contact Heather for more information.
March 2025 – Vancouver Island Symphony, Favourite Composers, Episode 2
Heather Walker is a professional horn player and a core member of the Vancouver Island Symphony, based in Nanaimo, B.C. Join her for this upcoming concert at the Port Theatre in Nanaimo on Saturday March 8th and the Sid Williams Theatre in Courtenay on Sunday March 9th. more information: https://vancouverislandsymphony.com/
With a great response from last season Maestra Justo Valdés brings back Favourite Composers. In Episode 2 the orchestra plays Mozart, Haydn and Ravel. VIS member Mark D’Angelo performs Vivian Fung’s Trumpet Concerto, a virtuosic tour-de-force displaying the capabilities of the Eb Trumpet and Flugelhorn.
CONDUCTOR: Cosette Justo Valdés
GUEST ARTISTS: Mark D’Angelo Trumpet
PROGRAMME
MOZART Le Nozze di Figaro
RAVEL Le Tombeau de Couperin
Vivian FUNG Concerto for Trumpet
When not performing music professionally, Heather teaches the Alexander Technique, a method for becoming aware of harmful movement habits and posture and re-learning how to move with ease and efficiency. Heather teaches private sessions, group classes, and introductory workshops. Please contact her for more information at 250-716-3464.