December 2017 – Vancouver Island Symphony, Reindeer Games

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Join Heather as she performs as a core member of the Vancouver Island Symphony:

MERRIMENT, MAGIC AND A DASH OF MADNESS
are on the musical menu for Vancouver Island Symphony’s VISOXmasReindeer Games at 7:30pm  on Saturday, December 2nd at the Port Theatre and at Campbell River’s Tidemark Theatre on Sunday, December 3rd at 2:30pm, with guest artist, Festive Brass. With a name like Reindeer Games, you know it will be fun!
Vancouver Island Symphony’s Principal trumpeter Stevan Paranosic leads The Festive Brass, which features accomplished Victoria musicians Robert Fraser, Bruce Hum and Nick La Riviere. The melding of their classical and jazz talents is magical especially when they are doing what they love most – improvising! They playfully boast that they can play almost any Christmas tune upon request, and will tell you, “If we don’t know it, we’ll fake it.” And you’ll love it!
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When not performing music professionally, Heather Walker teaches the Alexander Technique to individuals who want to be free of tension, pain, bad posture, and injuries.  Explore the possibility of lightness and freedom of movement using the Alexander Technique to expand your awareness.  Use practical experiments to learn how to notice tightening, release muscle tension, re-establish better balance and move more efficiently.  Anyone can learn to recuperate from stress, prevent undue wear and tear, relieve back pain, improve posture, and use less effort in daily activities.  Heather is based in Nanaimo, B.C. and can be contacted at 250-716-3464, or heather@soundbeingstudio.com.

October 2017 – Vancouver Opera, Puccini’s Turandot

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Join Heather at a performance of Turandot as she performs as a core member with the Vancouver Opera Orchestra:

Turandot
by Giacomo Puccini
Queen Elizabeth Theatre
Evening performances 7:30pm. Matinée performance 2:00pm

thumbnailCast
Turandot: Amber Wagner
Calaf: Marcelo Puente
Liù: Marianne Fiset
Timur: Alain Coulombe

Friday, October 13, 2017
Sunday, October 15, 2017 • matinée
Thursday, October 19, 2017
Saturday, October 21, 2017

About Turandot
La Bohème. Tosca. Madama Butterfly. Turandot. Puccini saved his most musically adventurous opera for last. Containing some of the greatest operatic music ever written, Turandot blends epic chorus sections with unforgettable intimate moments, and is the culmination of Puccini’s career. This three act opera by Giacomo Puccini and completed by Franco Alfano, with libretto in Italian by Giuseppe Adami and Renato Simoni is one of the most grand opera offerings and is full of thrilling choruses, booming orchestrations, and a cast consisting of all of ancient China. This magnificent work—which features Pavarotti’s signature aria, “Nessun dorma”—promises to make the kick off of the Vancouver Opera’s 2017/18 Season a not-to-be missed event.

When not performing music professionally, Heather Walker teaches the Alexander Technique to individuals who want to be free of tension, pain, bad posture, and injuries.  Explore the possibility of lightness and freedom of movement using the Alexander Technique to expand your awareness.  Use practical experiments to learn how to notice tightening, release muscle tension, re-establish better balance and move more efficiently.  Anyone can learn to recuperate from stress, prevent undue wear and tear, relieve back pain, improve posture, and use less effort in daily activities.  Heather is based in Nanaimo, B.C. and can be contacted at 250-716-3464, or heather@soundbeingstudio.com.

September 2017 – Alexander Technique and Psychophysiology of Music Performance

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The Alexander Technique is a definitive tool for encouraging ease, efficiency, and awareness in our whole selves: mental, physical, emotional.  This can be especially important in complex and demanding activities, such as music performance.  I am always happy to introduce the technique to music groups around the province.  On September 29th, 2017, I have the pleasure of teaching a 3 hour Alexander Technique class for Music Performance majors at Kwantlen University.  This is a part of the following course:

Kwantlen Polytechnic University, Langley:

Psychophysiology of Music Performance

Students will explore the psychological/physical relationship in music performance as well as the mental and emotional factors that affect learning and teaching. They will develop body awareness (posture, movement, and breathing) and its relationship to musical performance, as well as learn how to amend their physical movements to play more efficiently with less effort. Students will also investigate different approaches in developing musical skill, expressivity, interpretation, musical memory, and motivation, as well as survey different techniques for managing-and utilizing-performance anxiety.

For more information on Alexander Technique workshops or lessons: heather@soundbeingstudio.com, or 250-716-3464

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September 2017 – Alexander Technique for Horn students, Victoria

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The Alexander Technique has a long history of helping instrumentalists and singers to perform with less stress and likelihood of injury. Musicians do some of the most complex and demanding physical movements of any profession.  By helping musicians release undue tension in their bodies, the Alexander Technique improves the quality of movement and therefore the quality of the music itself.  It makes possible a performance which is more fluid and lively, and less tense and rigid.  I am always happy to introduce the technique to music groups around the province.

indexOn September 22nd, 2017, I have the pleasure of teaching a 2 hour introductory Alexander Technique class for the French horn students at the University of Victoria. As a professional horn player myself, I am extremely conscious of the demands of playing horn, and the possibilities of injury.  It is of utmost importance to introduce this tool to serious music students, so they can refer to it and study more of the Alexander Technique as they discover the need for more ease and efficiency in all they do.  I certainly could not have had the professional career I do, without this technique!

For more information about introductory workshops or lessons in the Alexander Technique, please contact: heather@soundbeingstudio.com, or phone 250-716-3464

August 18 & 19, 2017 – Opera Kelowna, La Bohème

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Join Heather as she performs in:

Puccini’s La bohème

FRIDAY AUGUST 18 & SATURDAY AUGUST 19, 2017

7:30PM  |  Kelowna Community Theatre  |  Mainstage Performance

OperaKelowna_2017_Labohème_Poster_WEB

One of the most frequently performed operas across the globe, Puccini’s La bohème follows a group of young Parisians–Rodolfo, Mimì, Marcello, Musetta, Schaunard, and Colline–while they struggle for their art and for their love.

Though originally set in the 1830s (and based on Henri Murger’s 1851 novel, Scènes de la vie de bohème), this immortal opera is easily translated into new times and new places. Many will recognize the 1996 musical Rent as being based on Puccini’s La bohème.

Opera Kelowna’s 2017 team is thrilled to bring this production to life: to engage and to play with the performance traditions surrounding this magnificent opus, and to bring the sweeping lines of Puccini’s music to the ears of the Okanagan’s residents.

Please join us for the culmination of our most significant season yet. Tickets can be purchased through Kelowna Tickets (online, in-store at Orchard Park Shopping Centre, or over the phone at 250-862-2867).

When not performing music professionally, Heather Walker teaches the Alexander Technique to individuals who want to be free of tension, pain, bad posture, and injuries.  Explore the possibility of lightness and freedom of movement using the Alexander Technique to expand your awareness.  Use practical experiments to learn how to notice tightening, release muscle tension, re-establish better balance and move more efficiently.  Anyone can learn to recuperate from stress, prevent undue wear and tear, relieve back pain, improve posture, and use less effort in daily activities.  Heather is based in Nanaimo, B.C. and can be contacted at 250-716-3464, or heather@soundbeingstudio.com.

August 12th, 2017 – Symphony by the Sea, Free Concert in Nanaimo

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Join Heather as she performs with members of the Vancouver Island Symphony August 12th, 2017:

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When not performing music professionally, Heather Walker teaches the Alexander Technique to individuals who want to be free of tension, pain, bad posture, and injuries.  Explore the possibility of lightness and freedom of movement using the Alexander Technique to expand your awareness.  Use practical experiments to learn how to notice tightening, release muscle tension, re-establish better balance and move more efficiently.  Anyone can learn to recuperate from stress, prevent undue wear and tear, relieve back pain, improve posture, and use less effort in daily activities.  Heather is based in Nanaimo, B.C. and can be contacted at 250-716-3464, or heather@soundbeingstudio.com.

August 10th, 2017 – Abbotsford “Canada 150” Outdoor Concert

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red-white-and-you-poster_2_origJoin Heather as she performs with members of the Vancouver Island Symphony August 10th, 2017:

  A thrilling light show and live symphony orchestra along with other exciting activities and entertainment is set to take place at Mill Lake Park in Abbotsford to celebrate Canada 150.
Red, White and You is a free community event taking place at Mill Lake (Bevan Avenue entrance) from 5:00pm–10:00pm on Thursday, August 10, 2017.
A diverse lineup of entertainers has been scheduled on the main stage from 5:00–7:00pm  including Jada Klein, the Hurricanes (Korean drummers), First Nations Dancers, and a family friendly magic shows by the Great Gordini.
The featured performance of the evening begins at 7:30pm with a Symphony Under the Stars show.  Calvin Dyck, local violinist and concertmaster of the Vancouver Island Symphony is producing this part of the evening and promises that there is music for everyone including Star Wars themes, music from The Good, The Bad and The Ugly featuring three trumpeters along with other symphonic favourites such as Beethoven’s Symphony No. 5, Finlandia by Sibelius and the Thunder and Lightning Polka by Strauss.  Calvin, along with Jeremy Potts will be featured soloists in the Double Violin Concerto by J.S. Bach, and Jeremy will perform the popular Carmen Fantasy by Sarasate.
The concert will also feature the Abbotsford Youth Orchestra bringing to life the famous Tango Jealousy by Jacob Gade complete with choreography and red tango dresses. In addition, an epic light show will accompany the final piece of the evening; the dramatic Polovetsian Dances by Borodin.
Bring your lawn chair to Mill Lake Park on Thursday, August 10th for a great evening of entertainment.

 

 

 

 

May 2017 – Kamloops Symphony Orchestra: Stravinsky, Rachmaninoff

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Heather Walker is a professional horn player and will be performing horn with the Kamloops Symphony on May 12th and 13th, 2017.

Kamloops Symphony: Martin MacDonald, conductor, and Jaeden Izik-Dzurko, Piano

KSOMay2017Stravinsky: Firebird,Copland: Appalacian Spring, Rachmaninoff: Variations on a Theme of Paganini, for piano and orchestra.

May 12th, Salmon Arm, The Nexus at First, 7:30 pm

May 13th, Kamloops, The Sagebrush Theatre, 7:30 pm.

When not performing music professionally, Heather Walker teaches the Alexander Technique to individuals who want to be free of tension, pain, bad posture, and injuries.  Explore the possibility of lightness and freedom of movement using the Alexander Technique to expand your awareness.  Use practical experiments to learn how to notice tightening, release muscle tension, re-establish better balance and move more efficiently.  Anyone can learn to recuperate from stress, prevent undue wear and tear, relieve back pain, improve posture, and use less effort in daily activities.  Heather is based in Nanaimo, B.C. and can be contacted at 250-716-3464, or heather@soundbeingstudio.com.

 

April & May 2017 – Vancouver Opera, Otello

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Heather Walker is a professional horn player and core member of the Vancouver Opera Orchestra.  Join her this spring at the performances of Verdi’s masterpiece, Otello.

Queen Elizabeth Theatre, Vancouver
April 28 | May 4, 6 at 7:30pm
April 30 at 2:00pm

VOF-website-header-Otello-NEW4Conductor: Jonathan Darlington
Director: Michael Cavanagh
Scenic & Projection Designer: Erhard Rom
Lighting Designer: Gerald King
Chorus Director: Kinza Tyrrell

Cast
Otello: Antonello Palombi
Desdemona: Erin Wall
Iago: Gregory Dahl
Cassio: John Cudia
Emilia: Megan Latham
Lodovico: Thomas Goerz
Roderigo: Martin Sadd
Herald: Glenn de Verteuil
Montano: Angus Bell

About Otello
A powerful masterpiece that marries Shakespeare’s poetry with Verdi’s lyricism and sumptuous orchestrations. Based on Shakespeare’s tale of love, jealousy, and betrayal, Otello is considered Italian opera’s greatest tragedy.

The 65-piece orchestra joins forces with the formidable VO Chorus and sensational stars in a visually stunning production designed by the internationally acclaimed Erhard Rom.

The performance will last approximately 2 hours and 50 minutes, with one intermission.

In Italian with English SURTITLESTM

Heather Walker is a core member of the Vancouver Opera Orchestra.  When not playing music professionally, she teaches the Alexander Technique in Nanaimo, B.C.  The Alexander Technique is an extraordinary method for learning to move with ease, efficiency and fluidity, thereby reducing pain, injury, and postural problems.  For more information: 250-716-3464 or info@soundbeingstudio.com

April & May 2017 – Vancouver Opera, Dead Man Walking

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Heather Walker is a professional horn player and a core member of the Vancouver Opera Orchestra.  Join her this spring at a performance of a contemporary opera, Dead Man Walking.

Vancouver Opera: Dead Man Walking

Queen Elizabeth Theatre, Vancouver

April 29 | May 2, 5 at 7:30pm
May 7 at 2:00pm

deadmanwalking.comConductor: Jonathan Darlington
Director: Joel Ivany
Scenic & Projection Designer: Erhard Rom
Lighting Designer: Gerald King
Chorus Director/Assistant Conductor: Kinza Tyrrell

By Jake Heggie
Libretto by Terrence McNally
Based on the book by Sister Helen Prejean

Cast
Joseph De Rocher, a death row inmate: Daniel Okulitch
Sister Helen Prejean, a young nun from Louisiana: J’nai Bridges
Sister Rose,  co-worker and close friend to Sister Helen: Karen Slack
Mrs. Patrick De Rocher, Joseph’s mother: Judith Forst
George Benton, prison warden: Charles Robert Austin
Owen Hart, father of the murdered girl: Thomas Goerz
Jade Boucher, mother of the murdered boy: Emma Parkinson
Kitty Hart, mother of the murdered girl: Karen Ydenberg
Howard Boucher, father of the murdered boy: Michael Barrett
Sister Catherine: Heather Pawsey
Sister Lillianne: Barbara Towell
Father Grenville, prison chaplain: J. Patrick Raftery
First Mother: Dionne Sellinger
Mrs. Charlton: Heather Molloy
Motorcycle Cop: Willy Miles-Grenzberg
Prison Guard 1: Willy Miles-Grenzberg
Prison Guard 2: DJ Calhoun
Five Solo Inmates: Frédérik Robert, Peter Alexander, Adam Kozak, Kevin Armstrong, Angus Bell
Older Brother, half brother to Joseph: Spencer Britten
A paralegal: Julia Rooney

About Dead Man Walking
Based on the bestselling memoir by Sister Helen Prejean, this popular opera chronicles the story of a convicted Louisiana murderer who is befriended by a Catholic nun seeking to understand the nature of divine forgiveness. Prejean’s memoir was the basis for the award-winning 1995 film starring Susan Sarandon and Sean Penn. With a brilliant libretto by Terrance McNally and a dramatic and incredibly lyric musical setting by Jake Heggie—widely considered one of the great living opera composers—the work’s moral complexity, emotional depth make Dead Man Walking a standout of contemporary opera.

The performance will last approximately 2 hours and 5 minutes, with one intermission.

In English with English SURTITLES™

When not performing music professionally, Heather Walker teaches the Alexander Technique to individuals who want to be free of tension, pain, bad posture, and injuries.  Explore the possibility of lightness and freedom of movement using the Alexander Technique to expand your awareness.  Use practical experiments to learn how to notice tightening, release muscle tension, re-establish better balance and move more efficiently.  Anyone can learn to recuperate from stress, prevent undue wear and tear, relieve back pain, improve posture, and use less effort in daily activities.  Heather is based in Nanaimo, B.C. and can be contacted at 250-716-3464, or heather@soundbeingstudio.com.