Music Education Sessions in Nanaimo Elementary Schools, 2015

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Send a Symphony Musician to School 2015 – Heather Walker, professional musician

This year the Vancouver Island Symphony’s Outreach and Education is launching a four-part integrated music education program in partnership with three school districts on Vancouver Island.

In February 2015, ALL Grade 4 students from the area will be attending the Vancouver Island Symphony. In addition, the Symphony will be sending a musician to each school prior to students attending the education show called My Symphony.  Send a Symphony Musician to School Program assigns one musician to each school in our Education Partnership.  Their role is to be our ambassadors for the Vancouver Island Symphony and to perform for and inform the Grade 4 students about the orchestra and how it works. Schools often have the entire school attend the musician’s presentation, expanding the music education experience to hundreds of students from K-5.

heather_walker-150x150Heather Walker is very pleased to be the professional musician assigned to give presentations in 14 elementary schools in Nanaimo, Lantsville, Cedar, and Courtenay.  She loves interacting with the children, showing off & playing many different instruments, and teaching them about the French Horn and what it is like to play music professionally.

When not performing music professionally, Heather teaches the Alexander Technique, a unique movement re-education system. The Alexander Technique is taught to any individual who wants to be free from pain, tension, and postural problems, and who wants to recuperate from stress, prevent injuries, and be more present in their whole being. Through introductory workshops and gentle one-on-one hands-on sessions, Heather teaches clients how they can notice tightening, release muscle tension, re-establish better balance, and move more efficiently. Clients learn the tools to expand their awareness and are delighted to develop more calmness, lightness, presence of being, and freedom of movement.

Vancouver Island Symphony Festive Brass Christmas Dec. 13, 2014

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Join Heather as she performs with her colleagues in the Vancouver Island Symphony:

The Vancouver Island Symphony presents A Festive Brassy Christmas

pp1_20141213_christmas_600x200_2Saturday, December 13th   7:30 pm, Port Theatre, Nanaimo

 The Vancouver Island Symphony with Guest Artists:

Festive Brass, Stevan Paranosic, Director
Symphonic Choir and Symphonic Children’s Choir, Patricia Plumley, Director

December—sparkling lights, laughter, open hearts, merry music, voices raised in song—and polished brass! Trumpets and horns herald in Nanaimo’s traditional Family Christmas with the VI Symphony. The VIS and Festive Brass present soul-stirring music that is near and dear to all, from the familiar and traditional to delightful surprises like “What If Mozart Wrote Winter Wonderland” and “I Saw Three Pirate Ships”. Come join in the heart-lifting sing-along and help raise the roof—with music!

More information: https://vancouverislandsymphony.com  or  https://www.porttheatre.com

When not performing music professionally, Heather teaches the Alexander Technique to individuals who wants to be free from pain, tension, and postural problems, and who want to recuperate from stress, prevent injuries, and be more present in their whole being.  Through introductory workshops and gentle one-on-one hands-on sessions, clients are taught how they can notice tightening, release muscle tension, re-establish better balance, and move more efficiently. Clients learn the tools to expand their awareness and are delighted to develop more calmness, lightness, presence of being, and freedom of movement.

TWU Choirs in Christmas at the Chan, Vancouver, Nov. 30th, 2014

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Heather will be performing in:

Christmas at the Chan – SOLD OUT –

Sun., November 30, 2014 at 2:30 pm
Chan Shun Concert Hall

XmasatChan

Presented by Trinity Western University

In his first season at the helm of SAMC’s choral program, award-winning conductor Dr. Joel Tranquilla brings together four choirs and full orchestra in an exquisite program spanning centuries of Christmas music. Join us for a glorious Advent celebration as we anticipate the coming of Christ with joy and wonder.

Our annual Christmas at the Chan Centre concert is a collaborative gift to the wider community from the Chan family, the Chan Centre for the Performing Arts, and Trinity Western University, and is made possible through the generous assistance of the Chan Endowment Fund of the University of British Columbia.

When not performing music professionally, Heather teaches Alexander Technique in Nanaimo, B.C.  Explore freedom of movement and lightness of being with this incredible tool.  You CAN change inefficient habits of movement, and direct yourself to wellness!

Vancouver Symphony Orchestra: Shotakovich, Nov. 29th, Dec. 1st, 2014

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Heather will be performing the following concerts with the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra:

Performance Dates

Saturday, Nov 29, 2014: 8pm Orpheum Theatre

Monday, Dec 1, 2014: 8pm Orpheum Theatre

  • Conductor / Performers

    James Gaffigan Conductor

    Philippe Quint violin*

  • Repertoire

    Barber: Vanessa: Intermezzo

    Mozart: Violin Concerto No. 4 in D Major*

    Shostakovich: Symphony No. 7 in C Major, Leningrad

American conductor James Gaffigan is attracting attention worldwide for his musicianship and insight, and he makes his anticipated return to the VSO to conduct Shostakovich’s complex, epic Leningrad Symphony. Gifted violinist Philippe Quint makes his VSO debut performing Mozart’s Violin Concerto No. 4

www.vancouversymphony.ca

When not performing professional music, Heather teaches Alexander Technique in Nanaimo, B.C.  “Whether you are suffering from back pain, poor posture, stress-related symptoms, repetitive strain injuries, or many other problems, the Alexander Technique can help you.  You will learn to “un-do” these habits of imbalance, tension, and inefficient use of your co-ordination and energy to rediscover poise and ease within yourself.  More than a simple remedy for tension and poor posture, the Alexander Technique also changes ingrained thinking patterns and clears the way for a better quality of life.  It can be used by anyone.”

Vancouver Symphony Orchestra – Britten War Requiem, Nov. 8th,10th

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Join Heather as she performs with the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra.
More information:  https://www.vancouversymphony.ca
Maestro Tovey and the VSO commemorate the 100th anniversary of the start of World War I, with Benjamin Britten’s monumental, beautiful and intense War Requiem. The War Requiem brilliantly melds to profound effect the traditional Latin Requiem texts with moving poetry by Wilfred Owen, a poet who was killed a week before the end of the First World War. The War Requiem’s massive orchestral and choral forces powerfully communicate a message that resonates through the decades, a message that is as relevant today as ever.
Repertoire:Vaughan Williams: Fantasia on a Theme of Thomas TallisBritten: War Requiem*

Conductor / Performers:Bramwell Tovey Conductor

Sheila Christie soprano*

Nicholas Phan tenor*

Russell Braun baritone*

UBC University Singers * Graeme Langager, Director

UBC Choral Union * Graeme Langager, Director

West Point Grey Academy Chorus * Lana Penner-Tovey, Director

Heather complements her professional musical performances with teaching the Alexander Technique in Nanaimo and central Vancouver Island.  The Alexander Technique is a method for improved posture, efficient movement, and reduction of body tension & strain.  Whether you are a musician, dancer, teacher, office worker, or have any other focus, you can learn to move with ease and freedom through learning the Alexander Technique either in private sessions or a workshop.

 

West Isle Winds: concerts for Health Arts in Comox and Nanaimo, October 2014

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The West Isle Winds is a group of three professional classical musicians based in Nanaimo, on Vancouver Island, B.C.  The trio merges music for clarinet, horn, and piano to present a varied and interesting program of chamber music. Heather Walker, Susanne Bullock, and Donna Falconer have each had careers performing with numerous orchestras, opera companies, chamber music groups, and other ensembles throughout British Columbia and abroad.

west-isle-windsThe West Isle Winds will be performing upcoming concerts for the Health Arts Society. Since 2006 Health Arts Society has delivered over 4,500 professional music and theatre performances to audiences in health care facilities, providing those isolated from our arts community the experience of enjoying performance arts in their own health care setting. These residents, their families and health care professionals alike have been stimulated by these live 45-minute performances.  The West Isle Winds will be performing on October 7th for the Comox Valley Seniors Village, and on October 28th for the Nanaimo Seniors Village.

Heather complements her professional musical performances with teaching the Alexander Technique in Nanaimo and central Vancouver Island.  The Alexander Technique is a method for improved posture, efficient movement, and reduction of body tension & strain.  Whether you are a musician, dancer, teacher, office worker, or have any other focus, you can learn to move with ease and freedom through learning the Alexander Technique either in private sessions or a workshop.

Vancouver Island Symphony Orchestra, October 25th, Nanaimo, B.C.

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Heather is honoured to perform in her 12th season with the Vancouver Island Symphony Orchestra:

2014-15_front_page_1The VI Symphony presents Celebrate with Tetsuumi & Elgar

Saturday, October 25th   7:30 pm, Port Theatre, Nanaimo.

 The Vancouver Island Symphony with Guest Artist Tetsuumi Nagata, Violi

Welcome one and all! Let the party begin – with a glorious Fanfare, setting the stage for our 20th Anniversary Season.

TT1_20141025_Tetsuumi_sidebar_200x200In 1999, at the age of 10, Nanaimo native, protégé and virtuoso violinist Tetsuumi Nagata made his debut with the VIS under the baton of his first teacher, Marlin Wolfe, VIS Conductor Emeritus. After 14 years of study in England and international appearances, Tetsuumi comes home to perform one of the best known of all violin concertos. What follows is the most charming and deeply felt music ever penned by Elgar, which he dedicated to his friends and we dedicate to you, our friends.

 

Heather complements her professional musical performances with teaching the Alexander Technique throughout central Vancouver Island.  The Alexander Technique is a method for improved posture, efficient movement, and reduction of body tension & strain.  Through private sessions or workshops, with a general or specific focus, you can learn to move with ease and freedom through learning the Alexander Technique

Carmen with Vancouver Opera, September & October 2014

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Heather is honoured once again to be playing in the Vancouver Opera Orchestra for their 2014 production of Carmen.

Carmen-imageonly-72dpi“Carmen” by Georges Bizet
In French with English translations projected above the stage

Saturday, September 27 • 7:30pm
Sunday, September 28 • 2:00pm matinée
Thursday, October 2 • 7:30pm
Friday, October 3 • 7:30pm
Saturday, October 4 • 7:30pm
Sunday, October 5 • 2:00pm matinée

All performances at the Queen Elizabeth Theatre

Approximate running time: 3 hours 15 min, including two intermissions

Uninhibited dancing in a smoke-filled tavern. Songs pulsing with erotic power. Sinister felonies in a mountain pass. Murder outside a bullring. Carmen is justly revered for its thrilling drama and its irresistible music, so rich in energy and passion that it lives with audiences forever.

For more information or tickets, please go to www.vancouveropera.ca

Heather complements her professional musical performances with teaching the Alexander Technique in Nanaimo and central Vancouver Island.  The Alexander Technique is a method for improved posture, efficient movement, and reduction of body tension & strain.  Whether you are a musician, dancer, teacher, office worker, or have any other focus, you can learn to move with ease and freedom through learning the Alexander Technique either in private sessions or a workshop.

 

UBC Opera: The Cunning Little Vixen, June 26-29, 2014

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Heather will be performing in the following production:

LittleVixenUBC Opera: The Cunning Little Vixen

(Příhody lišky Bystroušky)

Leoš Janáček (1854-1928) // Sung in Czech
June 26, 27, 28 // 7:30 pm
June 29 // 2:00 pm
Old Auditorium

David Agler Conductor
Nancy Hermiston Director

When Janáček discovered Těsnohlídek comic-strip inspired story and decided to turn it into an opera, he began work by meeting with the author and beginning a study of animals. With this understanding of the characters involved, his own 70 years of life experience, and an undying, unrequited love for the much younger, married Kamila Stösslová, he began working on the opera. Writing his own libretto, he transformed himself into the forester, and Kamila into the vixen and Terynka. He also transformed the originally comedic cartoon into a philosophical reflection on the cycle of life and death. As with other operas by older composers, this late opera shows a deep understanding of life leading to a return to simplicity.

Usually seen as a fairy tale, this piece also provides us with a revealing insight into nature’s struggle to survive the devastation of the footprint of humanity.

Order tickets online at University Tickets or by calling UBC Opera at 604.822.6725.

Heather Walker complements her professional musical performances with teaching the Alexander Technique in Nanaimo and central Vancouver Island.  The Alexander Technique is a method for improved posture, efficient movement, and reduction of body tension & strain.  Whether you are a musician, dancer, teacher, office worker, or have any other focus, you can learn to move with ease and freedom by learning the Alexander Technique either in private sessions or a workshop.

Vancouver Opera performs “Don Carlo” in May, 2014

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DON CARLO


GIUSEPPE VERDI

First VO production in 40 years!
A magnificent drama of a king’s brutal power and a son’s brash rebellion
In Italian with English SURTITLES™

May 3, 8, 10, 11 (matinée), 2014
Evening performances 7:30pm.
Matinée performances 2:00pm.

►In the war-torn 16th century, peace between France and Spain is secured when a French princess, DonCarloArtwork-220Elisabeth de Valois, is given in marriage to Spain’s King Philip. The King’s son, Carlo, is shattered, for he is in love with her. When Carlo dares to defend the Flemish people from Philip’s persecution, he incites both his father’s fury and the awesome authority of the Grand Inquisitor. Believing that he has been doubly betrayed, Philip arrests Carlo and Elisabeth. In the dramatic final scene at the tomb of Charles V, a ghostly friar rescues Carlo from the wrath of Church and State.

Spectacular on a grand scale and also extraordinarily intimate, Don Carlo is one of Verdi’s most impressive works. His orchestral colours are brilliant, his choruses are powerful, and his music for the monstrous yet very human king, the terrifying Inquisitor, and the heroic lovers is magnificent.

► All performances are at the Queen Elizabeth Theatre
► Approximate running time: 3 hours 5 minutes (including one intermission)

Heather complements her professional musical performances with teaching the Alexander Technique in Nanaimo.  The Alexander Technique is a method for improved posture, efficient movement, and reduction of body tension & strain.  Whether you have back pain, tension, or postural problems, or just want to improve an activity focus, you can learn to move with ease and freedom through  the Alexander Technique. Please contact Heather for more information.