My Heart is Full
There are some school years that are just filled to the brim with moments that you will remember forever. This year is probably the BEST year I have had since beginning life as a piano teacher close to 16 years ago - has it really been that long? I had such an outstanding group of students to work with; as a studio they achieved so much! I also said goodbye to three wonderful Grade 12 students who I have had the privilege of working with for the last 6 years. All 3 of them are prepared to embark on a new chapter of University and I couldn’t be more proud of them! Online lessons were a blast, and I even got to work with a student who just happens to be touring the globe by sailboat! Technology has really changed the landscape of piano lessons and I’m grateful for these unique opportunities that would have seemed impossible a few years ago. There are truly too many things to mention here about 2023-2024, but please read on for some of the highlights. :)
MVP Team Ottawa at the Parliament on November 7th, 2023 with the wonderful Helene Cayer hours before the event.
Travels to Ottawa
The commemorative world is full of surprises. When Keira was selected to compose a work honouring Indigenous veteran Wendy Jocko, an amazing and life changing opportunity presented itself. Not only was Keira asked to perform her beautiful tribute to Wendy, Ankidokwe, live at the Parliament for Wendy and her family, but 3 other students were also asked to participate to honour more veterans, making this an amazing adventure for myself as a teacher, but also as the Founder of the recently established Music for Veterans Project not for profit organization. The students composed beautiful pieces which we all worked on over the summer months, meeting regularly to perform for each other to share constructive feedback and encouragement. After a few months of solid preparation we flew to Ottawa separately and met up to prepare for the big event. Maya, Ainsley, Keira, and Théo all had to miss about 1 week of school so this was no small task! After a quick rehearsal, we all arrived at the commemorative event: A stunning historic tribute to Indigenous veterans with speeches from the Chief of the Defence Staff General Wayne Eyre, the President of the NATO Association Robert Baines, several Embassy Ambassadors, Commonwealth Consulates, government officials, and Indigenous elders. It was truly an honour to attend and perform at something so meaningful and to see my students perform with so much confidence and maturity was something I will hold in my heart forever. It took a lot of courage for them to perform these works - did I mention that live video of them was being projected on several giant screens around the room?! Truly mind-blowing. We received beautiful hand beaded poppies from Helene Cayer and had the pleasure of speaking with so many veterans and members of the Ottawa diplomatic core. It was a night to remember!
Students and I with CDS General Eyre
The pieces Théo, Maya, Keira, and Ainsley composed were absolutely stunning.
I also performed that evening - a short piece called Peacekeeper. With all the preparation and planning for the event, I was so nervous by the time I actually got to play that I can’t really remember how it all went down….I do remember very clearly how fabulously my students performed and that was definitely the highlight for me!
Keira performs her stunning original composition called Ankidokwe in honour of Wendy Jocko at the Ottawa Parliament.
A few days later, Théo and I performed at the Veteran Affairs Open Mic night at the Rideau Canal Jr Ranks Mess. This was a super fun evening and huge thanks to Brent Bell, Skye Purdy, & Amanda Brazeau at VAC for inviting us to participate in this event before we flew home to Victoria!
I stayed in Ottawa for about 1 week, attending various meetings and ceremonies. Everyone asks me why and how I came up with the idea for Music for Veterans Project…. The vision for it came from a place of love and understanding that has changed and shaped my life the past 10 years. There are some parts of ourselves that are non-negotiable. This work gives enormous purpose to my life and is part of who I am. While it has its challenges, and I whole heartedly admit I am no expert at achieving balance, I know that what this not-for-profit is doing has immense value and the people I have met along the way have reminded me that there is hope and beauty in the world.
Luke, Théo, and Marcus - Onwards to University!
The three Grade 12 students at their last studio recital with their trophies for Dedication to Piano: Luke, Théo, and Marcus
I really can’t say enough good things about these three superstars! They have been an absolute joy to work with over the years and especially this last year they really took things up a notch! Théo completed his Level 8 RCM requirements, all three students composed, recorded, AND performed for at least 2 Music for Veterans Project initiatives, and Luke entered the Greater Victoria Performing Arts Festival and won a prestigious award for his composition and was nominated for Nationals. I couldn’t ask for a better group, but it is always sad to realize that I won’t get to see and hear them play once a week anymore! They are off to University to study arts, sciences, engineering… but I know they will have piano & music for their whole lives. My job here is done. :)
Luke, Marcus, Théo….A piece of advice I was given once upon a time as I was turning a new leaf and questioning whether or not I could really survive it all: “Life is full of ups and downs. There are some big highs and some tremendously painful lows that await us all. Just never forget that you never know what’s right around the corner. Keep going. Don’t give up.”
Bruce Vogt Masterclass
The amazing Bruce Vogt coaches Ainsley on her Level 5 RCM Etude at the University of Victoria.
An amazing opportunity for students to perform for professor Bruce Vogt and receive some inspiring coaching on their pieces took place in April. It was really special for me to see his grand-students perform and come away from that experience so inspired and encouraged. Bruce is a very special teacher and we all send him the best wishes for a happy retirement and thank him for his amazing contribution to the University - we love you Bruce!
Recordings for Peace
Lucas McKinnon works with Finley on her recording for the Honouring Garden project to honour women veterans.
The multi-talented Lucas McKinnon has been instrumental in providing a positive experience to my students as they recorded several times for Music for Veterans Project. Recording is no easy task and every single student who has participated has come away from the experience with excitement and a true feeling of accomplishment. I feel so fortunate to know Lucas and to call him the resident Music for Veterans Project recording engineer and event photographer. The students absolutely adore him and he is truly an expert at his craft. Thank you for being part of these projects with my students this year, Lucas!
Lucas McKinnon with our beloved WW2 RCAF veteran and hero George Brewster. George has been a close friend of mine these last 2 years, always offering guidance and support to the commemorative initiatives I embark upon. Lucas was able to record his beautiful recitations of Flanders Fields, High Flight, and the Act of Remembrance at his home in Duncan BC earlier this Spring.
Award Winning Composers: Luke & Ainsley
Ainsley and Luke after performing their compositions at the Highlights Concert
It was so exciting to have both Luke and Ainsley selected to perform their original compositions they wrote for the Music for Veterans Project at the Greater Victoria Performing Arts Festival Highlights Concert. Not only did they get selected to perform, but both students won prestigious awards for their divisions. Luke was nominated for Nationals with his piece Per Ardua Ad Astra and Ainsley won an award for Junior Composition with her moving tribute to Lt Gen (ret) Roméo Dallaire called A Vision of Peace. Well done Ainsley and Luke!
Ainsley performs A Vision of Peace inspired by veteran Roméo Dallaire at the Highlights Concert
Performances at the Bay Street Armoury
There is A LOT to say about this amazing opportunity students received through Music for Veterans Project on June 1st. Because of this project, students Jayden, Nathan, Théo, Lily, Ainsley, Luke, Marcus, and Liam, had a chance to set foot inside the headquarters of the Canadian Scottish Regiment and perform moving tributes to fallen soldiers from the regiment that landed in France on D-Day. Liam was featured on the front page of the Times Colonist as well as during a segment on CTV news. All eight of my students who participated said the same three words afterwards: “That was fun!” Huge thanks to everyone who helped make this happen: particularly Veterans Affairs Canada, Royal Commonwealth Society Vancouver Island, CScotR, Randy Evans, Stan Willow, Lucas McKinnon, and D.R.W.
We received wonderful reviews from the Commanding Officer Lt Col Slade Lerch, BGen Michael Heppell, Vice-Regal Piper Kenneth Wilson, as well as from members of the public and many CAF veterans.
Jayden performs his original commemorative piece “Landing on the Shoreline” in honour of Pte Anglin at Bay St. Armoury
Pipe Major Roger McGuire - an amazing musician and supporter of the work my students have done.
Studio Awards & Piano Club
This year was the First Annual Piano Club! Special award trophies went to Sawyer, Ainsley, Maya, Silke, and Branson, who arrived ready to support and encourage one another at our Friday group meetings that ran once a month from Sept-June. I really enjoyed these meet-ups and hope to offer something similar in the year ahead.
Our defending Practice Space champions Finley and Sullivan took home medals for most consistent piano practice record keeping this year. Both students log their daily practices on the app even during Summer, Winter, and Spring break! They are also 2 of my youngest students. Congrats Finley & Sullivan!
Honouring Commonwealth Airmen
The year actually kicked off with quite a large production right before we flew to Ottawa! It seems like a distant memory now because of all that has happened since, but it was truly an amazing experience and I am immensely proud of my 11 students who took part: Liam, Luke, Kai, Keira, Ainsley, Maya, Théo, Marcus, Lily, Jayden, and Nathan. A moving ceremony at Royal Oak Burial Park involved participation from the 676 Kittyhawk Sqn, attendance of local 443 Sqn WO Justin Harper and CO Matt Dukowski, WW2 veterans Tom Burdge (Mosquito pilot), and George Brewster (Spitfire Pilot), RCS VI President David Spence, CScotR bugler Gary Louis and Vice-Regal Piper Ken Wilson. As the recorded commemorative compositions played at this outdoor ceremony on a sound system masterfully set up by none other than Lucas McKinnon, students approached the grave of the airman and placed their sheet music on the headstone. As with all projects that honour the fallen, there was no applause. This made for a very profound experience for those in attendance. You can listen to the music and learn about this commemorative event here.
Canadian Armed Forces Artist Program
I was incredibly surprised to receive an email in February informing me that I was selected as first alternate for this prestigious residency program which provides civilian artists a chance to create commemorative works. Out of all of Canada I would have never imagined I would even be considered as a potential candidate, particularly as a composer. The program has only ever selected a composer once throughout its history, prioritizing visual arts since the program started in 1916. While it’s still up in the air about whether or not I will actually be deployed somewhere as part of Group 11 (I was told there are massive budget cuts to the program and they are sending less artists than usual this year), I am honoured to be in the top 6 artists considered for this opportunity. It’s encouraging to know that members of the jury felt my work has merit. While I really hope I still get to go (anything can happen in the next 12 months!) I suppose I can always apply for Group 12 when that time comes if I’m still feeling up for it. :)
If you have read this far…. Thank you!
With so many budding composers in our midst I am excited to offer some 4 -5 day intensives for my students most committed to composition during the month of August. Being that I include composition within the regular scheduled lessons I never feel like there is enough time to work on the different techniques and I know some of my students will really benefit from this extra instruction. It has also made me consider offering my regular students a special package to have specialized composition instruction throughout the year in addition to regular 30-60 minute lessons. This will not only help them develop as musicians, but it will make projects like MVP more manageable, and fuel even more creativity and innovation.
Special thanks to all the parents/guardians who play the long game, put up with the ups and downs of practicing, performance anxieties, concerts, festivals, RCM exams, and more. Learning to love and appreciate music doesn’t happen over night - so many of us awaken once we become competent enough to really feel confident with ourselves at the piano. This takes time and I appreciate that you are on this journey with your children for the long haul. I was told once “Good things come to those who wait.” Shout out to all the students who stick with it. I know it’s not always easy, but it is meaningful. You never know what wonderful things are right around the corner when you try your best. :)
The coming year is certain to be yet another filled with amazing opportunities. I can’t wait to share them with all of you!
With gratitude and lots of love,
Emily.
