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18 Concerts in 6 Beautiful Private Gardens

Yellow Point • Cedar by the Sea • Nanaimo • Gabriola Island • Parksville • Comox

The Vancouver Island Symphony’s Summer Pop Up Concerts are back with three beautifully curated shows featuring 5 musicians in each show to celebrate our 5th Summer Pop Up Concert Season. Looking for a casual and informative musical experience in a beautiful outdoor setting on Vancouver Island? Join us this summer!

How to Buy a Ticket to the VIS Summer Pop Up Concerts:
On the right hand side of this page, find the location and time that best suits your schedule and click on the series button (to purchase all 3 shows) or purchase single tickets by date and location. There are 6 locations that all feature each ensemble.

Showcasing popular composers from the Baroque and Classical periods – VIS musicians will perform Haydn, Telemann, Purcell, Fasch and Mozart sharing why they love this music written for string quartet and horn.

Andrew Clark, French Horn with Patricia Armstrong, Violin and Viola; Elyssa Lefurgey-Smith, Violin; Guyonne Le Louarn Viola and Viola D’amore and Alexandra Lee Cello.

The very popular Marko-Paolo Trio is back with two friends …   the Marko Paolo Pocket Orchestra! These musicians love telling stories about how the music has influenced them and  shaped their lives. This year brings classical masterworks by Telemann, Bach, Haydn and Faure, a set of traditional Canadian folk music including the music of the Rankin Family, and music from Latin America!

Musicians: The Marko-Paolo Trio: VIS Concertmaster Calvin Dyck performing on violin, accordion and new this year, the viola; Paolo Bortolussi on flute, Mark Beaty on bass. They are joined by VIS Assistant Concertmaster Alana Lopez on violin and her husband David Lopez, who will thrill us with his voice and rhythms!

The VIS is delighted to present a woodwind quintet for the first time in our Summer Pop Up Concerts! Sweet melodies for a casual summer concert by Mexican, Cuban, and Afro-American composers, while exploring the modern “classical” wind quintet, from its European roots to include ethnic, folk, jazz, rhythmic and dance elements, will transport listeners on a musical journey through different cultures and traditions, all while showcasing the versatility and virtuosity of the VIS musicians.

Musicians: Emily Nagelbach Flute; Geronimo Mendoza Oboe; Christopher Lee Clarinet; Olivia Martin Bassoon; Heather Walker Horn.

GENERAL CONCERT INFORMATION

  • Please note your tickets will be sent via email to the email address provided during purchase. The email will contain both a digital version and a printable pdf document. Please present either your printed ticket or your digital ticket at entrance.
  • The exact concert location address will be provided in the email containing your tickets once you book your ticket.
  • Concerts will be one hour (60 minutes) in length with audience members arriving no more than 30 minutes ahead and leaving no later than 30 minutes after the concert.
  • Audience Members need to bring their own chairs except in Comox where the seating is provided.
  • A washroom will be available for Emergencies ONLY.
  • Where parking is on the street, please respect the neighbours in each location.
  • Tickets are non-refundable but they are transferable. The Purchaser may sell or give their concert space to someone else. When packages are resold or transferred, the Symphony must be notified.
  • We are unable to reschedule these concerts. If it rains the show will go on. In the event of rain, the musicians will be under cover, however audience will not. Please bring your umbrellas.

Select your Concert Series
or Single Tickets!

SERIES PACKAGE: $102
SINGLE TICKETS: $43.50
(prices include all fees & taxes)

GABRIOLA ISLAND
WEDNESDAYS @ 6:00 PM

July 10 | July 24 | Aug 7

Exact location address will be included with
your ticket sent via email after purchase

SINGLE TICKETS ONLY

GABRIOLA SINGLE TICKETS

SOLD OUT
SOLD OUT
AUG 7

COMOX
FRIDAYS @ 1:00 PM

July 12 | July 26 | Aug 9

Exact location address will be included with
your ticket sent via email after purchase

SOLD OUT

COMOX SINGLE TICKETS

SOLD OUT
SOLD OUT
SOLD OUT

YELLOW POINT
FRIDAYS @ 7:00 PM

July 12 | July 26 | Aug 9

Exact location address will be included with
your ticket sent via email after purchase

SINGLE TICKETS ONLY

YELLOW POINT SINGLE TICKETS

SOLD OUT
JULY 26
AUG 9

PARKSVILLE
SATURDAYS @ 11:00 AM

July 13 | July 27 | Aug 10

Exact location address will be included with
your ticket sent via email after purchase

SINGLE TICKETS ONLY

PARKSVILLE SINGLE TICKETS

SOLD OUT
SOLD OUT
AUG 10

NANAIMO
SATURDAYS @ 3:00 PM

July 13| July 27 | Aug 10

Exact location address will be included with
your ticket sent via email after purchase

SINGLE TICKETS ONLY

NANAIMO SINGLE TICKETS

SOLD OUT
JULY 27
AUG 10

CEDAR BY THE SEA
SATURDAYS @ 7:00 PM

July 13 | July 27 | Aug 10

Exact location address will be included with
your ticket sent via email after purchase

SINGLE TICKETS ONLY

CEDAR BY THE SEA SINGLE TICKETS

SOLD OUT
SOLD OUT
AUG 10

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Guyonne Le Louarn
Viola

Born in France in 1975, Guyonne Le Louarn began her violin studies at the Rennes’ CNR. She moved to Nantes at 16, switched to viola and went on to study chamber music, theory, history of music, orchestral work and conducting in Nantes under J.Rehak and  simultaneously studied at CSParis earning multiple gold medals, and diplomas in all disciplines. Meanwhile earning a degree in Early Music Performance with D.Cuiller in Nantes.

In 1998, she won the Paris Interschool competition summa cum laude and was a finalist at the National Viola Competition in Epernay in 1999.

In 2000, Guyonne moved to Toulouse in the CEMS’ soloist program, receiving the “Aida foundation scholarship for Young Musicians”. She was also principal viola of the CEMS’s chamber orchestra performing extensively as far as Oman.

She studied with J.Coupé, D.Binder, T.Adamopoulos†, D.Mujica, B.Godhoff† and D.Vann and performed in France, Spain, Portugal, Italy, England, Ireland, Oman, the US and Canada

 In 2001, Guyonne moved to Victoria, joined the VIS, and received her AVCM in viola and violin, followed by a specialization in chamber music coaching,

Since her arrival in Canada, she has held several teaching positions in violin, viola and chamber music in the GVPA and Cowichan Valley and earned her RCM teacher certification for all levels in both viola and violin.

She is the founder and director of Maggie Music LLP, in Victoria and is the Strings section head of the GVPAF, the assistant principal viola of the VIS, a chamber musician and a freelance recitalist.

Alexandra Lee
Associate Principal Cello

 

 

Alexandra Lee is proud to be Associate Principal Cello of the Vancouver Island Symphony. She and her family are thrilled to be residents of Nanaimo. Before moving to the island, Alexandra enjoyed many years performing in Ontario, leading projects in a variety of areas, including orchestral, chamber music, and solo, and across a variety of genres. Some highlights include a long-term position as Principal Cello with the Sudbury Symphony Orchestra, a founding member of the Silver Birch String Quartet, creator of bilingual children’s programming Contes d’un violoncelle, and working with great Canadian artists such as Scott St John, Peter Longworth, and Tanya Tagaq. Her ongoing passion for musical pedagogy has led to a full studio of promising cello students of all ages at Nanaimo Conservatory of Music, where she teaches in English and French. Other interests include mountain biking, painting, poetry, and gardening – possible to do all yearlong on the island! Alexandra performs on a 1996 cello by Hratch Armenious. www.alexandralee.ca

Calvin Dyck
Concertmaster

 

 

Calvin Dyck has been concertmaster for the Vancouver Island Symphony for 23 years. He is Artistic Director for Oceanside Classical Concerts in Parksville, and he is the director of the Abbotsford Youth Orchestra.  Calvin has performed in over 15 countries, and is in demand as a producer, teacher, conductor and adjudicator. He has his own production company called Songs Strings and Steps Events Ltd, and is managing the family Christmas tree farm in Mission.

Although a college aptitude test recommended a career as a tug boat captain, Calvin completed a Doctor of Musical Arts in Violin Performance at the University of Southern California with minors in music education, choral conducting, and music history. He currently has about 25 students.

Calvin has been awarded the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal for service to the community.  He has also been awarded an honorary Doctor of Humanities by Trinity Western University.

Paolo Bortolussi
Principal Flute

 

Raised in Halifax, NS, Paolo Bortolussi has performed throughout North America, Europe, and Asia. As a specialist in contemporary music, Paolo is the flutist and co-artistic director of the Nu:BC Collective, a new music ensemble in residence at the University of British Columbia. To date he has premiered over one hundred and fifty solo, chamber, and orchestral works. Currently principal flutist with the Vancouver Island Symphony, Paolo has appeared as soloist on multiple occasions with the VIS, the Albany (NY) Symphony Orchestra and the Turning Point Ensemble, and has premiered concerti written for him by Jocelyn Morlock, Aaron Gervais, and Dorothy Chang. Paolo is on the music faculty of the University of British Columbia, Kwantlen Polytechnic University and Trinity Western University. He holds a BMus degree in performance from the University of Ottawa as well as Masters and Doctoral degrees from Indiana University.

Mark Beaty
Principal Bass

 

For the last 20 years Mark Beaty has had the pleasure of serving as principal bass for the Vancouver Island Symphony. He currently lives with his family in Vancouver and performs regularly with the VSO, Vancouver Opera and the Victoria Symphony. Mark began studying cello at the age of six but switched to double bass in high school, an opportunity made possible by the Vancouver School Board strings program. After completing his music degree at the University of Victoria, he moved to Havana, Cuba where he studied music and dance at the National Arts Institute (ISA). Returning to Canada, he formed the ensemble La Candela, which formed a mainstay of the west coast salsa scene. Mark has been the longtime bassist for The Be Good Tanyas, recording the JUNO nominated “Hello Love” album, and touring internationally. He twice served as musical director for Vancouver’s Bard on the Beach (The Tempest, 2008, 2014). He has performed across Europe and North America and has recorded for the BBC, Radio Netherlands, NPR and, one of his favourites, Stuart McLean’s The Vinyl Café on CBC radio. Mark holds degrees from UVic, UBC and SFU. For three years he taught music and youth leadership at the United World College in Metchosin, B.C. He now teaches at Douglas College and Saint James Music Academy in Vancouver.

Alana Lopez
Assistant Concertmaster

 

 

Alana Lopez is the Associate Concertmaster of the Vancouver Island Symphony and has been a member of the orchestra for the past 15 years. She completed her studies in Violin Performance at the University of British Columbia in 2007, studying with Andrew Dawes, Jasper Wood and Nancy DiNovo. Alana is passionate about small ensemble and orchestral performance, and has worked with many of the leading talents in Canada. Alana has performed on stage with the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra and the Vancouver Opera Orchestra. In 2016 Alana cofounded the Somerset Trio and has been performing regularly for various chamber music series and home concerts across the lower mainland. This ensemble aims to connect with audiences through dynamic programmes, pairing legendary classical works for piano trio along with their own arrangements of familiar folk, pop and rock songs. When she is not performing, Alana is busy teaching violin as well as raising two young daughters.</p

Emily Nagelbach
Flute

 

Emily Nagelbach is proud to hold the position of 2nd flute/piccolo with the Vancouver Island Symphony since 2006.  She is also principal flute with the Palm Court Orchestra and Head of the Winds & Brass Department at the Victoria Conservatory of Music.   As a freelance musician, she has performed with a variety of regional ensembles, including the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra, Victoria Symphony Orchestra and Pacific Opera Victoria. Emily holds an AVCM from the Royal Conservatory of Music, a B.Mus. in Performance and Theory from Wilfrid Laurier University, and a M.Mus. in Performance from the University of British Columbia, studying with Dr. Amy Hamilton, Lorna McGhee, and Camille Churchfield.  Prior to entering university, Emily studied with her friend and mentor, Dr. Mary Byrne.  As a soloist and chamber musician, Emily has won numerous competitions, including the Vancouver Friends of Chamber Music Competition and the Kitchener-Waterloo Chamber Orchestra Concerto Competition.  Emily has been broadcast on CBC Radio as guest principal flute with the Victoria Symphony Orchestra and has recorded for the Canadian Music Centre.  She is also a member of the Continuum Consort with which she toured South Korea and performs regularly on the West Coast of BC.

Geronimo Mendoza
Principal Oboe

Whether performing La Boheme with the Vancouver Opera, Le Sacre du printemps with the Vancouver Symphony, collaborating with ethnical performers from various latitudes with the Vancouver Intercultural Orchestra or exploring the most avant-garde trends with the Vancouver New Music ensemble, oboist Geronimo Mendoza can be found on stage collaborating with virtually every ensemble of the Canadian West Coast. A formerly member of the Mexico City Philharmonic, with which he toured Europe, Asia and North America, he now calls the Vancouver Island Symphony his musical home. Before leaving his native land, Mexico, to establish with his family in British Columbia, he  attended various international music festivals working with world-celebrated artists, and was recipient of numerous awards and grants from the Mexican Arts Council as a solo artist and chamber musician.

Christopher Lee
Principal Clarinet

 

Clarinetist, Christopher Lee completed his Master’s degree at Juilliard School where he received Bachelor’s degree on Irene Diamond Graduate Fellowship and Eve Lyndlemarch Scholarship. He has studied with renowned clarinetist Charles Neidich and Ayako Oshima at The Juilliard School. Christopher has won the first and grand prizes at many competitions such as Korean Clarinet Competition, Vancouver Burnaby Clef Society Competition, “VAM” Competition, Korean Young Artist Competition and more. He was invited to perform and received the certificate at the 5th Carl Nielsen International Clarinet Competition in Odense, Denmark that only opens every 4 years. Christopher had been appointed as a principal clarinet of National Youth Symphony Orchestra of Canada, Vancouver Youth Symphony Orchestra and “VAM” Symphony Orchestra while giving out concerts tour in 12 different cities in North America. For his outstanding musicality, he was selected for “Award of Excellence” with $5,000 scholarship in NYOC. He has appeared as a soloist with many orchestras including Vancouver Symphony Orchestra, Pilgrim Orchestra, The Korean Clarinet Orchestra and VYSO. He had been invited again to perform with VSO for the annual concert at the Deer Lake Park in Canada and with The Korean Clarinet Orchestra at Seoul Art Center in South Korea. In 2010, he had become as an executive director of “First Steps Benefit Concert Series” in Vancouver, which has raised approximately $30,000 per concert a year since 2009 at their annual concert benefiting the children in North Korea.

Christopher is currently principal clarinet of Vancouver Island Symphony and occasionally performs with Vancouver Symphony Orchestra and Victoria Symphony Orchestra. He is also devoted to teaching and conducting, he joined the clarinet faculty of Vancouver Academy of Music since 2014 and he is the music director of “Jubilate Clarinet Ensemble” and “Vancouver Korean Presbyterian Church’s Choir”.

Olivia Martin
Bassoon

 

A life-long resident of the West Coast, Olivia Martin holds the unique honour of being the first bassoonist ever to get her start in Ucluelet, BC. Based in Vancouver, she is a busy freelance musician, working with many ensembles throughout the province. Olivia has held the position of Principal Bassoonist in the Kamloops Symphony Orchestra since 2002 and 2nd Bassoon with the Vancouver Island Symphony Orchestra since 1999. A graduate of the University of Victoria, she performs regularly on both bassoon and contrabassoon with the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra, as well as with the Lions Gate Sinfonia and the Okanagan Symphony Orchestra. Olivia is also a founding member of the Vancouver-based chamber group Cascadia Reed Quintet. She has toured with the Vancouver Symphony on their 2008 Asia-Pacific Tour as well as with the National Youth Orchestra of Canada. As a soloist, she has performed with the KSO, most notably with Mozart’s Bassoon Concerto KV 191 and the Concerto for Bassoon and Marimba by Canadian composer Marjan Mozetich. In 2011 she appeared as an alumnus guest artist with the Greater Victoria Youth Orchestra, performing Mozart’s Sinfonia Concertante KV297b. In the non-classical world, Olivia’s unique bassoon sound can be heard on the albums Live in Paris by Jamie Drouin and Huzzah! by the Ford Pier Vengeance Trio.

Heather Walker
French Horn

 

 

Heather Walker has been playing horn with the Vancouver Island Symphony for over 20 years, and is happy to call Nanaimo “home”. In addition to playing with the VISO, Heather is a core member of the Vancouver Opera Orchestra and an active freelancer in British Columbia. She has also played horn for orchestras in Quebec and Mexico, with the Canadian Armed Forces. She has enjoyed playing with many chamber music groups, and for special events such as the 2010 Olympic opening ceremonies and Adele’s 2016 Vancouver shows.

Heather studied music at U.B.C., and at the Quebec Conservatory of Music. Other training courses included summer programs at the Banff School of the Arts, the National Youth Orchestra of Canada, Pommersfelden (Germany), and more.

When not performing music, Heather teaches the Alexander Technique, a unique tool for re-education of movement patterns and habits. She completed a three year training course to a world-wide standard in 2006, and has been teaching workshops and private lessons since then. She enjoys being outdoors and active, from hiking and biking to being a member of the Nanaimo master’s swim club. She has also worked for such institutions as the Vancouver Island University and Canadian Blood Services.