The Vancouver connection

When Vancouver audiences immerse themselves in the artistry of Ballet British Columbia or thrill to the sounds of the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra, they are experiencing the impact of the professional and artistic development provided by Banff Centre programs. Banff Centre alumni and faculty play leadership roles in Vancouver’s rich arts scene.

Distinguished Vancouver Banff Centre alumni and faculty include:

• Ben Heppner, internationally acclaimed operatic tenor
• Glynis Leyshon, artistic director, Playhouse Theatre Company
• Jamie Parker, member of the Juno award winning Gryphon Trio
• Desmond Hoebig, principal cellist, Cleveland Symphony Orchestra, former member Orford String Quartet
• Morris Panych, playwright and two-time winner of the Governor General’s Literary Award for drama
• Judith Marcuse, artistic producer, Judith Marcuse Projects (formerly DanceArts Vancouver)
• Choreographers/dancers: Cori Caulfield, artistic director Coriograph Theatre; and Clifford E. Lee Choreography Award winners Crystal Pite, dancer and choreographer; Lola McLaughlin, founder Lola Dance; Simone Orlando, dancer with Ballet British Columbia; and Wen Wei Wang, founder Wen Wei Dance.
• Frank Borg, writer/executive story editor for Da Vinci’s Inquest (1999-2002), winner of two Writer’s Guild Awards, and two Leo Awards

Part of the voice of Vancouver Opera

Banff Centre programs have enriched the artistic growth of many of the leading voices on stage at Vancouver Opera. Alumni of the Centre’s Opera as Theatre and voice training programs are featured in several 2005-2006 Vancouver Opera productions, including John MacMaster in Der Freischütz; Sally Dibblee and Gregory Dahl in Turandot; and Brett Polegato and John Tessier in Don Giovanni. Centre alumni play additional key roles at Vancouver Opera, including general director James W. Wright, ensemble stage manager David Fuller, education manager Diane Speirs, chorus director, assistant conductor, and chief repetiteur Leslie Dala, and repetiteur Andrea Lahmer. Vancouver Opera has commissioned a new full-length opera, Lillian Alling (working title), premiering spring 2010. Banff Centre alumni, acclaimed composer John Estacio will write the score to a libretto by award-winning Canadian playwright John Murrell, OC, AOE, executive artistic director of Performing Arts at The Banff Centre.

On stage with Ballet British Columbia

Ballet British Columbia’s production of Carmina Burana, which premiered to sold-out houses and critical acclaim in April 2004, marked the third in a series of production partnerships between Ballet BC and The Banff Centre. Carmina Burana was choreographed by Ballet BC artistic director and Banff Centre alumni, John Alleyne, based on the book by the Centre’s artistic director of Theatre Arts, John Murrell. Previous collaborations included The Faerie Queen and Orpheus. Over 80 per cent of Ballet BC are alumni of Centre programs or residencies.

Integral to Vancouver’s classical music scene

One-third of the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra, including 12 players in leadership positions, are alumni of the Centre’s Music & Sound programs. Centre alumni and faculty include music director Maestro Bramwell Tovey, assistant conductor Kenneth Hsieh, concertmaster Mark Fewer, and principal players Neil Miskey, Kenneth Friedman, Christie Reside, Roger Cole, Julia Lockhart, Larry Knopp, Gordon Cherry, Vern Griffiths, and Linda Lee Thomas.

Part of Vancouver’s jazz beat

Banff Centre programs have had a profound effect on the Canadian and the Vancouver jazz scenes. Since 1991, Victoria’s Hugh Fraser has headed the Centre’s Jazz Orchestra Workshop. Recent Vancouver jazz alumni and faculty include: Michael Herriott, Brad Turner, Dylan van der Schyff, Peggy Lee, Steve Bagnell, Lorae Farrell, Geoff Houghton, Russell McIntosh, Stephen Mynett, Nelson Salahub, Andy Gabrys, and Viviane Houle.

Advancing visual arts

The Centre is a key partner in the Emily Carr Institute’s $1.5 million networked digital art studio project, now under development. Notable Centre alumni in Vancouver’s visual arts community include Daina Augaitis, chief curator/associate director, Vancouver Art Gallery; video artist Mike MacDonald, recipient of the 1994 Vancouver Institute for the Visual Arts (VIVA) award; multi-media artist Lawrence Paul Yuxweluptsun, 1998 VIVA award winner; and Paul Wong, award winning multi-media artist, 2003 Venice Biennale participant, and 2004 Fleck Fellowship recipient.

Published: Summer 2007.