Summer Lessons

Private Lessons are available during July and August in piano, violin, cello, guitar, ukulele, voice, trumpet, percussion, flute, clarinet and saxophone. Lesson times can be arranged with individual instructors.

Private and Group Classes in Theory and Music History are offered in preparation for RCM examinations. Please contact the academy or instructor for more information and to arrange lesson times.

Summer Chamber Music Program

Dates: July 21 to July 27, 2024

Time: 1:00 pm – 5:00 pm

Cost: $525

Final Concert: Saturday, July 27 at 7:00 pm
Gloria Dei Church
1110 Gladwin Drive,
North Vancouver, BC

With an emphasis on chamber music (trio, quartet and quintet) and piano duet/two piano repertoire, the program includes masterclasses, performance, and other activities related to music study. Participants will work in small chamber groups and receive daily coaching on repertoire during the 7 day intensive program. Performance opportunities include informal recitals and a final concert on July 27th.

​Chamber Ensemble
Each participant is assigned to two chamber groups and is coached by the faculty in daily sessions in preparation for public performance.

Piano Class
Piano students meet with the piano faculty for lessons in piano duets and piano duos.

Chamber Orchestra
The string faculty and associates join the students in rehearsal and performance of chamber orchestra repertoire.

Extra Curricular Activities
Each day includes a session of either masterclass, piano duets/quartets, chamber orchestra and other music related activities such as improvisation, painting, orchestration, theory and introduction to early keyboard and string instrument making.

Sample Daily Schedule (subject to change)
1:00 pm – 2:00 pm Chamber ensemble coaching
2:00 pm – 3:00 pm Masterclasses, workshops, piano duets/quartets and chamber orchestra
3:00 pm – 4:00 pm Recitals/extra curricular activities
4:00 pm – 5:00 pm Chamber ensemble coaching
Classes run Sunday to Saturday

Fast Ride Through the Glowing Streets by Alexander Pechenyuk
Derek Lowe, Piano
Maryam Khamis, Violin 1
Sofija Dimitrijevic, Violin 2

Summer Overture by Alexander Pechenyuk
Andrej Marjanovic, Piano 1
Derek Lowe, Piano 2

Promenade du soir by Alexander Pechenyuk
Samantha Kung, Viola
Nicole Linaksita, Piano

Summer Overture by Alexander Pechenyuk
Performance by students of Irina Faletski at NSMA Summer Chamber Music Concert July 28th 2018
Andrej Marjanovic, Graydon Baker, Adam Sun and Derek Lowe

Summer Chamber Music Program Faculty
Alexander Pechenyuk, piano, composer in residence
(NSMA Faculty)

Diane Sanford, piano
(NSMA Faculty)

Associate Faculty
Tony Chotem, improvisation
(NSMA Faculty)

Heywoun Hyun, cello and piano
(NSMA Faculty)

Special Guest Faculty
Nicholas Urquhart, conductor and double bass

Nicholas holds a masters degree from Acadia University as well as an Music Education degree from UBC and a Music degree with distinction from University of Victoria and the Victoria Conservatory of Music. It was at UVIC that Nicholas met his first great conducting mentors in Janos Sandor and Yariv Aloni. He is the principal conductor of the Harmonia Ensemble. He is also the Associate Conductor with the West Coast Symphony and Ambleside Orchestra. He has served as Assistant Conductor with the Vancouver Philharmonic Orchestra and the Kelowna Pops Orchestra. He is also a regular Guest Conductor with the New Westminster Symphony. Nicholas is the director and conductor of the WVYB Strings (2 youth orchestras in West Vancouver) and runs an impressive string orchestra program at Killarney Secondary School. When Nicholas is not directing orchestras, he performs as a freelance double bassist in chamber ensembles, orchestras, operas, and musicals. He also sits on the board of the IBB (Instruments Beyond Borders), a foundation dedicated to putting instruments in the hands of in need youth in Vancouver and worldwide (most notably in Paraguay).

Alvin Tran, violin
Alvin is an active performer throughout North America. He is a former member of the Boise Philharmonic and performs regularly with the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra. A passionate chamber musician, Alvin was a member of the former Ezra String Quartet, in residence at Boise State University (BSU), and is a founding member of the Crimson String Quartet (CSQ). The CSQ recently released a music video following the success of their debut album Crimson Sunrise in 2012. The CSQ performs frequently and has just completed their sixth successive tour of Western Canada. A graduate of McGill University and BSU, Alvin has participated in the Marrowstone, Orford, le Domaine Forget, and Boston University Tanglewood Institute festivals. His main teachers include Nancy DiNovo, Thomas Williams, and Craig Purdy in addition to receiving coaching from Federico Agostini, James Buswell, Charles Castleman, and members of the Enso, Cecilia, and Ying quartets. Alvin is an in-demand instructor with a studio of highly motivated students and is currently a symphony string coach with the Richmond Delta Youth Orchestra.

Tuition
The tuition fee for the 7 day program is $525 per student. A non-refundable deposit of $50 should be paid within two weeks of acceptance to confirm participation. The balance of tuition fees is due July 1, 2024. Fees can be paid by etransfer to: [email protected] or by cheque payable to North Shore Music Academy. Please mail cheques to: North Shore Music Academy, 1525 Taylor Way, West Vancouver, BC V7S 1N5

Application Process
The program is open to violinists, violists, cellists, pianists and wind players. Applicants must submit an audio sample (CD or DVD) of an audition piece with their application. Note: NSMA students are not required to submit an audition tape.

Applicants must be at a RCM Grade 7 level or above. Both individual performers and pre-formed ensembles are encouraged to apply. Audition materials can be mailed to: NSMA Summer Program,1525 Taylor Way, West Vancouver, BC V7S 1N5 or emailed to: [email protected]

Applicants should submit the following by May 31, 2024
a) Completed on-line application form
b) Outline of musical experience and education
c) A quality video recording (DVD, Youtube or other digital media)

Refund Policy
Refund requests must be submitted in writing. A full refund minus the non-refundable deposit will be made until July 15, 2024. No refunds will be issued after this date.

We gratefully acknowledge the support of the District of West Vancouver through their Community Grants Program and Fresh Street Market in Ambleside for their generous support of our program.