LATEST NEWS
A warm welcome and thank you to members of the Greater Victoria Performing Arts Festival Association (GVPAF) for attending our annual general meeting. We also welcome our new Office Administrator, Lienne Loh, who is filling in for Leah during her maternity leave which extends into 2025.
Tonight we start out by recognising the service of volunteers who steward Festival from one generation to the next. Two retiring board members, Jane Gardiner and Carolyn Fumalle, symbolize the spirit and commitment of voluntarism that has made Festival a Victoria tradition for 97 years.
This year Jane completes her 40 year connection with Festival, having joined in 1984 to take on the Voice Section, which she did through to 1994. Subsequently she served as president from 1988 – 1991. During this first stint with Festival she was part of three key events: Festival explicitly prioritizing learning over competition in 1990, the creation of the Roberto & Mary Wood Scholarship Concert, and changing our name in 1994 to “Performing Arts” to be more inclusive. After retiring from her distinguished career in education she was persuaded to return to Festival in 2011 as a board member and her unique experience and considered advice has helped guide the board to this day. No doubt previous presidents have reached out to her (as I have) especially when tricky situations arise, and have highly appreciated her council.
In the past as I understand it, the GVPAF board was primarily composed of section heads. In my time that has not been the case and so the position of Section Head Liaison for a working board is the keystone for collaboration and coordination, and a direct conduit to understanding the needs of section heads, our most essential volunteers. Carolyn has held this role since 2016 and done it brilliantly, ensuring that our syllabus was consistent with changes coming from both the Provincial and National Festivals as well as from the sections, that board policy and operational changes were communicated out effectively, and that feedback from section heads was immediately in front of the board with well considered recommendations. Beyond these key contributions, Carolyn has also served Festival as the Woodwinds Section Head since 2010 (which thankfully she will continue to do), joined the board in 2013 and had a term as Vice President in 2015. On a personal note I must say that Carolyn’s total commitment, positivity and insight were immeasurably helpful for me as President as we navigated tricky policy, legal, contractual and interpersonal challenges.
To Carolyn and Jane – a sincere thank you for your unique contributions. You are both legends at GVPAF!
We also humbly recognise and thank our donors, sponsors, grant providers and advertisers who share our vision of the importance of the performing arts to our community. 2024 represented the 97th year of The Greater Victoria Performing Arts Festival, and continued the trend of increasing participation since Covid. Overall we received enthusiastic reviews from our performers, parents and adjudicators (the latter consistently praising the talent on show and the supportive atmosphere of Festival).
The 5,000 performers entered in sixteen disciplines, ten highlight concerts and the Roberto & Mary Wood Scholarship concert. In both sessions and concerts, performers were cheered on by an estimated 6,000 audience members.
Our adjudicators nominated 30 soloists and ensembles to participate in the Provincial Festival with 4 winning (piano, strings, woodwinds), 8 runners up (strings, choral, speech arts & dance) and 3 honourable mentions (strings, woodwinds & speech arts). Of these 3 won their category at the Canada West Festival (strings, woodwinds), and 2 were runners up (strings, woodwinds). A total of 29 soloists or ensembles were selected to compete in the FCMF National Music Festival Local Stream Qualifying Round, with 2 placing first (in Woodwinds and Brass) and 3 runners up (strings and classical voice).
Our strategic shift from a working board to a governing board is progressing steadily. Since the summer we prepared to switch over from an expensive and simple customer relationship management (CRM) system to cloud based HubSpot, which improves our fundraising effectiveness and donation tracking. We officially made the transition this month in time to launch our annual Make Festival Happen fund raising drive. Technology is helpful but it is all about the skill and commitment of our Festival Manager, Alyssa, and our Office Administrator Leah. In particular Alyssa has won the confidence of the board as a calm and effective organizer, as well as being the driving force behind refreshing how we present ourselves in our logo, promotional posters, and in a soon to be released short video.
In line with our 3 year transition plan, the GVPAF will incur modest deficits, which will be balanced in the short term through prior surpluses, and gradually through increased registration revenue, grants and sponsorships. The board takes these steps with the utmost sense of responsibility and care, and continuously refines our management of revenues and expenses.
We anticipate the following areas of focus for the upcoming year:
Increasing registrations, building deeper connections with our community and expanding our sponsorship and donor base
Continuing recruitment to the Board and Section Head positions
Increasing outreach to equity disadvantaged groups
Continuing to improve our computer systems to enable the Office and Board to be more efficient, while making more informed and timely decisions
For Festival 2025 registrations open Jan 6, with sessions and concerts running from March 30 to May 12.
Notice of Annual General Meeting 2024
The Annual General Meeting of the Greater Victoria Performing Arts Festival Association will be held at 6:00 pm on November 20th, 2024 via Zoom.
Paying your membership ensures eligibility to vote at the AGM. The Membership fee of $5.00 may be paid by cheque (made out to GVPAFA and posted to 1538 Cedar Hill Cross Rd, Victoria BC V8P 2P1) or by electronic transfer to festival@gvpaf.org. All Membership fees must be paid by 4PM on Wednesday November 6th, 2024.
If you have paid your membership (between November 1, 2023 and November 6, 2024) Please contact us and we will send you the AGM package which will include the Zoom link, Agenda, President’s Report, Financial Statements, the biographies of the Directors standing for election and Director appointments requiring ratification.
Letter from the President - Festival 2024
Very warm greetings from the 97th Greater Victoria Performing Arts Festival!
For those of you who have attended previously as performers, parents of performers or one of our many volunteers...welcome back! You know that Festival is a unique six-week celebration of Dance, the Speech Arts and Music that brings our community together each year at this time to perform, learn and build friendships.
For those of you who are new to Festival please explore everything it has to offer … from expert adjudication, dozens of trophies, tens of thousands of dollars in awards, and an opportunity to qualify for the provincial and national festivals. Enjoy the warmth and supportive atmosphere that we are renowned for, and that stays with our performers through their lifetime.
As a non-profit association we rely on grants, the generosity of hundreds of donors and sponsors, and your registration and entrance fees, to bring this vibrant Festival to life each year. We send sincere thanks to all of you for choosing to make a difference in the lives of so many creative local artists. Beyond money we also rely on the gift of time from hundreds of volunteers so please take a moment to thank the Festival people you meet at sessions and concerts for helping your young performer on their artistic journey.
Finally this is your Festival, and the GVPAF Board of Directors strives to create an experience that reflects your artistic aspirations and needs. Please reach out to us through the Festival office with your suggestions and feedback to help us stay closely connected with you.
And now, please enjoy the creativity and passion on show and celebrate with us the thriving performing arts in our community!
Notice of Annual General Meeting
The Annual General Meeting of the Greater Victoria Performing Arts Festival Association will be held at 7:00 pm on November 15th, 2023 via Zoom.
Paying your membership ensures eligibility to vote at the AGM. The Membership fee of $5.00 may be paid by cheque (made out to GVPAFA and posted to 1538 Cedar Hill Cross Rd, Victoria BC V8P 2P1) or by electronic transfer to festival@gvpaf.org. All Membership fees must be paid by 4PM on Tuesday Oct 31, 2023.
If you have paid your membership (between November 1, 2022 and October 31, 2023) Please contact us and we will send you the AGM package which will include the Zoom link, Agenda, President’s Report, Financial Statements, the biographies of the Directors standing for election and Director appointments requiring ratification.
October 16, 2022
Notice of Annual General Meeting
The Annual General Meeting of the Greater Victoria Performing Arts Festival Association will be held at 7:00 pm on November 2, 2022 via Zoom.
Paying your membership ensures eligibility to vote at the AGM. The Membership fee of $5.00 may be paid by cheque (made out to GVPAFA and posted to 1538 Cedar Hill Cross Rd, Victoria BC V8P 2P1) or by electronic transfer to festival@gvpaf.org. All Membership fees must be paid by 4PM on Monday Oct 31, 2022.
If you have paid your membership (between November 1, 2021 and October 31, 2022) we will send you the AGM package which will include the Zoom link, Agenda, President’s Report, Financial Statements, the biographies of the Directors standing for election and Director appointments requiring ratification.
For Immediate Release 0 Jan 1, 2022
Country Grocer - Friends and Family - Dec 2021
September 22, 2021
Festival's registrant, Lexie Krakowski featured in Oak Bay News!
September 22, 2021
Notice of Annual General Meeting
The Annual General Meeting of the Greater Victoria Performing Arts Festival Association will be held at 7:00 pm on October 6, 2021 via Zoom. Paying your membership ensures eligibility to vote at the AGM. The Membership fee of $5.00 may be paid by cheque (made out to GVPAFA and posted to 21-21 Dallas Road, Victoria, B.C. V8V 4Z9) or by electronic transfer to festival@gvpaf.org. All Membership fees must be paid by 4PM on Friday, October 1, 2021. If you have paid your membership (since November 1, 2020) and wish to vote at the AGM, we will send you the AGM package on Monday, October 4, 2021 which will include the Zoom link, Agenda, President’s Report, Financial Statements, the biographies of the Directors standing for election, and a list (with biographies) of Director appointments requiring ratification.
NOTE: The recent change in Office Administrator of GVPAFA has impacted our year-end accounting schedule and may impact the date of the AGM. We will post any change to the scheduled date of the AGM, currently October 6, 2021, on the Festival website (see Festival News link on homepage) and inform our current Members by email.
September 17, 2021
Office closure on September 30, 2021
The GVPAFA Festival office will be closed on Thursday, September 30, 2021 to recognize the national day for Truth and Reconciliation.
August 30, 2021
HUGE THANKS TO OUR RETIRING SECTION HEADS!
Each year our wonderful Section Heads demonstrate enduring dedication to the performing arts, maintaining their essential role and devoting countless hours toward ensuring our Festival’s success. We are always sad to see them go! Our entire Festival community -Board of Directors, fellow Section Heads and their teams, registrants, teachers, volunteers, and parents thank the following retiring Section Heads for their service and dedication.
Angela Morrow -Studio Dance Section
Inez St. Dennis- Classical Voice Section
Janine Webster- Brass Section
We hope that you will stay in touch with us!
August 30, 2021
The Greater Victoria Performing Arts Festival is thrilled to announce our registrants’ spectacular results at the 2021 National Music Festival (FCMF). The 2021 Grand Award Winner, Victoria-based cellist Lexie Jana Krakowski, was chosen from the First Place Emerging Artist Winners in all disciplines by an international panel of adjudicators. As the Grand Award winner, Lexie received the $5,000 cash prize from the NRS Foundation through the Victoria Foundation and a performance opportunity with Symphony New Brunswick.
Also from the Greater Victoria Performing Arts Festival and joining Lexie in the spotlight in the Emerging Artist Stream competition (30 years & under; Advanced Repertoire) Johnathan Devey placed Second in the Piano Class, Ayari Kasukawa placed Second in the Woodwinds Class, and Boyana Makedonska placed Third in the Piano Class. In the Developing Artist Stream competition (18 years & under; Intermediate Repertoire) Eu-Rway Chew placed First in the Piano Class.
The Greater Victoria Performing Arts Festival is fortunate to benefit from our renewed affiliation with FCMF as our registrants now have the opportunity to not only represent our Victoria community at this prestigious national event, but also to benefit from the performance experience and ‘connections made’ with other competitors, adjudicators and audiences. CONGRATULATIONS to all the FCMF Winners at the 2021 National Music Festival!
June 23, 2021
Congratulations to the National Music Festival Local Qualifying Round competitors!
June 8, 2021
Notice of Special General Meeting of Members
Please click here for the Agenda. Please contact festival@gvpaf.org for the attachments.
May 25, 2021
Congratulations to Boyana Makedonska, winner of the 2021 Roberto and Mary Wood Scholarship!
Dr. Geminiano with the 2018 winners of the Nathan Geminiano Fund Awards
April 8, 2021
Remembering Dr. Onofre “Jim” Geminiano
We are sorry to inform our community of the passing of a longtime member of our Festival family, Dr. Onofre "Jim" Geminiano. Across many years, Jim was a wonderful supporter of Festival, especially in our Piano divisions donating generous awards via the Nathan Geminiano Fund through the Victoria Foundation. Jim's presence at our concerts and our parties will be sorely missed.
February 24, 2021
Congratulations to our wonderful Speech and Dramatic Arts Section Head featured in Seaside Magazine (February 2021)
Souzann McMillan: Giving Youth a Voice (excerpt)
Within her very being, Souzann believes that mastering public speaking is a critical life skill. Throughout her teaching, including with Speech Arts Victoria where she is a director and teacher, as well as volunteering over 25 years with the Greater Victoria Performing Arts Festival, she has witnessed how far reaching it is. Students leave with strong tools to carry throughout their lives – confidence, poise, the ability to present their thoughts and engage in healthy debate. Young women learn early that they have a voice.
To read the full article, please click here.
February 19, 2021
Remembering Dennis Latham
It is with sadness that we share with the Festival community news of Dennis Latham's passing. Dennis served on the Festival Board of Directors for several years, gaining the respect of colleagues for his evident wisdom and wonderful wit. We are so grateful for Dennis's support of Festival across many years, as an appreciative audience member, generous donor, low brass enthusiast, and engaging party guest. We extend sincere condolences to Dennis's wife Barbara and all the Latham family. Click here to view the obituary.
December 21, 2020
GVPAF becomes an Affiliated Member of the National Music Festival!
We are pleased to announce that the Greater Victoria Performing Arts Festival has received approval to join the National Music Festival as an Affiliated Member. Entrants into GVPAF music sections will now be able to receive nominations that will lead to National Music Festival participation. These include Brass/Percussion, Choral, Classical Guitar, Piano, School Bands and Orchestras, Strings, Voice, Musical Theatre and Woodwinds.
Please click here to see the press release.
For more details please click here to view the Syllabus.
November 12, 2020
Board Member Opportunity - Awards Portfolio
The Festival is seeking a volunteer to join the Board of Directors and take responsibility for the Awards Portfolio. Please visit www.gvpaf.org/board-member-opportunity-awards-portfolio for more information.
October 8, 2020
Notice of Annual General Meeting
The Annual General Meeting of GVPAFA will be held at 7:00 PM on October 27, 2020 via Zoom
Paying your membership will ensure your eligibility to vote at the AGM. If you have paid your membership and wish to vote, please contact the festival office at festival@gvpaf.org and we will send you the Agenda, Zoom link, President’s Report, Financial Statements, and the biographies of the directors up for election.
Membership costs $5 and must be paid by 4pm on October 23, 2020. It may be paid by cheque (to 21-21 Dallas Road, Victoria BC, V8V 4Z9) or electronic transfer to festival@gvpaf.org.
July 21, 2020
Welcome to our new Board Members
We would like to welcome Bill Devey and Richard Novek to the Board. For full bios of all of our Board members, please check the GVPAF Team tab.
April 15, 2020
Greater Victoria Performing Arts Festival Association Confirms Jody Pilling as New Board President
The board of directors of the Greater Victoria Performing Arts Festival Association is very pleased to announce that Jody Pilling has been installed as GVPAF board president. Jody replaces long-time board president, John Sterk, who announced his retirement from the GVPAF board in March 2020. Friends of the Performing Arts Festival will recognize Jody as she previously served as GVPAF board president from 2011 to 2015. Jody rejoins GVPAF at a pivotal time in the history of the organization and its annual Festival. For the first time in seventy years the Festival was cancelled for 2020 because of the coronavirus pandemic. Jody will be leading the board through an immediate assessment of operational requirements for the organization in anticipation of the return of the Performing Arts Festival in spring 2021. As she stepped into her role as GVPAF board president, Jody paid tribute to Mr. Sterk for his years of dedicated service to the organization and the annual Festival. “On behalf of the Board of directors of GVPAFA and the broader Festival community, I extend my sincere thanks to John for his exemplary service as President across the past 5 years. John's wise counsel, steady hand and legal expertise were highly valued by all, and we are grateful that he will remain involved as part of our team in his role as Past President.”
April 15, 2020
Welcome to our returning Board Member
We would like to welcome Anne Percival back to the Board. For full bios of all of our Board members, please check the GVPAF Team tab.
March 2, 2020
President, John Sterk, Announces His Retirement
Long-time Greater Victoria Performing Arts Festival President, John Sterk, has advised the GVPAF board of directors of his decision to retire as Festival President, effective May 15, 2020. While GVPAF will miss John’s steady hand guiding the annual Performing Arts Festival, the entire Festival organization is delighted that John and wife, Jane, will be enjoying a fun-filled retirement with family and friends in the Comox Valley.
John joined the GVPAF board in October 2015, accepting the board’s offer to take on the role of board president. During John’s tenure as president, the Performing Arts Festival has expanded to now supporting 21 performance disciplines, installed a high-performance online registration system, expanded our hard-working board to 15 directors, and continued to produce the largest annual performing arts festival on Vancouver Island. Prior to joining GVPAF, John served as president of the Victoria Youth Orchestra board for 7 years and served on its board for another 9 years . After a combined 20 years of distinguished service in support of youth performing arts, John is setting aside his baton.
The GVPAF board has initiated a search to recruit a new board president, with the view of having our new Festival president in place as of the departure of Mr. Sterk or shortly thereafter. If you would like more information about the position of GVPAF board president, where you will play a key role in nurturing artistic skills and love of performance in music, dance and theatre arts in Greater Victoria, please visit gvpaf.org/president-opportunity or contact the Festival office by email at festival@gvpaf.org or by phone at 250-386-9223.
November 14, 2019
Welcome to our new Board Members
We would like to welcome Karin MacMillan and Kelsy Traverse to the Board. For full bios of all of our Board members, please check the GVPAF Team tab.
November 6, 2019
UPDATE ON PROVINCIAL WITHDRAWAL FROM NATIONALS
The Board has been in discussion with Provincial Arts BC (PABC) and the National organization and several Board members & Past President attended the recent PABC AGM in Surrey.
PABC has instituted “Provincial Excellence Classes” to replace the National classes at the 2020 Provincial Festival to be held in Cranbrook. For 2020, Excellence classes will be in effect for those music disciplines that would have had access to National classes. There is no restriction on the number of qualified participants local festivals can send. Winners will receive a significant monetary award.
October 25, 2019
Report to Performing Arts BC
Delegates from the GVPAF Board recently attended the Performing Arts BC AGM and presented our report of the year’s activities. To view a copy of this report please click here.
September 26, 2019
Annual General Meeting
The Annual General Meeting of GVPAFA will be held at 7:00 PM on Tuesday, October 15, 2019 in the Board Room at #21-21 Dallas Road. For further information please contact the Festival Office.
July 03, 2019
Welcome to our new Board Member
We would like to welcome Alan Humphries to the Board. For full bios of all of our Board members, please check the GVPAF Team tab.
June 28, 2019
National Festival Update
The Provincial office has just informed us that BC will leave the National Music Festival at the end of August 2019. Stay tuned for updates.
June 13, 2019
THE GREATER VICTORIA PERFORMING ARTS FESTIVAL ASSOCIATION (The Society) - NOTICE OF A GENERAL MEETING OF MEMBERS
Take Notice that a General Meeting of Members of the Society will be held on Thursday, June 27, 2019 at 5 pm in the Boardroom at 21-21 Dallas Road (Shoal Point), Victoria, BC.
The purpose of the Meeting is to approve an increase in the maximum number of board members from the existing 12 to 15. The Special Resolution to be voted upon is: “Be it resolved as a Special Resolution of the Members of the Society that the Bylaws as filed with the BC Registrar of Companies be amended by deleting existing Bylaw 4.2 and substituting the following in its place: ‘4.2 The Board shall consist of no more than fifteen (15) elected members comprising the President, Vice President, Secretary and Treasurer and up to Eleven (11) Members at Large.’”
May 23, 2019
Roberto and Mary Wood Scholarship Award
Congratulations to Lexie Krakowski for her outstanding Cello performance and for being the recipient of the 2019 Roberto and Mary Wood Scholarship Award.
May 14, 2019
Celebrating the Life of Selena James
Saturday, May 25, 2019 - 2:30pm at the Alix Goolden Hall. Selena James enjoyed a highly successful career as a soprano and as a teacher. She joined the faculty of the Victoria Conservatory of Music in 1973, and was the director of the VCM Opera Studio for thirty-five years. Under her leadership it became a vital training program for several generations of singers. In addition to her work at the VCM, Selena taught at the Banff Centre for the Arts, and in 2013 was awarded a ‘Ruby’ by Opera Canada for her contribution to the world of opera. An important member of the VCM faculty until her retirement in 2014, we are grateful for her years of dedicated teaching, for her love of opera, and of singers. Please join us, along with many of her former students, including Richard Margison, Ingrid Attrot, Benjamin Butterfield, Eve-Lyn de la Haye, Ken Lavigne, Trevor Bowes and Louis Rose, to celebrate the life of Selena James. All are welcome to attend.
May 10, 2019
Welcome to our new Board Members
We would like to welcome Melanie Johnson, Danielle Williamson, and Serena Selkirk to our Board. For full bios of all of our Board members, please check the GVPAF Team tab.
November 20, 2018
Welcome to our new Board Member
We would like to welcome Zhila Alizadeh-Borji to our Board. For full bios of all of our Board members, please check the GVPAF Team tab.
November 15, 2018
Music Festival Suite
We are very excited to announce that we will be using a new registration system for Festival 2019, Music Festival Suite. To access the system and set up a profile, please visit our registration page at Music Festival Suite. You may find links to the instruction manual under the Registration Tab located under the Festival heading above. If you need assistance, please feel free to contact us at festival@gvpaf.org.
September 03, 2018
Strategic Plan
We had a long summer of planning and are please to present the Strategic Plan for the Greater Victoria Performing Arts Festival. A copy can be found under the about tab located above.
May 11, 2018
Remembering Thomas Mayne
It is with great sadness that we honour the passing of Thomas Mayne. He was a strong supporter of Festival Awards and through his generosity touched the lives and arts educations of many student performers. We are eternally grateful for his kind support over the years. Times Colonist.
March 15, 2018
Welcome to our new Board Member
We are very happy to welcome Peter Parrish to our Board. Peter comes to us with a wealth of experience and many great ideas. For full bios of all of our Board members, please check the GVPAF Team tab.
January 24, 2018
Double-Double Duo Fundraising Concert
Join us on February 18th for the Double-Double Duo Concert. First Baptist Church, 877 North Park, 7:30pm Double-Double Duo features Michael Bridge on accordion and Kornel Wolak on clarinet. This unique duo wil be performing a fundraising concert for the Greater Victoria Performing Arts Festival. DDD concerts include: Bach, Mozart, Brahms, Leonard Cohen, Hank Williams, Benny Goodman, and folk music from Bulgaria, Brazil, and Bosnia
October 18, 2017
New Concert Lineup for 2018
Be sure to check out our new concert series: The Rose Bowl Concert will now include Musical Theatre Highlights and has been renamed the “Voice Highlights Concert”. Fiddle Highlights will be on stage with the Ethnic Dance Highlights, and Junior Piano and Junior Strings will perform together in a fabulous concert.
September 08, 2017
Get Your Thrifty Foods Smile Card and Support Festival!
We are thrilled to advise that we have joined the Thrifty Smile Card Fundraising Program. Once loaded with an amount you determine, use it to pay for groceries and Thrifty Foods will donate 5% of the loaded amount to us. There is absolutely no cost to you. When the card runs low, simply load it again and continue shopping. Contact the office and your Smile Card will be mailed to you. Our sincere thanks to Thrifty Foods for their support.
May 16, 2017
Roberto and Mary Wood $5,000 Scholarship Award
After viewing the performances by six of Victoria’s talented young classical musicians, Festival 2017’s Roberto and Mary Wood Jurists selected Kate Moran for her outstanding Viola performance. Congratulations Kate! We wish you and all of the other scholarship candidates the very best in your musical endeavors.
November 02, 2016
Rachel Allen Featured Soloist
Rachel Allen, our 2016 Roberto and Mary Wood Scholarship winner, is one of the featured soloists on Saturday, November 12th when she will be sharing the stage with Andrew Greenwood singing Requiems by Faure and Durufle. First Metropolitan Church, 3:00pm.