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Our Musicians

The Vancouver Island Symphony is a professional Canadian orchestra – one of only two on Vancouver Island. The VIS presents an annual season of world-class orchestral performances at the beautiful harbour setting of Nanaimo’s Port Theatre. In addition the VIS performs Symphony at the Sid, a series of three concerts at the Sid Williams Theatre in Courtenay.

By attracting professional musicians and soloists from across the country, offering special education and community concerts and programming, and engaging active volunteers and donors, the VIS serves as a creative asset to the many communities of the growing Central Island area. Its wide-reaching audience and commitment to education are helping to Keep Music Live and foster the next generation of audiences and performers.

The Vancouver Island Symphony values the continued support it receives from its patrons through tickets sales and donations. Buy a ticket and join us in Keeping Music Live on the Island! 2025-2026 marks the Symphony’s 31st Season!

ARTISTIC DIRECTOR

Cosette Justo Valdés

The Joyce Clarke
Honourary Conductor’s Podium

FIRST VIOLIN

Vacant Concertmaster

Eveline O’Rourke
Honourary Concertmaster Chair

Alana Lopez Assistant Concertmaster
Erin Dorfer
Samantha Kung

SECOND VIOLIN

Samuel Tsui Principal
Jeremy Ferland
James Mark
Llowyn Ball

VIOLA

Sevilya Hendrickx Principal

Betty St. Jean Memorial Chair

Guyonne Le Louarn

CELLO

Hannah Addario-Berry Principal

Judy Fraser Memorial Chair

Alexandra Lee Assistant Cello
Laine Longton

DOUBLE BASS

Mark Beaty Principal
Michael Vaughan

FLUTE

Paolo Bortolussi Principal
 Emily Nagelbach

OBOE

Geronimo Mendoza Principal

Dr. Marjorie S. Holmes Memorial Chair

Vacant

CLARINET

Christopher Lee Principal
Krystal Morrison

BASSOON

Anthony Averay, Principal
Olivia Martin

FRENCH HORN

Andrew Clark, Principal

Carl Saarinen Memorial Chair

Vacant
Karen Hough
Heather Walker

TRUMPET

Stevan Paranosic Principal
 Mark D'Angelo

BASS TROMBONE

Scott MacInnes Principal

TUBA

Eric Morton, Principal

PERCUSSION

Jonathan Bernard Principal

TIMPANI

Nicole Arendt Principal

HARP

Lani Krantz Principal

Send Every Grade 4 Student to a VIS Concert
Help transform young lives through the power of music

Your donation can be the catalyst for transforming lives through the power of music.
Help us send every Grade 4 student to a VIS concert designed specifically for them.
The VIS Music Education program builds music appreciation and participation in
over 2,500 nine and  ten year old children each year.
Let’s welcome the symphony audiences of the future together!

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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

Erin Dorfer
Violin

Violinist Erin Dorfer recently returned to Vancouver after a year in the Netherlands, where she performed and studied baroque violin at the Koninklijk Conservatorium. While in The Hague, Erin was under the tutelage of Kati Debretzeni and had further studies with Shunsuke Sato, Walter Reiter and Rebecca Huber. Performance highlights include a concert with the Orchestra of the 18th Century. Erin is happy to be back home performing with Vancouver Island Symphony and is excited to be performing in their summer concert series.

Previously, Erin earned her Master’s degree from the University of British Columbia, where she studied with Jasper Wood and Marc Destrubé. Her undergraduate studies were at the University of Victoria with Sharon Stanis. Erin has an active studio of students of all ages and remains active in the National Suzuki community.

When not teaching or playing the violin, Erin enjoys working out, gardening, reading fantasy and sci-fi books, and baking.

Samuel Tsui
Principal Second Violin

Born in Hong Kong, Samuel Tsui began learning the violin at the age of 5. He attained both his Bachelors and Masters degrees specializing in violin performance under the tutelage of Jasper Wood at the University of British Columbia. Post-graduation, he further developed his abilities under the mentoring of Akira Nagai. He regularly coaches string sectionals for the Vancouver Youth Symphony Orchestra, Surrey Youth Symphony Orchestra the Richmond Delta Youth Symphony Orchestra. During the summer, he serves as a faculty member of the Music, Meadows and Mountains retreat in Washington, USA. He has also adjudicated for the junior, intermediate and senior instrumental divisions of the Richmond Music School Scholarship Competition and the String Festival of Central Valley Academy of Music. Samuel currently performs as the principal second violinist of the Vancouver Island Symphony Orchestra, and is a member of the first violin section in the Kamloops Symphony Orchestra, Canada West Chamber Orchestra, and the Willingdon Church Orchestra. He also served as the personnel manager and a first violinist of the Vancouver Metropolitan Orchestra. Samuel has become a well sought-after violinist in western Canada and has worked with notable artists including Michael Bublé, Mariah Carey, and Mary J. Blige.

James Mark
Second Violin

 

 

James Mark was born and raised in Nanaimo and completed his undergraduate degree in music at York University. James earned his Masters degree in violin performance and composition at the California Institute of the Arts (CalArts) where he went on to become a faculty member teaching theory and musicianship. Currently, James is a Professor of Music in the music department at Vancouver Island University. He teaches many core courses at VIU but is most excited about growing the music technology offerings that currently include: Introduction to Home Recording, Studio Recording, Digital Music Notation and History of Film Music. James is also a core member of the Vancouver Island Symphony. He has been performing with the symphony since its inception and played the first two seasons as an advanced student before embarking on his formal music education. James returned to Nanaimo in 2006 becoming a core member and has been performing ever since. In addition to his performance career, James is continually working as an arranger and composer. James has been the arranger, musical director, and violinist for the Yellowpoint Christmas Spectacular since its inception in 2007.

Sevilya Hendrickx
Viola

Sevilya Hendrickx-Rai was born into a musical family. Both of her parents are classical musicians and Sevilya learned classical music and arts at a very young age. She received her professional education in two very culturally active yet different countries. The Russian Federation gave Sevilya a traditional education in the best sense and connections with world- renowned artists. In The Netherlands, she explored the baroque style as well as contemporary music and many other diverse ways of playing. Sevilya earned her master’s degree with distinction from The Royal Conservatory in The Netherlands. She performed with many Dutch professional orchestras. At the beginning of Sevilya’s study at the conservatory, the Rotterdam Philharmonic Orchestra, under the baton of Yannick Nézet Séguin, invited her to join the tour to France. She also performed as guest principal viola at North Netherlands Symphony Orchestra as well as South Netherlands Philharmonic. At a young age, Sevilya impressively became a member of the Hague Philharmonic Orchestra. She performed in numerous most known concert halls such as Concertgebouw in Amsterdam, Elbphilharmonie in Hamburg, the Théâtre de Champs-Elysees in Paris, Philharmonie de Paris, The Grand Hall of the Moscow Conservatory, St. Petersburg Philharmonia etc. Sevilya settled with her family in Canada in beautiful British Columbia a few years ago. Here she has been active as a performer and educator. In 2019, Sevilya became a member of the Vancouver Island Symphony. Sevilya has also been the artistic director of the Vancouver Island Conservatory of Music & Arts since 2021. She leads the school towards an innovative music and arts education where everyone receives a customized learning experience. In 2022, she performed as a guest principal viola of the Vancouver Opera. Throughout her professional career, she has gained a lot of connections with conductors and artists from all over the world. Aside from her music career, Sevilya has always been intrigued by different languages and cultures. Momentarily she studies Chinese Language and Culture at Vancouver Island University.

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.

Hannah Addario-Berry
Cello

Canadian cellist Hannah Addario-Berry has been delighting music lovers around the world for over a decade. Specializing in chamber music and solo repertoire, Hannah is passionately committed to performing music by living composers. Along with her exquisite cello playing, Hannah’s warmth and engaging presentation style enable listeners to forge a deeper connection with music.

Hannah is Principal Cellist with the Vancouver Island Symphony, and performs regularly with many ensembles in Vancouver and San Francisco. She has been invited to play at festivals such as Other Minds and Switchboard Music in San Francisco, Trinity Alps Chamber Music Festival in northern California, and Music By The Sea in Bamfield, British Columbia. From 2006-2010 Hannah was cellist with the renowned Del Sol String Quartet, during which time the quartet performed more than 50 world premieres and recorded two highly acclaimed albums, Ring of Fire: Music from the Pacific Rim and First Life: String Quartets of Marc Blitzstein.

In 2015, Hannah created Scordatura, an innovative project combining Zoltán Kodály’s monumental Sonata for Solo Cello with a series of newly commissioned works, all of which share a unique altered tuning of the cello. Scordatura celebrated the centenary of Kodály’s Sonata and explored a new sound space for solo cello. Hannah performed the program in 25 cities around the US and Canada and recorded Scordatura in early 2016. Her previous album, Lady in the East, features music for solo cello by the Canadian composer Stephen Brown and was reviewed by Gramophone Magazine in October 2014.

Hannah’s love of chamber music began early and acquired momentum when she was invited to join McGill University’s prestigious Lloyd Carr-Harris String Quartet, with whom she performed in France and Italy, including at Casalmaggiore Music Festival. For her graduate work, she chose San Francisco Conservatory’s Masters in Chamber Music, where she collaborated with artists such as Menahem Pressler, Jean-Michel Fonteneau, Ian Swensen, and Jodi Levitz.

Hannah lives with her partner and their two children in North Vancouver, Canada, where she enjoys cooking, gardening, hiking, and woodworking. www.addarioberry.com

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

Laine Longton
Cello (3rd seat)

 

 

Laine Longton began playing cello at the age of 5.  From Victoria, BC, Laine holds a BMus in Cello Performance from the University of Victoria where she studied with Lafayette String quartet cellist Pamela Highbaugh Aloni.  Laine went on to attend the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign where she studied with acclaimed soloist Dmitry Kouzov and received her MMus in Literature and Performance. She has also studied with Eric Wilson (UBC) and Gail O’Riordan.  Laine studied cello in Europe where she took lessons with Martin Rommel, Guido Schiffen, and violinist Dénes Zsigmondy.  She is a core member of the Vancouver Island Symphony, plays as an extra cellist with Vancouver Opera, and freelances around Vancouver and the lower mainland in orchestras and musical theatre.  Laine enjoys performing everything from Schoenberg to Sondheim.

In high school Laine was a member of piano trio “Two + One” which came in second at the National Music Festival.  She was also a member of clarinet trio “Trio Dolce” which regularly toured and performed throughout BC for several years.

Laine is also an artist who specializes in abstract expressionism with oil paint and polyurethane. She lives in Vancouver, BC.

Laine has been a member of the Vancouver Island Symphony since 2014.

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.

Paolo Bortolussi
Principal Flute

Flutist Paolo Bortolussi is a soloist, chamber artist, educator, and new music pioneer. Dedicated to championing music by living composers, he has premiered over 400 works for flute, including concerti written for him by Dorothy Chang, Jocelyn Morlock, Jian Ping Tang, Ramsey Sadaka and Aaron Gervais. Paolo is co-artistic director of the Nu:BC Collective, a new music ensemble in residence at the University of British Columbia. His work with Nu:BC as well as other organizations in the new music community have led to performances and masterclasses at festivals across Canada, the US and Asia. Recent projects include the commission and premiere of celebrated composer Alexina Louie’s first composition for solo flute Quasi Cadenza, as well as Dorothy Chang’s duo Automata for two flutes. His discography includes Beyond Shadows, Nu:BC’s debut CD, as well as the solo flute album Israfel, both released on the Redshift label and recipients of multiple nominations at the Western Canadian Music Awards.

Paolo is principal flutist and New Music Advisor for the Vancouver Island Symphony where he was the driving force behind the Canadian Concerto Project, which commissioned, premiered, and recorded five new concerti by Canadian composers for principal players of the orchestra. Over the past decade, the Vancouver Island Symphony has earned a national reputation for its ambitious commissioning and recording program, as well as innovative programming. The album A Quinary includes the world premiere recording of Jocelyn Morlock’s flute concerto Ornithomancy, and was nominated for 4 Western Canadian Music Awards. Paolo was also the soloist for the premiere recording of Dorothy Chang’s flute concerto Flight on the Soaring Spirits  CD with the UBC Symphony Orchestra. The recording of Flight earned Dorothy Chang a Juno nomination for composition of the year and won the Western Canadian Award in the same category.

Raised in Halifax, Dr. Bortolussi is a graduate of the University of Ottawa and the Indiana University Jacobs School of Music. He is Lecturer of flute, chamber music, and directs the Contemporary Players Ensemble at the University of British Columbia School of Music. Paolo and has presented masterclasses across North America as well as in Korea and Taiwan, and is in demand as a clinician and adjudicator.

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 and conductor Christopher Lee completed his Master’s degree at Juilliard School where he also received Bachelor’s degree on Irene Diamond Graduate Fellowship and Eve Lyndlemarch Scholarship (Full Scholarship recipient). Mr. Lee has won the first and grand prizes at many competitions such as The Korean Clarinet Competition, Vancouver Burnaby Clef Society Competition, Bjorn & Jori Hareid Winds/Brass Competition, The Korean Young Artist Competition and more. He was invited to perform and received the certificate at the 5th Carl Nielsen International Clarinet Competition in Denmark.

He has appeared as a soloist with many orchestras including Vancouver Symphony Orchestra (VSO), Vancouver Island Symphony Orchestra, Pilgrim Orchestra, Vancouver Youth Symphony Orchestra and The Korean Clarinet Orchestra.

In 2010, Christopher had been appointed as an executive/artistic director of “First Steps Benefit Concert Series” in Vancouver in 2009-2011 benefiting the children in North Korea. He continues to organize and direct such benefit concert series every year with Jireh Clarinet Ensemble and Vancouver Concerto Orchestra to fundraise for the charity societies in Metro Vancouver area.

Christopher is currently the principal clarinet of Vancouver Island Symphony Orchestra since 2014 and the principal clarinet of Vancouver Opera since 2024. He also plays as the principal clarinet of Surrey City Orchestra as well as Vancouver Metropolitan Orchestra. Occasionally, he performs with Vancouver Symphony Orchestra, Victoria Symphony Orchestra, Kamloops Symphony Orchestra, Okanagan Symphony Orchestra and more. Mr. Lee is a very active chamber music player that he became the member of Vancouver Chamber Players, Vancouver Chamber Society and Cascadia Reed Quintet. He is devoted to teaching and conducting. He has given many clarinet masterclasses in different places including University of British Columbia and he has served as one of the woodwind juries for AMMC International Music Competition 2023 and North Shore Music Festival 2018. Christopher joined the clarinet faculty of Vancouver Academy of Music (S.K Lee College) since 2014 and he is the conductor of Vancouver Concerto Orchestra and The Philadelphia church of Vancouver.

Krystal Morrison
Clarinet

 

Krystal Morrison holds the position of 2nd clarinet with the Vancouver Island Symphony. Her career has taken her across North America where she has performed with a wide range of ensembles, including the symphonies of Victoria, Kamloops, North Bay, and Okanagan, as well as tango orchestras and military bands. Despite the trials of the current pandemic, she is looking forward to the opportunity to perform more chamber music with her colleagues of the VIS. Krystal holds degrees from McGill’s Schulich School of Music (Bachelor of Music) and the University of Ottawa (Master of Music), where she studied with Alain Desgagné, Kimball Sykes and Sean Rice. She has also benefited from coachings and master classes with artists such as Yehuda Gilad, Jose Franch-Ballester, Guy Yehuda, Michael Lowenstern (Bass Clarinet), and Hector Del Curto (Bandoneon). Krystal is also grateful for additional training experiences at the Orford Art Centre, and as a member with the Canadian Forces—which took her across the country as well as to Washington, D.C. and Oslo, Norway. When not playing clarinet, Krystal can be found running, swimming, or biking the hills of New Westminster.

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.

Karen Hough
French Horn

 

Karen Hough was born in Nanaimo as were 3 previous generations of her family, and raised in Victoria. She earned her Bachelor of Music Degree from the University of Victoria. She went on to study at the Royal Conservatory in Toronto in the Orchestral Training Programme. She received her Master of Music from Yale University and was the first horn player ever to receive Yale’s prestigious Artist Diploma. She spent a year as Artist in Residence at The Banff Centre. Summer Music Festivals she attended include Courtney Youth Music Camp, the Blossom Festival at Kent State University, Aspen and the LA Philharmonic Institute with guest conductors Simon Rattle and John Williams. After a career as an orchestral and chamber musician in Toronto, Karen returned to the west coast. She served in the Naden Band of the Royal Canadian Navy, as well as joining the Vancouver Island Symphony. She is also an avid chamber musician, playing in such groups as the West Coast Chamber Players, Windsong Woodwind quintet, and Ensemble Pacifica. She cnn be found in the pit of many musical theatre productions.

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.

Stevan Paranosic
Principal Trumpet

 

Stevan Paranosic is the Principal Trumpet of the Vancouver Island Symphony. Previously he performed as Acting 2nd Trumpet with the Victoria Symphony for 7 seasons and has appeared with trumpet sections of the Vancouver, Kamloops, Prince George, and Okanagan Symphony orchestras. He holds a Bachelor of Music degree from the University of Windsor and a Masters degree from the University of British Columbia. A big fan of brass chamber music performance, Stevan is active as a member, arranger and organizer of many brass groups. He is a core member of the Festive Brass quartet, which performs at The Butchart Gardens every Christmas season. The Festive Brass was featured with the Vancouver Island Symphony on their very popular Brassy Christmas seasonal show in 2014 & 2017. Stevan has been a private trumpet instructor for over 15 years and loves teaching all ages of students from beginners to more advanced. Inspired to ‘pay it forward’ to the next generation, Stevan returned to university to complete a Bachelors of Education and recently started work as a BC certified teacher. He is a dedicated music educator, devoted father and he admits he is an amusingly eccentric maestro of Christmas music madness.

Mark D'Angelo
Principal Trumpet

 

Mark D’Angelo, a native of North Vancouver, holds a Master of Music Degree from the University of McGill in Montreal.  Mark is currently Principal Trumpet with the Kamloops Symphony, and Second Trumpet with the Vancouver Island Symphony.  He has also performed with the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra, Vancouver New Music, Victoria Symphony, Turning Point Ensemble, CBC Radio Orchestra, Thunder Bay Symphony, and the American Brass Quintet as an Aspen Music Festival Fellowship recipient. Mark has performed with Ben Hepner, Grammy winner Lila Downs, Lara St. John, and Tony Award winner Idena Menzel.  In 2017 Mark performed the British Columbia premiere of John Estacio’s Concerto for Trumpet with the Kamloops Symphony.  Mark currently holds the position of director of instrumental ensembles at Douglas College, trumpet instructor at Capilano University, Trinity Western University, and is a Stomvi Performing Artist.

Scott MacInnes
Principal Bass Trombone

 

Scott MacInnes received his MMus from the University of Victoria (11) and his BMus at the University of Toronto (05). Scott moved to Victoria after winning a one-year bass trombone position with the Victoria Symphony for the 2005/6 season. The following year Scott secured the position of Principal Bass Trombone with the Vancouver Island Symphony. Scott is an extremely active chamber musician both as a member of the Pinnacle Brass Quintet and iTromboni. Demonstrating his great versatility Scott can also been seen playing jazz, pop and rock around Victoria, as well as in most of the musical theater pits. As an instructor Scott teaches privately as well as at the University of Victoria where he teaches chamber music, a pep band and private instruction. Scott also holds the position of Artistic Director for both the Meridiem Wind Orchestra and the BC Brass Collective.

Jonathan Bernard
Principal Percussion

 

Juno nominated percussionist Jonathan Bernard has been performing with the Vancouver Island Symphony since 1997. Jonathan combines his background in western percussion with a fascination for Asian and Andalusian traditions to create a unique sound palette incorporating a myriad of instruments, techniques and styles. Jonathan’s interests span genres from orchestral music, to new music, and intercultural music. Having premiered over 100 chamber works, Jonathan has performed with the Vancouver, Victoria, CBC Radio Orchestras, and is principal percussionist with the Vancouver Island Symphony. He is a member of Turning Point Ensemble, Orchid Ensemble, Sound of Dragon Ensemble, Vancouver Inter-Cultural Orchestra, Sounds Global Ensemble, Lalun, and Naadaleela. Jonathan performed as soloist in Tan Dun’s Water Concerto with the VISO and Jin Zhang’s No Rush at Taipei’s National Concert Hall. Jonathan studied percussion at the University of Ottawa and the University of British Columbia. He has studied traditional and contemporary Chinese percussion in Beijing, China; Arabic percussion in Cairo, Egypt; Flamenco Compas in Spain; and Carnatic rhythm in South India, with the support of the Canada Council for the Arts and British Columbia Arts Council.  Jonathan’s interest in non-western musics has led him to incorporate these diverse traditions and instruments in diverse settings and ensembles. Jonathan has toured throughout North America, Europe, Taiwan, and Japan. His numerous nominations and awards include a Juno nomination and Best Producer nomination for the International Independent Music Awards for his recordings with the Orchid Ensemble.

Nicole Arendt
Principal Timpani

 

 

Nicole Arendt is as strong and flexible as a percussionist and composer as she is as an Iyengar Yoga teacher. She’s been a drummer in an all-girl original pop band, a Baroque timpanist in early music ensembles, a soundscape creator for modern dance, a marimba and piano player in new music presentations, and an orchestral timpanist and percussionist who delights in getting to play at the most dramatic parts of the music. She holds an MMus from the University of Victoria and a BMus from the University of Alberta where she studied percussion performance and composition. Nicole has been the Principal Timpanist of the Vancouver Island Symphony since 2007 and is thrilled to be able to do one of her favourite things in the world for such great audiences. She is an alumni of the National Youth Orchestra of Canada and a freelance timpanist and percussionist in a variety of orchestras and chamber ensembles throughout BC, including the Victoria Symphony, the Okanagan Symphony, and the Vertical Orchestra. Nicole is co-director of Brave New Band which features her work as a composer, improviser, and marimba player.

Lani Krantz
Principal Harp

Lani Krantz is a graduate of the University of British Columbia music performance program. A 3rd generation professional freelancer, Lani performs across British Columbia for events, chamber music performances and in solo concerts that focus on many genres from Classical to Celtic to Jazz.

As part of her orchestral harp education, Lani toured with the National Youth Orchestra and studied at the Aspen School of Music. She has been Principal Harpist with the Vancouver Island Symphony since 2005 and plays regularly as an extra with the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra and local orchestras in British Columbia. She has performed in support ensembles for artists such as; Josh Groban, Andrea Bocelli, Johnny Mathis and more, and her playing can be heard on soundtracks with the Vancouver Film Orchestra and for the National Film Board of Canada. As an orchestra soloist, Lani has performed the Mozart Concerto with flutist, Carol Dymond and William Alwyn’s beautiful Lyra Angelica for harp and string orchestra with the Vancouver Island Symphony.

Lani is a member of the acclaimed, Winter Harp and in 2021 added the role of producing and managing the ensemble. Lani’s collaboration with Erhu player, Rong Jun and composer, Jin Zhang has been showcased in many events; most notably, the Sound of Dragon Festival and the World Harp Congress.

Lani is passionate about education and community engagement. She is currently studying Early Years Education at the University of British Columbia focusing her learning on early years music. She is a harp instructor at the Vancouver Academy of Music, the VSO School of Music and Douglas College. Lani sits on the board of the WCHS, the BC Chapter of the American Harp Society. She also holds ‘Mom’ on her list of titles and is happily joining her son as he travels on his own education journey.