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Music Instruction

Brenda Stapleton

Music Teacher, Piano

I am currently persuing my ARCT with Toronto Conservatory and have been teaching at Kelly Creek Community School for the past 5 years and am committed to continuing my education in piano to augment my teaching and playing.

Brenda's email address is: ditch@armourtech.com

The Powell River Academy of Music, a dynamic community music school serving the top of the Sunshine Coast. The Academy, a non-profit society, is committed to providing excellent training to students of all ages whether they are a beginner or an advanced performer. Many students at the Academy study for the sheer joy of expressing themselves while others prepare for a professional career in music, dance or theater.

The Academy is a place where students encounter greatness, experience wonder, while striving for the highest standards of excellence – all under the guidance of exceptional teachers. Academy students experience the deep satisfaction of participating in great performances, dancing ballets and works of modern dance, singing choral masterpieces, improvising with the jazz combo and delivering a soliloquy.

The Academy is a friendly home where amateurs and professionals alike share their passion for the arts.

The Powell River Academy of Music grew out of a thriving community choral program established between 1974 – 1981. This program began with the Powell River Boy's Choir formed in 1974 by Ken Peterson (conductor), Don James (accompanist) and Harold Carson. In 1975, Mr. James became conductor of the Powell River Boys Choir and in 1977 founded the Powell River Girl's Choir followed by the Powell River Youth Choir in1980. These choirs soon gained national and international recognition.

The executive committees of these three choral organizations, inspired by the vision of Mr. James to create a community music school that would strengthen music education in Powell River and enhance the cultural life of it's citizens, formed the Powell River Academy of Music in 1981. In it's short history the Academy has grown to a performing arts school, encompassing music, dance and theater with a student body of 700 and a faculty and staff of 28. The Academy has not only not grown in scope and size but also has established significant festivals and concerts programs for the students and community. The Academy's alumni are now making their mark throughout the world.

In the early years classes were held first at Oceanview School (1981-1983) and then at St. David's Church Hall (1983-1987). During these years the Academy continued as a vocal school and was fortunate to acquire the services of Terry Sabine, first as a volunteer and later as a part time paid administrator. The vocal teachers included Don James, Susan Hoekstra and Brenda Yirka.

In 1987 with the assistance of Mel Low and the Kinsman the Powell River Academy of Music acquired it's first building. Here in our new home with the acquisition of a grand piano and two upright pianos, stereo and office equipment we finally branched out and included keyboard instruction in our curriculum. This was truly a big step forward for the Academy and in fulfilling the initial vision.

The Academy program and reputation steadily grew. A summer music program, a concert series and our own bus to transport students added to the growth of the school. The faculty now numbered six. The office now included Kay Matterson, secretary, Romi Low, registrar as well as Terry Sabine as the full time administrator. It took just three short years to out grow our new building.

In 1990 to accommodate its expanding enrollment, the Academy, entered into a long-term lease with School District #47 to obtain our present facility - the former J.C. Hill School. The building committee under the leadership of Hector Beauchesne oversaw a major renovation of the school to accommodate the necessary teaching studios, rehearsal halls, ballet studios, offices and state of the art recording studio. Since moving in to its new space the Academy has expanded its program of study to include music, dance, drama, recording engineering and a college division. The Academy now boasts a student body of 700 and a faculty and staff of 28.

Over the years the Academy choirs have continued to be international ambassadors for Powell River. They have performed in major halls and cathedrals and for important festivals and world events in Canada, USA, Mexico, Venezuela, Japan, Hawaii, Finland, Russia, Czech Republic, England, Wales, Denmark, Germany, Austria, Poland, Italy, France, Spain, and Hungary.

Academy students have achieved provincial and national awards.

In 1982 Music Director Don James seeing a need for an international choral festival in North America invited Dal Matterson to chair the initial festival. Under their skillful leadership, a committee was formed and the first International Choral Kathaumixw took place in 1984. Kathaumixw, a festival of the Academy now has a global presence and has grown to be one of the largest festivals of its kind.

Jim Donnelly, the current President of the Academy, has further expanded the program by developing partnerships with School District #47, Malaspina University-College and the Laszlo Tamasik School of Dance.

The Powell River Academy of Music is proud of its achievements and looks forward to its role in the enhancement of the arts in the new millennium.

The Powell River Academy of Music admits students of all ages who are interested in developing their skills in the performing arts. Students may enter the Academy as beginners or be placed at an advanced level based on their previous experience and training. Faculty and staff will assist students who are entering for the first time as to an appropriate instrument, performing ensemble or class.

The Academy office is located at