Music teachers from the Trail and Castlegar branch of the B.C. Registered Music Teachers’ Association (BCRMTA) hosted two well-attended and memorable events last month in celebration of Canada Music Week.
Both engagements took place in the Muriel Griffiths Room at the Bailey Theatre in Trail.
The first day featured a dynamic composition workshop led by acclaimed Canadian composer and librettist Dean Burry.
On Saturday, Nov. 23, Burry, a faculty member at Queen’s University, gathered nine student composers, five teachers, and several auditors for a day of creativity and collaboration.
Using Zoom, he provided personalized feedback on students’ pre-submitted compositions and facilitated a group activity where participants worked in two teams to create original pieces.
Teachers described the workshop as an inspiring and engaging experience, leaving participants energized and full of creative ideas.
The weekend culminated in a recital hosted by the branch, featuring 23 piano and voice students performing an all-Canadian program.
Three participants from the previous day’s workshop showcased their original compositions, highlighting the creativity fostered during the event.
The recital concluded with an awards and scholarship presentation recognizing students who achieved the highest exam scores in the Trail and Castlegar branch.
“The event was very well attended, standing room only, and well received,” shared teacher Anna King.
“It was a most exciting and joyful weekend filled with lots of learning and tons of fun.”
Helen Dahlstrom Practical Award – Conservatory Canada
Maeva Lewis: Grade 1 Contemporary Idioms & Classical Technique (90.2)
Isabella LePage: Grade 2 Classical (84.5)
Madeline Ellis: Grade 3 Contemporary Idioms (86.6)
Soleil Bitting: Grade 5 Classical (90.0)
Erica Sandland: Grade 6 Contemporary Idioms (80.1)
Olivia Ovington: Grade 8 Contemporary Idioms (84.2)
Helen Dahlstrom Practical Award – The Royal Conservatory
Duncan Coke: Level 1 (88)
Imogen Barrie: Level 4 (84)
Emma Evans: Level 4 Voice (83)
Dora Tweeddale Theory Award – Conservatory Canada
Jasmine Chow: Theory 1 (96)
Kydan Medland: Theory 2 (83)
Olivia Ovington: Theory 4 (81)
Dora Tweeddale Theory Award – The Royal Conservatory
Emilio Ruiz: Level 6 (96)
Anne Cameron: Level 9 Harmony (84)
Additional acknowledgements
Maeva Lewis: Medal for Excellence, Conservatory Canada Level 1 Piano Contemporary Idioms exam
Madeline Ellis: Medal for Excellence, Conservatory Canada Level 3 Piano Contemporary Idioms exam
Soleil Bitting: Medal for Excellence, Conservatory Canada Grade 5 Classical Piano exam
Jasmine Chow: Medal for Excellence, Conservatory Canada Level 5 Piano Contemporary Idioms exam
About Canada Music Week
Canada Music Week, celebrated from Nov. 17 to Nov. 23, highlights the importance of Canadian music.
It supports Canadian composers and performers, introduces young musicians to contemporary Canadian works, and encourages music educators to explore and promote these pieces.
Since its founding in 1960 by Helen Dahlstrom – a well-known piano teacher from the Trail area – Canada Music Week has brought thousands of Canadians together each year to celebrate and foster a deeper appreciation for homegrown music.
Remembering Helen Dahlstrom
Helen Dahlstrom – a gifted teacher, pianist, organist, choir conductor, and community leader – was born on June 5, 1917, in Regina, Saskatchewan.
She spent her childhood in Hanley and Radville, where her father worked for the Canadian National Railway (CNR), and her mother was active in the Eastern Star.
Helen’s extraordinary musical talent emerged early. As a child, she travelled regularly by train to Regina for piano lessons, exhibiting remarkable focus and discipline in her early-morning practice sessions.
She earned her Associate diploma from the Royal Conservatory of Music at 13 and her Licentiate diploma at 14.
Her precocious abilities launched a lifetime of remarkable contributions to music and education.
Helen taught and performed in Regina, Winnipeg, and throughout British Columbia’s interior, retiring to Victoria in 2009.
As a teacher, she inspired countless students, guiding them toward professional musical excellence, with many achieving significant success in Canada, the United States, and Europe.
Her dedication to music education spanned more than 70 years, and her influence was felt across local, provincial, and national music communities.
A central figure in Canadian music, Helen was instrumental in establishing Canada Music Week, a celebration promoting the work of Canadian composers.
She chaired the organization for 25 years, shaping its mission and impact.
Her contributions were recognized in 1998 when she was awarded the Order of British Columbia, one of the province’s highest honours.
Helen also devoted herself to community music-making.
For 35 years, she served as the director and conductor of the A Capella Singers and was an organist and choir leader at St. Andrew’s Church in Rossland.
She performed and conducted with energy and passion, earning a reputation as a leader whose impact was legendary and perhaps unparalleled in the province.
Beyond her work as a performer and teacher, Helen held leadership roles in the BC Registered Music Teachers’ Association and the Canadian Federation of Music Teachers’ Associations.
Her work in these organizations strengthened music education across Canada and empowered generations of musicians and educators.
In her later years, Helen lived at Berwick Royal Oak in Victoria, where her warmth, humour, and grace made her a cherished member of the community.
She passed away on July 25, 2013, at the age of 96, after a long and extraordinary life.
Her legacy continues to resonate, inspiring musicians, educators, and music lovers across Canada and beyond.
- with files from TrailHistory.ca
