In 2012 MBTS launched the MBTS Fellowship Artist Mentorship School. It is one of Canada’s best focused and detailed chamber music opportunities available.
The programme is open to young professionals on full scholarship. Each year a small group of Fellowship Artists and faculty members led by Steven Dann, viola (Toronto) to work together on major repertoire for an intense week-long session — an amazing opportunity for the Fellowship Artists who are selected by invitation.
Following their week of focused work, they stay in Bamfield for the opening weekend of the Festival and the works they have been preparing are programmed as part of the opening concerts. They also have the opportunity to perform with some of the Festival’s Company members. In 2020 all was cancelled because of the pandemic and this year we were still uncertain as to whether or not the program could happen. But at the last minute in mid-June we were able to launch a slightly smaller version of the program in Bamfield for four Fellowship Artists from across Canada led by Steven Dann. Although they were unable to perform in the Rix Centre they performed outside on a stage at Brady’s Beach to the delight of Bamfielders. On returning to Victoria they stayed at the Fairmont Empress and performed at the Fairmont Empress Afternoon Tea and in the evening presented a full program at the new Victoria International Marina.
We believe these sessions are having a profound transformative effect on these young musicians’ musical and career development—and is one of the most focused and beneficial mentoring programmes available.
(click to see past Fellowship Artists below).
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