Festival
The Board of Directors and the Rotary Clubs in Salmon Arm are pleased to host the Shuswap Music Festival from April 8 to May 1, 2026.
Disciplines will be Piano, Strings, Vocal, Choral and School bands. Registration is online and opens December 1, 2025 and closes January 31, 2026.
At the annual April festival young musicians are encouraged to pursue excellence. They are provided performance opportunities, receive valuable feedback from professional musicians, learn from each other, and are celebrated and awarded for their talent.
Among the many regional participants over the past 25 years are those who have chosen music as their career. Some have become professional musicians, teachers or accomplished performing artists. The Shuswap Music Festival takes pride in being a part of their music journey.
The success of the Festival depends upon the patronage of the three Rotary Clubs of Salmon Arm, private donors, the sponsorship of businesses and organizations, and the hard work of many volunteers. The Society is grateful to all those who contribute. We need your support!
Check out our Festival Video highlighting 25 years of musical excellence
2026 Adjudicators
Lorraine Reinhardt
March 10, 2025
Lorraine Reinhardt is highly respected as a teacher of singing and engages students in her private studio. She is a member of the National Association of Teachers of Singing (NATS) and is active in the Vancouver Chapter. She was on the voice faculty of the Music Department of Kwantlen University College in Langley from 1993 until 2007 and was voice coach to Chor Leoni Men’s Choir from 1995 to 2010 and again from 2018 to 2019. Lorraine has directed choirs of many descriptions, ages, and sizes, and has adjudicated festivals throughout BC. Lorraine sang professionally with the Vancouver Chamber Choir from 1988 to 2020 and was a founding member (1987) of Elektra Women’s Choir, with whom she sang until 1999. Lorraine is a past winner (1985) of the Provincial Senior Voice class for the BC Kiwanis Festival. She is a graduate, with distinction, of the University of Saskatchewan Bachelor of Music programme (1984). She is also active in the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada, at Spirit of Life Lutheran Church, and also as chair of the National Programme Committee for Worship.
Dr. Roxi Dykstra
November 26, 2024
(Mmus, UdM; Master of Viola, CNSMD Lyon) has been working as a professional musician since 2004. She has performed chamber, orchestral, and solo work across Europe and Canada, including with Toronto, Montreal, and Vancouver symphonies, Vetta Music, and the Turning Point Ensemble. Working in Europe, Roxi performed as chamber musician in France, Italy, Germany, Austria, Belgium, Portugal, Malta, and Turkey. European positions have included assistant principal viola position in the Orquestra do Norte in Portugal, violist with the National Portuguese Orchestra and the National Opera, baroque violist with early music ensemble Divino Sospiro, and researcher with the artistic doctoral school at the University of Performing Arts, Graz, Austria. Now back in Canada, Roxi now holds a position with the Vancouver Opera Orchestra and regularly performs with the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra.
Originally from Smithers, BC, Roxi works hard to promote musical opportunities and musical excellence in BC’s north. Roxi worked extensively Prince George Symphony Orchestra, serving alternately as principal violist and concertmaster. She is the founder and co-director of the Orchestra North Summer Program, and director of its Academy program, which is committed to developing professional development opportunities for northern professionals and emerging artists from across BC. She is artistic director of the Prince George Youth Symphony Orchestra and previously, for 10 years was artistic director of the Spirit of the North Classical Music Festival which brought brings dozens of classical concerts annually in August to Smithers and area.
Roxi has extensive experience as a teacher, director, workshop host and works regularly for the VSO school of Music, the Prince George Conservatory, and the Victoria Conservatory. She has been a Royal Conservatory of Music instructor for over 15 years, adjudicates with the British Columbia Performing Arts Festival Association, and is passionate about sharing in the transformative power of music with musicians of all levels of experience.
Colleen Athparia
November 26, 2024
M.Mus. (with Distinction), B.Mus. (Ed.), Associateship of Music (U. of Western Ontario),
ARCT Gold Medal, Member of ARMTA and APTA
Academy Faculty, Piano
Colleen Athparia, an internationally recognized pianist, has made a career for herself as both a solo and chamber musician, a reputable teacher and as a recording artist with 10 CDs to her name. A member of Mount Royal Conservatory Faculty since 1981, she has toured as a performer and guest instructor from Mexico to Taiwan, Russia, Israel and the Far East. Her background includes a Master of Music degree with distinction from Indiana University, studying under the legendary pedagogue G.Sebok, as well as receiving the gold medal and placing first in the Canadian Music Competition as a student of Margaret Parsons-Poole.
As an experienced teacher, she has adjudicated festivals across Canada including the BC Provincial Finals. Colleen has also been a Senior Examiner for the Royal Conservatory of Music since 1980, examining throughout North America and has several former students who are now also examiners. She has been a consultant for the new RCM Licentiate Piano Syllabus and is also co-author of the book, Impressionism: A Resource Guide, and Music Consultant for Adopt a Competitor Program through the Honens International Piano Competition Foundation. Colleen travels extensively to give workshops on such topics as “Creative Practising”, “The Art of Polishing”, “Creative Technique”, and “Transforming the Mundane into Magic”. Her studio in Calgary features some extremely talented students who have won national and international competitions, but most importantly who love music!
Often a guest on CBC radio, she has also been heralded by the National Post as one of the top four Canadian pianists of contemporary music today. In November 2009 Colleen was honoured in Ottawa as one of the top 50 musicians who have contributed significantly to the Canadian music scene.
2026 Adjudicators
Eric Nyland
Eric is a pianist (ARCT, LRCM) and actor (BFA, CAEA). For twenty years, Eric has worked professionally in theatre, film, voiceover, music, and music pedagogy throughout Canada. He runs a private teaching studio in Calgary and is a member of the Canadian Music Festival Adjudicators’ Association. Eric developed and taught two courses for Mount Royal University (Introductory Keyboard for Adults – Learn to Read, and Play by Ear/Improvisation), and served as the musical director for the long-form theatre improvisation duo One Lions (winner, Best Show at Vancouver International Improv Festival, 2016). He has studied with Linda Kundert, Dr. Lillian Upright, and Dr. Irena Kofman, and has taken masterclasses from Dr. Jennifer Snow, Dr. Jacques Despres, and Dr. Ludmilla Lazar.
Melanie Adams
Melanie Adams is a prominent member of Vancouver’s music community. Her solo repertoire ranges from early music to world premieres of new works by prominent Canadian composers. Most notably, she created the dual role of “Margot/Amelia McGillen” in the Supernatural Noir, she created the role of “Spirit of the Maple Tree” in Shadow Catch, and the role of “The Counsellor” Kayoi Komachi. Last season she was the alto soloist in a rare performance of the Mass in E-Flat by Amy Beach.
In the choral world, for 20 years, Melanie was very well-known as a member of Vancouver’s musica intima, with whom she has toured extensively in Canada and the US, as well as overseas, and has appeared on many of their recordings. Since January 2012, she has also been a soloist/ section leader with the Vancouver Cantata Singers. She is the Director of Music for Trinity Presbyterian Church in New Westminster and Burnaby. She is also a frequent clinician and has given classes in technique, vocal health, and diction.
Finally, Melanie owns and operates an active and thriving voice studio in New Westminster. More about Melanie can be learned through her website at melanieadams.duetpartner.com.
Simon MacDonald
Violinist Simon MacDonald began his musical studies in Victoria in 1980. He decided to pursue music seriously after playing with the National Youth Orchestra of Canada in 1990 and 1991, and in the fall of 1991 was playing regularly with the Victoria Symphony. In 1992, he left for school in Boston (NEC, BMus 96), and followed that with school in Montreal (McGill, MMus 96). Following the completion of his Master's Degree, Simon pursued numerous musical adventures in Boston, Montreal, New Orleans, Miami, as well as Australia, Germany, Italy, France, the UK, and Russia, Before returning permanently to BC in 2017, Simon's home base was the Canadian Prairies, where he performed with the Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra (first violin), the Manitoba Chamber Orchestra (principal 2nd violin), and the Regina Symphony Orchestra (concertmaster). Simon loves playing anything put in front of him; he has premiered numerous new works after 17 years at the Winnipeg New Music Festival, initiated the first ever Beethoven Quartet Cycle in the city of Regina with the Regina Symphony Chamber Players, and has enjoyed playing in everything from Baroque orchestras to touring Broadway Productions. From 2017-2024 he was the Victoria Conservatory of Music String Faculty Department Head, and the Artistic Director of the Young Artists Collegium at the VCM, following in the footsteps of his one of his early teachers, Sydney Humphreys. He now maintains a private studio in Victoria, and performs as a freelance musician all over British Columbia, he is grateful to be a part of the amazing community of musicians who live out here in BC.
Sean Irvine
Winnipeg-based musician Sean Irvine has rapidly gained recognition as a top-tier performer, composer, and woodwind expert. Although his primary focus is on the saxophone, Irvine is also recognized as a flautist, clarinetist, and oboist.
A highly sought-after educator, Irvine is regularly engaged by ensembles and students as an adjudicator, leader, and mentor. His teaching experience includes serving as Lecturer and Professor of Saxophone Studies at Canadian Mennonite University, as well as former Sessional Lecturer at the University of Toronto and band director in the Louis Riel School Division. He has also served as Director of Woodwinds for the Winnipeg El Sistema music outreach program in collaboration with the Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra.
Irvine is the Director of the Winnipeg Jazz Education Collective, an organization dedicated to fostering additional performance and educational opportunities for aspiring young musicians across Manitoba.
Awards/ Scholarships
LEVEL SCHOLARSHIPS:
To be eligible for LEVEL scholarships, students must be under 22 years or younger as of Dec 31st of the previous year and have entered a minimum of three solo classes in their Discipline. Open, concerto and concert classes do not qualify for these scholarships. Level scholarships are determined by marks. Amounts are determined by funds received.
BLAIR BORDEN SCHOLARSHIP
This scholarship is in memory of Blair Borden, a teacher and avid music supporter. To be eligible, a student must be a senior student from Level 9 – ARCT. The scholarship is intended to support further music study. Must have entered 3 solo classes with the equivalent of three golds.
KLEIN FAMILY SCHOLARSHIP
This award, sponsored by the Klein family, supports further music study at an advanced level, 9 to ARCT. Preference will be given to students of promise at Level 10 and A.R.C.T. Candidates must have entered three solo classes and achieved the equivalent of three golds.
GEORGINA LAZZAROTTO VOCAL SCHOLARSHIP
This award is sponsored by the Shuswap Music Festival in memory of Georgina Lazzarotto, a vocal teacher and avid supporter and board member of the festival. This award goes to two students, who have the best gold vocal performance in a foreign language in the Junior/Intermediate level, Level 8 and under.
MARY FOWLER MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP
This substantial scholarship is in memory of Mary Fowler and is to be awarded to a young performer for excellence in classical voice, as evidenced by receiving “gold” or “distinction” when adjudicated. The performers must be aged 14 to 19 at the time of registration and must perform at least three separate classical voice entries in the festival. The performer must be competing at Level 7 RCM or CC level or higher. The amount of the award is determined on an annual basis.
If there is no suitable student that fits these criteria:
The scholarship may be awarded to a young performer for excellence in classical voice and/or musical theatre, as evidenced by receiving “Gold” or “Distinction” overall when adjudicated. The performer must perform at least three separate classical entries and/or two musical theatre entries in the festival. The performer can be under 14 and below Level 7.
NANCY LEATHERDALE MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP
This scholarship is sponsored by the Leatherdale family in memory of Nancy Leatherdale who was a well-known piano and vocal teacher in Salmon Arm and avid supporter of the festival. This scholarship is intended to support further music study at the level of 8 to A.R.C.T. Candidates must have entered three solo classes and achieved the equivalent of three golds in piano or voice. The scholarship amount is determined on an annual basis
2025 Sponsors
We extend our heartfelt gratitude to our generous Sponsors and Donors whose contribution make the Music Festival possible each year. Your continued support nurtures young musicians, enriches our community and helps keep the spirit of music alive. We deeply appreciate your commitment, and generosity.
Thank you to our donors
- Nancy Leatherdale Memorial
- First Community/NEXUS
- Klein Family Endowment
- Prestige Hotel & Resorts
- Kevin & Suzanne Beckner
- Lorne Lazzaroto
- Blair Borden Endowment
- Fowler/Gomme Family
- Colin Molnar Memorial Endowment
- Landers Family Legacy
- Mickey Petersen Endowment
- Geoff and Judith Benson Family Endowment
SHUSWAP MUSIC FESTIVAL SCHOLARSHIP LIST
Performers are eligible to win only one scholarship/award in each discipline entered with exception of specific awards such as listed below, concert, ensemble, composition, and memorial.
LEVEL SCHOLARSHIPS:
To be eligible for LEVEL scholarships, students must be under 28 years or younger as of Dec 31st of the previous year and have entered a minimum of three solo classes in their Discipline. Open, concerto and concert classes do not qualify for these scholarships. Level scholarships are determined by marks. Amounts are determined by funds received.
BLAIR BORDEN SCHOLARSHIP
This scholarship is in memory of Blair Borden, a teacher and avid music supporter. To be eligible, a student must be a senior student from Level 9 – ARCT. The amount of $500.00 is intended to support further music study. Must have entered 3 solo classes with the equivalent of three golds.
KLEIN FAMILY SCHOLARSHIP
This award, sponsored by the Klein family, supports further music study at an advanced level, 9 to ARCT. Preference will be given to students of promise at Level 10 and A.R.C.T. Candidates must have entered three solo classes and achieved the equivalent of three golds. The award amount is $1,000.00.
GEORGINA LAZZAROTTO VOCAL SCHOLARSHIP
This award is sponsored by the Shuswap Music Festival in memory of Georgina Lazzarotto, a vocal teacher and avid supporter and board member of the festival. This award goes to two students, who have the best gold vocal performance in a foreign language in the Junior/Intermediate level, Level 8 and under. Two scholarships of $50.00.
MARY FOWLER MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP
This substantial scholarship is in memory of Mary Fowler and is to be awarded to a young performer for excellence in classical voice, as evidenced by receiving “gold” or “distinction” when adjudicated. The performers must be aged 14 to 19 at the time of registration and must perform at least three separate classical voice entries in the festival. The performer must be competing at Level 7 RCM or CC level or higher. The amount of the award is determined on an annual basis.
If there is no suitable student that fits these criteria:
A Scholarship of $500.00 may be awarded to a young performer for excellence in classical voice and/or musical theatre, as evidenced by receiving “Gold” or “Distinction” overall when adjudicated. The performer must perform at least three separate classical entries and/or two musical theatre entries in the festival. The performer can be under 14 and below Level 7.