.png){kind=logo}
Music Leadership Apprenticeship Program
As part of its educational role, the VCC offers young emerging musicians an opportunity to develop their music leadership and conducting skills through mentored study.
The program also aids professional connections, and is an excellent addition to the young artist’s curriculum vitae.
Tessa Fouracre
Tessa is in her final year at Reynolds high school and is very involved in the music program. She is a part of the Senior choir, Advanced vocal jazz, concert band, jazz band, marching band, and musical. She was also a part of the BCMEA honours vocal jazz this year. Over the years she has performed many times as a part of the chorus with the Victoria symphony, having performed Handels coronation anthems, Beethoven 9th symphony, mozart requiem, and handels messiah. She was also apart of the children’s chorus in the opera Countess maritza. She has been a member of the victoria children’s choir for 9 years, working her way up from the recital choir, to the concert choir, to the youth ensemble and now, as an apprentice conductor.
AnAnnika nikaAnnika
Annika Sauser
Annika Sauser is a motivated individual who has a passion for working with youth and fostering their growth through musical explorations. Throughout her experiences teaching piano and working as an Educational Assistant, she has had the opportunity to work with a variety of exceptional learners. Her teaching approach is described as intuitive and nurturing, with a focus on supporting the needs of each individual through a creative lens. Annika holds a Bachelor of Music with Distinction with a specialty in Music Education from the University of Victoria.
She plans to continue her schooling so that she can receive her teaching certification.
Born in Vancouver BC, Annika took piano lessons from a young age, cultivating a deep love and appreciation for music that led her to explore the numerous possibilities in that field. She has completed her Grade 10 piano from the Royal Conservatory; as well, she has sung and accompanied in various choirs such as the Vancouver Youth Choir and Coastal Sound Youth Choir. Annika has developed a deep connection to choral music, participating in national choral conferences such as Podium and working with revered choral mentors such as Jon Washburn, Eric Whitacre, and Carrie Tennant. She recently participated in the Vancouver Chamber Choir Conducting Symposium, and has been selected as the intern conductor for the BC Youth Choir this year.
As a dedicated individual, Annika has been the recipient of several awards, such as the Dave Ian Dunnet Scholarship in Music Education, the Constance E. Hoyte Award in Music Education, and the Gilbert and Marie Alice Peart Scholarship in Music. In addition, Annika is intrigued by music’s role in children’s social and emotional growth, and aspires to devise classes and workshops that make music more accessible and inclusive to students of diverse needs.
Stella White
Stella has been with the Victoria Children’s Choir for the past six years, singing with our Recital choir, our Concert choir, and now with our Youth Ensemble. She has been part of our apprentice conductor program for the past year, working with the Recital Choir. Stella is currently in grade 11 at Oak Bay high school, where she participates in many of their music programs, including their jazz choirs. She is an honours member of the BCMEA, and is a multi instrumentalist. Stella is considering pursuing jazz studies after graduation.