COLUMN: ‘Inspirations’ concert shines spotlight on local talent

After a particularly long winter, are you in need of some inspiration? Howe Sound Performing Arts Association has a suggestion.
Its annual “Inspirations” concert, which shines the spotlight on an eclectic mix of local talent, is sure to lift the spirits.
This variety fundraiser for the performing arts takes place Friday, March 10 at 7 p.m. at St. John the Divine Anglican Church.
In the past, this event has raised money for the Howe Sound Music Festival – Howe Sound Performing Arts Association’s (HSPAA) adjudicated festival for piano, voice, choir and other instruments. After many years of supporting local youth from Lions Bay to Mount Currie and sending outstanding young people to the provincials, HSPAA directors and volunteers needed a year off.
The association sincerely hopes that new volunteers will come forward to jumpstart the adjudicated festival in 2018.
The focus of the fundraiser this year is the annual HSPAA award given to a HSSS student who continues studies in the performing arts. In addition, donations support the upkeep of HSPAA’s Yamaha C7 grand piano.
There is a wealth of talent in the corridor. Yuko Iwanaga, a local violin teacher, and the Sea to Sky Orchestra headline the Inspirations program.
The 10 musicians from Whistler and Pemberton will perform J.S Bach’s Concerto in Dm for 2 violins.
Also on the program is the jazz ensemble “Afterthought,” including Brian Marchant on bass and Mike Damgaard on drums. Singer Kayla Matzen explores the Italian Art Song and her student, Eliyana Stern, is “Feeling Good.”
The sister duo of Veronica McPhee and Rebecca Gusway sing “For Good” from the musical Wicked. Connor Lum and Luke Makitalo perform “Blue Moon” on saxophone. Connor and Luke are Grade 10 and 11 students at HSSS who participated in last year’s Howe Sound Music Festival new instrumental division. Julie Murakami is the busy accompanist.
Julie Murikami and Veronica McPhee are teachers at Brackendale and Squamish elementaries, respectively, and Kayla Matzen is an instructor at Squamish Academy of Music.
These musicians bring a wealth of experience to the classroom as well as the stage.
For more information, please visit Howe Sound Performing Arts Association’s Facebook page. St. John the Divine Anglican Church in Squamish is located at 1930 Diamond Rd. Admission is by donation.