Music at Johannesen International School of the Arts

Johannesen International School of the Arts. Training centre founded in 1971 as the Shawnigan Summer School of the Arts, directed by J.J. Johannesen and located at the Shawnigan Lake School for boys (north of Victoria, BC) until 1974, when it moved to St Michael's U School in Victoria. In 1980 the name of the school was changed to Johannesen International School of the Arts. The school can accomodate a maximum of 180 students in 3- or 6-week sessions. Courses, private tutoring, and master classes have been offered in strings, winds, keyboard instruments, and composition for advanced students (over 16), teachers, professionals, and, in a special program, for exceptionally gifted very young pianists. Courses have also been introduced in flute (1974), chamber music (1975), and electronic music (1978). An opera centre was opened in 1979. Jean Coulthard and Rudolf Komorous have taught composition and Pierrette Alarie, Gaelyne Gabora, Phyllis Mailing, and Leopold Simoneau, voice. Instrumental instructors have included Robert Aitken, James Campbell, Kathryn Cernauskas, Taras Gabora, Rivka Golani, Gary Karr, Jean-Paul Sevilla, Gerald Stanick, Tsuyoshi Tsutsumi, Ronald Turini, and the Orford String Quartet, as well as many from abroad. The Shawnigan International Festival (which became the Victoria International Festival in 1978), presents students and staff in concert during the school term, on Vancouver Island and in Vancouver city. The school is assisted financially by the BC government, the Canada Council, and corporate donors.