***

A GREAT SUCCESS!

2025 York Region Classical Music Festival

VPAN presented three concerts:

September 6 Richmond Hill Centre for the Performing Arts - String Trio                     Tadasuke Iijima, Violin - Rivka Golani, Viola - Roman Borys, Cello

September 7 Sharon Temple - Piano Trio                                                                                    Tadasuke Iijima, Violin - Rivka Golani, Viola - Angela Park, Piano

September 14 Newmarket Old Town Hall - Baritone Recital                                                   Peter McGillivray, Baritone - Steven Philcox, Piano

***

2025 Young Artists' Showcase

On February 23rd, 2025 at 2:00 PM at the Old Town Hall the 2025 Young Artists' Showcase featured Lily Jones, Soprano - Aidan Cheng, Piano - The Clarke Duo with Zoe (violin) and Noah (cello & piano) - The Huron Heights Chamber Choir directed by Arlene Charters.

 

***

2024

LA FIAMMATA Concert

Enjoy an afternoon of beautiful music with the talented piano duo, LA FIAMMATA with Linda Ruan and Charissa Vandikas on October 18, 2024 7:30 PM at the Newmarket Old Town Hall.

 

***

April 2023

Transformation of VPAN

Although our iconic "Three for the Show" series is now on pause, we are continuing to present the inspiring "Young Artists Showcase", which will take place at the Newmarket Old Town Hall at 2:00 PM on February 25, 2024.

 

STAY TUNED for updates on coming events! 

 

***

August 2022

FUNDING TO VPAN BY THE CANADIAN DEPARTMENT OF HERITAGE

We are grateful to the Canadian Department of Heritage for the grant they awarded us in August 2022.

***

February 2022

Ontario Arts Council - Good News for VPAN.

Greetings, friends of VPAN.

We are pleased to announce that Visual Performing Arts of Newmarket (VPAN) has just been awarded a significant award from the Ontario Arts Council (OAC).

The OAC was established in 1963 to foster the creation and production of art/music for the benefit of all Ontarians.

We welcome this award to help VPAN bring sustained programs to our membership.

Regards,

The VPAN Board of Directors

 

***

September 2021

VPAN Concerts return in February 2022!

Visual and Performing Arts Newmarket will be offering concerts again starting in February 2022!

 

***

2020

Cancellation of 2020 - 2021 Season

Notice From VPAN

Because of Covid-19, VPAN has had to realize that the uncertainty the pandemic has created regarding the opening of theatres, the gathering of more than 50 people, and the possibility of a second wave of the virus has created a serious problem for us.

Accordingly, the Board has, regretfully, decided that our only course of action is to cancel all concerts for the 2020-2021 season, both the Three for the Show series and the Young Artists’ Showcase.  We do not take this decision lightly, but feel it is in the best interests of all.

The Board of VPAN wishes to thank all its supporters, and particularly its subscribers, for their continued support over the years.  Next spring we will be in touch with all of you regarding the 2021-2022 season.

***

Volunteer Spotlight - Maryann Vigliotta

From the very beginning of VPAN Maryann Vigliotta has been our Graphic Artist. She has been responsible for putting together every one of our brochures, programs, posters and banners, and the posters she does for us on a volunteer basis. She has always done a first-rate job, and we deeply appreciate her skill, her willingness, and her good nature.

***

Master Classes

VPAN, in partnership with ORMTA (Ontario Registered Music Teachers Association) has sponsored two Master Classes by featured artists in our Three For The Show series of concerts. The first was on May 1, 2016 with the Fung-Chiu Piano Duo, and the second was on March 5, 2017 with Maxim Bernard, Pianist. Master Classes are an excellent way for young musicians to receive encouragement and helpful critiques from professionals, and VPAN was pleased to offer this opportunity to the young participants.

***

2019

Online Scrapbook, courtesy of volunteer Digitizers of the Newmarket Library.

VPAN’s scrapbook depicts all the artists we have showcased over the years both in the Three For The Show series of concerts, and in the Young Artists Showcase. Every year about six new pages are added, and every year the digitizers at the Newmarket Library do us the great favour of adding these new pages to the on-line version of the scrapbook. We wish to thank them for their continued good will.

https://images.ourontario.ca/newmarketgallery/2420970/data

***

2019

Young Artists' Showcase - New Leader

After organizing VPAN’s Young Artists Showcase for nine successful years,  Linda Condy has retired from VPAN. During her tenure, she enlarged the “Performing” part of our name by including actors and dancers in her concerts.

George Vandikas, a well-known local music teacher, has volunteered to assume responsibility for this concert. We welcome him to VPAN, and are confident the concerts will continue at the same level of excellence.

***

2019

The "Newmarket Celebrate the Arts" Program awards multiple Grants to VPAN!

 

 

Since the inception of the Newmarket Celebrates the Arts Grant program, VPAN has been the very fortunate and grateful recipient of nine grants: five for our Young Artists’ Showcase, two for The Shoestring Opera, and two for two concerts in our Three For the Show series of concerts. We appreciate the attention the Town has given to classical music and the encouragement that they have given to the young performers through these grants. In fact, we have received two grants for the coming year, one for the Young Artists’ Showcase and one for our first concert on November 3, 2019 featuring Leslie Fagan, soprano, Guy Few, trumpet and Lorin Shalanko, piano. The Grant Program is a clear indication that the Town of Newmarket is serious about encouraging the arts in Newmarket.

***

2019

Design of VPAN's Brochure and Program Cover

Since the year of our 10th anniversary (2008) VPAN has had a liaison with Media Arts teacher, Lori Richards, at Newmarket High School. Every year she has given her Media Arts class the assignment to design the cover for both our brochure and program cover; each year we have had 30 or so designs to choose from, and each year we have been able to find one that is pleasing and eye-catching. Unfortunately, last year Lori moved to another school and became their Librarian; we will miss her. We are lucky that the new Media Arts teacher, Samantha Hutchings, has agreed to take over where Lori left off, and the design this year is from her class assignment. Our association with Newmarket High School’s media Arts teachers is a wonderful example of school-community cooperation.

***

2019 / 2020 Three for the Show Announcement

Greetings, Music Lovers.

 

The 2019-2020 season for "THREE for the SHOW" has been announced.

The dates and performers are:

November 3, 2019 Leslie Fagan SOPRANO

Guy Few, Trumpet; Lorin Shalanko, Piano

March 1, 2020 Bridge+Wolak Duo

ACCORDION and CLARINET

March 29, 2020 Rivka Golani VIOLA and

Angela Park PIANO

See you in the Fall 2019.

VPAN CONCERT committee.

 

***

2018 - 2019 Season Announcement for "Three for the Show"

Our 2018-2019 season takes place at the Newmarket Theatre and features: November 4, 2018 at 2:00 PM The Canadian Guitar Quartet/ Sunday March 31, 2019 Canadian Children's Opera Company/April 28, 2019 Drew Jurecka Trio.

***

2018

Successful initiative to acquire a GRAND piano!

 

 

Erika Kerwin was wonderfully successful in raising money for a grand piano for the newly-refurbished Old Town Hall. In fact, she raised a total of $56,000 by selling 88 keys  --shown by a plaque honoring the donors – and by private donations. Sheila Vandikas found out from the Steinway Gallery about an estate sale featuring a Steinway grand piano, and the Town was able to buy it for $40,000  -- it was probably worth more like $100,00. A special concert was held to celebrate the purchase of the piano  as well as the 20th anniversary of VPAN on June 13, 2017. It showcased the best young piano talents, notably the Vandikas children. The balance of the money raised is in a special account with the Town and is to be used, as needed, for classical music concerts.

 

***

2016 - 2017 Season Announcement of "Three for the Show"

Our series takes place at the Newmarket Theatre and features: October 23, 2016 Quarteto Gelato, Musical quartet/ March 5, 2017 Maxim Bernard, Piano/ and May 7, 2017 Toronto Welsh Male Voice Choir.

***

Young Artists' Showcase 2017

Our 2017 Young Artists's Showcase takes place on February 5, 2017 at 2:00 PM at the Newmarket Theatre and features Katerina Utochkina, Mezzo-soprano, Duo Con Fuoco, Piano Duo, with Lauren Esch and Gregory Vandikas, Jake Runeckles, Actor and the Irish Dance Studio.

***

2015 - 2016

VPAN News

VPAN wishes to acknowledge with thanks the support of Newmarket Celebrates the Arts. We received two grants from Newmarket Celebrates the Arts this last year: one for the Martin Beaver concert on May 3, 2015, and one for our Young Artists’ Showcase on February 14, 2016.

Character Community Awards
VPAN was honoured to be nominated for the York Region Character Community Awards in 2015 in the Character Through the Arts Category.

VPAN President Linda Condy accepted the nomination plaque with fellow nominees Anna Sousa, Dale Matsushige, The Love Project, Ron Robbins and the York Regional Police Youth Band.

***

2016

VPAN welcomes corporate sponsors. We are a registered charity and issue tax receipts for donations. We urge YOU to support performances of live classical music in Newmarket in one of the following ways:

For a donation of $5000 a concert will be sponsored by that donor and that donor will be mentioned in all advertisements and in the program, plus other donor benefits*

For a donation of $4000 the Young Artists’ Showcase will be sponsored by that donor, and that donor will be mentioned in all advertisements and in the program, plus other donor benefits*

For a donation of $500-$1000 the donor is listed in the program as a Benefactor

For a donation of $250-$499 the donor is listed in the program as a Patron

For a donation of $100-$249 the donor is listed in the program as a Supporter

For a donation of $10-$99 the donor is listed in the program as a Friend

Consider covering some or all of the cost of printing the concert program and/or brochures

Other Donor Benefits*

Company promotion in the Theatre lobby.

Advertisement in our “Three for the Show” brochures.

Complimentary tickets to concert performances.

***

2016 YOUNG ARTISTS' SHOWCASE Our Young Artists' Showcase will be at Newmarket Theatre on February 14, 2016!  This year's headliners included:

Jasmine Doucette- Gaylor, Dancer

A recent graduate of the Regional Arts Dance Program at Huron Heights, Jasmine Doucette is passionate about dance; of all the dance genres, ballet is her favourite.

Harrison Jarvis, Pianist

Pianist Harrison Jarvis has an impressive background for one so young. He has performed solo, with chamber groups, and with orchestras in well-known venues in both Canada and the U.S.

Karine White, Vocalist

Soprano Karine White is an active and versatile artist who performs and teaches voice, dance and drama. She especially loves opera, and has many opera roles to her credit.

Bella Nove, Choral Group

Bella Nove, translated to "Beautiful Nine" is a select group of young women formed from the private teaching studio of their director, Jennifer Neveu.  They are an award winning ensemble who enjoy performing at various events throughout the Durham and York Regions as well as Music Festivals, at the local, provincial and national levels.  They are proud to be multiple Silver and Gold Medal Winners at Music Fest Canada.

Bella Nove is  accompanied by the incomparable, Carol Gibson.

***

March 6, 2016

It was a delight to have renowned clarinetist James Campbell to perform at the Newmarket Theatre with the Afiara String Quartet with his son, guitarist/composer Graham Campbell - such spirited chamber pieces and selections, richly infused with the sound of jazz.

May 1 2016: A stunning, funny and pianistic afternoon was spent with the wonderful Fung-Chiu Piano Duo.

So much versatility, speed and ebullience from this exciting duo on the world stage. How wonderful to hear the classics infused with modern themes and melodies, making for a simply delightful concert by the two gifted artists. 

***

Fung-Chiu Duo to Present a Master Class, May 1, 2016
Fung-Chiu Duo will present a master class following the concert on May 1, 2016 from 5:30-7:30 at Newmarket Theatre. This event is presented in partnership with the Ontario Registered Music Teachers Association, Newmarket and Area Branch.

**

***

2015

VPAN News

VPAN wishes to acknowledge with thanks the support of Newmarket Celebrates the Arts. We received two grants from Newmarket Celebrates the Arts this last year: one for the Martin Beaver concert on May 3, 2015, and one for our Young Artists’ Showcase on February 14, 2016.

Character Community Awards
VPAN was honoured to be nominated for the York Region Character Community Awards in 2015 in the Character Through the Arts Category.

VPAN President Linda Condy accepted the nomination plaque with fellow nominees Anna Sousa, Dale Matsushige, The Love Project, Ron Robbins and the York Regional Police Youth Band.

***

2016

VPAN welcomes corporate sponsors. We are a registered charity and issue tax receipts for donations. We urge YOU to support performances of live classical music in Newmarket in one of the following ways:

For a donation of $5000 a concert will be sponsored by that donor and that donor will be mentioned in all advertisements and in the program, plus other donor benefits*

For a donation of $4000 the Young Artists’ Showcase will be sponsored by that donor, and that donor will be mentioned in all advertisements and in the program, plus other donor benefits*

For a donation of $500-$1000 the donor is listed in the program as a Benefactor

For a donation of $250-$499 the donor is listed in the program as a Patron

For a donation of $100-$249 the donor is listed in the program as a Supporter

For a donation of $10-$99 the donor is listed in the program as a Friend

Consider covering some or all of the cost of printing the concert program and/or brochures

Other Donor Benefits*

Company promotion in the Theatre lobby.

Advertisement in our “Three for the Show” brochures.

Complimentary tickets to concert performances.

***