Summer MusicFest 2025

After the success of our Vancouver Vocal Workshop last summer, we're thrilled to announce that we're continuing the vibe — this time transforming it into the Nebula Summer MusicFest! Join us at Nebula Performances from July 2nd to 13th for a unique educational and performance experience! This festival is open to musicians of all types from conductors to singers to instrumentalists such as pianists, violinists, harpists, trombonists and more! The Summer MusicFest will run for 12 consecutive days welcoming industry professionals as our faculty such as Wenwen Du, Jacques Lacombe, Gordon Gerrard, Anton Belov, David Meek, Jason Ho, Richard Epp, Jeremy Berkman, Janelle Nadeau, Tamar Simon and Geoffrey Schellenberg.

During these 12 days you will:

•Perform vocal chamber music with professional instrumentalists from the Vancouver Opera Orchestra and Vancouver Symphony. 

•Explore the world of art song, including German Lieder, French mélodie, and rarely heard Slavic and Chinese repertoire.

•Hone your acting skills by taking part in the opera workshop.

•Improve your professional skills by participating in resume preparation and mock audition classes.

•Participate in masterclasses with seasoned industry professionals, such as conductors Jacques Lacombe and Gordon Gerrard.

Our stellar faculty lineup includes pianist Wenwen Du, coach/accompanist Richard Epp, baritone Anton Belov, tenor David Meek, violinist Jason Ho, trombonist Jeremy Berkman, harpist Janelle Nadeau, soprano Tamar Simon and baritone Geoffrey Schellenberg.

Do not miss this unique opportunity to meet new friends, build professional relationships, and bring your performance skills to a new level! If you have any friends or know anyone who would love to be part of an unforgettable summer music experience, please help us spread the word! We’re putting together something truly special—a vibrant Summer Music Festival with a stellar faculty, inspiring workshops, and performances that will light up the season. We’d love for you and your community to be part of it! 

Applications are open unitl June 15th 2025

Apply Now!

Faculty at the Summer MusicFest:

We are so pleased to welcome a wide range of faculty from Vancouver including our own Artistic Director, Wenwen Du and Artists-in-Residence: Anton Belov, Tamar Simon, Geoffrey Schellenberg, Jeremy Berkman and Jason Ho alongside other renowned local musicians such as Jacques Lacombe, Gordon Gerrard, Janelle Nadeau, Richard Epp and David Meek.

Festival participants will:

• Refine technique and artistry through immersive workshops and private coachings focused on opera excerpts, lieder, vocal chamber music, and more. Led by Anton Belov, David Meek, Richard Epp, Tamar Simon, Geoffrey Schellenberg, and Wenwen Du

• Participate in themed masterclasses led by esteemed faculty Jacques Lacombe, Gordon Gerrard, and Anton Below - masterclasses are open to pianists, conductors, singers and instrumentalists. Led by Jacques Lacombe, Gordon Gerrard and Anton Belov

• Study and perform a diverse range of repertoire, including standard vocal and instrumental works, as well as lesser-heard Slavic and Chinese music. Led by anton Belov and Wenwen Du

• Develop professional materials through resume coaching and mock audition sessions. Led by Gordon Gerrard, Richard Epp, Tamar Simon, Anton Belov, and Geoffrey Schellenberg

• Collaborative pianists will recieve specialized training through private coachings and group classes in chamber music. Led by Jason Ho, Wenwen Du and Richard Epp

• Collaborate in chamber ensembles with professional instrumentalists and vocalists from the Vancouver Opera Orchestra and the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra

• Participate in open workshops exploring classical, jazz, and cross-genre styles. Led by Jason Ho, Jeremy Berkman, and Janelle Nadeau

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  Performances at the Summer MusicFest:

  Stay tuned for further information regarding ticketing for these events, but save the dates!

  - Faculty Concert: Wednesday July 2nd at 7:00pm

  - Participants Concert: Tuesday July 8th at 7:00pm & Sunday July 13th at 2:00pm

  
  

  Participant Concerts will include:

• Art Song Concerts featuring a variety of languages (Chinese, Slavic, German, French, Italian and more)

• Chamber Concert showcasing both instrumental and vocal chamber music

• Final Gala Concert (for full 12-day participants) have the chance to perform your favourite repertoire AND get the opportunity to share the stage with our stellar faculty

FAQs

• Can I participate for a portion of the festival? Yes! We have flexible package options including 3, 5, and 12 days!

• Do the days need to be consecutive? No! We know artists have busy schedules and we are happy to craft a tailor fit schedule!

A note from some of our Faculty Members!

David Meek and Wenwen Du

People often ask how I started playing with singers—and the answer is always the same: it was David who got me into it! He’s been a dear friend and mentor for years, and our connection goes all the way back to 2005. Time truly flies.

I first started working with David on the opera/voice program while I was pursuing my Bachelor of Music in piano at the Vancouver academy of music. At the time, the vocal coach had just left Vancouver, and David placed his full trust in me to support the program. It was an incredibly busy period—I played for countless talented singers in weekly recitals, all while juggling my own solo performance commitments. But it was also the time when I truly began to dive into vocal repertoire, and I found myself instantly drawn to Lieder.

I’m beyond thrilled to welcome David to Nebula this summer for our MusicFest. It’s such a special full-circle moment, and I’m deeply grateful to our chair Alice and director Lynol for creating such an open, inclusive platform at Nebula—one that brings together so many extraordinary musicians without boundaries. We’re in for an unforgettable summer!

Jeremy Berkman, Trombone

Every time I've been fortunate enough to experience music-making at Nebula I have been captivated by the enthusiasm of those involved, their talent, and the nurturing of their artistic confidence that Artistic DIrector Wenwen Du's vision and that of her team has inspired.  In such a short time this "community centre" for vocalists and pianists has provided a quantity and quality of offerings that has quickly established itself as a truly important contributor to the possibilities and opportunities that Vancouver can offer to young artists.  I feel incredibly fortunate to be invited to contribute as an instrumentalist to the first Nebula summer festival,  and collaborate with the brightest young musicians, encouraging them to express their unique talents as a gift only they can give and that the world needs to hear.

Gordon Gerrard, Conductor

 I'm absolutely thrilled to be joining the team for Summer MusicFest. Mentoring and supporting emerging artists is something I'm passionate about and a major focus for me off the stage, so I'm really looking forward to working with all the talented singers and pianists this summer!

Janelle Nadeau, Harp

One of my greatest pleasures in life is to create music. It has helped me navigate life over and over again, and I often think about how I wish more people could experience this. But I know that making the decision to pursue music as a potential career can seem like an uphill battle of challenges. I believe that I have a career today because of the amazing people who helped support and guide me in my formative years as a young adult. 

It is for this reason that I am so excited to be part of Nebula’s Summer Festival. I am honoured to be working with incredible coaches and with them, hopefully we can help shed some light for young musicians to help with their path through encouragement, teaching and conversation.