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Our commitment to do more

Participation in the arts is dominated by communities who have historically received access and inclusion. The Massey Theatre is committed to increasing access and inclusion for Black community members and artists.

Seeing one’s self reflected in art, in story, in music; being empowered and applauded, particularly for youth and children, builds an important sense of belonging and of being valued.

Currently, violent acts against Black bodies circulate and dominate our view. In response, we offer the use of our physical and human resources to Black community members. Strengthen yourselves and these global social movements with these supports. Facilitate, connect, restore, speak your truths and be heard, we will assist you.

This week we are reengaging with members of BC’s Black artistic community to co-create opportunities which elevate Black voices and inter-connect communities. We invite Black community members and organizations to feed and inform this programming and we call on the community at large to learn and take action toward social change.

Please contact jessica@masseytheatre.com if you wish to be involved in supporting or developing these activities or if you have any questions or concerns.

Black Canadian artists embody the resilience and achievements of their ancestors, survivors of a brutal legacy and their work offers valuable perspectives. This collection of National Film Board of Canada films by award winning Black filmmakers, creators and allies is a mere tip of the iceberg of work created by Black artists in Canada. We invite you to watch and learn.

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La participation aux arts est dominée par des communautés qui ont toujours bénéficié de l’accès et de l’inclusion. Le Massey Theatre s’est engagé à accroître l’accès et l’inclusion des membres de la communauté noire et des artistes.
 
Se voir refléter dans l’art, dans l’histoire, dans la musique; être responsabilisé et applaudi, en particulier pour les jeunes et les enfants, crée un sentiment d’appartenance et valorisation.
 
Actuellement, les actes de violence contre les personnes noirs circulent et dominent notre point de vue. En réponse, nous proposons l’utilisation de nos ressources physiques et humaines aux membres de la communauté noire. Renforcez-vous et renforcez ces mouvements sociaux et mondiaux avec du soutien. Facilitez, connectez, restaurez, expressez-vous, faire entendre votre voix, nous vous assisterons.
 
Cette semaine, nous nous engageons à nouveau avec des membres de la communauté artistique noire de la Colombie-Britannique pour créer des possibilités qui élèvent les voix noires et inter-connectent les communautés. Nous invitons les membres et les organisations de la communauté noire à alimenter et informer cette programmation et nous appelons la communauté dans son ensemble à apprendre et à agir pour le changement social.
 
Veuillez contacter jessica@masseytheatre.com si vous souhaitez participer au soutien ou au développement de ces activités ou si vous avez des questions ou des préoccupations.
 
Les artistes canadiens et canadiennes noirs incarnent la résilience et les réalisations de leurs ancêtres, survivants d’un héritage brutal et leur travail offrent de précieuses perspectives. Cette collection de films de l’Office nationale du film du Canada de cinéastes, créateurs et alliés noirs primés n’est qu’une partie de l’iceberg du travail créé par des artistes noirs au Canada. Nous vous invitons à regarder et à apprendre.
 
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Erin Jeffery
June 10, 2020

NWSO Conductor Jin Zhang

Jin Zhang, was born in Beijing China. He received his initial musical education at the Central Conservatory of Music in Beijing. Thereupon he traveled to Japan and studied at the Toho Gakuen School of Music in Tokyo. He studied conducting with Professor Morihiro Okabe and he also took master classes with maestros Kazuyoshi Akiyama and Seiji Ozawa. Since coming to Canada in 1990, Jin has quickly become known as a conductor and composer who actively promotes the appreciation of and education in symphonic orchestral music and, no less, the combining of Eastern and Western musical expressions.

Jin Zhang is an associate composer of the Canadian Music Centre. He presently holds the position of Music Director and Conductor of the Vancouver Philharmonic Orchestra, the New Westminster Symphony Orchestra, and the Vancouver Youth Symphony Intermediate Orchestra. He also conducts the Vancouver Inter Culture Orchestra. He is an artistic director of VBCm production. Recently he was appointed guest professor in the Yunnan Wenhua Conservatory for Arts in China.

​Jin Zhang is a multiple recipient of commissioning grants from the Canada Council for the Arts, and has composed for many ensembles, TV productions, and CD recordings. Many of his compositions and arrangements have been played by professional and community groups, including the Calgary Philharmonic Orchestra, the Victoria Symphony Orchestra and the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra. Some of his works have been broadcast by the BBC, CBC, VTV and other networks. In 2008, Jin released a recording of his compositions titled “Tracing”. The production of the CD was financially supported by the Canada Council for the Arts, and the CD distributed by the Canadian Music Centre. His second CD was released in China in 2010. Under the aegis of the Pangea Arts Society, he was granted major Olympic arts funding for the creation of a new work.

​Jin has received many awards. In 2006, he was selected by the Canadian Music Centre to be part of their new online initiative titled “Composer Portraits – Influences of Many Musics”. This project focuses on Canadian composers who have come to Canada from other countries, highlighting their valuable contributions to Canadian music. In 2004, Jin was honoured by the City of New Westminster for ten years of distinguished service to the New Westminster Symphony Orchestra and the City.

​In 2001, the film he composed music for “Nu Shu: A Hidden Language of Women in China” received the Audience Award and Best Documentary at the Festival Internazionale Cinema Delle Donne in Torino, Italy. In 1986, he won second prize in a composition competition in the Central Conservatory of Music, Beijing. In 1984, he won third prize in a nation-wide composition competition in China. Recently, he received an Artistic Achievement Award issued by the Vancouver Chinese Culture Centre.

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Jessica Schneider
April 8, 2016