Professional Accompanying for Performances, Exams & Auditions

One of the most rewarding musical experiences is collaborating with another musician. Whether preparing for a recital, Royal Conservatory exam, audition, festival, concert, or recording, working with an experienced accompanist can help a performer feel prepared, confident, and supported.

Donna brings more than 30 years of professional accompanying experience, working extensively with both singers and instrumentalists. Her performance experience includes numerous CBC Radio broadcasts, concerts in Nanaimo with visiting artists, and work as pianist with the Vancouver Island Symphony Orchestra.

From a beginning violinist preparing for an exam to a professional soprano preparing for the stage, Donna approaches every rehearsal and performance with the same professionalism, preparation, and enthusiasm. Her extensive experience allows rehearsals to be productive and efficient, helping performers reduce the amount of rehearsal time required while still feeling thoroughly prepared. Donna is available for concert, recording, audition, festival, and examination accompaniment.

Vocal Coaching & Repetiteur Work

Donna also brings extensive professional experience as a vocal coach, repetiteur, rehearsal pianist, and musical director. During her many years working in Vancouver, she had the opportunity to coach and collaborate with numerous emerging and professional singers, helping them develop their music, interpretation, diction, and performance skills.

Donna studied with renowned diction specialist Nico Castel of the Metropolitan Opera and Manhattan School of Music and provides vocal coaching in English, French, German, Italian, and Spanish. Her professional credits include work as a repetiteur and rehearsal pianist with Vancouver Opera, Burnaby Lyric Opera, UBC Opera Workshop, VAM Opera Studio, and Opera Nuova of Edmonton.

As the founding musical director of Opera Breve, Donna has also music directed a variety of opera and musical theatre productions. This combination of coaching, accompanying, language, and performance experience allows her to help singers move beyond learning the notes to develop confident, expressive, and well-prepared performances.

Testimonials:

“I have appreciated all your coachings and comments so much! You have been an artistic inspiration and Vancouver will miss you.” – Sarah Kanakos, soprano

“I can just relax and play, knowing you are always right there with me.” – Benjamin – violin, age 14.