Artistic Directors

Mr. Greg Quan; Artistic Director of Choirs and Orchestra

(email: gquan@vsb.bc.ca)

Mr. Greg Quan, a music educator in public schools since 1998, is the artistic director of the choral and orchestra programs at Magee Secondary School in Vancouver BC. He received his Bachelor of Music in Vocal Jazz from Capilano University then went on to complete a Bachelor of Education and a Masters in Music Education at the University of British Columbia.

Believing in creating beauty through sound and teaching life through music, Greg’s never ending goal is to create the best possible musical experience through the teaching of quality literature in a safe and warm environment of respect and joy. His philosophy of helping to foster mindful students through the creation of the “Choir Family” has garnered much positive attention in the media, as articles have been published online and in printed journals and newspapers about how Mr. Quan achieves such a well balanced program and helps to create students who are not only passionate in what they do and who they are, but are also knowledgeable and musically mature beyond their years.

For two years, in 2006 and 2007, he was the regional director for the British Columbia Music Educators Association Honor Vocal Jazz Ensemble, and he is sought after as an adjudicator for festivals and clinician for choral workshops by school groups and organizations such as the BCMEA for their annual conference.

He has also been the director of 2 community choirs in Richmond BC, the VoiceStream Youth Choir (2004-2007) and the Richmond Youth Honour Chamber Choir (2006-2009). And in December 2008, he was commissioned to compose a piece, entitled “Feel the Spirit” for the opening of the first Olympic Venue in Vancouver, the Richmond Olympic Oval, and to perform it with the members of both the Magee Chamber Choir and Richmond Youth Honour Choir.

During the 2010 Winter Olympics, the Magee Chamber Choir was featured in Robson Square in two performances and as well, they were invited to be a part of the massed choir in the Opening Ceremonies of the 2010 Paralympics. Also in 2010, the Magee String Orchestra was honoured to be featured on the recording and in the video of international recording artist K’naan’s song “Wavin’ Flag” for the Young Artists for Haiti project. And in September 2016, the Magee Chamber Choir sang on the track for and had a cameo in the video for national recording artist Marianas Trench’s song “Who do you love?”.

In 2011, the Magee Chamber Choir won the Provincials and came second in Canada at the Federation of Canadian Music Festival’s National Festival. They have also produced and released 4 CDs, including a Christmas CD, recorded by Mr. Len Christiansen at Ryerson United Church in Vancouver. They were also fortunate to be invited ,on their European Tour, to sing evening mass at the San Marco Basilica in Venice Italy, the Dom Cathedral in Salzburg Austria, and the Wieskirche in Bavaria Germany, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Since then, the Magee Chamber Choir has toured in Spain (2013) and then all across England and Scotland (2015) and have been ranked #1 in British Columbia in 2014 and 2015, and ranked #3 in Canada (2015).

In addition, Mr. Quan is in demand as an adjudicator at festivals and is asked frequently by many other choirs, both school and community, to help them through doing choral workshops and clinics, both locally and provincially. Also as an arranger for choral music, in 2017, he was commissioned to write and have the Magee Chamber Choir perform 4 songs for the Canada Day 150 in Ottawa and 1 song for the 2017 Invictus Games. From 2014-2018 Mr. Quan was also a board member of the BC Choral Federation.

In 2013 and 2019, Mr Quan and the Magee Chamber Choir were recognized at the Heart and Mind Conference at the Dalia Lama Center for their work in mindfulness education through choral music.

In 2015, Mr. Quan was honoured to be chosen by UBC as one of their Education 100, the top 100 graduates from their education program who make a difference in their communities, joining people such as Justin Trudeau, the Honorable Linda Reid, Rick Hanson, and many other deserving people. And in 2016, Mr. Quan was honoured by Capilano University as he received their 2016 Distinguished Alumni Award. (Please click to see video) In October 2021, Greg was nominated and was selected to receive the British Columbia Music Educators Association (BCMEA) Outstanding Music Educator Award (Secondary School) for 2021. 

 

Mr. Keith Ollerenshaw; Artistic Director of Bands

(email: kollerenshaw@vsb.bc.ca)

Mr. Keith Ollerenshaw is the new director of bands at Magee. Prior to teaching at Magee, Mr. Ollerenshaw taught at Lord Byng and studied with Dr. Scott MacLennan.  In addition to secondary school teaching, Mr. Ollerenshaw taught elementary bands at Tyee. Mr. Ollerenshaw  was the artistic director of Bandemonium music society on Salt Spring Island and taught band and choir at the Salt Spring Island Middle School.

Mr. Ollerenshaw received his bachelor of jazz studies from Capilano University. He received his  bachelor of education degree from UBC. Mr. Ollerenshaw received the outstanding practicum award during his studies.

Mr. Ollerenshaw is a jazz trombonist and has performed with over twenty internationally acclaimed artists including Randy Brecker, Kurt Elling, and Dave Leibman. Mr. Ollerenshaw continues to rehearse and perform in and around the Vancouver area.