MUSIC HAS ALWAYS played a vital role in Ariane's life. When seven years old, she experienced her first exposure with live choral music when her dad (still a student at the time) saved up and took her to The Messiah at Le Centre National des Arts located in Ottawa where they lived. It was nothing like listening to CBC Radio. When Ariane's father moved the family to Powell River, BC, she became a fan by default of the Powell River Boys' Choir, a then internationally recognized choir led by Don James, and a choir in which her little brother sang. Ariane tagged along to rehearsals, concerts and on trips and, consequently (perhaps even annoyingly), could sing most of the repertoire and parts. To her delight, Don James eventually started the Powell River Girls' Choir and she spent many years singing, performing and touring with the Girls' choir and various other choirs led by Don James.
For many years, Ariane had requested to play the piccolo. Finally, in Grade 9 secondary school, after completing two years of piano lessons, Ariane was finally allowed to sign up for band. Though she was disappointed in having to learn the flute first, the flute actually became an equal passion to choral singing.
Following graduation from high school, and while preparing to audition for the University of Victoria music program, Ariane spent a year apprenticing as assistant conductor with Don James at the Powell River Academy of Music. One of her many memorable experiences was being given the opportunity to conduct an Academy choir at Kathaumixw in an international choral festival.
In 1991, Ariane and her family moved to Valemount and, while raising her family in the small rural town, she established the Valemount Community Choir, and eventually the Valemount Children's Choir. The choirs presented regular concerts and participated in many community events and even travelled to other communities to share the joy of singing.
In 2005, Ariane moved to Prince George and within weeks, she was joyfully singing in a choir. In 2006, Ariane began playing flute and piccolo with the Prince George Symphony Orchestra and currently holds the position of Principal Flute. Since 2010, Ariane has been teaching at the Prince George Conservatory of Music and has held various other teaching positions.
In her spare time, Ariane enjoys family time, hiking wherever she can, kayaking on local lakes and taking more pictures than necessary.
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