Speakers

You will be delighted to listen to, be informed by, and catch inspiration from our distinguished speakers.

Rosemary Thomson

Music Director & Conductor

A highly skilled musician experienced in conducting a wide variety of repertoire with an innovative audience presentation, Rosemary Thomson recently completed sixteen seasons as Music Director of the Okanagan Symphony Orchestra (OSO). Under her leadership the orchestra has blossomed and OSO audiences have grown to unprecedented levels. In 2020, Rosemary became The Artistic Director for Opera Kelowna. She often shares her passion for music throughout the Okanagan valley as a guest host, instructor, and writer in schools, colleges, service clubs and through various media channels.

A graduate of the University of Toronto and the Banff Centre for the Arts, Ms. Thomson came to the Okanagan from the Calgary Philharmonic Orchestra, where she was Resident Conductor and Chorus Master. For four seasons she was Assistant Conductor to Richard Bradshaw for the Canadian Opera Company. She also served as Conductor in Residence for the Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra, where she was mentored by Maestro Bramwell Tovey. For fourteen seasons she conducted Toronto’s new music ensemble Continuum, with whom she toured Canada and Europe and conducted on several recordings of music by Canadian composers.

Ms. Thomson has been active as a guest conductor in both opera and symphonic repertoire. She has led a number of Canadian orchestras including those of Edmonton, Kingston, National Arts Centre, Regina, Toronto, Thunder Bay, Vancouver, and Victoria. She has guest conducted for numerous opera companies, including Tapestry Opera where she was nominated for a 2019 Dora Award for Music Direction of the World Premiere of Shanawdithit by Yvette Nolan and Dean Burry. Thomson recently made her Vancouver Opera debut, conducting H.M.S. Pinafore and conducted the world premiere of Pomegranate by Amanda Hale and Kye Marshall for the Canadian Opera Company.

Ms. Thomson serves as a Director for the BC Region and the National Board of the Canadian Music Centre and sits on the Advocacy and EDI committee with Orchestras Canada. Her work has been recognized with the Honour in the Arts Award through the Kelowna Civic and Community recognition program as well as the Okanagan Arts Awards in the Music category. In 2021 she was awarded the Community Spirit Award by the BC Provincial Achievement Foundation. Rosemary is a national mentor and integral part of the Women in Musical Leadership initiative, a program run by Tapestry Opera, Pacific Opera Victoria and the Toronto Symphony Orchestra.

Alison MacLean

Documentary Film Producer

Alison’s work as an award winning documentary producer and combat camera person in Afghanistan provides her with frontline insight into the importance of humanitarian aid. She is an advocate for women, youth and refugees. Alison has helped White Rock Rotary, and other donors, resettle Afghan families in the USA and Canada.

In 2022 Alison was a Rotary Peace Fellow at Chulalongkorn University in Bangkok, Thailand.

Website: http://www.tomboyproductions.tv/

Patti Bevilacqua

Educator

In 1989, during her first year of teaching high school physical education, Patti was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis. Five years later, she left her dream job due to worsening symptoms of MS. In 2021, Patti embarked on a journey back to university to pursue graduate studies at the University of Toronto. In 2005, she successfully obtained a Ph.D. in Teacher Development. Fourteen years later, Patti had an epiphany that her life with MS flourished when she dedicated herself to living each day as her most vibrant self. Today, Patti serves as a keynote speaker. Her talks inspire others to move through life more intentionally and empower individuals to give a personal gift to the world, for the benefit of all.

Dan Price

President, Kelowna Chamber of Commerce

Dan Price grew up in Southern Alberta and graduated from the University of Lethbridge with a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science. After graduating and obtaining his CPA/CA, he spent over 17 years working in corporate finance in both Calgary and Kelowna and joined the team at Sunlife in November of 2022.

Outside of work, Dan is married and has two children that keep him very busy. He enjoys the Okanagan lifestyle and plays most sports. He is currently the President of the Kelowna Chamber of Commerce and has previously volunteered as a hockey coach and as the Treasurer of the Kelowna Figure Skating Club.

Register Now!

If you register now you’ll be glad you did. We are delighted to answer any questions you may have about the registration process and/or the upcoming conference. The conference registrar may be contacted via email at:

[email protected]

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