Originally from a Toronto suburb situated on the traditional lands of the Anishinaabe Mississauga peoples, Emily Oswald is a professional fundraiser, and nonprofit leader with over a decade of experience.
Her academic journey led her to the University of Ottawa, where she earned a BA in Social Sciences, followed by a Post-Graduate Certificate in Event Management from Algonquin College. She then moved to Vancouver in 2013, where she now lives with her family just outside ofKitsilano,ontheuncededterritoriesofthexwməθkwəy̓ əm(Musqueam),Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish), and səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh) peoples.
A deep commitment to community service and fostering inclusive, anti-racist, and creative spaces and places is what gets Emily out of bed in the morning, and she’s had the privilege of contributing to nonprofit organizations like Skate Canada, Arts Umbrella, and Salal Sexual Violence Support Centre, the largest sexual assault centre in BC, where she served as the head of fundraising for 5.5 years. A fundraiser through and through, and Emily is humbled to now share her development and communications skills with the incredible team at Sarah McLachlan School of Music, helping young artists find their voice.
Beyond her professional endeavors, Emily actively engages with her community, serving on the Parent Advisory Council at her stepdaughter's school, and as a board member for Little Mountain Gallery, a local comedy venue recently reopened in Gastown. Though she does not perform much anymore, Emily still teaches acting, singing, and dancing to children aged 3-18 at Lights Up Musical Theatre Schools, and occasionally lends her choreography skills to local musical theatre productions.
The arts always holds a special place in Emily’s heart, and as a student, teacher, and parent, she has witnessed firsthand the transformative power of artistic expression on young minds. She is deeply honoured to be part of the SoM team, and to help change the life of every young artist who walks through our doors!
To contact Emily, please email emily@sarahschoolofmusic.com
Stephen joined SoM in September 2002, recognizing the great potential that Sarah’s vision for the school could have upon the future of music education. Over the years Stephen has become a rigorous champion of all things innovative at SoM, mentoring peer dialogue, forward looking teaching practice, inclusive administrative practice and modelling the community building values inherent in SoM’s motto ‘find your voice’. As Creative Director, Fisk stewards instructors and students alike in the artistic abundance that SoM’s culture affords to all. With his extensive background in liberal arts and all things musical, Stephen remains active as a professional performing artist, writer, producer and teacher of over 30 years. Fisk holds degrees in Arts, Composition and a Masters in Jazz Performance from the New England Conservatory in Boston. In addition to his work at SoM, Stephen teaches on faculty in the Contemporary & Jazz Guitar department at Vancouver Community College, mentoring up and coming professionals.
www.uncommongold.com
To contact Stephen, please email thefisk@sarahschoolofmusic.com or call 604-709-4415 ext 8