A fan letter to Vancouver Academy of Music's new executive director Joseph Elworthy

In my days as an earnest young student of the Vancouver Academy of Music, I used to think I had a decent amount of potential as a cellist.

But even given the hubris of youth, I was not misguided enough to think I would ever surpass the skill of a certain Academy darling a couple years my senior: Joseph Elworthy. The guy was in a league of his own. I still remember watching him perform the Prokofiev Cello Concerto one year at the Kiwanis Festival competition, and thinking, mouth agape: “Well, I may as well hang up my bow now.” Truth be told, he was kind of famous among us teenage cello geeks.

A couple of decades on, Elworthy, not surprisingly, has amassed quite the resume: he studied at Yale University and the Juilliard School, performed on stages across the globe, including Carnegie Hall; recorded a critically acclaimed version of the Bach Cello Suites; and is a member of the VSO. He is also head of the cello faculty at his old alma mater, the VAM.

And just last week, he was appointed Executive Director of the school, while retaining the cello faculty posting.

In a statement, Elworthy reflected on the role the school played in his life, and his vision for the future: “My musical beginnings were at VAM, and one might say I have experienced the full cycle: student, faculty member, parent—my two daughters attend—and now, Executive Director. VAM’s primary focus must always be to provide an inclusive learning environment that nurtures the creative potential of all our students; however—as the province’s most established music conservatory—VAM has a responsibility to serve as a resource to Vancouver’s arts and culture community, and remain accessible for all who have a stake in the cultural future of our city.”

Congratulations, Joseph, and good luck. The VAM was practically my second home as I grew up—it’s nice to know it’s in good hands.

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