ALASKA HIGHWAY NEWS
THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 12, 2020 | NEWS | A7
Local musicians take home top provincial honours Dillon Giancola sports@ahnfsj.ca Fort St. John has a quartet of provincially-recognized young musicians. Brian Andersen (Grade 4 guitar), Micah Saunderson (Grade 5 guitar), Tianna Saunderson (Grade 7 voice, Grade 1 violin), and Hyeonseok Kim (Grade 1, flute) were each awarded the Conservatory Canada Medal for Excellence in October. The medal of excellence is a provincial championship of sorts, and goes to the person who scores the best in their test for their musical grade in the entire province. Musicians must have at least an ‘A’ grade on their conservatory tests, which take place in June, to qualify. For Kim and Anderson, this is their first time winning the prestigious award, while brother and sister Micah and Tianna each won their fourth medal in guitar and voice, respectively. Tianna always wanted to learn to play the violin, and took the instrument up in September 2019, in time to win her first medal on the stringed instrument. “It feels good. Hopefully this brings back the streak,” joked Micah, in reference to not winning the medal of excellence in 2019 after winning the three years previous. Tina also missed earning her fourth medal in a row last year, and was focused on winning the medal of excellence for voice this year.
DILLON GIANCOLA PHOTO
Micah Saunderson, Hyeonseok Kim, Tianna Saunderson, and Brian Andersen show off their Conservatory Canada Medals for Excellence, with the instruments they played to earn their awards.
However, the award for violin caught her completely by surprise. “I wasn’t expecting the violin award at all, it feels very good,” said Tianna. She had always wanted to pick up the violin, but said her mother wanted her to focus on voice at first. The four gold medalists, as well as all 25 of the students who took Conservatory Canada tests at Simply Music this year had a much
different experience than past years. Instead of having an adjudicator sit near the musician, observing their form, technique, and skill, they did tests via video calls online, with a certain quality of video recording needed to convey the sound accurately to the judge. The pandemic version of the exam had its pros and cons. “It was a little less nervewracking, not having to do
it in person,” said Micah. However, he found it was hard to hear the adjudicator when they would play notes and ask Micah to identify what was being played for the ear training portion of the test. Winners of the Conservatory Canada Medal for Excellence would normally go perform at a national ceremony in London, Ontario, and a provincial ceremony in
Vancouver, but those events aren’t taking place this year. Although the buzz and excitement surrounding the awards might be a little different this year, the awards are a very impressive accomplishment that is the result of hours of practicing a week and a dedication to the instrument all year round. “They have done a tremendous job. The dedication and hard work needed to get to this level shows in each of these students,” said Tammy Saunderson, mother to Micah and Tianna and owner of Simply Music. She, along with musical director Paulette Martin have overseen much of the success these students and others have had in recent years. “They want to do their best at something, and a big congratulations to them,” said Tammy. Aaron Eady, who teaches Andersen and Micah in guitar, said these awards are all due to the student’s discipline. “I’m so proud of the hard work they’ve put in, not just this year but all four years I’ve taught them. It’s the discipline and drive they have to learn and perform at a high level, that’s what it comes down to,” said Eady. Micah and Tianna with their four awards are following in the footsteps of peer Carl Berresheim, who graduated last year after winning four Conservatory Canada Medals for Excellence himself.
A legacy of generosity and kindness
BRENDA BAUMEISTER PHOTO
Vance Dancy shows family members his trademark thumbs up and smile.
Dillon Giancola sports@ahnfsj.ca Longtime Charlie Lake and Fort St. John resident — and friendly, smiling face — Vance Dancy died Oct. 26, at the age of 86. Dancy was known throughout the community for being kind to everyone, and smiling constantly. “He wanted his legacy to be that he was humble and kind, that he always stayed positive, and always kept smiling. He wanted us to remember that whatever life throws at you, you take it as it comes,” said his daughter Brenda Baumeister. Dancy was known for being generous and supportive of everyone he met. His son Dwayne said he treated everyone like family, no matter how well he knew them, and had no judgement for anyone. He was a constant sight for years along Highway 97 picking bottles and garbage from the ditches around Charlie Lake, and would donate the money made from the bottles to whomever was in need. Dancy was lifelong member of the Northland Trailblazers Snowmobile Club, and Dwayne estimates his father helped raise more than $100,000 for the B.C. Lions Society and other causes by
putting on the annual Snowarama event. He also raised money for the Child Development Centre for years with grandson Christopher Baumeister at the CDC talent show. Dancy was a calming presence, and made an impact on seemingly everyone who met him. “So many people have come up to me lately saying how special of a man he was and how much they liked him and his smile,” said daughter Marlene Fouillard. “Dad never got mad once, and I only saw him yell once in my life.” Family friend Margaret McGuire, who grew up with the Dancy’s children, echoed the thought. “I’m sure there were times he was mad at something, but I don’t remember a single one,” McGuire said. Family gathered together for a funeral on Nov. 5, which was livestreamed and watched by friends and family across Western Canada. Dancy was born in Swift Current, Saskatchewan on October 22, 1934, and moved to Fort St. John in 1956. He is survived by wife Josephine, children Marlene, Dwayne and Brenda, eight grandchildren and 15 great grandchildren.
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