Christine Bhopalsingh President of WSAC and Chair
Christine's work experience has criss-crossed both the private and public sectors over the past 27 years. Her most recently held positions as Human Resources Advisor and Senior Human Resources Consultant, have informed her drive to achieving excellence by serving others.
Striving to give back to and broaden leadership in the community realm, she was the President for the India School of Dance, Music and Theatre (Winnipeg MB) from 2010-2014 and Vice president from 2008-2010.
Balancing her career and volunteer aspirations, she is also an artist currently working at the Coast Collective Gallery in Colwood once a month. This mother of three also enjoys playing the violin and writing French poetry. A recent graduate of Royal Roads University, Christine has completed a graduate certificate in Executive Coaching and is also currently working towards an International Human Resources Accreditation. Her thirst for continued personal growth has taken her into evening classes to maintain her intermediate proficiency in French and in achieving her level 3 in Reiki.
Pushing the boundaries of her comfort zone, her recent move to Victoria (August 2013) is paving the road of a new beginnings with abundance and passion for community involvement.
Tara Fenwick Director and Secretary
I recently moved back to BC from the UK, where I was Professor of Professional Education at the University of Stirling. Prior to that I was Professor and Head of Education Studies at the University of British Columbia. I also am a classically trained pianist and choral director, holding a Performers ARCT from the Royal Conservatory in Toronto, and began my career as a collaborative pianist and music director. I bring decades of experience as chair or member of national and institutional boards of governance. My expertise is in initiating, developing and evaluating projects, obtaining and managing grants, conducting and publishing research, and leading project teams. As an educator and researcher I am particularly enthusiastic about fostering connections between different communities, learning and diverse art forms. Now living in Metchosin, I am excited by the opportunities for these connections in the burgeoning art scene of the Westshore communities.
Stephen Green Director and Treasurer
Greatly inspired by the vibrant love for music and the arts that BC and particularly this island have to offer, Stephen Green joined the Victoria Conservatory of Music (VCM) as its Dean (now Chief Artistic and Academic Officer) in 2012. Prior to this Stephen had served for 11 years as Dean and Executive Director of the Royal Conservatory of Music's Community School in Toronto. With the launch of the VCM's first satellite location in 2016, located in Westhills Langford, Stephen also joined the board of the West Shore Arts Council. Stephen is passionate about breaking down the conventional Western practice of compartmentalizing the arts, and encourages creative innovations through collaboration across all art forms.
Stephen holds a Performer's ARCT from the RCM in Toronto, B.Mus. (Conducting) from U of T, and a M.A. (opera, choral, and orchestral conducting) from the University "Mozarteum" in Salzburg, Austria. As an accomplished performer, Stephen has worked as opera chorus director and conductor at the opera in Salzburg, performing on tour across most of Europe, and has taught students of all ages and levels. Originally from Ontario, after studying and working many years in Europe, he returned with his wife and three sons to Toronto, and finally in 2012 to Vancouver Island where he rejoined with his family island roots that date back to the early 1800's.