Gillian Hunter-Gibbs

Early Years Music Department Chair

Gillian Hunter-Gibbs brings the highest levels of training, experience, creative professionalism and a love of children and community engagement to her role as the VSO School of Music’s Director of Learning Programs and Early Years Department Head, responsible for coordinating and developing a diversity of high-quality programs for the school’s youngest students and beyond. Gillian returned to her native Vancouver after 13 years of studying, working and performing in the UK to assume her new role with the VSO School in March of 2017.

A graduate of the University of British Columbia (BMus in Voice and Violin), Gillian followed her passion for music education to the UK, completing a Masters in Music Education Research at the University of Cambridge, with a specialized area of focus on methods and techniques of music instruction for young children.

After completing her degree, Gillian worked with local government in and around Cambridge, England, to develop arts infrastructure, and support and direct a variety of arts programs, including teaching private and group violin lessons and as acting artistic director and manager of a musical theatre school for young children. From 2010-2017, Gillian served as the Education Manager for the City of London Sinfonia (CLS), a professional chamber orchestra renowned for its outstanding and innovative educational outreach projects. Under her leadership at CLS, the education program grew exponentially and now holds a strong international reputation for its high quality work with children. Adding to her 20-year teaching and administrative experience, Gillian is passionate about the Colourstrings method and has undertaken training in Edinburgh, UK.

Throughout her work in the music education field, Gillian has remained a keen performer, as a professional violist and singer in a variety of groups across the UK. Most recently, she has performed as part of Vancouver’s Players and Singers under the direction of fellow VSOSoM faculty member, Kevin Zakresky. Gillian is a mother to two young children, who are both budding Early Years musicians at the VSO School of Music.