Janet Irvine
Janet Irvine is currently the Music Director of the W.J. Mouat Secondary School Music Program in Abbotsford, British Columbia and the former Concert Band Director for the Douglas College Concert Band. After attending Capilano College and Douglas College she received Bachelor’s Degrees in Secondary Music Education and English from the University of Victoria while maintaining a busy music studio teaching private music lessons and performing frequently as a freelance musician. Ms. Irvine shifted into public education working at various middle and high schools in the Qualicum and Abbotsford School Districts before her current appointment. In August 2022, she completed her Masters of Music through Central Washington University and the American Band College.
Ms. Irvine maintains a busy schedule, in addition to teaching, by serving in various roles such as the President of the BC Music Educators’ Association, a member of the Canadian Music Educators’ Association board, Honour Band Guest Conductor, and Music Festival Adjudicator. Previous she has served as Assistant Conductor of the Fraser Valley Wind Ensemble (2021-2022), Vancouver Symphony Orchestra Crescendo Conference presenter (2019), and Jr. Band Conductor at the University of British Columbia Summer Music Institute (2017). Ms. Irvine previously served as the Clinics Coordinator and the Honour Ensembles Chair for the British Columbia Music Educators’ Association Conference, and as the First Vice-President and Acting President on the British Columbia Music Educators’ Association board. During the COVID-19 pandemic, Ms. Irvine co-authored the Guidelines for Music Education in British Columbia During COVID-19. Her co-authorship and music advocacy lead to a position with the BC Provincial Education Steering Committee’s Health and Safety Working Group where she worked closely with the British Columbia Ministry of Education, BC Teachers Federation, and the British Columbia Centre for Disease Control to create and write safety protocols for all schools across British Columbia. Her research and advocacy shaped policies and allowed music education to continue in schools during the pandemic and earned her a Canadian Music Educators’ Association Builders Award and a BC Music Educators’ Association Special Distinguished Service Award. She lives in Abbotsford where she raises her two sons, Nikkolas and Jameson, and her dog, Carsie.