Latest news with #Hals
The Province
16-07-2025
- Entertainment
- The Province
Vancouver music teacher pursues lifelong dream to study at Oxford at age 79
Friend, past students help to fundraise for music teacher to reach her goal Susan Evans is a music teacher who has just been accepted for advance degree studies at both Oxford and Cambridge in the U.K. Photo by Jason Payne / PNG Reviews and recommendations are unbiased and products are independently selected. Postmedia may earn an affiliate commission from purchases made through links on this page. Vancouver music teacher Susan Evans dreamed of studying music at Oxford University in her teens. Now she has been accepted to pursue graduate work in music theory at age 79. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Exclusive articles by top sports columnists Patrick Johnston, Ben Kuzma, J.J. Abrams and others. Plus, Canucks Report, Sports and Headline News newsletters and events. Unlimited online access to The Province and 15 news sites with one account. The Province ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition to view on any device, share and comment on. Daily puzzles and comics, including the New York Times Crossword. Support local journalism. SUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Exclusive articles by top sports columnists Patrick Johnston, Ben Kuzma, J.J. Abrams and others. Plus, Canucks Report, Sports and Headline News newsletters and events. Unlimited online access to The Province and 15 news sites with one account. The Province ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition to view on any device, share and comment on. Daily puzzles and comics, including the New York Times Crossword. Support local journalism. REGISTER / SIGN IN TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account. Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments. Enjoy additional articles per month. Get email updates from your favourite authors. THIS ARTICLE IS FREE TO READ REGISTER TO UNLOCK. Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments Enjoy additional articles per month Get email updates from your favourite authors The only catch is the nearly $50,000 in tuition fees to study at the prestigious school. So the aspiring grad student is the subject of a GoFundMe campaign to help cover costs. It's just one more challenge for the pub owner's daughter, who originally Hals from Pontypool, Wales, to take on. She's been clearing career hurdles all her life. 'I grew up with classical music all-around but didn't pursue a music degree because I wanted to work in film,' said Evans. 'Attaining a (Masters) in film at the Royal College of Art in London in the swinging '60s was very exciting. Early jobs I had included working on one of director Mike Leigh's earliest films and editing on Led Zeppelin's 1976 concert film The Song Remains the Same.' Essential reading for hockey fans who eat, sleep, Canucks, repeat. By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. Please try again This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. When the silver screen tarnished, Evans went on a spiritual retreat at a the Indian ashram founded by Rajneesh. Souring on that experience, she moved to Tokyo working as a copywriter for Japanese advertising giant Dentsu. When her husband's job brought the family to Vancouver, she found yet a new career path with old origins. 'Music was my first love and maybe not following it was a mistake, so I started teaching piano,' she said. 'Once I was back into it, I couldn't stop. By 2021, I had a UBC (bachelor's) in music and a very successful studio in North Vancouver with many, many truly excellent students.' Sensing she had peaked in that professional capacity, Evans was at yet another career crossroads. Not wanting to retire, she contemplated what else she could do. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. 'I didn't know what to do with myself and needed some kind of purpose, because I don't ever want to retire,' she said. 'Deciding I would really love to explore the philosophy and essence of music theory, I applied to Oxford and Cambridge knowing I would never get in. To my huge surprise, both accepted me, so here we are moving back to my home country for a year.' Among those helping Evans to realize her dream is Roxie Jin. The administrator at the Vancouver International School of Music in White Rock had worked with Evans at the school's now-closed North Vancouver campus. When she encountered a story about her former colleague on Google News, Jin hatched a plan to help with fundraising. 'I decided we could contribute our ticket proceeds from the three year-end student recitals,' said Jin. 'She attended every show giving an inspirational speech at the beginning to students and parents, which was lovely. I greatly admire her spiritual power, vast skills and knowledge as a piano teacher. She really delivers results.' This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Susan Evans has been accepted for advanced degree studies at both Oxford and Cambridge universities in the U.K.(For story by Stuart Derdeyn) [PNG Merlin Archive] Photo by Jason Payne / PNG Former student Selina Hung echoes Jin's thoughts. Having studied with her since Grade 7, Hung and her former teacher have kept in touch as friends. 'I've had a lot of music teachers and never met anyone as enthusiastic about piano or as passionate about classical music, which really motivates students to do their best,' said Hung. 'I'm very excited for her getting into Oxford because I knew that she had always wanted to return and pursue the opportunity. You don't meet a lot of people driven to pursue their passion at her age, so it's a dream come true.' Evans chafes slightly at the mention of age as it regards to her plans. While the professors reviewing her Oxford application initially took note of it, she said as the admissions interview continued, it became an animated discussion of her thesis and research and the years simply melted away. What was supposed to be a rushed 20-minute process turned into a lively discussion running more than 40 minutes that the professors were sorry to end. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Noting that the twenty-something students she could share classrooms with might initially appraise her as unique, Evans finds that the novelty fades away when everyone dives into the subject matter and engages in learning. 'I've always felt that the purpose of life is to experience as much as you can and there is no point in just sticking to doing one thing forever,' said Evans. 'Fine if it suits you, but it's not my way. I've got my money's worth out of life and wouldn't be sad if it was done, but I'm quite happy to continue learning and experiencing more.' She says that once people stop seeing her through the lens of her age, they began to see the person and peer in front of them. Achieving a 62-year delayed goal of studying at Oxford is a 'bucket list item' achieved. sderdeyn@ Crime Music News News News
Vancouver Sun
15-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Vancouver Sun
Vancouver music teacher pursues lifelong dream to study at Oxford at age 79
Vancouver music teacher Susan Evans dreamed of studying music at Oxford University in her teens. Now she has been accepted to pursue graduate work in music theory at age 79. The only catch is the nearly $50,000 in tuition fees to study at the prestigious school. So the aspiring grad student is the subject of a GoFundMe campaign to help cover costs. It's just one more challenge for the pub owner's daughter, who originally Hals from Pontypool, Wales, to take on. She's been clearing career hurdles all her life. 'I grew up with classical music all-around but didn't pursue a music degree because I wanted to work in film,' said Evans. 'Attaining a (Masters) in film at the Royal College of Art in London in the swinging '60s was very exciting. Early jobs I had included working on one of director Mike Leigh's earliest films and editing on Led Zeppelin's 1976 concert film The Song Remains the Same.' When the silver screen tarnished, Evans went on a spiritual retreat at a the Indian ashram founded by Rajneesh. Souring on that experience, she moved to Tokyo working as a copywriter for Japanese advertising giant Dentsu. When her husband's job brought the family to Vancouver, she found yet a new career path with old origins. Get top headlines and gossip from the world of celebrity and entertainment. By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. A welcome email is on its way. If you don't see it, please check your junk folder. The next issue of Sun Spots will soon be in your inbox. Please try again Interested in more newsletters? Browse here. 'Music was my first love and maybe not following it was a mistake, so I started teaching piano,' she said. 'Once I was back into it, I couldn't stop. By 2021, I had a UBC (bachelor's) in music and a very successful studio in North Vancouver with many, many truly excellent students.' Sensing she had peaked in that professional capacity, Evans was at yet another career crossroads. Not wanting to retire, she contemplated what else she could do. 'I didn't know what to do with myself and needed some kind of purpose, because I don't ever want to retire,' she said. 'Deciding I would really love to explore the philosophy and essence of music theory, I applied to Oxford and Cambridge knowing I would never get in. To my huge surprise, both accepted me, so here we are moving back to my home country for a year.' Among those helping Evans to realize her dream is Roxie Jin. The administrator at the Vancouver International School of Music in White Rock had worked with Evans at the school's now-closed North Vancouver campus. When she encountered a story about her former colleague on Google News, Jin hatched a plan to help with fundraising. 'I decided we could contribute our ticket proceeds from the three year-end student recitals,' said Jin. 'She attended every show giving an inspirational speech at the beginning to students and parents, which was lovely. I greatly admire her spiritual power, vast skills and knowledge as a piano teacher. She really delivers results.' Former student Selina Hung echoes Jin's thoughts. Having studied with her since Grade 7, Hung and her former teacher have kept in touch as friends. 'I've had a lot of music teachers and never met anyone as enthusiastic about piano or as passionate about classical music, which really motivates students to do their best,' said Hung. 'I'm very excited for her getting into Oxford because I knew that she had always wanted to return and pursue the opportunity. You don't meet a lot of people driven to pursue their passion at her age, so it's a dream come true.' Evans chafes slightly at the mention of age as it regards to her plans. While the professors reviewing her Oxford application initially took note of it, she said as the admissions interview continued, it became an animated discussion of her thesis and research and the years simply melted away. What was supposed to be a rushed 20-minute process turned into a lively discussion running more than 40 minutes that the professors were sorry to end. Noting that the twenty-something students she could share classrooms with might initially appraise her as unique, Evans finds that the novelty fades away when everyone dives into the subject matter and engages in learning. 'I've always felt that the purpose of life is to experience as much as you can and there is no point in just sticking to doing one thing forever,' said Evans. 'Fine if it suits you, but it's not my way. I've got my money's worth out of life and wouldn't be sad if it was done, but I'm quite happy to continue learning and experiencing more.' She says that once people stop seeing her through the lens of her age, they began to see the person and peer in front of them. Achieving a 62-year delayed goal of studying at Oxford is a 'bucket list item' achieved. sderdeyn@
The Advertiser
28-05-2025
- Entertainment
- The Advertiser
Frans Hals portraits return to Holland after a century
A pair of paintings by Dutch Golden Age master Frans Hals that possibly depict his own children are returning to the Netherlands after more than a century overseas in the hands of private owners. Boy Playing the Violin and Girl Singing, were bought at auction for $US7.8 million ($A12.1 million) by the Frans Hals Museum and the Mauritshuis museum, with financial support from the Dutch government and a group of foundations. Painted around 1628, the works are seen as especially interesting because, according to the museums, Hals may have used his own children as models. The Dutch government sees them as an important part of the Netherlands' cultural heritage. "It's fantastic that these paintings by Frans Hals, which were owned by a private collector abroad, are now home again," Dutch Culture Minister Eppo Bruins said in a statement. Last year, Amsterdam's Rijksmuseum hosted a major exhibition of the works by Hals, who is famous for depicting his subjects in a lively and expressive manner. He spent nearly all of his life just outside of Amsterdam, in the city of Haarlem. The Frans Hals Museum, located in Haarlem, has the largest collection of the artist's work in the world and will share ownership of the painting with the Mauritshuis in The Hague. The museums will alternate showing the works, but will always keep the two together. The paintings will be on display from mid-July at the Frans Hals Museum and will move to Mauritshuis in autumn. A joint custody agreement for artwork is not new to the Netherlands. In 2015, the Netherlands and France jointly bought a pair of works by another 17th century Dutch master, Rembrandt van Rijn, and swap the paintings every five years. The life-sized portraits of newlyweds Marten Soolmans and Oopjen Coppit were first on display at the Rijksmuseum and moved to the Louvre in Paris last year. A pair of paintings by Dutch Golden Age master Frans Hals that possibly depict his own children are returning to the Netherlands after more than a century overseas in the hands of private owners. Boy Playing the Violin and Girl Singing, were bought at auction for $US7.8 million ($A12.1 million) by the Frans Hals Museum and the Mauritshuis museum, with financial support from the Dutch government and a group of foundations. Painted around 1628, the works are seen as especially interesting because, according to the museums, Hals may have used his own children as models. The Dutch government sees them as an important part of the Netherlands' cultural heritage. "It's fantastic that these paintings by Frans Hals, which were owned by a private collector abroad, are now home again," Dutch Culture Minister Eppo Bruins said in a statement. Last year, Amsterdam's Rijksmuseum hosted a major exhibition of the works by Hals, who is famous for depicting his subjects in a lively and expressive manner. He spent nearly all of his life just outside of Amsterdam, in the city of Haarlem. The Frans Hals Museum, located in Haarlem, has the largest collection of the artist's work in the world and will share ownership of the painting with the Mauritshuis in The Hague. The museums will alternate showing the works, but will always keep the two together. The paintings will be on display from mid-July at the Frans Hals Museum and will move to Mauritshuis in autumn. A joint custody agreement for artwork is not new to the Netherlands. In 2015, the Netherlands and France jointly bought a pair of works by another 17th century Dutch master, Rembrandt van Rijn, and swap the paintings every five years. The life-sized portraits of newlyweds Marten Soolmans and Oopjen Coppit were first on display at the Rijksmuseum and moved to the Louvre in Paris last year. A pair of paintings by Dutch Golden Age master Frans Hals that possibly depict his own children are returning to the Netherlands after more than a century overseas in the hands of private owners. Boy Playing the Violin and Girl Singing, were bought at auction for $US7.8 million ($A12.1 million) by the Frans Hals Museum and the Mauritshuis museum, with financial support from the Dutch government and a group of foundations. Painted around 1628, the works are seen as especially interesting because, according to the museums, Hals may have used his own children as models. The Dutch government sees them as an important part of the Netherlands' cultural heritage. "It's fantastic that these paintings by Frans Hals, which were owned by a private collector abroad, are now home again," Dutch Culture Minister Eppo Bruins said in a statement. Last year, Amsterdam's Rijksmuseum hosted a major exhibition of the works by Hals, who is famous for depicting his subjects in a lively and expressive manner. He spent nearly all of his life just outside of Amsterdam, in the city of Haarlem. The Frans Hals Museum, located in Haarlem, has the largest collection of the artist's work in the world and will share ownership of the painting with the Mauritshuis in The Hague. The museums will alternate showing the works, but will always keep the two together. The paintings will be on display from mid-July at the Frans Hals Museum and will move to Mauritshuis in autumn. A joint custody agreement for artwork is not new to the Netherlands. In 2015, the Netherlands and France jointly bought a pair of works by another 17th century Dutch master, Rembrandt van Rijn, and swap the paintings every five years. The life-sized portraits of newlyweds Marten Soolmans and Oopjen Coppit were first on display at the Rijksmuseum and moved to the Louvre in Paris last year. A pair of paintings by Dutch Golden Age master Frans Hals that possibly depict his own children are returning to the Netherlands after more than a century overseas in the hands of private owners. Boy Playing the Violin and Girl Singing, were bought at auction for $US7.8 million ($A12.1 million) by the Frans Hals Museum and the Mauritshuis museum, with financial support from the Dutch government and a group of foundations. Painted around 1628, the works are seen as especially interesting because, according to the museums, Hals may have used his own children as models. The Dutch government sees them as an important part of the Netherlands' cultural heritage. "It's fantastic that these paintings by Frans Hals, which were owned by a private collector abroad, are now home again," Dutch Culture Minister Eppo Bruins said in a statement. Last year, Amsterdam's Rijksmuseum hosted a major exhibition of the works by Hals, who is famous for depicting his subjects in a lively and expressive manner. He spent nearly all of his life just outside of Amsterdam, in the city of Haarlem. The Frans Hals Museum, located in Haarlem, has the largest collection of the artist's work in the world and will share ownership of the painting with the Mauritshuis in The Hague. The museums will alternate showing the works, but will always keep the two together. The paintings will be on display from mid-July at the Frans Hals Museum and will move to Mauritshuis in autumn. A joint custody agreement for artwork is not new to the Netherlands. In 2015, the Netherlands and France jointly bought a pair of works by another 17th century Dutch master, Rembrandt van Rijn, and swap the paintings every five years. The life-sized portraits of newlyweds Marten Soolmans and Oopjen Coppit were first on display at the Rijksmuseum and moved to the Louvre in Paris last year.
27-05-2025
- Entertainment
Pair of portraits by Dutch master Frans Hals return to the Netherlands
THE HAGUE, Netherlands -- A pair of paintings by Dutch Golden Age master Frans Hals that possibly depict his own children are returning to the Netherlands after more than a century overseas in the hands of private owners. 'Boy Playing the Violin' and 'Girl Singing,' were bought Monday at auction for $7.8 million by the Frans Hals Museum and the Mauritshuis museum, with financial support from the Dutch government and a group of foundations. Painted around 1628, the works are seen as especially interesting because, according to the museums, Hals may have used his own children as models. The Dutch government sees them as an important part of the country's cultural heritage. ''It's fantastic that these paintings by Frans Hals, which were owned by a private collector abroad, are now home again', Dutch Culture Minister Eppo Bruins said Tuesday in a statement. Last year, Amsterdam's Rijksmueum hosted a major exhibition of the works of Hals, who is famous for depicting his subjects in a lively and expressive manner. He spent nearly all of his life just outside of Amsterdam, in the small city of Haarlem. The Frans Hals Museum, located in Haarlem, has the largest collection of the artist's work in the world and will share ownership of the painting with the Mauritshuis, in The Hague. The museums will alternate showing the works, but will always keep the two together. The paintings will be on display from mid-July at the Frans Hals Museum and will move to Mauritshuis in the fall. A joint custody agreement for artwork is not new to the Netherlands. In 2015, the Netherlands and France jointly bought a pair of works by another 17th century Dutch master, Rembrandt van Rijn, and swap the paintings every five years. The life-sized portraits of newlyweds Marten Soolmans and Oopjen Coppit were first on display at the Rijksmueum and moved to the Louvre in Paris last year.
Hamilton Spectator
27-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Hamilton Spectator
Pair of portraits by Dutch master Frans Hals return to the Netherlands
THE HAGUE, Netherlands (AP) — A pair of paintings by Dutch Golden Age master Frans Hals that possibly depict his own children are returning to the Netherlands after more than a century overseas in the hands of private owners. 'Boy Playing the Violin' and 'Girl Singing,' were bought Monday at auction for $7.8 million by the Frans Hals Museum and the Mauritshuis museum, with financial support from the Dutch government and a group of foundations. Painted around 1628, the works are seen as especially interesting because, according to the museums, Hals may have used his own children as models. The Dutch government sees them as an important part of the country's cultural heritage. ''It's fantastic that these paintings by Frans Hals, which were owned by a private collector abroad, are now home again', Dutch Culture Minister Eppo Bruins said Tuesday in a statement. Last year, Amsterdam's Rijksmueum hosted a major exhibition of the works of Hals, who is famous for depicting his subjects in a lively and expressive manner. He spent nearly all of his life just outside of Amsterdam, in the small city of Haarlem. The Frans Hals Museum, located in Haarlem, has the largest collection of the artist's work in the world and will share ownership of the painting with the Mauritshuis, in The Hague. The museums will alternate showing the works, but will always keep the two together. The paintings will be on display from mid-July at the Frans Hals Museum and will move to Mauritshuis in the fall. A joint custody agreement for artwork is not new to the Netherlands. In 2015, the Netherlands and France jointly bought a pair of works by another 17th century Dutch master, Rembrandt van Rijn, and swap the paintings every five years. The life-sized portraits of newlyweds Marten Soolmans and Oopjen Coppit were first on display at the Rijksmueum and moved to the Louvre in Paris last year.
