September 27, 2009 - 2 pm
Songs of Promise

Alison Nystrom, soprano, and Betty Suderman, piano,

       Alison Nystrom, soprano, is an active performer of oratorio, opera and art song.  She received her Masters of Music in Opera at the  University  of  British Columbia  under the tutelage of Nancy Hermiston. Alison has studied at many great institutions including the Mozarteum in Saltzburg, Austria and Trinity Western University.

       Alison has performed in several operas including Pamina in The Magic Flute, Diana in Orpheus in the Underworld, Clorinda in La Cenerentola, and the Woodpecker and Innkeeper’s wife in The Cunning Little Vixen.  She was also a member of the Burton Lowell and Olive Kurth Young Artists Program with Pacific Opera Victoria.  She is a popular recitalist who also enjoys oratorio and has sung in Mozart’s Requiem, Bach’s Coffee Cantata, and Handel’s Messiah. Alison currently teaches voice at  Trinity   Western   University .  

Noted for her sensitive musicianship, pianist Betty Suderman is especially in demand as a performer of chamber music and Lieder. Her career has taken her to many cities throughout Canada as well as the United States . 

Her love of music and her fascination with “the road less travelled” has led to some unusual and exotic concert locations.  Performances in Kenya and Botswana , in Ukraine , Mexico and Laos are some of the highlights.  Her collaboration with fellow musicians has resulted in her participation as accompanist in numerous European vocal competitions, including several with acclaimed Canadian soprano, Edith Wiens. Her work with choirs has resulted in several recordings with theVancouver Cantata Singers and the Pacific Mennonite Children’s Choir.  She is particularly well-known for her many recordings with the West Coast Mennonite Chamber Choir, some of which feature Miss Wiens, Ben Heppner and Colin Balzer .  In recent years, Betty has often been heard with Calvin Dyck in performances of mixed-media shows featuring the “Golden Violin”.

Betty has studied in Europe under the auspices of the German Academic Exchange Scholarship and the Canada Council.  In 1999, she completed her Doctorate of Musical Arts at the University of British Columbia .  Betty lives in Abbotsford , BC and in her spare time enjoys reading, hiking, travelling, and singing in choirs.