I’ve been involved with the Victoria Symphony since I was 13. I performed with them in a young musician’s concerto showcase and was later chosen as the featured young soloist at the 2008 Victoria Symphony Splash, a free outdoor concert in Victoria’s Inner Harbour attended by over 35,000 people. Around that time, I started volunteering at the Instrument Petting Zoo or at the odd donation barrel.

When I was 17, their photographer offered me the chance to shoot a concert — my first paying gig. I brought my consumer-grade camera, a borrowed lens, and all my high school yearbook class experience. Luckily for me, they kept calling.

Yo-Yo Ma performs Dvorak’s Cello Concerto with the Victoria Symphony on Dec. 7, 2015

Tania Miller and the Victoria Symphony at the Bay St. Armoury on Oct. 25, 2014 as part of Lest We Forget, a concert series of remembrance.

The Symphony was joined on stage by the Victoria Choral Society and Vox Humana rehearsing Britten’s War Requiem on Nov. 7, 2014.

At the Bay St. Armoury

Rehearsing the Britten War Requiem

Maestra Tania Miller conducting Symphony Splash in 2013

VS Concertmaster Terrence Tam

In celebration of their 75th anniversary, the Symphony embarked on a cross-country tour with soloist Stewart Goodyear. This group photo was taken on Jan. 31, 2015.

Eric Charman, longtime patron of the Victoria Symphony.

Being part of the Symphony’s photo team has allowed me to see and do some amazing things. I learned how to invoice. I met Yo-Yo Ma. Symphony Splash in particular has been a highlight of my summer for many years. Here are a few of my favourites from the past six.

The musicians’ parade starts each Splash.

Maestra Tania Miller

2015 soloist Ben Parker

2012 soloist Eehjoon Kwon

2013 soloist Eric Manning waiting on the barge before his performance.

Eehjoon Kwon, the featured soloist for the 2012 Victoria Symphony Splash, stands on the edge of the barge in the Inner Harbour moments before the firework finale of the 1812 Overture.

A handout photo of 2014 Splash soloist Erik Lin.

A handout photo of 2016 Splash soloists Alyssa Fu, Nelly Tian, and Tovin Allers.

Donation barrel volunteers at the 2017 Victoria Symphony Splash.

Young soloist Felipe Jiang is interviewed by Ceilidh Millar of CHEK News after his performance in 2017.

Instrument Petting Zoo, 2017.

Victoria Symphony conductor Christian Kluxen looks at Felipe Jiang at the end of his performance of Mozart’s Piano Concerto No. 21, mvt. 3.

Danielle Tsao, violist and featured soloist for the 29th Victoria Symphony Splash.

Carey Wang, pianist and featured soloist for the 30th Victoria Symphony Splash. Taken June 26, 2019.

St. John’s Ambulance crew at the start of the 2019 Victoria Symphony Splash.

Maestro Christian Kluxen and pianist Carey Wang finish the first movement of the Ravel G Major concerto at the 30th Victoria Symphony Splash.

Maestro Christian Kluxen finished the Berliner Luft, the unofficial anthem of Berlin.

Volunteers (in blue) and VS development coordinator Allegra Bonifacio (in red) pose with Splash picnic blankets at the 30th Victoria Symphony Splash.

CHEK TV anchor Stacy Ross interviews Christian Kluxen during intermission at the 30th Victoria Symphony Splash.