A Evening of Spanish Songs and Music - A benefit Concert for Refugees

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Saturday, March 25th, 2017
8:00 PM to 10:00 PM

A concert of Spanish Songs and Music featuring local Victoria artists: Zhila Kashaninia, Mezzo Soprano, Robert Holliston, piano and violinist, Gwen Thompson.

The Concert will take place on Saturday, March 25th, 2017, at 8:00 p.m. at the Oak Bay United Church, 1355 Mitchell St., Victoria, B.C. A cd recording of Zhila Kashaninia and Robert Holliston performing Spanish Songs will also be available for sale.

All proceeds from the tickets and the CDs will be donated to the James Bay Refugee Initiative. Started in 2015, the James Bay Refugee Initiative includes more than 100 people who have raised over $25,000 through donations and fundraising events to sponsor refugees fleeing war and terror to come and find a safe home in Victoria, Canada.

“I am so grateful to be able to do this concert with such amazing musicians who also believe in this great cause that is so close to my heart.“ said Zhila Kashaninia who is also an immigrant from Iran.

About the performers: Zhila Kashaninia has performed in Canada, Spain, and Mexico. In 2010, her cd, Journey through Spanish Songs with Robert Holliston brought her a special invitation from the Cultural Institute in Campeche, Mexico to perform a concert of Spanish Songs and provide a workshop for the university students. Zhila also teaches opera history at the Continuing Studies Division of University of Victoria and is passionate about teaching Therapeutic Yoga to Singers and Musicians.

Robert Holliston has performed throughout Canada and the USA, England and New Zealand and has recorded CDs with a number of singers and performers such as Richard Margison, Judith Forst, Moshe Hammer, and the salon ensemble Viveza. Robert is the Principal Coach at Pacific Opera Victoria and is also the Head of Keyboard at the Victoria Conservatory of Music, where he teaches piano and music history.

Gwen Thompson has been a soloist with several Canadian orchestras. She has been on the faculty of the University of British Columbia, University of Western Ontario, and Vancouver Academy of Music and was named to the Order of Canada for her work in these institutions. She has many commercial recordings and has adjudicated festivals and competitions throughout Alberta, Ontario, British Columbia, and Washington State.