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John Fraser MacPherson was born in Winnipeg on April 10 1928. He was raised in Victoria, BC and he played clarinet as a youth under the influence of traditional New Orleans jazz, and then took up alto and tenor saxophone. He studied in New York in 1956-57. MacPherson worked for 20 years in local nightclubs, among them the…
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Normana Macmillan was born on15 September 1921, Vancouver, BC. Macmillan got her start as a stage actor. Thor Arngrim was co-founder of Vancouver’s first year-round professional theatre company, Totem Theatre. One of his hires was Norma Macmillan, who had studied speech at London’s Trinity College. ‘We weren’t attracted to each other in the beginning, but…
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Grace Macdonald is remembered as a dance teacher, choreographer and an inspiration to young performers in Vancouver. She holds a special place in the history of musical theatre in this city with her contributions to many theatre companies.  She also choreographed intricate dance routines for the B.C. Lions Cheerleaders. She taught and encourage students who…
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Internationally recognized impresario and theatrical producer, David Y.H. Lui  presented thousands of dance, music and theatrical performances in Vancouver. Through the presentation of such important artists and companies as National Ballet of Canada, Martha Graham, Sadler’s Wells Royal Ballet, Dance Theatre of Harlem, Sir Yehudi Menuhin, Sir Michael Redgrave, Shirley Maclaine, Philadelphia Orchestra, Julian Bream,…
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Otto Lowy’s name became synonymous with “The Transcontinental,” the long-running radio show he wrote and hosted on CBC. He also performed on stage as writer, host, narrator with symphony orchestras across Canada. His popular series with the VSO was called “Tea and Trumpets.” Born in Prague, Otto escaped to Britain by joining the RAF in…
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