Laurie & Jamie Syer
Laurie and Jamie Syer founded Strings & Keys in 1995. Intended initially for their own students in the small rural community of Bergen, Alberta, Strings & Keys has since grown to attract teachers and students from across North America.
Every year, we invite a roster of fine artist-teachers, all of whom are dedicated to nurturing and challenging young students of piano, violin, viola, and cello.
Laurie Syer continues to maintain a large class of violin students in Bergen, and conducts the Bergen Strings orchestra. A former member of the Calgary Philharmonic Orchestra, she has performed as soloist in a wide variety of venues in western Canada, and in Europe. Laurie is a founding member of Calgary’s Allegra String Quartet, and has performed as a chamber musician with such groups as the Lyric Chamber Players, Springbank Trio, New Works Calgary and many other ensembles, both in Alberta and British Columbia
Jamie Syer was appointed Dean of the Victoria Conservatory of Music in 2010, following several years as Keyboard Department Head. He has performed with the Montreal Symphony, the Orchestre Symphonique de Québec, the Calgary Philharmonic Orchestra, the Victoria Symphony, and others. On tours to Europe, he has played in Denmark, Scotland, Ireland, England, Hungary and France. He has also taught at the University of Victoria, University of Calgary, University of Regina, and Mt. Allison University.