Victoria Sparks

Selkirk, Manitoba

Victoria Sparks grew up in Selkirk, Manitoba and began studying music from a young age, first learning piano from her grandmother before deciding to study percussion. Sparks holds a bachelor of Music and Education from the University of Manitoba, where her teachers included Jauvon Gilliam and Rob Gardner. In 2010, Sparks graduated from Butler University, where she had the opportunity to study under Jon Crabiel, completing a Masters in Percussion Performance. While at Butler Sparks performed with the orchestra, wind ensemble, and chorale, and was a featured chamber musician with the percussion ensemble, and composers orchestra.  She was a featured soloist at the Society of Composers Region V conference in 2010 and was often asked to perform in faculty chamber recitals and with visiting guest artists.

Victoria has also had instruction from Craig Hentrick, Julie Spencer, Johnny Lee Lane, Tim Adams, Jack Van Geem, Paul Yancich and Christopher McLaurin, and has had the exciting opportunity to work as a technical consultant for Dame Evelyn Glennie on several occasions.

Sparks has been an active music educator in Winnipeg and during her studies at Butler University. In 2010, Sparks was appointed the Coordinator of Percussion Studies at Brandon University where she currently teaches percussion techniques, directs the percussion ensemble, and runs a private studio. She also teaches classes, private lessons, and percussion ensemble at the University of Manitoba and the Canadian Mennonite University. In 2012 Sparks began work as a music festival adjudicator at the Saskatoon Music Festival.

Sparks was a Laureate of the 2005 National finals of the Canadian Music Competition and performs regularly with the Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra, the Manitoba Chamber Orchestra, the Brandon Chamber Players, the Royal Winnipeg Ballet and the Groundswell New Music Series.