Dub Van Duo

Knox Van is proud to present our next free, virtual Performer’s Highlight in the Instrumental Measures Performer Highlight Series Dub Van Duo.

About the Talk-back

On October 6^th we had the pleasure of hosting a talk-back session with the Duo during which we talked about how they met, their careers as musicians and teachers as well as how the pandemic has affected them.

Tyler and Sian are both music teachers and are passionate about helping students grow their skills and admiration for music. While Tyler focuses on creating a basic knowledge and skill set in classical guitar, he also works with students who have rock bands and pop groups. Sian also ensures her students have a great grasp of classical-based music such as opera and musical theatre but she also loves to work with students who have an interest in any area of the voice – with a soft spot for traditional Irish song.

While the pandemic has hit everyone one – especially those in the arts – hard, they both have been able to continue teaching virtually and hope to continue in person when it is safe to do so. This has also led them to virtual opportunities that otherwise may not have been available such as winning the Greatest Talent Award from the Vancouver Quarantine Performance Project and performing with us here at Knox.

We very much look forward to hearing their future performances and songs through their Youtube Channel (https://youtu.be/L6mGt1ve0EU) and will look forward to hopefully having them join us again soon.

About Dub Van Duo

Dub Van Duo is a musical duet based out of Vancouver featuring Soprano Sian Colman-Black and Classical Guitarist Tyler Belding. Since their initial performance in 2019, they have launched their own YouTube channel, music video, and won the award for Greatest Talent at the Vancouver Quarantine Performance Project. Alongside performing, they are both private music teachers at various music establishments throughout Vancouver and Burnaby.

Tyler Belding ~ Classical Guitar – VAN

Tyler Belding has over two decades of experience in both teaching music and performing in the Vancouver area. He completed his Bachelor of Music in Classical Guitar Performance at the University of British Columbia in 2011 under Michael Strutt and has played in many masterclasses with critically acclaimed classical guitarists such as Andrew Zohn, Judicael Perroy, Jeffrey McFadden and Daniel Bolshoy. He has been teaching at Mozart School of Music in Wesbrook Village, UBC, for more than ten years. His students have won many awards, including several concerto competitions, and Gold Medals for excellence from the Royal Conservatory of Music.

Sian Colman-Black ~ Soprano – DUB

Sian Colman-Black began her classical voice training in her early teens and ultimately was accepted to DIT Music and Drama Conservatory in Ireland, attaining a BA Honors in Music Performance and Vocal Pedagogy. Performances in 2020 will include concerts with other faculty members of Mozart School of Music, recitals at Tapestry, performing with Eldate Voice Ensemble and alongside partner classical guitarist Tyler Belding. Sian is active in Vancouver as a singer, voice instructor and ensemble director. Since June 2016, Sian has taught voice extensively in Vancouver and Burnaby with Mozart School of Music, Oakridge Music Studios and The British Columbia Conservatory of Music in Burnaby.  

About the Performance

Our program consists of beloved melodies from well-known composers such as Mozart, Puccini, Handel, Fauré, Schubert, Balfe, Lehár and Satie. These songs encompass a broad overview of classical music, including French/German art song, Italian/English opera and operetta from the Baroque to the early 20th century. Rarely is this music presented in the context of such instrumentation as Classical Guitar and Voice.

Mai by Gabriel Fauré is a French art song about the merry month of May. 

I Dreamt I Dwelt in Marble Halls is an operatic aria from The Bohemian Girl by Michael William Balfe. It portrays the character Arline singing of her love for a Polish nobleman.

 Lascia ch’io piangais an operatic aria from Rinaldo by George Frideric Handel and is about Almirena’s heartfelt plea for freedom from her abductor Argante. 

Vilja’s Lied is an aria from the operetta The Merry Widow and is about the character Hanna Glawri, a rich widow who flirts and tempts hunters with her beauty. 

Vedrai Carino is an operatic aria from Mozart’s beloved Don Giovanni and is about the character Zerlina comforting her fiancé she finds beaten bloody by the Don.

 Ständchen is a beautiful German lied by Franz Schubert about lovers yearning to see each other in the night. 

O Mio Babbino Caro is one of Puccini’s beloved Italian arias, from Gianni Schicchi, and is about Lauretta manipulating her father to allow her to marry the man she loves.