Vaughan Poyser?

My beginnings

I have been performing all of my life. Being an adopted child, the only information about my birth family was that I came from a musical background. Knowing this, my parents enrolled me into piano lessons, school/church choirs, plays and even ballet. In high school I auditioned for THE COMPANY, a prestigious, touring, contemporary musical group under the leadership of Connie and Grant Shaw. THE COMPANY was a springboard for me to pursue a career in music.

Early career

In my early professional career, I played in many local bands, establishing myself as a player in the local scene and exposing myself to The Blues, Country and Pop styles. Recognized by the Manitoba Country Music Association (MCMA), I was nominated for 6 years in a row and in 2000 won “Bass Player Of the Year”. Midway through my career I realized how valuable it would be to know music on a higher level, so I quit touring and enrolled at The University of Manitoba’s School of Music.

Higher education

The U of M was my introduction to the string bass and exposed me to Classical Music History (something I still study on my own), theory, notation, ear training, and conducting. I also played in Big Band Jazz groups, quartets and concert band settings. I studied string bass under the Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra’s Eric Hansen.
After my university experience, I started teaching privately. I led the bass section for the Pembina Trails School Division Summer Music Camp at Vincent Massey for two years and I am a clinician for the Winnipeg School Division as well. I was selected to be one of the first teachers to work for Long & McQuade Musical Instruments stores, where I taught for 12 years. I have influenced many bass players, young and old, to pursue their own musical endeavours. In my 17 years of private teaching I have taught hundreds of students, many going on to universities and colleges around the world.