About Us

The VAYA YOUTH ARTS SOCIETY is a registered charitable non-profit organization in the province of British Columbia. 

Our Mission

VAYA’s Mission is to be a vibrant catalyst for the arts, devoted to nurturing talent, cultivating community, and empowering emerging leaders. Through a dynamic blend of performance opportunities, educational engagement, and mentorship, and financial support we seek to enrich the cultural tapestry of our local community and beyond. The following general-purpose statement embodies our vision, drawing inspiration from the foundational pillars outlined.

Our Purpose

  • to provide inclusive and dynamic platforms through local live and virtual online performances for performing and literary artists through competitive and non-competitive programs.
  • to encourage artistic excellence through performance, expert adjudication, scholarships, and mentorship.
  • to create deep connections among educators, students, and families through live and virtual events by fostering youth leadership as well as excellence through performance, education, volunteerism, and mentorship.

VAYA Society History

The VAYA Youth Arts Society has produced educational music festivals since 1999 and, in 2001, became an official registered Charity in The Province of British Columbia. Formerly known as The Fraser Valley Kiwanis Festival, it was supported by three regional Kiwanis Clubs until 2018. VAYA stands for ‘Vancouver Area Youth Arts’ and the society was officially renamed to include a major world city as our operations began to include international participants and master teachers. Up to 2021, VAYA was a community partner of the Kwantlen Polytechnic University Music Department. Under the capable leadership of Lorne Fiedler—who served as Executive Director and Festival Manager until 2024—VAYA has grown to become one of the largest performing arts festivals of its kind in British Columbia. 

VAYA Youth Arts Society is a member of Performing Arts BC (the BC provincial performing arts family of festivals) and MusicFest Canada (the Canadian National competition for concert bands, jazz bands, orchestras, and choirs). In addition to The VAYA LangleyLive! MUSIC FESTIVAL—our annual live music festival held each spring in Langley, BC—VAYA also produces a series of annual virtual festivals:

The VAYA Online INTERNATIONAL MUSIC FESTIVAL (for soloists and small ensembles), The VAYA Online LARGE ENSEMBLE FESTIVAL (for musical ensembles), and The VAYA Online SPEECH ARTS & DRAMA FESTIVAL (for speech arts performers and writers) bring participants and master teachers across boarders—virtually! VAYA’s online festival format is a unique offering in the BC Festival Community. The VAYA Online Festivals take pride in removing geographical, accessibility, and logistical barriers: Our online festivals welcome international participants, and those who are unable to attend an in-person festival or for whom live performance is not a goal.

Thanks to the dedication of our VAYA Board of Directors, many local volunteers, and our generous Donors and Sponsors, VAYA is able to support Young Artists with scholarships to pursue further studies, and to fund their travels to prestigious competitions, and training programs. In 2025, the scope of VAYA’s Society Purpose was broadened specifically to emphasize our growing focus on Volunteerism and Mentorship. Under the leadership of Executive Director, Margo Levae, VAYA looks to create Arts Focussed Youth-Leadership programs that connect Youth, Community, and Artist Mentors in a shared joy of the performing arts. 

VAYA Board of Directors

Heilwig Von Koenigsloew, President

Richard Haack, Vice President

Lori Norum, Treasurer

Laura Miller, Secretary

Marlene Best, Director

Clara Lim, Director

Christine Purvis, Director