Jamie K. Syer has over 25 years of experience in arts administration and education. She has held leadership positions at the Victoria Conservatory of Music, where she managed programs for 1,500 students, and at the Sundre Municipal Library, where she increased funding and participation. Syer is also an accomplished musician who has performed internationally and founded organizations to support artists, including the Strings & Keys Summer School of Music and the Bergen Institute for Agriculture and the Arts.

1. Jamie K. Syer DMA
SUNDRE ALBERTA T0M 1X0
403-638-6765 jamie@jamiesyer.ca www.linkedin.com/in/JamieSyer
PROFILE
• Strong and collaborative leader accustomed to working collegially and productively
with an extensive network of arts professionals.
• Community-builder and arts advocate with demonstrated achievements towards
involving and enabling a wide range of professional colleagues in the not-for-profit and
government sectors.
• Innovator with ongoing success establishing projects to meet emerging needs,
including a program described by participants as “the best of its kind in British Columbia.”
• Manager and administrator with over 25 years’ experience in the development and
delivery of College, University, and other educational programs in Alberta and BC.
• Active Canadian musician with an established performing career as soloist and
ensemble musician.
• Experienced and successful teacher and mentor of emerging artists at all levels.
CAREER SUMMARY
Manager, Sundre Municipal Library
In my current leadership position I am responsible for all aspects of this organization’s
development and operation, including regular interaction with Library Trustees, Parkland
Regional Library, and municipal and Provincial governments as required by the Alberta
Libraries Act. During the four years under my management, operating budget has
increased 20%, annual fund-raising has quadrupled, and the number of program
participants has increased fivefold 2013-2017.
Dean, Victoria Conservatory of Music
In this position I managed the integrity and effectiveness of programs delivered to 1,500
students ranging from children and youth to adults in post-secondary and continuing
education courses. I was the direct supervisor of seven Heads of Department, and 130
faculty members. During my time in this position, I was successful in generating substantial
new funding to support existing and emerging programs.

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Other positions held at the Victoria Conservatory included
Director, Community School, and Piano Department Head
During a time of upheaval at the senior management level of this organization, I played a
transformational role in sustaining existing programs and developing successful new
initiatives. Throughout my time at the Conservatory 2004–2012, I was responsible for
strategic planning, and subsequent development of policies and procedures. I led two
organization-wide visioning events which were instrumental in engaging faculty,
administration and Board Governors in planning the future of the institution.
Founder and Artistic Director, Strings & Keys Summer School of Music
This annual Alberta arts festival and workshop drew students from across North America,
and created employment and professional development opportunities for artists from
Alberta, BC and New Brunswick 1994–2016. When the organization wound down after
more than twenty years, I leveraged its assets, together with new donations, to create a
scholarship fund for young musicians with a value of $40,000. This involved successful
negotiations with Council and administration of the County of Mountain View, which now
administers the fund. I continue to act as consultant for the project.
Founder and President, Bergen Institute for Agriculture and the Arts
From 2011-present I have headed the Board of this new organization devoted to
economic and cultural development in central Alberta. The Bergen Institute has become
the sponsor of several annual events which draw audiences, participants, clients and
artists from across Alberta.
Musician, teacher and guest lecturer with performances and presentations at many
Canadian and international venues, including
• University of Calgary
• The Banff Centre
• University of Victoria
• Mt. Allison University
• Regina Conservatory of Performing Arts
• University of Edinburgh (Canadian Studies Department)
• University of Ulster, Department of Music (Belfast)
• Copenhagen Business School
• l’Institut Universitaire de Formation des Maîtres (Dijon)
• University of Debrecen, Department of Canadian Studies (Hungary)
• Queens’ College (Cambridge)

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In addition to a large number of performances in Canada and Europe, I have designed,
supported, and delivered many cultural programs for adults, youth, and children 1982–
present.
At other times in my career, I was an Instructor at Mt. Allison University, Mount Royal
Conservatory, the University of Calgary, the University of Regina, and the University of
Victoria (School of Music and Division of Continuing Studies).
EDUCATION
Yale University, New Haven. DMA, MMA, MMus
University of Calgary. BMus
SERVICE TO THE CULTURAL COMMUNITY
Board Member, Parkland Regional Library, 2015-present
Board Member, Connected Community Committee, Olds Institute, 2012-2013
Artistic Director, Oak Bay Celebration of Chamber Music, 2007–2009
Voting member, Canadian Music Centre, 2002–2011
Board member, Sundre and District Arts Development Society, 1998–2004
Board member, Naramata Summer School of Music Arts, 1984-1988
OTHER SKILLS AND COMPETENCIES
Founder and production manager of The Springbank Press, a private press devoted to fine
printing, typography, and the history and craft of letterpress printing. The press has
published work by Robertson Davies (Ref. A Bibliography of Robertson Davies University
of Toronto Press, 2014), poets Jon Whyte and Marilyn Lerch, and others.

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Excellent written and verbal communication, including demonstrated skills in group
visioning, planning and evaluation. I have had particular success leading events and
workshop sessions using processes associated with Open Space Technology.
Proven success reconciling disparate opinions and personalities, with notable skills in
negotiation and conflict resolution.
Strong computer and IT literacy including word processing, spreadsheet, data
management, web and graphic design software, and online services.
Working competency in written and oral French.
REFERENCES
Available on request.
Dr. Jamie K. Syer
2 February 2017