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I just wanted to take a moment to publicly thank Chris Olka for the spectacular residency and recital he did for us this week at the Glenn Gould School of Music.

Chris has the rare ability to be both intensely analytical about his own playing and teaching, and at the same time achieve the highest level of musical excellence and artistry in performance. I know all of our students benefited greatly from working with him, and I highly urge anyone out there to take any opportunity to see him teach or hear him play.

We look forward to having him return to Toronto in the future.

Sasha Johnson

+1

Sasha, thanks so much for the invite and kind words! I must say, the residency at Glenn Gould School was a highlight of my musical career. From the amazing accommodations, top-notch facilities, tremendously gifted students, and world-class faculty, it was humbling to even be invited. Seriously, anyone not familiar with this school and the Toronto music scene (I wasn't), you're missing out on a great town and experience.

Being in Seattle, we are a bit isolated. So when I met Sasha for the first time this week the tuba-geekery went into full-blown overload. He's my age and had so many different experiences from my own, having spent time living, studying, and working in Europe that we could've talked tuba for a week. The school is really lucky to have him there!

Anyway, I did discover something that I'd forgot about while visiting...I forgot to ask Sasha to take me to a Poutine restaurant...but I did find some in the airport...my first and surely not my last....unbelievable...and hardly any calories too....from what I've heard.....

Must've been an amazing time!

Sasha was my teacher at the Glenn Gould School and he always brought in top-notch tuba players for us to learn from. That trend certainly continues it would seem!

Chris, airport poutine won't cut it. We need to get some real stuff.