Ron Bermingham - Voice Teacher - Coach - Music Director & Conductor
Beginnings: The Barbary Banjo
The Barbary Banjo operated in the basement of 31 Bastion Square, Victoria, British Columbia, from 1969 through 1973. The club was devoted to trad jazz, great food and drink in a roaring twenties decor and ambiance. Much hay was made during the summer months; as tourists flocked to Victoria for visits, the Barbary Banjo was one of many quaint destinations, a must see in the days before the rebuilding of the waterfront when a trip to Bastion Square in the wee hours was still somewhat of an adventure. Music from the bandstand piped into the square, and a 1927 Ford Model "A" pickup truck parked on the square in front of the building helped lure customers to the club. Tough economic times in the early 70s eventually brought the operation to its knees. The club was sold to new owners and was then known as the Little Denmark Downtown for a couple of years. Eventually, that operation also closed. The last time I visited Victoria, the former Barbary Banjo had become a government documents library of sorts! In its hayday, a big Wurlitzer electric organ anchored the band. The musician who played that organ, Lann Copeland, still lives in Victoria and operates a music store in Saanich, Lann Copeland Music. One of the original banjo players, Greg Sumner, currently lives on Saltspring Island, and for many years, was music director for the Gaslight Follies every summer in Dawson Creek. Greg also founded the Cure-All Jazz Band, and appeared frequently with the Lensmen Jazz Band. Other musicians (Rob Dean - piano) have scattered (including me!). A reunion is long overdue!
Click the Barbary Banjo link for a brief history along with the sounds and images of the music that made it a destination in Victoria, B.C.
Students in the News
Prepping for his Broadway debut as Dmitry in Anastsia!
As of March 27th, Bruce will be back on Broadway, this time in the cast of Anastasia, and will be understudying the role of Dmitry!
Currently appearing in the cast of the new Broadway Production of Barry Manilow's "Harmony".
Congratulations on a well earned and much deserved trip back to 44th Street...right where you belong!
With a BA from Southeastern Louisiana State University and a diploma in Musical Theatre from the Florida School of the Arts in hand, Jordan cruised through Wenatchee with the Misoula Children's Theatre last year, and has now embarked on another tour with the National Theatre for Children. Watch for him in a city near you!
A recent graduate of the BFA program in musical theatre at Montclair State University, Trey has just joined the cast of the national tour of "Motown the Musical". Congratulations Trey - you're on your way to a bright future in Musical Theatre!
Is it Adam Vanek or an upper case letter H out for a day at the beach? This remarkable young performer, a recent graduate of the musical theatre program at the University of Alabama (Tuscaloosa), is truly a singer - dancer "extraordinare". After a busy summer season at Bucks County Playhouse, he's back in New York. But not for long; he just booked the national tour of Chicago, the Musical!
A graudate of the BFA Musical Theatre program at Ithaca College, Patrick is in New Orleans this summer appearing as Officer Lockstock in a production of Urinetown, a co-production of The Nola Project and the University of New Orleans.
Heading into his final year in the BFA Musical Theatre Program at Florida State University, and not wanting to miss a beat, Collin has been a member of the ensemble company at Wagon Wheel Theatre this summer (2017).
Chris just completed his bachelor's degree in musical theatre at Marymount Manhattan College, going from NYC to Wenatchee, WA to join the cast of La Cage aux Folles (Hot August Nights) where he doubled the role of Jacob and appeared as a member of the ensemble. Now it's back to NYC to begin the long climb up the ladder of success!
Ian is currently on tour in China with Lightwire Theater, internationally recognized for its signature brand of electroluminescent artistry, poignant storytelling and music scores designed to evoke imagery.
With throat slitting, spine tingling action, choreographed by Bryce, Sweeney Todd, the Demon Barber of Fleet Street is a new NYC production you will never forget! Currently running at the Barrow Street Theatre, NYC.
May 10-14, 2017
After a run in the Broadway cast of Les Misérables, Bruce is back on the New York stage in the ultimate cult musical! Don't miss the Encores! production of The Golden Apple.
Watch Bruce Landry, Karen Ziemba, and Music Director Fred Barton perform a preview clip from "An Evening of Irving Berlin on Theatre Talk (PBS New York). Click image above.
Josh has appeared in all three Amercian companies of the Book of Mormom: Broadway, 1st and 2nd National Tours. Catch him now at the Eugene O'Neill Theatre in New York City. Musical theatre at its funniest, satirical best!
Ethan is named Resident Music Director & Conductor of Flat Rock Playhouse, the state theatre of North Carolina!
After a successful November-December tour of Pasek and Paul's A Christmas Story with runs in Memphis, Dallas, and St. Louis, Cal Alexander is back on the road appearing in the role of "Nigel" in the First National Tour of Matilda.
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