Sean Della Vedova: Taking a sentimental Journey from Kansas to his roots

February 25, 2005

These days, Sean Della Vedova is polished, poised and looks every inch the professional musician whose eclectic tastes range from classical to jazz -- which makes it hard to imagine him as a 19-year-old playing drums in nightclubs while a singing policeman belted out covers of songs by Journey and Kansas.

But that's where Della Vedova found himself in 1987, two years after graduating from high school: working as a clerk in a law firm by day, playing gigs by night and not really satisfied with either.

"It was the cheesiest music," laughs Della Vedova. "I was having a hard time trying to define myself."

Della Vedova's search for definition led him back to his roots in New Westminster. As a high school student, he had enjoyed attending the summer Jazz Camp at Douglas College, so he decided to check out his hometown college's music program. Hearing nothing but good things, he enrolled. It was like a home-coming.

"The thing that struck me first was I was playing a repertoire I grew up with," says Della Vedova. "In the New Westminster (high school) concert band, we played Vaughn Williams and Gustaff Holst as well as jazz, so we had the best of both worlds -- classics and jazz."

Della Vedova was soon immersed in music, studying theory and playing with the instructors' Evening Group in his first year - rare for a first-year student.

"The level of musicianship is extremely high. It's pretty cool to have your college instructor playing gigs with you," says Della Vedova.

Della Vedova credits the instructors with getting him through the sometimes rocky shoals of music theory and boosting his confidence so he could master pieces which he would never have attempted before.

"I did a scholarship concert in my final year here and I was really proud of it," says Della Vedova. "I played all these instruments I'd never played before and performed a piece that I couldn't have when I got here. It was wild stuff."

Della Vedova finished the program at Douglas College in 1989 and went on to get his degree in Music at the University of British Columbia. He's now a Music teacher at Hillcrest Middle School in Coquitlam, conducting a band and two choirs. He also teaches French and Humanities.

Outside of school, Della Vedova plays gigs of his own and conducts the Coastal Sound Boy's Choir, teaching them the Gershwin tunes he loves.

"There's something about that music, the catchiness of it is really kid-friendly," he says. "And some of the songs are so funny, like "Bidin' My Time.' They're accessible."

It's been a long, strange journey, but Della Vedova -- father of two, and an avid runner - credits the Music Program at Douglas College with getting him on his career path.

And yes, he still lives in New Westminster.

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