Organization

I was at the Business Excellence Awards on June 1st that our firm, Pushor Mitchell LLP, had the pleasure of sponsoring.

I wanted to reach out to you and congratulate you on your nomination for the Green & Sustainability Award: you should be pleased with the efficient work you have accomplished!

On a personal note, I find your business fascinating. I am on the Board at Opera Kelowna, and I admire the work you are doing within our region.

Once again, I wanted to pass on our congratulations from everyone here at Pushor Mitchell LLP to you on your nomination. We hope to see you next year.

Congratulations on being awarded the Chamber of Commerce Environmental Leadership Award!

I have so much respect for you and all aspects of your business. The decision for Small Business of the Year was extremely close and truly a difficult decision, however somehow I knew you would win one award or another.

Listening and learning about your story, and how your business has grown was truly inspiring.

You reminded me of the quote, "settle for more." This is based off the fact that you have worked who hard that you have come to a point where you are truly content with where your business is.

That is really the goal that everyone tries for, and it is rare to see someone accomplish this.

Keep up the amazing work — and thank you for taking the time to meet with me.

Her expertise, commitment, and attention to her clients is second to none.

Highly recommended for any and all violin needs.

Thank you so much for performing at the TRU Foundation Gala, Rhiannon! You were amazing. We really appreciated your flexibility and ability to stay longer than anticipated. We will certainly keep you in mind for next year.

[REVIEW: Facebook, 5 stars] I have worked with Rhiannon on several projects. Her professionalism and courtesy towards others stood out to me. Being a lifetime musician her heart is clearly in the right place at the right job.

I would highly recommend her as an individual who strives for sucess in many areas.

I ordered 10 violins for my program. I very much appreciate your generosity with the purchase.

It's been a pleasure doing business with you and look forward to more business in the future.

Venture Kamloops has been working with Rhiannon, owner of Fiddleheads, since May of this year and supports her intentions of bringing her business to Kamloops. To this point I have assisted Rhiannon in Fiddleheads' Business Relocation plan. The plan outlines numerous facets of the business' past successes and limitations, future projects, goals and benefits of relocating the business.

Fiddleheads' comprehensive relocation plan outlines past sales analysis and quarterly comparisons, sales projections based on remaining in the current location versus relocating to Kamloops. The projections speak for themselves and strongly support the move to Kamloops. Rhiannon has put an impressive amount of time and energy into her relocation plan and her efforts are commended by Venture Kamloops.

The relocation will help Fiddleheads access and invest in necessary resources to ensure the sustainability and growth of the business. This includes programs offered by local organizations such as Venture Kamloops and Kamloops Innovation. Rhiannon has emphasized the sustainability of moving her business to Kamloops as it will meet the best needs of everyone involved, including her family.

Venture Kamloops supports Fiddleheads' relocation as it will help grow an already successful business and further support the economic development of our city and region. We have discussed future projects and ideas for Fiddleheads' expansion, but moving forward Venture Kamloops can only provide this and ongoing free service to Fiddleheads if it operates from Kamloops.

I have seen the tremendous effort Rhiannon has put into ensuring this move is for the best.

I have known Rhiannon Nachbaur since 2009 when I was engaged to provide accounting services to Fiddleheads Violin School ("Fiddleheads").

Fiddleheads is a thriving and expanding business that will benefit from moving to a larger centre (Kamloops) where Fiddleheads can draw upon a larger population base to provide violin lessons and sales.

A Kamloops would also allow for decreased shipping costs and easier access to an airport for international travel that is key to Fiddleheads operations. Also, relocating will provided access to violin repair services and a business arrangement with such a service has already been established in Kamloops.

Rhiannon is an established member of two orchestras (Kamloops Symphony and Brandenburg Orchestra)in Kamloops with options to play in other groups and study to further her career as an orchestral musician. Maintaining her orchestration skills is a key element to Fiddleheads success in current operations and future growth.

Rhiannon is writing a business relocation plan with the assistance of Venture Kamloops to ensure a smooth transition in relocating Fiddleheads. Having Fiddleheads relocated to Kamloops will give local violin students an opportunity to learn from an accomplished musician and to purchase top quality instruments.

My professional opinion as an accountant for many years is that relocating to Kamloops will result in the continual growth and viability of Fiddleheads which supports Rhiannon and her two children.

I had the pleasure of meeting Rhiannon Nachbaur more than twelve years ago while serving as Okanagan University College Regional Dean for the Shuswap-Revelstoke Region.

The University College was exploring the possibility of the creation of a music program at the Salmon Arm Campus and I sought Rhiannon's opinion as I knew that she was a very talented musician with a great involvement in the artistic community. In addition to our consultations, Rhiannon has delivered courses through our Continuing Studies Department.

From a career perspective, Rhiannon has demonstrated a great deal of creativity, perseverance, and fortitude while seeking ways in which to support her family in this small town setting. I admire and applaud her endeavors and success.

It is no easy feat to establish a non-profit violin society, host countless concerts and educational experiences, fundraise for music, win multiple young entrepreneur and business awards, and build a successful online violin shop within the constraints imposed by a small rural community with a population of 17,000. All of this was accomplished while working from home and caring for her two children.

Rhiannon's efforts have continued in Salmon Arm over a sixteen year period. However, the limitations placed on her career as a highly skilled violinist have been significant. The opportunity for growth and development of her expertise has required her to seek options further afield than Salmon Arm. Rhiannon plays with two orchestras: in the Kamloops Symphony, one as a section leader; she has also been invited to join others upon relocation to Kamloops.

Rhiannon's talents have been recognized and she has established a reputation as a talented musician in Kamloops. Further opportunities are bound to emerge. In all instances, being away from home to pursue existing and emerging opportunities for income generation in the world of music causes stress due to the demands of travel and the complexities of child minding arrangements.

A move to Kamloops facilitates Rhiannon's career development, employment opportunities and income generation.

In summary, I support Rhiannon's desire to relocate to a larger centre such as Kamloops. For the reasons cited in this letter, such a move would be beneficial for her sons, their needs and aspirations, and for Rhiannon, who wishes to provide her children with a happy home life and a rewarding future. A relocation would definitely increase and enhance the opportunities available for the entire family.

I'm writing in support of Rhiannon's plan to move to the city of Kamloops.

I have been the Music Director/Conductor of the Kamloops Symphony for twenty-five years and first met Rhiannon during the 1999/2000 season when she joined us as a member of the violin section. Unfortunately she couldn't continue at that time, due to the birth of a child but she returned to us in 2011 and, for the most part, has been playing in the orchestra ever since.

Rhiannon is an asset to the orchestra on many fronts. She is, of course, a committed member of the violin section, she loves the music we perform and the act of performing it, and brings a positive, social personality to every rehearsal and performance as well as on social media.

Rhiannon's participation in the orchestra while residing in Salmon Arm [population 15,000] does come with sacrifices. These would certainly be mitigated by establishing residency in Kamloops. The 1.5 hour commute each way, the cost of fuel, and concerns and stress related to the length of time away from her children in order to participate would no longer be a factor.

Rhiannon has recently been asked to play with other organizations in Kamloops so being more available would create more opportunities of a similar nature. If her long-term goal is to become an established orchestral musician then living where such opportunities exist would facilitate that program. There are always teaching situations in a city with a musical infrastructure as well as a need for instruments which I understand Rhiannon imports and sells.

Salmon Arm has none of the musical organizations that Rhiannon requires to further her musical development while Kamloops has so many. Kamloops is also a city with all the amenities to provide a wonderful environment for young children to develop and grow.

I think Rhiannon's plan to relocate to Kamloops is beneficial to her musical growth and to the music community in Kamloops as a whole.

I'm writing in support of Rhiannon's plan to move to the city of Kamloops.

I have been the Music Director/Conductor of the Kamloops Symphony for twenty-five years and first met Rhiannon during the 1999/2000 season when she joined us as a member of the violin section. Unfortunately she couldn't continue at that time, due to the birth of a child but she returned to us in 2011 and, for the most part, has been playing in the orchestra ever since.

Rhiannon is an asset to the orchestra on many fronts. She is, of course, a committed member of the violin section, she loves the music we perform and the act of performing it, and brings a positive, social personality to every rehearsal and performance as well as on social media.

Rhiannon's participation in the orchestra while residing in Salmon Arm [population 15,000] does come with sacrifices. These would certainly be mitigated by establishing residency in Kamloops. The 1.5 hour commute each way, the cost of fuel, and concerns and stress related to the length of time away from her children in order to participate would no longer be a factor.

Rhiannon has recently been asked to play with other organizations in Kamloops so being more available would create more opportunities of a similar nature. If her long-term goal is to become an established orchestral musician then living where such opportunities exist would facilitate that program. There are always teaching situations in a city with a musical infrastructure as well as a need for instruments which I understand Rhiannon imports and sells.

Salmon Arm has none of the musical organizations that Rhiannon requires to further her musical development while Kamloops has so many. Kamloops is also a city with all the amenities to provide a wonderful environment for young children to develop and grow.

I think Rhiannon's plan to relocate to Kamloops is beneficial to her musical growth and to the music community in Kamloops as a whole.

I am delighted Rhiannon Nachbaur is moving to Kamloops to pursue her musical goals and to provide a richer life for herself and her children.

I met Rhiannon in Salmon Arm in 1999 when she moved from Nelson, BC. I was impressed by her warm musical personality and her entrepreneurial spirit. A dynamic and energetic self-taught musician, she quickly became involved in the same artistic endeavours as I.

During my time in Salmon Arm I served many years as President of the Shuswap District Arts Council, Chair of the Performing Arts Committee on the Okanagan Symphony Orchestra and BC Choral Federation boards, etc. In a few short years Rhiannon established her successful violin school, served on music and education societies, founded the Shuswap Violin Society, hosted concerts and violin/fiddle workshops, and, working within the limitations of a small town, started her violin shop.

Rhiannon had indicated a strong desire to move to Kamloops to further her performance career since returning to the Kamloops Symphony in 2011. (She had played with the symphony from 1999-2000 but had to quit upon starting a family). I completely understand this need for change as, in 2007, I moved to Kamloops to seek a renewed career and fresh challenges and opportunities as provided by the larger centre. My move was transformative and I'm currently a board member and musician with groups promoting high-level musicianship.

Kamloops is obviously a much richer and more varied city than Salmon Arm, boasting a university campus, the professional symphony orchestra in which Rhiannon plays, a theatre company, large modern art gallery and library, as well as excellent sports and recreational facilities, and a top-performing school system including French immersion and an arts school.

I found it very stimulating and refreshing to experience such a multi-cultural environment, and I feel Rhiannon and her young family will enjoy it too. Musically-speaking, Rhiannon is already established here as a season member of the Kamloops Symphony and as a Section Leader of the Kamloops Brandenburg Orchestra since 2012 [update, she became Concertmaster in 2016]. Opportunities for her to play with other groups such as the Thompson Valley Orchestra [update, Rhiannon became their concertmaster in 2017] and the Chamber Musicians of Kamloops will arise.

Her violin shop will surely flourish here, creating another essential service to violin students, of which there are many here and potential for many more new players with another teacher in town. This will surely improve her ability to provide for her family financially. I am sure she will find other ways to utilize her deep talent, experience, enthusiasm and entrepreneurial spirit in this broader and richer artistic environment.

Living in Kamloops will also allow her less time away from the children and home responsibilities on weekends, elimination of much winter driving, and the ability to make an income and teach lessons between rehearsals on extended symphony weekend stints, whereas currently she cannot ship orders or teach students during symphony weekends.

I'm glad to have been able to offer my wholehearted support of and confidence in Rhiannon's career and life choices. I'm sure that, in the end, this decision will result in a positive and happy future for Rhiannon and her young family.

I like your web site a lot. It has a cheery appearance.

Thoroughly enjoyed your articles about cheap violins. Good student violins… professionally set-up and ready to go with a cases and a decent bow.

Why would you want your child trying to learn on an instrument that will only frustrate them?

Wow, You are so generous! Thanks a million!

I have just received a refund for shipping fees from PayPal. Thanks again for such great service!