Who We Are

Our Mission

West Coast REACH! Association is a new, registered non-profit organization on lower Vancouver Island, established to "nurture, inspire, empower, inform and unite people of all ages, cultures and abilities (including special needs) through the power of the performing arts."

Ability and Disability - Celebrating Abilities

Each of us has a unique combination of strengths and challenges. Some of our challenges, mental and/or physical, can be substantial. Such "disabilities" can affect how we function, but they do not affect our soul, spirit, creativity, imagination or determination.

Many people with disabilities deal courageously with situations that many others would find overwhelming.
We all have something to learn from each other.

At REACH! we see greatness as a measure of what one overcomes, as well as what one does. We strive to celebrate our abilities, and to support each other where we need help.

Everybody wins...our "abled" and "differently-abled" performers, our families, our audiences and our community.

Our Goals

To create and present inspiring performances, shows and exhibitions for the greater community that celebrate equality, the strength of the human spirit, unity in diversity, love of the Creator, and our deep connection with nature.
To provide training and foster excellence for all ages and abilities (including special needs) in song, dance, speech arts, story-telling, theatre arts, videography and visual arts.
To nurture confidence and self-esteem in all participants (abled and differently-abled) by fostering creativity and involvement in individual and group artistic expression.
To foster friendship, teamwork and camaraderie while integrating and uniting people of all ages, backgrounds, cultures and abilities in rehearsals, classes and performances.
To provide opportunities and activities enabling participants (including First Nations, new immigrants, refugees and others) to share their rich artistic, cultural, artistic and musical heritage.

Our Founders

West Coast REACH! Society has been founded by Anne-Marie and Peter Brimacombe who currently serve as its Artistic and Senior Managers. They have recently returned to Victoria from the Caribbean where they established and directed a dynamic non-profit performing organization called Arts Alive Tobago. They also perform together with their grown son in a family trio called Tropical Jam.

Anne-Marie Brimacombe. LRAM, ARCM (Musical and Artistic Director of REACH)
Originally from the Caribbean, Anne-Marie is a graduate of the Royal Academy of Music in London, England (singing and music teaching), and the renowned De Leon School of Drama (acting).

She has been celebrated on the Canadian west coast, in Toronto and in the Caribbean as an outstanding singer, choral director and show producer. Her students and performing groups have won numerous awards locally and provincially, and have performed with recording artists including Raffi, Ashley MacIsaac, the Nylons, the Chieftains and Anne Mortifee. Many of her students have gone on to successful careers in performing and teaching music.

Mrs. Brimacombe was recipient of the CFAX Arts Leader of the Year Award and the Saanich Peninsula Hearts of the Community Award. She has also been Guest Presenter at the National Association of Canadian Choral Conductors.

Peter Brimacombe (Musical Arranger for REACH)
Peter has worked for more than 30 years in fund development and administration in the non-profit sector in Victoria, the Yukon, Toronto and the Caribbean. Locally this has included positions at
St. Margaret's School, Faculty of Fine Arts at the University of Victoria, the Canadian Red Cross, and now with the United Way of Greater Victoria.

A skilled writer, musician and composer, he has also provided scripts and musical arrangements for many successful stage shows.

Voluntary Board of Directors

Belle Garduno (Chair) - bio and photo to come.

Jamie Gale (Vice Chair)
A professional Investment Advisor, Jamie is an active member in the community as a leader and contributor to a variety of charitable initiatives.
In addition to REACH! these currently include involvement with Headway (Victoria Epilepsy and Parkinson Centre) and with the International Order of Odd Fellows.

In addition to his work and volunteering, friends, family and golf bring him great joy and pleasure.

Laura Lee (Recording Secretary, & Choreographer for REACH)
Laura's career spans over thirty years in the performing arts as a dancer, choreographer, writer, director and educator. In addition to her work in Musical Theatre, Las Vegas productions and television, she is Co-founder and Artistic Director of both Diversity Dance & Theatre, and of the Eaglearts Academy.

She is best known for her work with youth creating educational arts programs which combine dance, music and drama to inspire personal growth and positive social change.

Dan Mercer
Dan is a retired police officer having served many years with the Victoria Police Department. Since then he has been a contract instructor with the BC Justice Institute and the Ministry of Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations. He is also a senior motorcycle riding instructor with the Vancouver Island Safety Council.

In addition to REACH!, Dan is an active Rotarian and an advocate of Mercy Ships Canada. He currently operates a renovation / handyman business on the Saanich Peninsula. Dan highly values his time with immediate and extended family. Hobbies include travel with his wife Susan, motorcycle riding, woodworking and model building.

Susan Mercer (Treasurer)
Susan has lived in Sidney, BC since 1978. She practiced as a Notary Public for many years in Sidney and currently provides support services to The Society of Notaries Public of BC. She has served on professional and community volunteer boards for a good part of her career including the Society of Notaries Public of BC, the Notary Foundation, Sidney Rotary Club and Beacon Community Services. She has been a volunteer with Scouts Canada, Victoria City Rowing Club and Piranhas Swim Club. Susan also currently serves on the Board of Directors of the BC Law Institute and the Lobstick Education and Advancement Foundation.

Susan is the very proud grandmother of eight wonderful grandchildren scattered around the globe. She and her husband Dan enjoy their family and friends, and traveling to explore different parts of the world – and to visit those grandkids!

Sara Partridge
Since the age of eight Sara has expressed her passion for music and theatre in her involvement in numerous productions both on and off stage. She has enjoyed playing leading roles in community theatre productions and continues to perform in Victoria and the Gulf Islands as a singer and actor.

Sara has been teaching students of all ages from beginners to professional singers and actors for the past 36 years. For the last 9 years she has been on the voice faculty at the Canadian College of Performing Arts in Victoria.

Sara holds a Bachelor of Music (with distinction), University of Victoria, AVCM diplomas in Voice Performance and Vocal Pedagogy, and is a Certified Life Coach.