Sal Ferreras has enjoyed a varied and diverse career as a performing artist and producer, educator, and artistic administrator. His music, dance, and theatre performances and collaborations in classical music, world music, jazz, new music, indigenous music, improvisation, folk, and children’s music have taken him around the world. He was principal percussionist of the CBC Vancouver Orchestra under maestro Mario Bernardi and has toured and recorded as a member of the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra, the Victoria Symphony Orchestra, Viveza and the World Drums percussion orchestra. During the 2010 Vancouver Olympic and Paralympic Games he was the Creative Director of the highly successful Four Host First Nations Aboriginal Pavilion.
Sal has an extensive portfolio of concerts, recordings, tours, festivals and other events in the world of drumming and rhythm. He has collaborated on dozens of recordings with diverse artists ranging from global drumming ensembles to children’s albums, symphony orchestras to popular rock ensembles. Highlights of his performing and producing career include:
Dr. Sal Ferreras has been involved in the Canadian post-secondary environment since graduating from the University of Windsor in 1978. He has been an instructor and lecturer at the University of Windsor, the University of Victoria, Vancouver Community College, Simon Fraser University and the University of British Columbia. In 1997 he became Dean of the School of Music at Vancouver Community College and its Vice President Education in 2011. Sal was later appointed the Provost and Vice President Academic at Kwantlen Polytechnic University in September 2013 and undertook that role until 2019. His work currently encompasses a range of activities aimed at advising and advocating for innovation and integration across the Canadian post-secondary sector and assisting institutions achieve strategic, quality assurance, policy and organizational goals and their consequent implementation.
As a member the BCAIU (BC Association of Institutes and Universities) and past Chair of SAAF (the Senior Academic Administrators Forum of BC), he maintained open channels of communication and partnership between the higher education sector, diverse government ministries overseeing education, training, and research at the provincial and federal level.
His administrative work also included the nurturing of a strong connection with the BC College of Admissions and Transfer (BCCAT), BC Campus, the BC Applied Research and Innovation Network (BCARIN) and the newly formed BC Teaching and Learning Council.
Teaching and administrative appointments – University of Windsor (1978-1980, University of Victoria (1980-2000), Vancouver Community College (1997-2013), University of British Columbia (1997-2006),Kwantlen Polytechnic University (2013-2019)
Solo Drumming in the Puerto Rican Bomba: An analysis of musical processes and improvisational strategies [PDF 7.5mb Google Doc]
Who Are The People In Your Neighbourhood? presented by Dr. Salvador Ferreras to the Northwest Chapter of the College Music Society at Boise State University on February 17, 2007 [PDF 170k Google Doc]
A paper presented at the Society for Ethnomusicology annual conference in Tucson, Arizona, November 5, 2004 [PDF 186k Google Doc]
Sal was inducted into the BC Entertainment Hall of Fame in 2002 and awarded the City of Vancouver’s Mayor’s Award for Music in 2010. He has performed on numerous recordings with diverse artists such as including k.d. lang, Chicago, Robbie Robertson, Raffi, Colin James, Dee Daniels, Viveza, the CBC Radio Orchestra, the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra and a variety of chamber music ensembles.
Simon Fraser University (2004 – 2010)
Sessional Instructor, World Music: An intensive survey of contemporary and traditional musical styles and techniques. This popular course was open to all undergraduates and aimed at familiarizing students with real music making around the globe as portrayed by writers, performing artists, commentators and social critics.
University of British Columbia (1997 – 2006)
Sessional instructor, principal percussion instructor for undergraduate and graduate students; taught percussion pedagogy, directed the percussion ensemble and taught courses in music business management.
University of Victoria – Sessional Instructor 1980-2000
Sessional instructor, principal percussion instructor for undergraduate and graduate students; taught percussion pedagogy, directed the percussion ensemble and taught courses in music business management.
Vancouver Community College (1991 – 2006)
World Music Coordinator
World Music survey courses examining selected world regions emphasizing popular music expressions, sociopolitical realities, representation and improvisation.
Rhythm Studies – Basic and advanced course aimed at the development of multiple rhythm techniques for sight reading, analysis, rhythm in contemporary music composition, Cuban and African rhythmic concepts and basic Classical South Indian Solkattu exercises.
Career Opportunities – a course designed to help the aspiring student navigate the difficult waters of the music business, recording, touring, and management.
Musical Director – Vancouver Community College Latin Jazz Ensemble Vancouver Community College Latin Percussion Ensemble
Best Contemporary Music Recording “To Drive in L.A.”
“Invisible Minority”
