Some people find music; others are born into it. For Renée Bauert, music was woven into the fabric of her childhood as a gift passed down from her mother, who had a deep love of classical music. Renée fondly recalls the moment she first caught the bug: a visit with family friends where classical guitar captured her imagination.

Her mother, recognizing the spark, seized the opportunity. “I guess you could almost say she tricked me into it” Renée laughs recalling a gift from her mother, an album called Casually Classic by Los Indios Tabajaras, which features classical music performed on the guitar. “I still have that album,” she says, a nostalgic smile crossing her face “it was my gateway.”

Renée’s love of music has only deepened. She had a phase, which we all can relate to, where she resisted her parents’ influence, only to realize later that that music was part of her. “It just feeds your soul,” she says. “And as wonderful as it is to listen to it on your own, nothing beats sitting in a theatre listening to a live orchestra—especially one as talented as ours.”

A devoted Symphony-goer, Renée has cherished many unforgettable moments with the Victoria Symphony, from the electrifying presence of astronaut Chris Hadfield to the excitement of Christian Kluxen’s first concert after his appointment as Music Director. “It was a Beethoven symphony, so of course I was there,” she recalls with a smile. “Christian came out and made a joke about his outfit, and I just thought, ‘What a breath of fresh air.’”

Her appreciation for the orchestra extends beyond the music itself. Like many of us, she is inspired by how the musicians of the Victoria Symphony mentor and teach young musicians, particularly through work with the Greater Victoria Youth Orchestra. “To see our musicians give their time and expertise—it’s wonderful,” she says. “Even if they don’t go on to become professionals, what these young musicians learn will serve them well for life.”