Vancouver Adapted Music Society (VAMS)

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Vancouver Adapted Music Society (VAMS)

VAMS provides opportunities for people with disabilities to learn, create & perform music. “Musicians with disabilities still have to struggle to be heard.

And that’s why there will always be a role for VAMS.”

Founded in 1988 by Sam Sullivan and Dave Symington, the Vancouver Adapted Music Society (VAMS) aims to make music accessible for people living with physical disabilities.The idea is simple; everyone should be able to enjoy the benefits of music. Through adapted instruments, the GF strong studio, and regular “Strong Sessions” concerts throughout the year, VAMS is able to offer differently abled musicians’ opportunities to write, record, perform and build friendships around their own original music. Ultimately VAMS aims to inspire confidence and community through music and to showcase that disability is not a barrier to creativity. We welcome all people, no matter what their level of musical ability or physical ability, to get involved with VAMS today!

12/05/2025

As the Chair of VAMS' Board of Directors, Art Jonker brings creativity, artistry and lived experience to the society.

In 2017, Art spoke about the role VAMS plays in the disability community. Our resources help people with disabilities overcome barriers to playing music, whether they're just hobbyists or making a career out of their passion.

Thank you, Art, for continuing to elevate the VAMS mission after all these years!

🔗 Learn more about our Board of Directors: https://vams.org/directors/

12/02/2025

🎵 Today is Giving Tuesday — and you can help make music accessible for everyone.
Your gift today supports:
🎧 Adaptive instruments
🎹 Fully accessible studio spaces
🎤 Performances that celebrate talent, inclusion, and community
🤝 Creative opportunities for musicians of all abilities
This Giving Tuesday, let’s amplify every voice.

💛 Give today and help someone make music again:
👉 https://www.canadahelps.org/en/dn/350

11/30/2025

🎹✨ Giving Tuesday is almost here — and the music is already building!
This season, your generosity helps VAMS open the doors for musicians of all abilities to create, play, perform, and shine.
From adaptive instruments to fully accessible studios, your support helps transform passion into possibility.

💛 Get ready — Giving Tuesday is December 2.
👉 Donate early or learn more: vams.org/support

11/28/2025

🎵 New music alert!

Roots band Them Ordinary Things has released "Step on Inside," a brand new album filled with eight amazing tracks! The band consists of VAMS artist Simon Paradis, Paul Dwyer, Kaia Nielsen and Mark Lebbell, all singer-songwriters based in the Sunshine Coast.

🎧 Check out their record here: https://themordinarythings.bandcamp.com/album/step-on-inside

11/27/2025

Our 50/50 raffle is now live.
Your ticket helps VAMS provide accessible music spaces, adaptive instruments, and opportunities to perform — while also giving you the chance to win up to $10,000.

🎟️ disabilityfoundation.rafflenexus.com

Thank you for supporting inclusive music.

11/19/2025

Back in 2017, VAMS artist Mark Ash spoke about society's importance, highlighting the continual expansion of the VAMS community.

8 years later, VAMS has definitely grown and reached more community members. But there's always more musicians out there waiting to discover our programs!

🎵 Mark is still active in our studio working on new music. Check out his bio here: https://vams.org/mark-ash/

11/05/2025

💿 Last year, Rachael Ransom released her debut album, "sixty seven ten," with production support from VAMS.

Rachael has had a constant connection with VAMS since 2018, having been a part of multiple virtual and in-person concerts, to releasing a full record that was crafted at the VAMS studio. Our journey with Rachael continues as we continue to make more tunes together!

🔗 Watch Rachael's performance at the 2024 Strong Sessions: https://youtu.be/7XEuhZ6snuE

11/01/2025

🥁 Fun fact: one of the first ever adaptations done at VAMS was for drumsticks!

35 years later, with help from the Tetra Society of North America, we've designed a new way to overcome grip strength barriers when holding drumsticks. This simple design comes in various sizes and allows different sticks or mallets to be swapped in and out.

Want to help Tetra make more adaptive devices, including musical devices like these? Consider donating or sharing this year's TetraNation campaign: https://www.canadahelps.org/en/dn/136790

💬 Let us know what instrument you want to see adapted by leaving a comment!

10/22/2025

You may remember Daniel Ashworth from one of our past podcast episodes, where he talked about concert and festival accessibility.

Passionate about making music and events accessible for the disability community, Daniel works with VAMS to create his own music and uses his platform, Access in Excess, to spread the word about concert accessibility.

Learn more about Daniel by listening to his interview on Re-Imagine Radio: https://vams.org/episode-99-accessibility-at-concerts/

10/08/2025

🎤 Singer-songwriter Kristina Shelden has a long-standing relationship with VAMS, both as a musician and on the Board of Directors.

From recording songs to performing on stage, VAMS has played a part in providing different avenues for Kristina to pursue her passion in music following her spinal cord injury.

It's artists like Kristina who help drive VAMS' mission to make music accessible for all.

🔗 Learn more about Kristina: https://vams.org/kristina-shelden/

10/06/2025

Our 2024 Annual Report is now available!

Last year, VAMS supported artists through 340+ studio sessions, live performances, and adaptive music programs — continuing to break down barriers in music.

We’re grateful to our volunteers, donors, staff, partners, and community who make this work possible.

Read the full report:https://vams.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/09/2024-VAMS-Annual-Report.pdf

Address

110-2285 Clark Drive
Vancouver, BC
V5N3G9

Telephone

+16046886464

Website

https://www.vams.org/

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