NSTT awards over $33,000 to 2014 Special Awards Recipients

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 16 December 2014 NOVA SCOTIA TALENT TRUST AWARDS OVER $33,000 T0 2014 SPECIAL AWARD RECIPIENTS AT TODAY’S SPECIAL AWARDS CEREMONY HALIFAX, NS - The Nova Scotia Talent Trust (NSTT) recognized the 2014 Scholarship and Special Award recipients at 2:00 p.m. on Tuesday, December 16th at Alderney Landing Theatre in a ceremony attended by Their Honours Brigadier-General the Honourable J.J. Grant, CMM, ONS, CD (Ret’d), Lieutenant Governor of Nova Scotia, and Mrs. Joan Grant. Created to support the career of contralto Portia White 70 years ago, the NSTT has continued to support emerging Nova Scotian artists as they pursue their studies toward establishing professional careers in the arts. One such gifted artist is Bedford violinist Heemin Choi, who will receive the $1,500 Lieutenant Governor’s Award for Artistic Achievement, the NSTT’s highest honour for a student in any discipline.  Choi is currently finishing his final year at Dalhousie University where he is studying for his Bachelor of Music degree. Presented for the first time in 2013, the 2011 Canada Games Young Artist of Excellence Awards, valued at $10,000 each, will be awarded to any recipient, regardless of age, from any artistic discipline, who best exemplifies the qualities embraced by the Nova Scotia Talent Trust, that of the utmost commitment, promise, exceptional technique, talent and the highest achievement of excellence, someone who demonstrates the passion and drive to become a professional Nova Scotia artist in their field of discipline.  These two awards will be awarded every December until 2022 and are the legacy of the 2011 Canada Games Young Artists of Excellence Program. The two $10,000 awards in 2014 will be received by Canningchoreographer and dancer Aliah Schwartz and composerLucas Oickle from Lower Branch. Aliah Schwartz (Canning) is currently in her first year studying dance and choreography at Concordia University in Montreal. Lucas Oickle (Lower Branch) spent part of the summer in West Java, Indonesia studying gamelan music with musician Ade Suparman before returning to UBC to study for his Masters of Music and Composition. The other Special Award recipients, each of whom demonstrates exceptional potential to become professional artists, are listed below: Visual artist Matthis Grunsky (Halifax) is the recipient of the$1,000 Charlotte Wilson-Hammond/Visual Arts Nova Scotia Award and is currently studying at the Master of Applied Arts Resident Program at the Emily Carr University of Art and Design in Vancouver, BC. (Award supported by the Wilson-Hammond family and by Visual Arts Nova Scotia.) Singer Brittany Cann (Halifax) is the recipient of the$1,500 Portia White Award for voice and is currently in her final year studying for her Bachelor of Music degree at Dalhousie University.  (Award sponsored by the Music-in-Medicine and Humanities-HEALS Program, Dalhousie University.) Dancer Chloe Hart (Halifax) is the recipient of the $1,500 Robert George Jackson Award for dance and is studying dance with École de Danse Contemporaine de Montréal. (Award supported by the Jackson family.) Writer Pearl Chan (Halifax) is the recipient of the $1,500 RBC Emerging Artist Award for literary arts and is currently finishing her final year of a Bachelor of Arts degree from University Of King’s College and Dalhousie University. (Awarded sponsored by RBC Emerging Artist Fund.) Music theatre actor Robyn Harrison (Truro) is the recipient of the $1,000 Theatre Nova Scotia Award for theatre and is currently finishing her final year in the Music Theatre Performance BBA program at the Sheridan Institute of Technology and Advanced Learning in Oakville, ON. (Award supported by Theatre Nova Scotia.) Flautist Claire Ahern (Dartmouth) is the recipient of the$1,000 Raymond Simpson Award for music and is currently studying for her Bachelor of Music degree at Dalhousie University. (Award supported by the Simpson family.) Oboeist Julia Millett (Lunenburg) is the recipient of the$750 Kenneth Elloway Award for classical performance and is currently studying for her Bachelor of Music degree at Memorial University in St. John’s, NL. (Award supported by the Elloway family.)  Ballet dancer Erin Atkinson (Amherst) is the recipient of the $1,000 Janice Merritt Flemming Award and is currently studying ballet at the Royal Winnipeg School of Ballet. (Award supported by the Flemming family.) Singer and songwriter Andrew Machum (Halifax) is the recipient of the $1,000 Chico Berardi Award and is currently in his first year studying for his Bachelor of Music at the Berklee College of Music in Boston, USA. (Award sponsored by Music Nova Scotia.) Classical pianist Emily MacDonald (Bedford) is the recipient of the $1,000 Tietje Zonneveld Award and she is studying for her Masters of Music (Piano Performance) degree at the University of Ottawa. Filmmaker Sam Decoste (Halifax) is the recipient of the$1,000 Shelagh Mackenzie Award and is currently in the final year of her Master of Fine Arts in Film Animation and Media Studies at NSCAD University. In addition to the Special Awards announced today, the Nova Scotia Talent Trust gave out scholarships to 51 recipients earlier this year.  The NSTT’s scholarship application deadline date for Spring/Summer study is March 1, 2015 and for Fall/Winter study it is May 1, 2015. The NSTT is supported by the 2011 Canada Games Legacy Fund, RBC Foundation, Music Nova Scotia, Visual Arts Nova Scotia, Theatre Nova Scotia, Debut Atlantic, immediaC, the Creative Nova Scotia Leadership Council, Norex.ca, NSTT Foundation, Dalhousie Music in Medicine HEALS Program, Alderney Landing Theatre, Support4Culture, Halifax Municipality, Business for the Arts, Canadian Heritage, and Arts Nova Scotia.  The NSTT is pleased to work in partnership with the province to develop and promote our cultural resources for all Nova Scotians. - 30 - A list of the Nova Scotia Talent Trust Scholarship Recipients for 2014 you can find below. Media Contact: Jacqueline Steudler, Executive Director, Nova Scotia Talent Trust P. O. Box 575 Halifax  NS  B3J 2R7 (902) 492 6801   director@nstalenttrust.ns.ca     www.nstalenttrust.ns.ca   List of the 2014 NSTT Scholarship and Nova Scotia Arts Endowment Fund Scholarship Recipients Dance - Ballet               Shona Duggan, Stellarton Jaeda Alders-Pearl, Coldbrook Dominique D’Arnall, Mineville Andris Kundzins, Hubley Gabrielle Murray,New Glasgow Hilary Knee, Halifax - Modern/Choreography Aliah Schwartz, Canning - Modern/Contemporary Brian William Ross, Halifax Chloe Hart, Halifax - Flamenco Francesca Nardi, Halifax Music - Keyboard - Piano Willem Blois, Halifax LaLa Lee, Halifax Kathryn Wagner, Lunenburg Lucas Porter, Port Williams Julia Morrison, Halifax Emily MacDonald, Bedford Ria Kim, Halifax Pierre Riley, Antigonish - Strings - Double Bass Peter Bull, Halifax - Strings - Violin Heemin Choi, Hammonds Plains - Voice - Opera Marcel d’Entremont, Merigomish Brittany Cann, Halifax Rita Wood, Dartmouth Benjamin Shaw, Halifax Patrick Simms, Cole Harbour Jodie Alcorn, New Glasgow - Voice - Contemporary Andrew Machum, Halifax - Brass - Euphonium Claire Amiro, Dartmouth - Woodwinds - Flute Claire Ahern, Dartmouth Emery Van de Wiel, Antigonish -Composition Lucas Oickle, Lower Branch -Jazz Composition/Bass John Janigan-Mills, Mahone Bay Theatre - Acting Rachel Hastings, Hammonds Plains Katerina Bakolias, Halifax - Music Theatre Robyn Harrison, Truro Tia Andriani, Dartmouth Katherine Norris, Dartmouth Film/Media Arts  - Animation Gwyneth Christoffel, Halifax Sam Decoste, Halifax Visual/Fine Arts  - Interdisciplinary Matthis Grunsky, Halifax - Ceramics Susan McKinnon, Halifax Literary Arts - Prose Pearl Chan, Halifax Elisabeth (Lis) van Berkel, Canning - Fiction/Poetry David Flemming, Dartmouth - Poetry Andrew Patterson, Halifax Clay Everest, Halifax Nova Scotia Arts Endowment Fund Scholarship Recipients Music:  Julia Millett, Lunenburg Andrew Son, Halifax Lilith Richter-Stephenson, Dartmouth Visual Arts:  Cameron Roberts, Halifax Dance:  Erin Atkinson, Amherst

The Alderney Landing Theatre was constructed as an integral part of the Alderney Landing complex, a diverse cultural centre carefully designed to beat in the heart of downtown Dartmouth and fulfill the area's stirring promise of economic and cultural revitalization.

Georgia Skinner and Sarah Hopkin (dance) perform in Unsent Letters, December 20th

Georgia Skinner and 
Sarah Hopkin, 

both former NSTT scholarship recipients, are dancers in 

Unsent Letters by Nostos Collectives

Saturday, December 20, 
at 9 p.m.

Serpentine Studios
1489 Birmingham Street, Halifax

Get your tickets $10 today at NostosCollectives@gmail.com

Jana Miller, soprano debuts with Symphony Nova Scotia

Jana Miller, 2009/2011 NSTT Portia White Award

Congratulations to Jana Miller for her debut with Symphony Nova Scotia and Vivien Shotwell, former NSTT scholarship recipient.

Händel's Messhia

Friday, December 19, 7:30 pm

Saturday, December 20, 7:30 pm

Rebecca Cohn Auditorium, Halifax

Featuring: 
Jordan de Souza, conductor
Jana Miller, soprano 
Vivien Shotwell, alto
Colin Ainsworth, tenor

Jon-Paul Décosse, bass

The Symphony Nova Scotia Chorus
with core choir the Halifax Camerata Singers

For more information please go to www.symphonynovascotia.ca

Still Tickets available for the Portia White Gala Concert tomorrow Nov 28 in Halifax

 Portia White Gala Concert

with Special Guest performance by Jennifer Farrell, soprano

Friday, November 28, 2014

7: 30 p.m. at Faith Tabernacle

6225 Summit Street, Halifax

Tickets are $20 for general admission and $15 for students / seniors
Use our Eventbrite online ticketing service: http://tiny.cc/Portia2014 or
printed tickets can be obtained from chorale and band members, or reserved
through the Medical Humanities office at (902) 494-1533 or at medhuman@dal.ca.

Nova Scotian soprano Jennifer Farrell appears regularly with professional Canadian ensembles in the fields of early music, oratorio, and opera.  Her undergraduate studies were completed at Wilfrid Laurier University, and she went on to earn a Master of Music degree and Doctor of Musical Arts degree with specializations in opera at the University of British Columbia.  Jennifer is also active as a voice instructor, adjudicator, examiner, and lecturer.  After teaching voice at Mount Allison University from 2011-2013, she is now delighted to have returned home to join the faculty at the Maritime Conservatory of Performing Arts in Halifax.  The recipient of numerous fellowships and awards, Jennifer was a Portia White Award Recipient in 1999.

Portia White Gala Concert with Jennifer Farrell, soprano

Portia White Gala Concert

with Special Guest performance by Jennifer Farrell, soprano

Friday, November 28, 2014

7: 30 p.m. at Faith Tabernacle

6225 Summit Street, Halifax

Tickets are $20 for general admission and $15 for students / seniors
Use our Eventbrite online ticketing service: http://tiny.cc/Portia2014 or
printed tickets can be obtained from chorale and band members, or reserved
through the Medical Humanities office at (902) 494-1533 or at medhuman@dal.ca.

Nova Scotian soprano Jennifer Farrell appears regularly with professional Canadian ensembles in the fields of early music, oratorio, and opera.  Her undergraduate studies were completed at Wilfrid Laurier University, and she went on to earn a Master of Music degree and Doctor of Musical Arts degree with specializations in opera at the University of British Columbia.  Jennifer is also active as a voice instructor, adjudicator, examiner, and lecturer.  After teaching voice at Mount Allison University from 2011-2013, she is now delighted to have returned home to join the faculty at the Maritime Conservatory of Performing Arts in Halifax.  The recipient of numerous fellowships and awards, Jennifer was a Portia White Award Recipient in 1999.


Jennifer Farrell will be accompanied by pianist Lynette Wahlstrom
Lynette Wahlstrom: Dalhousie Department of Music, First Baptist Church Halifax, Halifax Camerata Singers, Nova Scotia Choral Federation, Opera Nova Scotia, Halifax Summer Opera Festival, National Youth Choir. Has collaborated with conductors Hilary Apfelstadt, Jakub Martinec, Caron Daley, Jeff Joudrey, Julian Wachner, Robert Ingari, and Patricia Abbott. Holds Bachelor of Music (Brandon University), Licentiate Diploma and Master's of Accompaniment (McGill University), Master's of Piano Performance (Université de Montréal). Boards:
Opera Nova Scotia, Halifax Summer Opera Festival, Early Music Society of Nova Scotia, RCCO Halifax.

The Portia White Gala concert will feature the Dalhousie Health Professions Choral and Ensembles and the Sackville Concert Band. The evening’s entertainment promises a wide variety of repertoire including some seasonal favorites.

Proceeds of this concert go to support a young Nova Scotian musician through the Nova Scotia Talent Trust. The NSTT was started in 1944 to assist the career of Portia White and has continued in its support of talented Nova Scotian artists in their formative years. The Dalhousie University Humanities-HEALS Program is pleased to be able to make a yearly contribution to this worthy cause.

We would like to thank Dr. Wendy Stewart, Ana Bela Sardinha, David Elliott, Bryan Crocker, Jim Forde, Jennifer Farrell, and Lynette Wahlstrom, the choir members, and the many volunteers that will make the concert yet another memorable event.

During the intermission you will be able to treat yourself again to Bill Chaddock's fine fudge in support of the NSTT's Programs. Portia White's family has donated 100 CDs of 'Portia White - First You Dream' to the NSTT. The CD is a compilation of three concerts featuring contralto Portia White. They can be purchased for $20 with all proceeds going towards the Portia White Award. Thank you Bill Chaddock, Chris White and the whole White family for your generous support.

The Creative Industries in Nova Scotia - Watch and Enjoy

About: 
Film & Creative Industries Nova Scotia unites music, publishing, interactive, performing arts, craft and film as a full-service agency dedicated to providing the programs and services you need to succeed.

Janice Jackson in Miss Fortune's Portmanteau

Victorian Halifax – Reimaged, Reawakened, Refashioned

Tickets are going fast, reserve yours today!  

View Promo Video HERE

Women's Council House

989 Young Ave, Halifax, Nova Scotia

Wednesday, November 19th through 

Sunday November 23^rd at 8PM

Wednesday, November 26th through 

Sunday November 30^th at 8PM

The Players

Miss Fortune by RAYNA SMITH-CAMP + Mary Howard / Broken Body by JANICE JACKSON (1986 NSTT Portia White Award)

Sarah Clinch and Fish Monger by SARAH ALBU + Halifax Woman and Cook by EMMA LEIGH RIVERA

Tickets $20 / $15  Seating is Limited (25 people per evening)

For Reservations call 902 429 1797

To purchase tickets go to:  www.vocalypse.ca

LAUNCH: New Website for Nova Scotia Talent Trust made possible by HRM’s Community Grant and immediaC’s Support

The Nova Scotia Talent Trust is pleased to announce the launch of its new website thanks to the generous support of immediaC, a Bedford based web design firm and a grant

through HRM’s Community Grant Program. 
 
“Our website analytic showed that almost 45% of our audience, applicants of all art disciplines and individual donors, access our website through a mobile device like a smart-phone or tablet. It was imminent that we needed an upgrade.
The new website is mobile responsive, highlights former scholarship recipients, 70 years of NSTT history, and is easier to navigate over all,” says Executive Director Jacqueline Steudler.
 
“We spoke with John Leahy at immediaC who has been supporting the NSTT since 2007 and knew our needs in and out,” continues Steudler. “immediaC agreed to partner with NSTT by generously waiving some of its fees by donating $2,499 of in-kind services. We are so grateful for this support.”
 
immediaC has been building custom websites since 1998 including over 2,500 websites and applications. They deliver custom designed website solutions for businesses and organizations.
 
"Working with the Nova Scotia Talent Trust is very rewarding for all of us at immediaC.  We are so pleased to be able to help the NSTT, and play a small role helping young artists and performers pursue their passions," says John Leahy, owner of immediaC.

The NSTT also thanks the HRM Community Grant Committee for supporting the website redesign with a $5,000 grant. The new website can be visited at www.nstalenttrust.ns.ca.

Since its creation as a charitable organization 70 years ago, the NSTT has given out more than $1.9 million dollars in scholarships to over 1900 recipients.
 
The NSTT is supported by the 2011 Canada Games Legacy Fund, The Craig Foundation, RBC Foundation, Music Nova Scotia, Visual Arts Nova Scotia, Theatre Nova Scotia, Debut Atlantic, immediaC, the Creative Nova Scotia Leadership Council, Norex.ca, NSTT Foundation, Dalhousie Music in Medicine HEALS Program, Alderney Landing Theatre, Support4Culture, Halifax Municipality, Business for the Arts, Canadian Heritage, and Arts Nova Scotia.  The NSTT is pleased to work in partnership with the province to develop and promote our cultural resources for all Nova Scotians.
 
The NSTT has two deadline dates coming up in 2015: 1 March for Spring/Summer study and 1 May for Fall/Winter study.  For more information, please visit their website at www.nstalenttrust.ns.ca.

- 30 –
 
Media Contact: Jacqueline Steudler, Executive Director, Nova Scotia Talent Trust
P. O. Box 575
Halifax  NS  B3J 2R7
(902) 492 6801   director@nstalenttrust.ns.ca     www.nstalenttrust.ns.ca

NSTT Scholarship Recipients perform with NS Youth Orchestra

Claire Ahern, flute

Claire Ahern

Lilith Richter-Stephenson, violin, and Andrew Son, violin will perform with the NS Youth Orchestra in

Wolfville, NS - Horton High School, 75 Greenwich Rd South
November 22, 2014, 
7:00 PM

Halifax: Saint Matthew’s United Church, 1479 Barrington St.
Due to a fire at St. Andrew's United Church, the location of this concert has changed.
November 23, 2014, 7:00 PM

Featuring Peter Allen, piano
Liszt Mephisto Waltz no. 1
Tchaikovsky Piano Concerto No. 1
Haydn Symphony No. 104

More information can be found at http://novascotiayouthorchestra.com/concerts.html