Seven Talent Trust Alumni ECMA Nominations

The East Coast Music Awards: Festival and Conference (ECMA) is a five-day, non-stop musical celebration showcasing and recognizing the best of East Coast artists and music.

This year marks the 35th anniversary of the festival and it is sure to be spectacular!  Held in Halifax this year, some of Atlantic Canada's best music artists will light up the stages from May 3-7, 2023.
We proudly share the Talent Trust alumni nominated for 7 Awards:

Edward Enman - Classical Composer of the Year

Edward Enman is a pianist and composer who received Talent Trust scholarships in 2015 and 2016.  He released his debut EP Refuge in 2021, and released his first album Breathe In, Breathe Out in 2022.  Edward performs regularly across Canada, and his compositions have been premiered and performed around the world.  You may also recognize Edward as the MC for the 2022 Special Awards Ceremony.

Jennifer King, O Mistress Moon - Classical Recording of the Year

Jennifer King is an accomplished pianist who received Talent Trust scholarships in 1992 and 1993.  She has released several albums: O Mistress Moon (2018), Doolittle: Minute Études “Excerpts” (Live) (2019),Twilight Hour: Collected Stories for Piano (2020) and in 2022 released O Mistress Moon: Canadian Edition. 

Atlantic String Machine (Karen Graves), A Single Juniper Post - Classical Recording of the Year; Instrumental Recording of the Year

Atlantic String Machine is a dynamic string quintet comprised of the following musicians: Sean Kemp (violin), Jeffrey Bazett-Jones (viola), Natalie Williams Calhoun (cello), Adam Hill (bass) and Karen Graves (violin), who was a Talent Trust scholarship recipient in 1987 and 1989.  They have three albums: Lost Time (2015), The Bayfield Sessions (2019), and their most recent release in 2022 A Single Juniper Post. 

Duo Concertante (Nancy Dahn), Ecology of Being - Classical Recording of the Year

Duo Concertante is a chamber ensemble whose members are Timothy Steeves and Nancy Dahn.  Nancy was a Talent Trust scholarship recipient from 1984-1992 and the winner of the Arthur S. Barnstead Award in 1986.  They have released 13 albums to date, and their most recent release in 2022 is Ecology of Being.

Vineet Vyas, Satyam - Global Recording of the Year

Vineet Vyas is an accomplished tabla artist who has performed at many prestigious venues and festivals throughout India and across North America.  He was a Talent Trust scholarship recipient in 1995 and went on to release several recordings and albums, including Taalworks (2006), The King of Dhamaar: A Tribute to Pandit Kishan Maharaj (2010), and most recently Satyam (2022). 

Gina Burgess, ISNOW - Roots/Traditional Recording of the Year

Gina Burgess is an internationally recognized violinist and composer.  She was a Talent Trust scholarship recipient in 1995, 1999, 2000, and 2007.  Gina has released several albums and has collaborated with many artists throughout her musical career.  Her most recent album is ISNOW (2022).

Congratulations to all 2023 EMCA Nominees! 

Want to hear more about the Talent Trust? Please sign up for our newsletter.

Want to support the next generation of Nova Scotian artists? Donate today!

Spring/Summer applications are OPEN!

 We’re pleased to announce we are ready to receive new scholarship applications for 2023.

The deadline for scholarship applications for Spring/Summer studies is fast approaching!

The scholarship application process will again happen online.

We advise applicants to read the submission guidelines carefully and to submit applications early since there are a number of changes for film, music, visual arts, dance, circus arts, literary arts, and theatre this year.

Scholarship application deadlines are:

• Spring/Summer study: 5:00 p.m. Atlantic Standard Time (AST)
  March 1, 2023 (for studies between May 1 and August 31, 2023)

• Fall/Winter study: 5:00 p.m. Atlantic Daylight Saving Time (ADT)
  May 1, 2023 (for studies between September 1, 2023 and April 30, 2024)
  
  
  
  
  

For more information, visit nstalenttrust.ca or get in touch by email
at scholarship@nstalenttrust.ns.ca

Please help us spread the word: If you know a Nova Scotian student that is studying in the arts, let them know about this opportunity and our March 1 and May 1 deadlines.

Want to hear more about the Talent Trust? Please sign up for our newsletter.

Want to support the next generation of Nova Scotian artists? Donate today!

Creating an Effective Artist Statement

 Applications will be open soon for Talent Trust scholarships!  This year we are implementing a few small changes to make our application process more accessible and inclusive.  Although the online form is not open just yet, you can still start preparing for your application!

Our scholarship recipients are chosen by an arm's-length Scholarship Selection Committee. Their top tip to applicants: pay particular attention to your Artist Statement.  This is where they get to learn about you, your art, and what inspires or motivates you.  It is a big challenge for many artists to turn the spotlight on themselves, but remember: the people reviewing your application WANT to know about you and connect with you as an artist.

Here are some tips for crafting a compelling artist statement:

Keep it concise: An artist statement should be brief and to the point, typically no more than a few paragraphs. Avoid using jargon or overly technical language, and focus on conveying your ideas in a clear and concise manner.

Be authentic: Your artist statement should reflect your genuine voice and perspective. Don't try to sound like someone else, or use language that feels inauthentic or forced.

Focus on your inspiration and process: An artist statement is an opportunity to share the stories, experiences, and concepts that inspire your work. It should also provide insight into your creative process, including the materials, techniques, and methods you use to create your art.

Explain the meaning behind your work: An artist statement should provide context for your artwork and explain the deeper meanings or themes that you are exploring.

Edit and revise: Like any writing, an artist statement should be edited and revised to ensure that it is clear, concise, and well-written. Consider asking your instructor, mentor, or friend to review your statement and provide feedback.

Overall, an artist statement is an important tool to communicate the ideas and inspirations behind your work. By taking the time to craft a thoughtful and well-written statement, you will improve your scholarship application and increase your chances of a successful outcome. 

We are here to support you!  If you need help with your artist statement, reach out to us. 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Want to hear more about the Talent Trust? Please sign up for our newsletter.

Want to support the next generation of Nova Scotian artists? Donate today!