Meet Devin Huang, one of the Talent Trust's Youngest Scholarship Recipients

Devin Huang began studying piano in 2013, at the age of seven. He one of our youngest scholarship reicpients, receiving scholarships in 2017 and 2018.

Receiving news of a scholarship can change an artist's life.

You’ll meet Devin and his mother, Jennifer Wang, in our 75th anniversary scholarship campaign video.

Devin studies with Lynn Stodola, who teaches young gifted pianists after retiring from a distinguished career with the Fountain School of Performing Arts at Dalhousie University in Halifax.

Competitions can be a big component in the development of a young pianist. Devin was one of the winners of the 2017/18 Chebucto Symphony Orchestra Concerto Competition, which earned him the honour of performing with the Orchestra.

He won a gold medal at the 2017 Canadian Music Competition National Finals in Gatineau, PQ, in his age category.

At the 2017 Nova Scotia Kiwanis Music Festival, Devin placed first in Piano Solo (Chopin – Senior), first place in Piano Solo (Bach – 16 years and under), and first place in Piano Sonata (Junior). 

Hours of practice are required to master
piano. Devin is a committed student.

He was recommended by both junior and senior adjudicators to perform at the Festival’s Gala night as Junior Pianist.

He received the inaugural Gordon Murray Rising Star Award at the Gala, and was chosen to represent the Halifax Festival in the Junior Piano and Chamber Music categories at the Provincial Finals.

Devin most recently performed at the Creative Nova Scotia Awards Gala, which celebrates excellence in artistic achievement and includes the announcement of two major awards, the Portia White Prize (not to be confused with the Talent Trust Portia White Award) and the Lieutenant Governor's Masterworks Award.

We’d like to thank Devin and Jennifer for allowing our production team into their home and working so hard to help create our video. Jennifer went above and beyond the call of duty for a non-actor. We would also like to thank Lynn Stodola for all her assistance.




Want to be part of the campaign to double Talent Trust scholarship funds? Click here to donate. And thank you!

9-year-old Pianist Alex Yang in Performance at Evenings @ Government House

The Talent Trust has partnered with Government House to present a piano recital with scholarship recipient Alex Yang. Alex’s September 18 performance is part of the Evenings @ Government House series.

His repertoire will include pieces by J. S. Bach, Mozart, Chopin, and Beethoven.

At nine years old, Alex is one of our youngest scholarship recipients. He’s studied piano with Lynn Stodola for the past three years, and also plays violin.

Alex won first place in each of his five piano repertoire classes at the 2018 Kiwanis Music Festival, and and was invited to perform at the Festival’s Gala, where he received the Gordon Murray Rising Star Award. 

Alex was the Bronze Prize winner of the 2017 Canadian Music Competition National Final and won the Silver Prize at the 2018 National Final. He was awarded 2018 scholarships for the intermediate group in piano and the junior group in violin by the Nova Scotia Registered Music Teachers’ Association Competition.

Evenings @ Government House concert details
Tuesday, September 18, 2018 - 7:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
Government House, 1451 Barrington Street, Halifax

Arrival Time:  6:30 p.m. - 6:50 p.m.
Admission: Free

Registration open: Wednesday, August 29, 2018 to Tuesday, September 18, 2018

Seating is limited. Anyone wishing to attend must register by calling 902-424-7001 or by filling out the online attendance form (bottom of the page) at Evenings @ Government House.

Devin Huang and Alex Yang Shine Bright at the Kiwanis Music Festival

The Gala Recital for the 2018 Halifax Kiwanis Music Festival took place on May 5 at the Music Room in Halifax. Two Talent Trust scholarship recipients received accolades for Junior Piano.

Devin Huang (pictured with his teacher Lynn Stodola) received the Adjudicator’s Recommendation to the 2018 Nova Scotia Kiwanis Music Festival for Junior Piano. 

He was last year’s recipient of the first ever Gordon Murray Rising Star Award. He captured first place in each of his seven piano repertoire classes, and received an unprecedented mark of 98 in his Chopin class. 

Devin’s achieved great things during the past year. He was one of the winners of the 2017/18 Chebucto Symphony Orchestra Concerto Competition, an honour which gave him the privilege of performing with the Orchestra on April 21, 2018.

Alex  (Zixuan) Yang received the 2018 Gordon Murray Rising Star Award, which was presented at the May 5 Kiwanis Music Festival  Gala.

Alex plays at the RCM level 7/8, and was named as the Alternate to Devin Huang for the Provincial Festival Recommendation in Junior Piano.

He was a Canadian Music Competition national finalist in 2017, were he also received an Honorable Mention in the Scholarship Competition for Junior Piano.

The Provincial Music Festival Competition dates are Friday June 1 and Saturday June 2, 2018. The Gala Concert will be held on Saturday June 2 at 7pm at Denton Hall Auditorium, Acadia University, Wolfville, Nova Scotia.

This story was first published in our May newsletter. Subscribe to have all our monthly news delivered to your inbox!

Katrina Westin wins Irene MacKinnon Memorial Voice Rose Bowl and the President’s Cup

Katrina Westin, mezzo-soprano

Congratulations to Katrina Westin, mezzo-soprano for winning the Irene MacKinnon Memorial Voice Rose Bowl and the President’s Cup at the 2016 Kiwanis Music Festival.