Talent Trust grants $48,500 in Awards at 2021 Special Awards Ceremony

 

Today, we recognized our 2021 scholarship and Special Award recipients at 2 p.m. on Sunday, December 12, 2021, virtually in a ceremony which included greetings by His Honour The Honourable Arthur J. LeBlanc, ONS, QC, Lieutenant Governor of Nova Scotia. Portia White's legacy represents the catalyst for the Talent Trust and its 77-year commitment to aspiring artists across the province. The Talent Trust supports talented Nova Scotian artists as they pursue their studies toward establishing professional careers in the arts.

Halifax dancer Minuet Charron received the $1,500 Talent Trust Lieutenant Governor’s Award for Artistic Achievement, the NSTT’s highest honour for a student in any discipline. Minuet studies Jazz dance at Decidedly Jazz Danceworks in Calgary, Alberta.

Presented for the first time in 2013, the two 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 granted every December until 2022 and are the legacy of the 2011 Canada Games Young Artists of Excellence Program. In 2021, the two $10,000 awards were received by Halifax visual artist Ada Denil and musical theatre performer Emily O'Leary from Glace Bay.

Ada Denil (Halifax), 2021 recipient of a 2011 Canada Games Young Artist of Excellence Award, is currently studying visual arts at NSCAD University (Halifax).

Emily O'Leary (Glace Bay), 2021 recipient of a 2011 Canada Games Young Artist of Excellence Award, is studying musical theatre at New York University - Steinhardt (New York City).

Today, the Talent Trust had the pleasure to present a new award. The Nova Scotia Talent Trust and RBC Foundation are collaborating to launch the RBC Emerging BIPOC Artist Award. This new $2,500 Special Award will be presented annually to a Black, Indigenous, or Person of Color who shows exceptional commitment and professional potential as an artist. Preference will be given to emerging artists in the areas of film, visual arts and music.

Visual artist Excel Garay (Halifax) is the recipient of the $2,500 RBC Emerging BIPOC Artist Award. Excel studies expanded visual arts at NSCAD University (Halifax). The award is supported by RBC Emerging Artists Program through RBC Foundation.

Actor Kevin Munroe (Sydney) is the recipient of the $2,500 RBC Emerging Artist Award. Kevin studies acting at the National Theatre School (Montreal, Quebec). The Award is supported by RBC Emerging Artists Program through RBC Foundation.

There are thirteen more Special Award recipients, each of whom demonstrates the exceptional potential to become a professional artist. We're pleased to introduce them here.

Opera singer Abigail Sinclair (Halifax) is the recipient of the $2,000 Sheila K. Piercey Legacy Award in voice studies. Abigail studied privately with Joan Patenaude-Yarnell (Opera). The Sheila K. Piercey Award is supported through a generous Bequest by the late Sheila Piercey.

Ryan MacDougall (Dartmouth) is the recipient of the $500 Theatre Nova Scotia Award for theatre. Ryan is studying musical theatre at Sheridan College (Oakville, Ontario). The Award is supported by Theatre Nova Scotia.

Visual artist Kaya Panthier (Halifax) receives the $1,500 The Susan Wood Award in visual arts. Kaya is currently studying visual arts at Mount Allison University (Sackville, New Brunswick). The Award was made possible through generous donations by family and friends of Susan Wood and Visual Arts Nova Scotia.

Pianist Gabriel O'Brien (Halifax) is the recipient of the $8,000 Dr. James Burchill Award for an organist, choral or instrumental conductor or a student of another musical instrument or voice. Gabriel is studying music at Dalhousie University. The award is supported by former Talent Trust scholarship recipient and organist Dr. James Burchill through a $220,000 Bank Bond donation to the NSTT Foundation.

Pianist Lala Lee (Halifax) is the recipient of the $1,000 Peggy Corkum/Musique Royale Legacy Award. Lala studies piano performance at the Glenn Gould School (Toronto, Ontario). The Award is supported by Barbara Butler, Musique Royale, and friends of Peggy Corkum.

Ballet dancer Gabrielle Trudel (Timberlea) is the recipient of the $2,000 Robert George Jackson Award for dance. Gabrielle is attending Ryerson University (Toronto, Ontario). The Award supported by Daphne Cruikshanks in memory of her late husband Robert Jackson.

Visual artist Charles Bourne (Halifax) is the recipient of the $1,000 Charlotte Wilson-Hammond/Visual Arts Nova Scotia Award. Charles currently studies architecture at Dalhousie University (Halifax). The Award is supported by Charlotte Wilson-Hammond and Visual Arts Nova Scotia.

Cellist Jacob MacDonald (Upper Kennetcook) is the recipient of the $1,000 Raymond Simpson Award for music. Jacob studies at the University of Ottawa (Ottawa, Ontario). The Award is supported by the Simpson family.

Piano player Chantal Peng (Halifax) is the recipient of the $1,000 Yue Lih and Marion Kuo Award for exceptional commitment and potential in music as an instrumentalist. Chantal is currently studying at the American University College of Arts and Sciences (Washington, D.C.). The Award is supported by Marion Kuo and Earl Wadden.

Ballet dancer Aidan Vaudreuil (Lower Sackville) is the recipient of the $1,000 Janice Merritt Flemming Award and is currently studying at the Royal Winnipeg Ballet School (Winnipeg, Manitoba). The Award is supported by the Flemming family.

Opera singer Natalie Mitchell (Pictou County) is the recipient of the $1,000 Talent Trust's Portia White Award for voice. Natalie studies privately with Suzanne Mentzer (San Francisco, California). The Award is supported by the Music-in-Medicine and Humanities-HEALS Program, Dalhousie University.

Film director, writer and producer Spencer MacKay (Windsor Junction) is the recipient of the $1,000 Shelagh Mackenzie Award for film. Spencer spent the summer studying privately with mentor Ian MacLeod. The Award is supported by Shelagh Mackenzie's friends.

Euphonium player Ross Macintosh (Truro) is the recipient of the $1,000 Kenneth Elloway Award for composition and instrumental performance. Ross spent the summer 2021 attending the Lunenburg Academy of Music Performance LAMP (Lunenburg). The Award is supported by the Elloway family.

In addition to the Special Awards announced today, the Nova Scotia Talent Trust gave out scholarships to 55 recipients earlier this year. You can find a list of the 2021 Nova Scotia Talent Trust scholarship recipients below. The NSTT’s scholarship application deadline date for Spring/Summer study is March 1, 2022. The deadline for Fall/Winter study is May 1, 2022. The NSTT is supported by individual donors like Margaret and David Fountain and the 2011 Canada Games Legacy Fund, RBC Foundation, The Craig Foundation,, Musique Royale, Visual Arts Nova Scotia, Theatre Nova Scotia, Debut Atlantic, immediaC, the Creative Nova Scotia Leadership Council, NSTT Foundation, Dalhousie Music in Medicine HEALS Program, Halifax Central Library, Cecilia Concerts, Craft Nova Scotia, Black Cultural Centre for NS, CIOE 97.5 Community Radio, and Arts Nova Scotia. NSTT is pleased to work in partnership with the province to develop and promote our cultural resources for all Nova Scotians.

Congratulations to the Talent Trust, Nova Scotia Arts Endowment Fund, and CN Halifax Community Board Scholarship Recipients CIRCUS ARTS RECIPIENT Juggling  Luca Haase, Conquerall Mills DANCE RECIPIENTS Ballet Sahara Nyathi, Halifax Maggie Oates-Johnson, Dartmouth Katrina Ouellette, Middle Sackville, NS Arts Endowment Fund Scholarship Emma Purdy, Debert Aidan Vaudreuil-Wakeham, Lower Sackville Ballet/Contemporary Julia Barkhouse, Dartmouth Sienna Nyathi, Halifax Bharathanatyam Priyadarshini Satheesh, Halifax Contemporary Minuet Charron, Halifax Stan Tonin, Windsor Junction Gabrielle Trudel, Timberlea FILM Film Production Reva Bhardwaj, Dartmouth, CN Halifax Community Board Scholarship Producing, Writing, Directing Spencer MacKay, Windsor Junction, NS Arts Endowment Fund Scholarship LITERARY ARTS RECIPIENTS Creative Essay  K.R. Byggdin, Halifax Creative Nonfiction Peggy Walt, Halifax Short Fiction/Poetry Sidney Robichaud, Halifax, MUSIC RECIPIENTS Brass – Euphonium  Ross Macintosh, Truro Brass – Trumpet  Shaw Nicholson, Halifax Composition Kayleigh James, Halifax Jessica MacIsaac, Halifax Gaelic Culture/Fiddle Abby Hanson, Montague Gold Mines Ella Hanson, Montague Gold Mines Keyboard – Organ Gabriel O'Brien, Halifax Keyboard – Piano Sherry Chen, Hammonds Plains Natalia Comeau, Hammonds Plains Devin Huang, Bedford Lala Lee, Halifax Carmen Peng, Wolfville Chantal Peng, Wolfville Alex Yang, Bedford Percussion/Drum Kit Lucas Goudie, Halifax Strings – Cello Jacob MacDonald, Upper Kennetcook, NS Arts Endowment Fund Scholarship Strings – Violin Kelvin Mansaray, Halifax Voice - Opera Rhian Merritt, Upper Tantallon Natalie Mitchell, Halifax Nicole Ross, New Glasgow Abigail Sinclair, Halifax Shanice Skinner, New Glasgow Connie Young, Halifax THEATRE RECIPIENTS Acting Kevin Munroe, Sydney Musical Theatre Ryan MacDougall, Hammonds Plains Deanna Mann, New Glasgow Emily O’Leary, Glace Bay, NS Arts Endowment Fund Scholarship Jillian Peters, Dartmouth VISUAL/FINE ARTS RECIPIENTS Architecture Charles Bourne, Halifax Digital Media, Digital Illustration   Leena Elkhateeb, Bedford Drawing, Textiles Madeleine West, Halifax Expanded Painting, Art History Excel Garay, Halifax Fine Arts Olivia Haill, Halifax Interdisciplinary/Computation Arts Jonah McKay, Canning Jewellery, Hollowware  Hannah Craig, Halifax, NS Arts Endowment Fund Scholarship Painting Anna Syme, Hantsport Portraiture  Kaya Panthier, Halifax Sculpture/Illustration Ada Denil, Halifax Want to hear more? Please sign up for our newsletter Want to support the next generation of Nova Scotia artists? Donate today!

CN Halifax Community Board believes in the future of Nova Scotia Artists

Supporting Nova Scotia students on their way to pursue an artistic career is a joy and privilege. Also, partnering with an international corporation like CN through the CN Halifax Community Board for an annual named scholarship is an honour. 

“The Nova Scotia Talent Trust 

highlights exceptional commitments for Nova Scotians to become established artists. The CN Halifax Community Board is honoured to support these scholarships for emerging NS artists with a focus on supporting people and arts, a core principle not only of our board but also a corporate philosophy at CN," states Alan Abraham, Chair, CN Community Board

It is with excitement the Nova Scotia Talent Trust announces the CN Halifax Community Board Scholarship. In spring 2021, CN Halifax Community Board approved a grant of $25,000, which has been invested throuand will support the named scholarship for years to come. 

“The investment in our next generation of Nova Scotia’s artists will enhance and further our cultural landscape. Not only will the monetary support help our scholarship recipients pay for their studies, but it also reaffirms their hard work to become established artists in their discipline. We thank the CN Halifax Community Board for believing in our Nova Scotia artists,” says NSTT Executive Director Jacqueline Steudler. 

The annual CN Halifax Community Board Scholarship of $1,000 will be presented annually to a scholarship recipient who shows exceptional commitment and professional potential as an artist. The first recipient selected by the Scholarship Selection Committee of the NSTT will be announced on September 15, 2021. 

About CN

CN is a world-class transportation leader and trade-enabler. Essential to the economy, to the customers, and to the communities it serves, CN safely transports more than 300 million tons of natural resources, manufactured products, and finished goods throughout North America every year. As the only railroad connecting Canada’s Eastern and Western coasts with the U.S. South through a 19,500-mile rail network, CN and its affiliates have been contributing to community prosperity and sustainable trade since 1919. CN is committed to programs supporting social responsibility and environmental stewardship.

About Nova Scotia Talent Trust

Since 1944, the Talent Trust has provided more than $2 million to over 1,000 Nova Scotians, primarily young people, who have demonstrated talent and potential to become professional artists in theatre, dance, fine craft and design, music, circus arts, media, film, literary, and visual arts. There is no other comparable organization in the country. In 2019, the Talent Trust celebrated its 75th anniversary year featuring former scholarship recipients with a travelling art exhibition, pop-up events in theatre, music, dance, film screenings and more.  

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! (smile)

Andre Haines: 30 years of contribution to the arts in NS

Photo credit: Chris Green

Congratulations to visual artist and former Talent Trust scholarship recipient Andre Haines for being recognized by the Nova Scotia House of Assembly for over '30 years of contributing to the arts sector in Nova Scotia and helping to teach the next generation of artists and musicians'. What a wonderful achievement! 

About Andre:

In 1985, after attending Mount Allison U, and Acadia U as a student of music (oboe), theatre and fine arts, I received a NSTT scholarship to follow my artistic passions further. I had become more interested in performing in musicals and needed money to go to AMDA in NYC to study with the best in the business. My musical theatre teacher was the first female conductor on Broadway. I spent many years performing, directing and composing for stage, film and television. I taught at Acadia U for 4 years, and the MCPA as well as running my own vocal studio.As time progressed I developed more passion for visual arts and that grew into a parallel career. Now I am a full time painter and continue my artistic journey. NSTT gave me the opportunity to work with brilliant people and set me on a course for a life time working prolifically in the arts.

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! (smile)

Talent Trust Artist Spotlight Radio with Guests Marc Djokic and Gharret Paon July 4, 2019.

Tune in for the 3rd edition of the Talent Trust Artist Spotlight.

Every first Thursday of the month with your host, past scholarship recipient and current board member Breagh MacKinnon.

July 4, 1 p.m. 

97.5 CIOE Community Radio

Hear from TT alumni; the virtuosic internationally renowned violinist Marc Djokic, winner of the 2017-2018 Prix Goyer as well as actor/producer, Gharret Paon, recently accepted into both the National Screen Institute and Telefilm programs.

Previous Episodes:

2: Charley Young, and Shandi Mitchell (recording coming soon)

1: Jane Archibald and Charlotte Wilson-Hammond

Want to hear more? Please sign up for our newsletter.

Want to support the next generation of Nova Scotia artists? Donate today! (smile)

75th Birthday Celebration and new Partnership with CIOE-97.5FM, May 2, 2019

Come on out and celebrate 

with us on

May 2, 2019 
from 1 - 3 p.m. 
at CIOE-97.5FM

11 Glendale Ave, Unit 4

Lower Sackville, NS

On May 2, 1944 the Nova Scotia Talent Trust's funding papers were signed by Harold Connolly Minister of Industry and Publicity, John E. Lloyd Mayor of Halifax, and Henry F. Munro Superintendent of Education.

We are celebrating our 75th Birthday with a new partnership and the launch of the Talent Trust Artist Spotlight radio show.

Jim Robson, Chairman of CIOE-97.5 FM states: “I am delighted with the newly formed partnership between Nova Scotia Talent Trust and CIOE-97.5 FM on the eve of your amazing 75th Anniversary. The natural synergies flowing between our two cultural organizations will ensure that Nova Scotia's rich treasury of talent across all artistic disciplines is properly recognized, celebrated, and presented to the public through special dedicated radio programs and concerts that are streamed live around the world, along with other cooperative cultural initiatives. Together, we will create infinite opportunities for the enhancement and ongoing development of Nova Scotia's world-class artistic community.”

The Talent Trust Artist Spotlight will be hosted by Breagh MacKinnon, NSTT board member, scholarship alumni, and singer, songwriter with Port Cities. The show will air on the first Thursday of the month at 2 p.m., premiering May 2nd.

“I am honoured and excited to be hosting the “Nova Scotia Talent Trust Artist Spotlight. I look forward to getting to know our Talent Trust Alumni and bringing you unique and original content from some of the many ground-breaking artists we have supported for the past 75 years. Hear stories, performances, and interviews you can't find anywhere else!” Breagh MacKinnon.

Since 1944, the NSTT has provided more than $2 million to over 1,000 Nova Scotians, primarily young people, who have demonstrated talent and potential to become professional artists in theatre, dance, fine craft and design, music, circus arts, media, film, literary, and visual arts. There is no other comparable organization in the country.

For more information, go to nstalenttrust.ca

ABOUT CIOE-97.5FM
CIOE-97.5FM is a not-for-profit radio station operated by the Cobequid Radio Society (CRS) whose board of directors reflect a diversity of backgrounds and are representative of communities across the region that we serve. Established in 2015 CIOE houses an in house concert studio, art gallery and broadcast premisies.

CIOE 97.5FM is the Voice and Home of East Coast Music, committed to over 97.5 Hours a week of East Coast Music of all genres. CIOE’s primary mission is to deliver a top quality broadcast service whose inclusive community driven spoken word initiatives, special music based programs, and eclectic hybrid music format, is dedicated to informing, educating, stimulating, and entertaining listeners of all ages and promoting and exposing the talents of East Coast Artists throughout Atlantic Canada, nationally, and beyond.
For more information go to communityradio.ca

ABOUT NOVA SCOTIA TALENT TRUST Since 1944, the Talent Trust has provided more than $2 million to over 1,000 Nova Scotians, primarily young people, who have demonstrated talent and potential to become professional artists in theatre, dance, fine craft and design, music, circus arts, media, film, literary, and visual arts. There is no other comparable organization in the country. In 2019, the Talent Trust is celebrating its 75th anniversary year featuring former scholarship recipients with a traveling art exhibition, pop-up events in theatre, music, and dance, film screenings and more.

The NSTT is supported by the 2011 Canada Games Legacy Fund, RBC Foundation, The Craig Foundation, the Creative Nova Scotia Leadership Council, Dalhousie Music in Medicine HEALS Program, Support4Culture, NSTT Foundation, Cecilia Concerts, Visual Arts Nova Scotia, Theatre Nova Scotia, Debut Atlantic, Craft Nova Scotia, immediaC, Black Cultural Centre for Nova Scotia, Community Radio CIOE 97.5 FM, Symphony Nova Scotia, Neptune Theatre, FIN Atlantic International Film Festival, RadioOui98.5, Mocean Dance, Art Gallery of NS, Cape Breton University Art Gallery, MSVU Art Gallery, Halifax Central Library, Halifax Municipality, 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.

George Elliott Clarke is part of The Afro-Métis Nation. Their CD release is on April 27, 2019

The Afro-Métis Nation presents a concert celebrating the release of 'Constitution', an album of songs celebrating the struggles and contributions of Canadians with mixed Black and Indigenous ancestry.

Saturday, April 27
8:00 p.m.
Doors open at 7:30 p.m.

Halifax Central Library
Paul O’Regan Hall
5440 Spring Garden Road

Featuring George Elliott Clarke, Sugar Plum Croxen, Shelley Hamilton, Russ Kelley and Chris White (nephew of Portia White)
with special guest Karen Ashton.


Free admission. Donations gratefully accepted.
Website: afrometis.ca
This concert will be filmed by Rule of Three Productions as part of a documentary about The Afro-Métis Nation.

Talent Trust is looking for new Board members

nstalenttrust.ca

The Talent Trust's work wouldn't be possible without the hands-on support from our dedicated board members. 

Would you be interested to share their dedication and passion for the arts?

We're looking for a new treasurer. (Accounting knowledge would be an asset).

After eight years, our Treasurer Daphne Cruikshanks is stepping down to enjoy her retirement. We are grateful for her insight, knowledge, and support to help grow the Talent Trust. Thank you Daphne!

We're also looking for new board members that want to help us reach our fundraising goals. See more at nstalenttrust.ca

If you're interested in a board position and want to know more please send us an email at director(at)nstalenttrust.ns.ca or give us a call at 902-492-6801

Thank you,
Jacqueline

Jaqueline Steudler, Executive Director,  director(at)nstalenttrust.ns.ca

Barbara Hannigan wins 2019 Juno Award

photo: BarbaraHannigan.com

Congratulations to Barbara Hannigan for winning the 2019 Juno Award for Classical album of the year: vocal or choral.
Barbara Hannigan with Reinbert De Leeuw, Vienna: Fin de siècle​

This is the second time in a row that Barbara Hannigan from Waverley won a Juno Award. 

In 2018, she won a GRAMMY Award and a Juno Award for her album Crazy Girl Crazy. More information can be found at BarbaraHannigan.com

Lise Cormier makes her Netflix debut in The Umbrella Academy.

In the opening scene of Episode 9 of the Umbrella Academy’s first season, Lise Cormier plays an unsuspecting nanny to a troubled and powerful girl in a backstory flashback. 

Netflix's Umbrella Academy.

Lise Cormier converses, sings and eventually flies through the air as she is tossed out of frame. The series stars Nova Scotia’s Ellen Page and other celebrity names like Mary J. Blige.

As Lise describes in her IMDb profile, she’s been acting, singing, and dancing in English and French productions. Her work onstage has been nominated twice for a Dora Award, and she has worked with many theatre companies across Canada, including Toronto theatre giant Soulpepper.

Lise has voiced 'Misty Simmons' on the award-winning CBC Radio drama Backbencher, voiced roles for The National Film Board, and has also appeared in many Lifetime Network movies.

Lise played the title role in Odyssey Theatre's production of The Amorous Servant. About this role, Patrick Langston from Artsfile wrote: 'A firecracker . . . played by the tirelessly excellent Lise Cormier.'

Watch the full Netflix clip and others on Lise Cormier’s reel.

Cecilia Concert's presents Marc Djokic on Sunday, February 24, 2019 at 2 p.m.

photo credit: Marc Djokic at marcdjokic.com

Cecilia Concerts presents
Trio Tangere with

Marc Djokic

Sunday, February 24 at 2 p.m. 

Lilian Piercey Concert Hall, 

Maritime Conservatory of Performing Arts, Halifax

The concert opens with a special performance by prize-winning young Halifax pianist Devin Huang, who is also a Nova Scotia Talent Trust scholarship recipient.

From Cecilia Concert's press release:

Violinist Marc Djokic, originally from Halifax but now residing in Montréal, has been praised for his rhythmic sense and natural musical phrasing. Known for his masterful and virtuosic performances, Djokic recently won the Prix Goyer, which is the biggest prize in Canada, and one of the largest in the world, for a collaborative artist emerging in classical music.

Djokic, who is a Nova Scotia Talent Trust multiple scholarship recipient, returns to his native Halifax for a special concert on February 24th with distinguished classical guitarists Jérôme Ducharmen and Louis Trépanier. Winner of the Guitar Foundation of America International Competition, Ducharmenholds a diploma from the Conservatoire de musique et d’art dramatique de Montréal and a doctorate degree in music from Université de Montréal.

Trio Tangere will perform works by Mario Castelnuovo-Tedesco, Astor Piazzolla, Claude Debussy, Christine Donkin, Matthias Maute, Béla Bartók, and Clarice Assad. 

“This collaboration is special because it combines the sounds of two types of string instruments, plucked & bowed,” says Djokic, who appears frequently as soloist with Canada’s top orchestras and in chamber music festivals around the world. 

“Having two guitarists in the group exchanging lead and rhythm really expands on the potential of the guitar sound. It allows the group to explore more music and arranging possibilities. We play music originally written for our instrumentation, but we can also arrange and play other music with multiple voicing.”

The performance marks the trio’s first performance in Nova Scotia. 

“I’m really excited to show the Tangere lads my hometown and introduce them to our audience,” says Djokic. “I always feel honoured to come back home to perform in Halifax. The city has become a highlight destination for musicians from all over the world and our audience is always welcoming of visiting talent. I never take for granted the opportunity to perform in my hometown.” 

The violinist was Cecilia Concerts’ Musician-In-Residence in 2009/2010.

Presented by Cecilia Concerts, the concert takes place Sunday, February 24th at 2pm at Lilian Piercey Concert Hall within the Maritime Conservatory of Performing Arts. Tickets ($35 Adult, $25 Senior, $15 Students, $10 Children) are available online at ceciliaconcerts.ca, by phone at 902-423-0143, and at the door while they last.