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!

Announcing the Nova Scotia Talent Trust 2019 Scholarship Application Deadlines

We’re pleased to announce that we are ready to receive new scholarship applications for 2019.  

The deadlines are fast approaching!

The scholarship application process will again happen online, thanks to the generous support by Code & Mortar, a Halifax-based web design and development firm, and the Support4Culture program.

We advise applicants to read the submission guidelines carefully and to submit their applications early since there are a number of changes to the submission procedures this year.

SCHOLARSHIP APPLICATION DEADLINES

Spring/Summer study: 
5:00 p.m. Atlantic Standard Time (AST)
March 1, 2019

Fall/Winter study: 
5:00 p.m. Atlantic Daylight Saving Time (ADT)
May 1, 2019

For more information, go to nstalenttrust.ca or call the Talent Trust at (902) 492-6801.

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.

Meet Mike Hirschbach, Circus Artist, Teacher, and Mentor - Our 75th Anniversary Scholarship Campaign

Mike Hirschbach is introduced to us with an intriguing thump when he first appears on our 75th anniversary scholarship campaign video. He’s preparing his training space for circus arts students. 

Mike Hirschbach prepares for students at Halifax Circus.

Mike has been performing for 35 years. He received a Talent Trust scholarship in 1984 to assist his studies in circus arts.

He studied physical theatre and circus in California, New York, and Montreal, then traveled to Paris to spend two years at the École Internationale de Theatre with the legendary Jacques Lecoq. 

He then toured his solo theatrical-circus shows across Canada, the U.S., Europe, Asia, and India. He performed at the Calgary Olympic Games, the International Mime Festival in Montreal, and the International Clown Festival in Mumbai and Goa, India.

Mike Hirschbach at work as a circus arts teacher.

From 2001-05 Mike worked with Cirque du Soleil, first performing for two years in their touring show “Dralion”, from 2001-03. 

He then became a Master Trainer with the Cirque’s social outreach program, Cirque du Monde, which promotes circus arts as an intervention with at-risk youth. The approach is called social circus.

Mike traveled the world from 2003-05, training the trainers in the existing Cirque du Monde programs, upgrading their circus, social and teaching skills in Orlando, Los Angeles, Las Vegas, South Africa and Burkina Faso. 

While the Talent Trust doesn’t provide scholarships for teacher training in the arts, a number of our scholarship recipients have become teachers as well as mentors, often as they continue their careers as practicing artists.

Mike Hirschbach practicing juggling skills with a student.

Since 2005 Mike has served as Artistic Director and Head of Juggling/Circus at Halifax Circus, and director of the outreach programs of Circus Circle, which is based on the Cirque du Monde program. 

Circus Circle is the oldest social circus program in Canada outside of Quebec, where the movement started.

He takes his show Uncle Podger’s Hat, a grown-up view of a childhood mentor (Mike’s eccentric uncle), to venues that include Ship’s Company Theatre in Parrsboro, Nova Scotia, and the Halifax Fringe Festival. 

In 2017 he worked with the Nova Scotia Public Library system to bring “Secrets of the Circus”, an introduction to juggling, unicycling, balance work and more, to kids around Nova Scotia, performing 71 shows in public libraries across the province.

We’d like to thank Mike and his students for allowing Filet Production Services into their space, and for helping to make our 75th anniversary scholarship campaign video possible.




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

Talent Trust Launches Campaign to Double Scholarship Funding

We're marking our 75th anniversary in 2019 with an ambitious project: we've launched a campaign to double the funding for scholarships awarded to Nova Scotians studying in the arts.

 

Our campaign launches today with a video featuring seven Talent Trust scholarship recipients: Maggie Oates-Johnson (ballet), Devin Huang (piano), Reeny Smith (voice), Michael Hirschbach (circus arts), Veronique MacKenzie (dance), Sandra Brownlee (fibre arts), and Isaac Fresia (architecture).

CLICK HERE TO DONATE

Fibre artist and Talent Trust scholarship
recipient Sandra Brownlee

“The scholarship was a huge boost for me, not just financially, but in terms of the morale boost as well. It came just when I needed it the most. It was thrilling, and it made what I was doing seem more real, and viable. It put me on a really good path,” says Sandra Brownlee, who received her Talent Trust scholarship in 1980.

Sandra has built a career as a practicing artist who exhibits her work internationally, and is a Governor General's Award winner. She gives back to the community by sharing her skills and experience through teaching. Sandra lives and works in Halifax.

Pianist and Talent Trust scholarship recipient Devin Huang

At the other end of the spectrum, Devin Huang received his first Talent Trust scholarship in 2016 at the age of 10. He’s already won Kiwanis Festival and Chebucto Symphony Orchestra Concerto Competition awards, and is a committed piano student.

As you may already know, Talent Trust scholarships are awarded across disciplines: music, voice, dance, theatre, literary arts, circus arts, design, visual arts, film, and new media. Recipients come from every corner of the province, from Sydney to Barrington, and Musquodoboit Harbour to Wolfville.

With assistance from Support4Culture, the scholarship campaign video was produced by Fillet Production Services in Halifax.

“We’re proud and honoured to support the development of more than 1,000 Nova Scotia artists over the past 75 years,” says our Board of Directors Chair Erin Sparks. “There’s extraordinary talent in this province. We know education costs are rising. We want to support our artists more.”

The Talent Trust is pleased to work in partnership with the Province of Nova Scotia, which assists with administrative costs. That funding allows 100% of donations to go directly to scholarships for emerging Nova Scotian artists across disciplines.

Thank you for being part of our community and believing in our artists. And thank you for sharing our news through the links below.

Weekend Plans: Apply for a Talent Trust Scholarship

May 1, 2018. 5:00 p.m. Atlantic Daylight Time.

Take the weekend, gather your materials, fire up Google Chrome, and apply for a Talent Trust scholarship.

(We know. We've been reminding people for a couple of weeks now. But we also know this is way better than someone reminding you to eat your broccoli.)

We want to help emerging artists across Nova Scotia, and across disciplines, achieve their creative dreams. We want to hear from you!

Here's the link for all the information: nstalenttrust.ns.ca/Scholarships/Apply

Don't wait! Apply now!

Mike Hirschbach's Halifax Circus at Nocturne October 14, 2017 in Halifax

Halifax Circus

information and photo: nocturnehalifax.ca

with Mike Hirschbach 

from 6 PM - midnight

October 14, 2017

at

Halifax Circus,
1479 Barrington St

Halifax Circus presents their annual celebration of circus with the amazing fire show outside, astounding aerials in the sanctuary, and intriguing student demos in the gym. Don't miss this amazing show that is seen by over 10,000 people annually.

Halifax Circus celebrates circus arts, movement, theatre and performance with their annual performances at Nocturne. Included are their astonishing fire show outside, astounding aerials in the sanctuary, and intriguing student demos in the gym. Their performers have performed across Canada and the US, in Europe, Costa Rica, Mexico, Singapore, Hong Kong and India.

Don't miss this show that is seen by over 10,000 people annually.

Performance
Audience Interaction
Family Friendly

Not wheelchair accessible • No washrooms

nocturnehalifax.ca