Congratulations Shauntay Grant and India Gailey

Congratulations to former Talent Trust scholarship recipients Shauntay Grant and India Gailey for their recent Arts Nova Scotia Awards.

Shauntay was awarded the Black Artist Recognition Award and India the Emerging Artist Recognition Award.  

India was the winner of the Yue Lih and Marion Kuo Award in 2017 and the Raymond Simpson Award in 2020.

About Shauntay Grant

Shauntay Grant is a poet, playwright, author, and multimedia artist. She is a descendant of Black Loyalists, Jamaican Maroons, and Black Refugees who came to Canada during the 18th and 19th centuries. A multidisciplinary artist with professional degrees in creative writing, music, and journalism, she “creates artworks that are engaging and accessible, but also challenging, rigorous, and informed by deep research (The Royal Society of Canada).” Her honours include a Joseph S. Stauffer Prize from the Canada Council for the Arts, a Robert Merritt Award for her stage play The Bridge, a Marilyn Baillie Picture Book Award for Africville, and a Poet of Honour prize from the Canadian Festival of Spoken Word. A member of The Royal Society of Canada’s College of New Scholars, Artists, and Scientists, she teaches creative writing at Dalhousie University, shares her blend of words and music internationally at festivals and events, and collaborates with visual artists and art galleries to create multidisciplinary artworks, installations, and exhibitions. She curated the exhibition Stitched Stories: The Family Quilts (Dalhousie Art Gallery, 2016), and the multimedia installation Grandmother, Teach Me (Art Gallery Of Ontario, 2017). Her literary work has been commissioned by Symphony Nova Scotia, Eastern Front Theatre, Against The Grain Theatre, and Obdisian Theatre among others. A former poet laureate for the City of Halifax, her poetry for children and adults has been published in educational resources, anthologies and literary journals. Her forthcoming poetic picture book My Fade Is Fresh will be published in 2022 by Penguin Books.

Website: www.shauntaygrant.com 

Social Media: https://www.facebook.com/shauntay.grant/

About India Gailey  

India Gailey (she/they) is a musician—cellist, composer, vocalist, and improviser––who crosses many eras and genres, most often performing the realms of classical and experimental music. Pinned as a “young musician to watch” (Scotia Festival), she has performed across Canada, the United States, and Germany as a soloist and collaborator. She has worked with numerous contemporary composers, including Yaz Lancaster, Philip Glass, Nicole Lizée, and Michael Harrison. India is the recipient of several honours, including awards from the Nova Scotia Talent Trust, the Canada Council for the Arts, and McGill University, where she earned her Master of Music in cello performance. Her most recent work has been presented by organizations such as the Canadian Music Centre, International Contemporary Ensemble, Metropolis Ensemble, and Government House of Nova Scotia. India is also member of the environmental quartet New Hermitage, which recently released their fifth album, Unearth, to critical acclaim. 2022 will bring the release of a new solo cello album, as well as a series of commissioned works written especially for India by Canadian composers. 

https://www.instagram.com/india.yeshe/

https://www.facebook.com/india.yeshe/

https://indiayeshe.com/

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Karen Myatt: Femoir Album Release

Congratulations to former Talent Trust scholarship recipient and musician Karen Myatt on the release of her new album Femoir.

 

You can buy tickets to the album release concert here. And you can view the official video for Femoir here.

About Karen (from her website):

Karen Myatt has her grandmother to thank for her love of music.

“She turned me on to the American Songbook when I was a youngster,” says the Canadian vocalist. “That, in turn, led me to discover jazz, blues, gospel, soul, and rock music.”

After training at the Randolph Academy in Toronto and graduating from the American Musical and Dramatic Academy in New York City, Myatt performed across North and South America.

In 2016, she produced and premiered “Ladies of Song” to sold-out audiences at Neptune Theatre in Halifax, Nova Scotia. Both 2017’s “Songs of the Silver Screen” and 2018’s “Blues Deluxe” were equally successful, earning rave reviews.

Other highlights include headlining the Halifax Jazz Festival and performing with Symphony Nova Scotia.

Her first full-length album – Enchanté (2014) – was recorded in her hometown of Halifax, and features Holly Arsenault (piano), David Langstroth (double bass) and Brock Caldwell (drums).

Her latest effort – Femoir – was recorded at The Sonic Temple Recording Studio in Halifax and was engineered by Darren van Niekerk. The album was mixed and mastered by Christian St. Germain at Studio 360 in Montreal.

Some of Canada’s most renowned musicians appear on the new recording, including Chris Mitchell (saxophone), Matt Myer (trumpet), Lisa MacDougall (keyboards), Adam Fine (bass), Geoff Arsenault (drums), Shimon Walt (cello) and Jennifer Jones (violin).

Along with nine unique takes on classic and contemporary songs, Femoir features five original tracks co-written by Myatt and Montreal composer J. Rimbaudelaire.

“Femoir was conceived at a small café in Rome,” shares Myatt. “It might have been the cappuccino or the cannoli, but something special there gave birth to the project.”

She notes that the album’s 14 tracks celebrate the feminine spirit.

“I found inspiration in both the immediate and eternal elements that define femininity – emotion, creativity, intuition, sensuality, beauty. These songs explore characteristics and archetypes that help to define us as both a species and as individuals. They are more relevant – even required – these days than perhaps ever before.”

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Support our Blue Nose Marathon TALENT TRUST TEAM

Our Talent Trust Team is in the final stages of preparing for their Blue Nose Marathon runs on November 6 and 7, 2021. 

Would you please support their efforts by sponsoring their runs? 

Our Team members include former Talent Trust scholarship recipients Breagh Isabel MacKinnon, Carolle Fernando, Erin Sparks, Andrew Son, and Edward Enman. Edward will run the full marathon on Sunday! WOW!!!

We thank our Talent Trust friends Jon Hines, Jeff Janes, Kelly Wadden, NSTT Vice-Chair Victoria Hines, NSTT Treasurer Natalie Wells, and our Executive Director Jacqueline Steudler for running as well. 

Okay,complete transparency here. Jacqueline will walk the 5 km. 😍

You can find the entire team at the following link or individual links further down on this page. Just scroll down to see all of our runners -> click on their image and support their efforts today. 

https://raceroster.com/events/2021/47356/scotiabank-blue-nose-marathon/pledge/team/316112

100% of your support will go towards the Talent Trust's scholarship fund. You will receive a donation receipt starting at $5. 

Please feel free to share this information with your friends. 🥰

Direct Links to Talent Trust Team Member’s Fundraising pages

Natalie Wells, NSTT Treasurer

https://raceroster.com/events/2021/47356/scotiabank-blue-nose-marathon/pledge/participant/12203665

Breagh MacKinnon, former Talent Trust scholarship recipient and NSTT Secretary

https://raceroster.com/events/2021/47356/scotiabank-blue-nose-marathon/pledge/participant/12562498

Carolle Fernando, former Talent Trust scholarship recipient

https://raceroster.com/events/2021/47356/scotiabank-blue-nose-marathon/pledge/participant/12674231

Victoria Hines, NSTT Vice Chair

https://raceroster.com/events/2021/47356/scotiabank-blue-nose-marathon/pledge/participant/12650184

Erin Sparks, former Talent Trust scholarship recipient and former NSTT Board Chair

https://raceroster.com/events/2021/47356/scotiabank-blue-nose-marathon/pledge/participant/12625030

Andrew Son, former Talent Trust scholarship recipient

https://raceroster.com/events/2021/47356/scotiabank-blue-nose-marathon/pledge/participant/12171585

Edward Enman, former Talent Trust scholarship recipient

https://raceroster.com/events/2021/47356/scotiabank-blue-nose-marathon/pledge/participant/11921807

Kelly Wadden

https://raceroster.com/events/2021/47356/scotiabank-blue-nose-marathon/pledge/participant/11887439

Jeff Janes
https://raceroster.com/events/2021/47356/scotiabank-blue-nose-marathon/pledge/participant/12905286

Jon Hines

https://raceroster.com/events/2021/47356/scotiabank-blue-nose-marathon/pledge/participant/12961176

Jacqueline Steudler, Talent Trust Executive Director

https://raceroster.com/events/2021/47356/scotiabank-blue-nose-marathon/pledge/participant/11906662

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

Andrew Boudreau: Family Plan album release

Congratulations to pianist/composer and former Talent Trust scholarship recipient Andrew Boudreau, and his New York based trio Family Plan, on the release of their debut album Family Plan. 

About Family Plan 

Born out of Immaculate Conception, Family Plan is an aesthetically diverse three-person extraction. Descendants in equal parts to sensibilities related to the high and low brow of music, Family Plan is a collective trio consisting of Vicente Hansen on drums, Andrew Boudreau on piano and Simón Willson on bass. At the moment they can be found performing original music that is intended to challenge conceptions of what should be listened to during dinner while trying to enjoy quality family time. 

Vicente and Simón are not only both from the skinny and often forgotten country of Chile, but also claim some sort of family relationship to the famed deceased pianist Claudio Arrau. Andrew is a native of the great northern country of Canada, where winters are very cold and people are very sorry.

Family Plan released their debut album in September 2021 on Endectomorph Records.

More about Andrew Boudreau here.

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

Job Opportunity: Executive Director Talent Trust

An Exciting Job Opportunity Awaits...

Executive Director for the Nova Scotia Talent Trust

Help Us Support The Next Generation of 

Artists and Creators in Nova Scotia

The Nova Scotia Talent Trust (NSTT) is seeking an Executive Director, enthusiastic about the arts and keen to help the NSTT grow. Benefit from our inclusive culture that supports your work while also respecting conversation and debate. We appreciate self-learners with strong interpersonal skills. We will work together to develop a shared culture of inclusivity, loyalty and trust.

The pandemic has shown us even more how important the arts are for our well-being and health. The NSTT was fortunate to support 55 pre-professional artists in 2021.  Help us secure the future of a diverse cultural legacy. Over the last two years, we gave out 35 Special Awards and 155 scholarships! Applications have been solid and plentiful, which means MORE fundraising and donations are needed to help these talented individuals achieve their dreams. 

Since 1944, the Talent Trust has provided more than $2.5 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.

The Nova Scotia Talent Trust is a Registered Canadian Charity. The NSTT's Executive Director, reporting to the Executive Committee and Board of Directors, is the most senior administrative position. The Executive Director directs and administers all programs and operations and coordinates the activities of the NSTT volunteers.

The Executive Director will represent the organization and advocate for the creative and economic value of the arts in Nova Scotia by supporting pre-professional art students through scholarships and special awards. The Executive Director shall ensure that the directives of the Board are carried out effectively, including health protocols in regards to COVID-19. The Executive Director brings a commitment to elevating the Nova Scotia Talent Trust forward as an inclusive and equitable organization that fully reflects the diversity of the greater arts community. 

The Executive Director of the NSTT is responsible for the implementation, advocacy and communication of the vital role of art scholarships in Mi'kma'ki - Nova Scotia. In addition, the Executive Director develops partnerships with arts organizations, art students, individual donors, artists, the business community and government.

The work of the NSTT is led by a Board of Directors whose voting members are volunteers. In addition, the Executive Director is a non-voting, ex-officio member of the Board and all standing committees established by the Board to attend to the activities essential to attaining the Nova Scotia Talent Trust's goals.

It is the incumbent's responsibility to provide the Board information and advice on matters about the operation of the NSTT and coordinate the delivery of the scholarship and special awards program. In addition, the incumbent represents the NSTT to its volunteer members, outside agencies, government departments, and the public.

Qualifications

The successful candidate will have a university degree or equivalent, with 5 -7 years experience in a senior leadership role in the non-profit sector, preferably with the Arts and or a Charitable organization. Fundraising, networking and administrative abilities are essential. Intimate knowledge of and sensitivity to the Nova Scotia arts community is an asset. Openness to mentor scholarship applicants is desirable. In addition, they have demonstrated financial management and accounting skills with direct budgetary responsibility of over $300K per annum, skilled in digital literacy (WordPress, Canva, Zoom, social media platforms, Mailchimp, etc.) and willing to adopt new technologies as required. Must know QuickBooks accounting software, Microsoft Word, SUMAC (or other CRM), and a strong knowledge of Excel fundamentals are essential. 

The candidate must be a Canadian Citizen or Permanent Resident and eligible to work in Canada. 

Compensation Package

Salary Range: $45,000 - $50,000 per annum, dependent on qualifications

NS Talent Trust has an extensive benefits package that includes: Life Insurance, Long Term Disability, Medical & Dental coverage. The Cultural Federation of Nova Scotia administers the benefits package. The workweek is based on 40 hours/week. Some evening and weekend work may be required. Self-assigned and working from home is possible. 3 weeks of vacation. 

To be considered for this opportunity, please submit a single PDF file containing a cover letter and a curriculum vitae in confidence to Talent Trust Hiring Committee at director@nstalenttrust.ns.ca

The deadline for applications is 4:00 pm, November 5, 2021

A complete job description is available here

We thank everyone for their interest; the Hiring Committee will only be contacting those candidates shortlisted for an interview. We will ask candidates to bring three references to the interview. Interviews will be held in person or via Zoom, depending on public health guidelines at that time.

The Nova Scotia Talent Trust is committed to employment equity and diversity in the workplace. It welcomes applications from Indigenous persons, African Canadians, persons with disabilities, racially visible minorities, women, and persons of any sexual orientation or gender identity. Consistent with the principles of employment equity, the primary criterion for appointment to this position is Ability, Qualifications and Performance. Candidates who identify as members of one of the groups mentioned above and who wish to self-identify are invited to do so in the cover letter.

Expected Start Date: Monday, January 3, 2022, or sooner

 

Celebrating 35 years: Jeff Joudrey and the Camerata Singers

 

Congratulations to former Talent Trust scholarship recipient Jeff Joudrey (artistic director) and the Camerata Singers for celebrating 35 years of bringing choral excellence to Nova Scotia! 

About the Camerata Singers (from their website)

The Halifax Camerata Singers is Atlantic Canada’s premier chamber choir. Founded in 1986 by Artistic Director Jeff Joudrey, the Nova Scotia ensemble has distinguished itself by performing exciting choral repertoire that covers all periods and styles, with special attention to Canadian music. The auditioned choir is known for its high performance standards, claiming national recognition and the Healy Willan Grand Prize in the 2010 National Competition for Canadian Amateur Choirs.

Members of the Halifax Camerata Singers come from many communities for the opportunity to perform demanding choral repertoire. The choir often appears in collaboration with chamber ensembles, Symphony Nova Scotia, other musicians, and since 2001 has been the core choir of the Symphony Nova Scotia Chorus. The ensemble performs in regional concert series such as Music at the Three Churches, Musique Royale, Music at Trinity, Dartmouth Community Concert Series, and Indian River Festival, P.E.I.

The Halifax Camerata Singers organization has an active program of commissioning choral music from Canadian and international composers and is proud to encourage young singers through its Youth Mentoring Program, bursaries for the Nova Scotia Youth Choir, and commissioning of emerging and established composers. The organization was also instrumental in the success of Xara Choral Theatre, a choral theatre ensemble for young women aged 18–30 years, which was founded as a youth initiative of the Halifax Camerata Singers in 2008.

The choir has made five recordings:  A Time for All Things (2015), Solace:  Songs of Remembrance (2009), Songs of the Stable:  Christmas Music from Canada (2006), Songs of Home (1997), and Celtic Mass for the Sea (1993).  A Time for All Things was nominated for a 2017 East Coast Music Award for Classical Recording of the year, and won Classical Recording of the Year in the 2016 Music Nova Scotia Awards. Recordings are distributed through Leaf Records Inc. and Naxos Canada.

The Halifax Camerata Singers is a not-for-profit society managed by a volunteer board of directors. Funding comes from performances, donations, and fundraising, with supporting grants from the Canada Council for the Arts; Arts Nova Scotia; Halifax Regional Municipality; and the Lloyd Carr-Harris Foundation.

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

 

Devin Huang: Summer Success

Talent Trust scholarship Devin Huang had a busy summer! Congratulations Devin!

Devin won first place in piano at the Emerging Artist Stream at the Federation  of Canadian Music Festival.

Devin also won third place, and the Chopin Award, at the Canadian Federation of Music Teachers’ Association National Piano Competition. 

You can see Devins stunning performance at the CFMTA here.

More about Devin (from his family):

Fourteen-year-old Devin Huang is a Grade 10 student at Sacred Heart School of Halifax and has been a student of Prof. Lynn Stodola since 2016. Since being introduced to piano at the age of seven, he has shown great enthusiasm towards piano performance, both solo and chamber.

Devin has had a very exciting and successful summer competing in two prestigious National competitions: Representing Nova Scotia at the Federation of Canadian Music Festivals National Competition in August, Devin won the First Prize in the Emerging Artist Piano Division, and representing the Nova Scotia Registered Music Teachers’ Association at the Canadian Federation of Music Teachers’ Association Piano Competition in July, he won the Third Prize as well as the Chopin Award for the best performance of a work by Chopin. Devin was the youngest competitor in both of these competitions.  

In August 2020, Devin was named by CBC Music on the Canada’s hot “30 under 30” classical Musicians. He was interviewed by CBC Radio one and his video was broadcasted by CBC TV News also presented on social media by CBC Music. 

Devin has been a regular participant in numerous Nova Scotia Kiwanis Music Festivals, placing first in all of his classes and winning several named prizes and scholarships, including the prestigious President’s Cup for the past four years as well as the Dr. Piano and Yamaha Canada Rose Bowl in 2020 and 2021. 

He has also been the Junior Piano prize winner at the Nova Scotia Provincial Finals in 2018 and 2019 also Senior Piano prize winner in 2021 as well as winner of the Nova Scotia Registered Teachers’ Association Scholarship Competition in both Senior and Advanced Divisions (2020/2021). 

He has been a National Finalist for the Canadian Music Competition, 2017-2019, winning first prize each year in his age category as well as the overall Grand Prize in all instruments, age 11 - 14 in 2018.

In October 2019, Devin had the honour to be invited by the Nova Scotia Talent Trust to play at the Lieutenant Governor’s House which was recorded for Eastlink television. The same year he was featured soloist with Nova Sinfonia, performing Mozart’s Piano Concerto K. 488, and made his recital debut on the Cecilia Concert Series. 

In November 2020, Devin was invited by Scotia Festival of Music to present a solo recital in their 2020/2021 Chamber Music Series at the Peggy Corkum Music Room. 

Devin was honoured and proud to receive the new Peggy Corkum/Musique Royale Legacy Award through the Nova Scotia Talent Trust in 2019 and 2020. 

He was featured by Musique Royale on their 35th Summer Festival by a virtual concert released in August 2020. Devin is very honoured to have been chosen as the first recipient of the Debut Atlantic Music Prize in this year’s Nova Scotia Kiwanis Music Festival (NSKMF).  

Devin has received tremendous support from the music community, receiving awards from the Halifax Ladies’ Musical Club and scholarships and special awards from the Nova Scotia Talent Trust. The generosity and support of these organizations continue to inspire Devin to strive to become a professional pianist.

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