Developing Artist Grants
About the Developing Artist Grant Program
In an effort to foster excellence in new talent, The Hnatyshyn Foundation assists the most promising young Canadian performing artists enrolled in post-secondary educational or training institutions.
Grants of $12,500 (formerly $10,000) are awarded annually in each of the following performing arts disciplines:
Classical music (orchestral instrument - strings)
Classical music (orchestral instrument - winds, brass, percussion)
Classical music (piano)
Classical vocal performance (The Carl and Trudy Michailoff Developing Artist Grant for Classical Vocal Performance)
Contemporary dance
Jazz performance (The Oscar Peterson Award for Jazz Performance)
Acting (English theatre)
Acting (French theatre)
This year, the runner-up candidates in each discipline will be offered a $4,000 grant.
To receive future calls for nominations, please make sure that you and your nominee(s) have subscribed to our mailing list.
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Students cannot apply for these awards. Instructors at Canadian universities and performing arts colleges (or instructors anywhere in the world, for Classical Vocal Performance) are invited to review the nomination guidelines below and submit a nomination.
Deadline to nominate a student: March 31st 2025
Deadline for nominees to submit their application: April 28th 2025
To give candidates ample time to prepare their submission materials, we recommend that schools submit nominations as early as possible.
Each institution may nominate up to two candidates, with the exception of Classical Vocal Performance (1 nominee). We ask that nominators consult with other professors and/or their department Chair to ensure the limit per institution is respected.
Process
To nominate a student:
Please fill out a nomination form and email it to director@rjhf.com with a letter of nomination, not exceeding one page in length.
Nomination form (Microsoft Word format)
Shortly after we receive a nomination, we give the candidate access to the online system to complete the application form. Please ask them to check their junk mail.
Candidate applications include audition materials. You may work with your candidate to complete the online forms and upload audition videos.
Eligibility criteria
Candidates must be Canadian citizens or permanent residents. For undergraduate level grants, candidates must be nominated by the Canadian post-secondary institution at which they will be studying. For the graduate grant in classical vocal performance, a candidate can be nominated by a university, training institution or recognized teacher anywhere in the world.
Adjudication process
Grants will be awarded on the basis of exceptional promise for a distinguished career in performance. Expert adjudicators in each discipline will evaluate the nominees based on audition on-line videos.
Use of the grants
The money can cover tuition, living expenses, books and materials required for the program of study.
Guidelines
Eligible level of studies and other requirements vary depending on the artistic discipline. See the guidelines for each discipline before registering online (please click on the discipline to view the PDF).
Classical Music - Orchestral Instrument - Strings
Note: classical guitar, while uncommon in orchestras, is eligible for this award.
Classical Music - Orchestral Instrument - Winds, Brass, Percussion
Acting - French Theatre ** see French website
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2024
Classical Vocal Performance
Bridget Esler (she/her)
Studies at Opéra Lyrique, Opéra de Montréal
Photo: Olivia da Costa
Vancouver-born soprano Bridget Esler recently joined the Opéra de Montréal’s Atelier Lyrique program for the 2024-25 season. Recently returned from London, England, where she completed her graduate studies, she has performed across Canada, Europe, the United Kingdom, and the United States with ensembles including the London Symphony Orchestra and the Tanglewood Music Center Orchestra.
This season, Bridget will make her Opéra de Montréal mainstage debut as the Nightingale/Pastourelle/Owl in L’Enfant et les sortilèges. Her recent operatic roles include the Parrot in Anna Pidgorna’s Plaything (Musique 3 Femmes/Opera America), Artemisia in Ivan Barbotin’s The Rape of Artemisia, and Mary in Street Scene (Opera McGill). A keen chamber musician and recitalist, Bridget was an artist-in-residence at the Marlboro Music Festival in 2024 and a Vocal Fellow at the Tanglewood Music Center in 2023. She enjoys a busy schedule as a concert soloist, with recent engagements including Carmina Burana (AmChor), semi-chorus in Elijah (London Symphony Orchestra), and Mozart’s Mass in C Minor (Islington Choral Society). Bridget was named Most Outstanding Canadian Musician at the 2024 Royal Over-Seas League Music Competition.
In addition to her classical work, Bridget is interested in contemporary music: she has sung at six world premières and champions the works of twentieth and twenty-first-century composers in her repertoire. Recent new music performance highlights include Lukas Foss’ Time Cycle at the Gewandhaus, Leipzig, and an appearance at the Opera America New Works Forum in New York City. Bridget is the recipient of support from the Canada Council for the Arts, the Canadian Centennial Scholarship Fund, the Art Song Foundation of Canada, and the British Columbia Arts Council. She is a graduate of the Guildhall School of Music and Drama and McGill University.
“Having spent the last three years studying and working abroad, it is especially meaningful to be recognized at this particular moment as I return to Canada to begin a new chapter of my career as a resident artist at the Opéra de Montréal – a very warm ‘welcome home’ indeed! This award will give me the freedom to commit fully to my artistic development over the next year. I am so looking forward to a season of intensive music-making, and am deeply grateful to the Hnatyshyn Foundation for making it possible!”
Classical Music - Piano
Henry From (he/him)
Student at The Glenn Gould School of the Royal Conservatory in Toronto
Photo: Stuart Lowe
Henry From currently studies piano performance with John O’Conor at the Glenn Gould School in Toronto, where he is the recipient of the Ihnatowycz Prize in Piano. He previously studied with Amanda Chan and Edward Top at the Vancouver Academy of Music. He was named by the CBC as one of Top 30 hot Canadian classical musicians under 30 in 2019. Other honours include first prizes in the Montreal Symphony Orchestra Manulife Competition, the Shean Competition, and the Orford Music Award.
Henry’s recent performance highlights include soloist appearances with the Seattle Symphony, Les Violons du Roy, and the Royal Conservatory Orchestra, recitals at the Verbier Festival, the Seattle Chamber Music Society, the Rockport Chamber Music Festival, and numerous Morningside Music Bridge recitals. As a composer, he has received top prizes from the SOCAN Young Composer Awards, BMI Student Composer Competition, and the Canadian Music Centre’s Prairie Region Composer Competition. He is an Associate Composer of the Canadian Music Centre and has had his works premiered by the Vancouver and Winnipeg symphony orchestras.
"Being selected by such a distinguished jury serves as a source of motivation for me as I pursue a career in piano performance. I feel so lucky to have this financial support over the next year, which will allow me to devote all my focus on my life’s passion – practicing and studying music. This grant will allow me to improve my playing and deliver a higher level of artistry to my audiences. Thank you very much to the Hnatyshyn Foundation for making this possible!”
The Oscar Peterson Award for Jazz Performance
Mason Jeffery-Off (he/him)
Student at The Schulich School of Music at McGill University, Montreal
Photo: Xenia Jeffery-Off
Mason Jeffery-Off is a jazz bassist and composer from Ottawa, pursuing his studies in Jazz Performance at the Schulich School of Music at McGill University. At age 18, he was one of 16 young international jazz musicians under 25 selected for Betty Carter’s Jazz Ahead performer-composer residency at the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington, D.C.
Mason first encountered jazz in grade seven shortly after taking up the bass guitar. Concert band rehearsal had just ended and, instead of packing up, he stayed behind, eagerly playing a funk bassline he had taught himself the night before. The guest conductor took out his trombone and began improvising with him. “It was exhilarating. I had no idea what to do, but he listened so closely and reacted to my playing. We made a connection,” Mason explains. By high school, Mason was playing in as many ensembles as possible: jazz big bands and combos, classical orchestras and musical pit bands. Music began to propel his life forward – not only bringing him joy, but also serving as a tool to help him grow as a human.
“To me, the most important aspect of music is its power to connect — with other musicians and audiences. Musicians share a special bond and to nurture it we must be open to each other's ideas, making them work in tandem. My goal as an artist is to abandon my preconceptions to serve the spirit of the moment. This mutual love makes the music all the more impactful. It is, in my experience, this humanity that bridges the gap between the music and the listener and, in turn, connects us all. I am incredibly grateful to the Hnatyshyn Foundation. This grant will support me greatly as I complete my studies at McGill and subsequently as I enter the music industry as a professional. Not only that, but it serves as a reminder to me that I am going in the right direction; that my love for and my devotion to music are potent enough to be recognized by others. I am also grateful for my teachers and mentors. In my home city of Ottawa, Neil Yorke-Slader, Jason Sinkus and John Geggie. At McGill, my professors Ira Coleman, Rémi-Jean LeBlanc and Jean-Michel Pilc, who also provided crucial support in my application process.”
Classical music - Orchestral Instrument - Strings
Grace Lau (she/her)
Student at The Glenn Gould School of the Royal Conservatory of Music
Photo: Nina Dawallu
Grace Lau is a violinist from Toronto. Currently, she is a third-year undergraduate studying with Paul Kantor and Marie Berard under a full scholarship. She has been invited to perform in several concert series in Toronto including Les Amis Concerts, Syrinx Concerts, Lunchtime Chamber Music, and Koerner Hall Concerts.
Grace’s journey began at the Royal Conservatory of Music (RCM) Suzuki Program when she was four. At age eleven, she was accepted to the Taylor Academy, the RCM’s pre-college training program where she studied with Ms. Kelly Parkins-Lindstrom and Mr. Jonathan Crow under full scholarship. She has been co-Concertmaster and Principal Second of the Glenn Gould School (GGS)’s Royal Conservatory Orchestra. She has also been a concertmaster of the Academy’s Chamber Orchestra and was a member of the Toronto Symphony Youth Orchestra for three years. During her first year at GGS, her piano trio received second prize in the GGS Chamber Competition. In the 2020 Canadian Music Competition (virtual edition), Grace was selected as the Favourite of the 15–18-year-old Ontario category.
In addition to her main studies in violin, Grace has thoroughly enjoyed playing viola in chamber and orchestral settings. Most recently, she was invited as a violist to perform Jewish-themed chamber works in the Ashkenaz Festival, North America's largest festival of global Jewish music, arts and culture. Grace has enjoyed participating in summer music festivals, including Heifetz Institute, Meadowmount School of Music, Encore Summer Academy, and the National Arts Centre’s Young Artist Program founded by Pinchas Zukermann. At these festivals, she developed a deeper love of chamber music and had the pleasure of learning alongside like-minded students from an international selection of professors.
“I feel very lucky to have grown up learning and playing music. It is so special how music can express human emotions and experiences so viscerally, and how this can have a deep impact on society. I am truly grateful to receive a Developing Artist Grant. To be generously supported and recognized in this way is truly an honour.”
Contemporary Dance
Norey Lau (she/her)
Student at Toronto Metropolitan University
Photo: Kamila Soneira-Sosa
Norey Lau is entering her fourth year in the Performance Dance program at Toronto Metropolitan University where she trains in ballet, jazz, street styles, modern, contemporary, West African dance and Afro-Cuban modern dance. Her post-secondary training has helped her develop versatility and the opportunity to perform works of esteemed artists such as Vicki St. Denys and Francesca Chudnoff.
Norey started her dance training at four years old, with a focus on ballet. She continued to foster her technique and artistry through Canada’s National Ballet School, the Boston Ballet School, and the Vaganova Academy of Russian Ballet summer intensives. Norey is incredibly grateful for all the opportunities that dance has offered and is thrilled to be able to extend that experience to others.
Photo: Kamila Soneira-Sosa
“I would like to thank the Hnatyshyn Foundation for the opportunity and trust to have been awarded the Developing Artist Grant in Contemporary Dance. This is something I will always approach with gratitude. I would also like to express my sincere appreciation towards my family, friends, instructors and educators. Without their support and guidance, all of my opportunities and experiences in this art form would not be possible. I will take this chance to pursue a career in which dance is an inclusive and expressive outlet for all who take part in it.”
Classical Music - Orchestral Instrument - Winds, Brass, PercussionsMalena Lorenson (she/her)
Student at The Conservatoire de Musique de Montréal
Photo: Jean-Christophe Melançon
Malena Lorenson began playing trombone in grade 6 band class and fell in love with the bass trombone when she switched only a year later. Originally from Red Deer, Alberta, she is currently finishing her undergraduate degree at the Conservatoire de Musique de Montréal, where she studies in the studio of Patrice Richer. She has also studied with Pierre Beaudry at McGill University.
As a solo performer, Malena recently won first place in the International Trombone Festival’s George Roberts Competition in May, 2024, and has won several provincial recognitions for solo performances in Alberta. At the Domaine Forget Summer Academy, which she attended from 2022-2024, Malena has performed in masterclasses for James Markey, Jörgen van Rijen, Martin Schippers, Jeremy Wilson and Toby Oft. In addition to solo playing, Malena is also an orchestral bass trombonist and was selected to participate in the 2024 NACO mentorship program where she got to perform alongside the musicians of the National Arts Centre Orchestra in Ottawa. She was also a member of the Brott Music Festival’s 2023 National Academy Orchestra conducted by Alain Trudel. Malena has performed in various ensembles around the provinces of Québec and Ontario, including the orchestras of Laval, Saguenay-Lac-Saint-Jean, and Kingston. Malena’s next steps include performing in various solo competitions as well as auditioning for future Masters programs.
“As a graduating student and active performer, this grant offers me valuable support towards financing my performance degree and a future Masters program, allowing me to dedicate more time to my musical projects and artistry. In addition, I am very proud to have been recognized for my progress thus far, and look forward to pursuing new musical challenges and continuing to explore the artistic capabilities of the bass trombone.”
Acting (French Theatre)
Anne Painchaud (she/her)
Student at the Conservatoire d'art dramatique du Québec
Photo: Camille Desrochers
Anne Painchaud is a performer from Quebec City. For her, theater is a true passion that translates into a burning desire to create, understand and communicate: “to me, the theatrical stage is a place where everything is possible. It’s a place to dissect, to reflect, to exchange ideas, to question, to shout, to rise up, to love, to hate. It’s where we live. And I want to live, that's all. I want to offer the world what it offers me, in all its splendour and ugliness.”
Anne’s entry into the arts was through music: a performer, pianist and composer, she took part in Cégep en Spectacle, where she presented her own songs and won first prize in the local final in 2018, then second prize the following year. In July 2022, she released an EP of five original songs, La solitude des coeurs fanés. Despite her burning interest in music, Anne has a special fondness for theater. That’s why she decided to audition for acting schools and didn't give up in the face of the many rejections she received. After four attempts, she finally entered the Conservatoire d'art dramatique de Québec. At the Conservatoire, Anne shines for her commitment, curiosity, generosity and sensitivity. Her former director, Jean-Sébastien Ouellette, describes her as follows: “Always different, always right and inspired, she moves through her training like a comet, with humility and rigor.”
Photo: Jeanne Murdock
“I would like to thank the Hnatyshyn Foundation from the bottom of my heart for this scholarship. Theater was a revelation for me, when I first got a taste of it at the dawn of my high school years. Since then, I’ve never wanted to do anything else with my life. Despite the anxieties of the profession, despite my numerous rejections from drama schools, despite a pandemic that turned the performing arts on their head, I’ve always believed in the importance of theater and in the place it has in store for me. Thank you to the Foundation for believing in me, which is so precious. I’ve never given up and I never will. A thousand thanks to you, I’m eternally grateful.”
Acting (English Theatre)Skylar Somnus (they/sky)
Student at The University of British Columbia
Photo: Piper MacDonald
Skylar Somnus is a non binary Scottish/Ukrainian settler actor from Amiskwaciwâskahikan (Treaty 6), Edmonton, Alberta. Through the art of storytelling, they hope to leave things better than they found them. They seek to bring visions to reality by actualizing characters and stories into physical space and by receiving direction and directing artists to reach common goals.
The gravity of what it means to be an artist never escapes Skylar’s attention, and indeed the first language they spoke was art. When they were born their parents gave them a gift: a hand painted mural in the basement of the house they grew up in, named “the feelings wall.” It was a place where Skylar was set down during temper tantrums and hissy fits to express emotion and thoughts before knowing how to speak. It’s no wonder Skylar feels most at home around creatives and artists, and they will continue to foster community, family, and a better tomorrow through their work.
The Tap Dancing Fish, directed by Ethan White (2023). Photo: Adolfo Bermudez
“Receiving this award not only strengthened my confidence as an actor but also as a contributing member of my community. Being a university student without much access to capital, this award has alleviated tons of my financial strain. It's also a pure incentive to keep my dream and passion burning! The money from the award will help pay for my education, and in turn will allow me to invest time into the Chocolate Milk Art Collective, my independent film company. My life is easier thanks to this grant, and I’m inspired with my chin up to move forward and create bigger. I want to thank my mother and both of my fathers, my grandparents passed, teachers and inspirers, the ancestors, spirit, the land, and my partner Shivorn who has provided undying support through the hardest year of my life. I would also like to take a moment to thank the team at the Hnatyshyn Foundation for uplifting and spotlighting young artists, and taking not only the money, but the time to facilitate such life-changing awards.”
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In 2024, we received an outstanding group of applicants to our Developing Artist Grants. We decided to recognize the talent of some of the artists who came in second place. In addition to the eight core grants of $12,500, we awarded nine runner-up grants of $5,000 each.
Jazz Performance
Duncan Wilson
Photo: Olivia Presti
Duncan Wilson is a Toronto-based pianist rooted in the bebop tradition. Since moving to Toronto from his hometown of Orillia in 2021, Duncan has been gaining attention as one of the city’s most promising young talents in jazz. At the University of Toronto, Duncan has studied with Chris Donnelly, Hannah Barstow (a 2015 Developing Artist Grant laureate!), Jon Maharaj, Kelly Jefferson, and Ethan Ardelli. Duncan leads a trio featuring fellow rising stars Christopher Parnis on bass and Petros Anagnostakos on drums. He can be found performing at such renowned clubs as The Jazz Bistro, The Rex, Hirut and The Jazz Room, and as a featured artist in performing arts centres in Guelph, St. Catharines, and Owen Sound. He has shared the stage with notable Canadian artists, including Luis Deniz, Morgan Childs, Pat Collins, Larnell Lewis, Terry Clarke, Ted Warren, Juliet Dunn, Tia Brazda, and Geneviève Marentette.
Photo: Olivia Presti
“At this stage in my development as a musician, I am immensely grateful to have resources that allow me to commit as much of my time as I can to growing as an artist. I believe that music, especially jazz, enriches the culture of a community and can bring people so much joy, so I intend to use this opportunity to further dedicate myself to promoting positive creation through music.”
Isaac Kashino
Photo: Hannah Scholes
Isaac Kashino is a trombonist committed to spreading the joy of music through performance, composition, and education. Middle school concert band and musical theatre introduced him to the fun and friendships that emerge from making music with others. He embraced any opportunity to perform in high school, during which time he joined the Oakville Symphony Youth Orchestra and the Etobicoke Jazz Band. In 2021, Isaac was accepted into the University of Toronto Faculty of Music for music education and jazz studies and was awarded the Noreen and Phil Nimmons Entrance Scholarship in Jazz Performance, which has been renewed each year since. He also received U of T’s Jazz Arranging Prize in 2024. Isaac now seeks out opportunities to grow as a musician in and outside the Faculty of Music. Notable performances include the Jim Lewis 12tet, the U of T Jazz Orchestra, the Toronto Trombone Collective led by Vanessa Fralick, and appearances at the Rex, the Emmet Ray, the DROM Taberna, the Toronto Undergraduate Jazz Festival, the TD Toronto Jazz Festival, and the Beaches Jazz Festival, with various groups including the Jakob Durst quartet, Joseph Funk 10tet, the Carandang-Pincente Jazz Orchestra, and Isaac’s co-led double trombone quintet with Angela Pincente, which revives the style of J.J. Johnson and Kai Winding’s famous partnership. He also spent two years as lead trombonist in the Toronto All-Star Big Band, performing across Ontario. Isaac is immensely grateful for the opportunity to perform with and for others and to be pursuing a career in music. He thanks his teachers Nuno de Castro, Justin See, William Carn, Karl Silveira and Tara Davidson, and his previous public school music teachers and U of T professors for their passion and mentorship. He also thanks his friends and family – especially his parents – for their encouragement and guidance.
“This grant will have an immense and lasting impact on my musical development by shaping how I am able to spend my time this school year. This grant relieves some of the financial pressure of paying for school, enabling me to spend more time on the scene checking out live music, practicing, listening to different artists, composing and arranging, and pursuing performance opportunities. I’m thankful for the support of the Hnatyshyn Foundation and their donors for their crucial commitment to arts education in Canada.”
Classical Vocal Performance
Ian Sabourin
Photo: Tam Lan Truong
Ian Sabourin is a countertenor enrolled in Opéra de Montréal’s Atelier Lyrique. His love for singing began in childhood; he was always singing and he quickly knew it was his lifelong calling. Growing up, in Ottawa, he sang with a prestigious church choir under the direction of Matthew Larkin, while also performing in a rock band and writing his own songs. At 18, he started formal voice lessons, which marked the true beginning of his musical journey — despite a significant setback when he underwent vocal surgery in 2019. After a full recovery, he became the first countertenor in the history of the Atelier Lyrique, where he is now training to launch an international career. Ian is passionate about making classical music accessible to everyone. Much of his life has been spent busking in Ottawa, Toronto, and Montreal, where he performs his favorite classical pieces a cappella, sharing music with the public and earning some extra income along the way. Additionally, he has explored blending genres by creating crossover pieces that combine electronic and baroque elements, as in his reimagining of Purcell’s Music for a While, where he used synthesizers and added original improvisations to give the piece a modern twist. At the core of Ian’s approach to music is a dedication to community. Whether on the streets or in formal settings, he believes that music should connect people. He seeks to bridge the traditional and contemporary to make it truly inclusive.
Photo: Curtis Perry
“Receiving this prize allows me to fully dedicate myself to launching my career as a countertenor. Opportunities for countertenors are limited in Canada, so this support is invaluable. With the Foundation’s help, I can focus on intensive training with top voice teachers, coaches, and directors, and prepare for an international audition tour to expand my reach and connect with new audiences.”
Contemporary Dance
Jane Millette
Photo: Méanne Bélisle
Jane Millette is a dancer currently in her third year of training at the École de danse contemporaine de Montréal (EDCM). A graduate of Cégep de Saint-Laurent’s dance program (2022), she has worked in several styles such as ballet, hip-hop, popping and krump. In 2022, Jane obtained recognition from Quebec’s Assemblée nationale for her solo at the 43rd edition of Cégeps en spectacles. At the finals, she received the Festival Trans Amérique prize and the École de danse de Québec prize. As part of her studies at EDCM, she has had the opportunity to perform the works of Ohad Naharin, Crystal Pite, Sofia Nappi, Sharon Eyal, and Andrew Mikhaiel. She has performed works by Dana Gingras, Manuel Roque, James Viveiros, Sylvain Emard, Jera Wolfe, and Amaia Elizaran. She has also performed a solo excerpt from the Rubberband company taught by Brontë Poiré-Prest. Jane has had the opportunity to perform alongside 50 dancers, including some from Ballet BC, in BOLERO X by Shahar Binyamini, presented at Danse Danse (Montreal) and the National Arts Centre (Ottawa). Jane is active in the dance community as a teacher and co-organizer of multidisciplinary improvisation events in Montreal. Her goal is to bring together the community of emerging artists and spread care, inclusivity and collective listening through her work.
Photo: Jordan Blackburn
“I am incredibly grateful and honored to have received the support of the Hnatyshyn Foundation. This will enable me to pursue my passion in a professional environment. Thanks to this support, I will be able to continue to develop my art and realize my artistic aspirations."
Dante Gonzalez
Photo: David Penny
Dante Gonzalez is a dancer studying at Arts Umbrella in Vancouver. His introduction to dance was accidental, when he attended a show by the American Ballet Theatre as a child, when his parents were unable to find a babysitter and took him with them. His eyes followed the dancers’ every movement, so his parents rapidly enrolled him in dance classes in is hometown of Jacksonville, Florida. At age 13, Dante and his family moved to Toronto, following an invitation to attend Canada’s National Ballet School. In addition to his education in classical ballet, Dante has engaged with different dance practices, choreographers and peers in diverse and rich environments. He was a participant in Johan Inger’s Take Off Dance program in Seville, and in the Jacob’s Pillow Dance Festival summer intensive at the Nederlands Dans Theater. Dante felt particularly connected to the choreographies of Peggy Baker, Ethan Colangelo, Lilliana Barros, Lukáš Timulak, Crystal Pite, Ralitza Malehounova, Roy Assaf, and Fernando Hernando Magadan. Following his graduation from the National Ballet School, Dante decided to pursue his post-secondary education at Arts Umbrella. These experiences have allowed Dante to develop his artistry and discover a passion for choreographing. Dante is looking forward to the next stages of his career as he continues to hone his craft and continually draw inspiration from the artists he encounters and collaborates with along the way.
Photo: David Penny
“Looking ahead to the next stage of my development, I will be required to travel abroad for auditions to acquire a contract as a company dancer. This scholarship will allow me to cover my living expenses and what’s left of my tuition in Vancouver so that I can afford the travel expenses required for auditions.”
Classical Music (Piano)
Nicole Wu
Nicole Wu is a pianist studying at McGill University’s Schulich School of Music under the supervision of Dr. Ilya Poletaev. She began her musical journey at the age of four and swiftly transitioned into public performances and competitions at the age of six. Nicole has won prizes in multiple international competitions, including the Golden Award at the 2016 Shanghai International Competition, first place in the 2017 Irmler International Competition, two senior scholarships at the 2022 Ottawa Kiwanis Festival, and first prize in the 2022 Ontario provincial piano competition. She was a semi-finalist in the 2022 OSM competition and a finalist in McGill’s 2024 romantic piano concerto competition. She has also participated in renowned music festivals, including the 2023 Domaine Forget Academy, Orford Academy, and International Holland Music Academy. Additionally, she was invited to participate in the 2024 Piano Texas Young Artist program with a full scholarship. She has attended masterclasses by renowned musicians including Daniel Shapiro and Robert Levin. These experiences, along with guidance from esteemed professors such as Angela Chang, Benedetto Lupo, Ronan O’Hora, Kevin Kenner, Christopher Elton, Jan Jiracek von Arnim, Boris Berman, Norma Fisher, and Arie Vardie, have enriched Nicole’s artistry and affirmed her commitment to continuous growth and musical excellence.
“Studying music and being surrounded by musicians has been an incredible privilege for me. I value the bonds I have formed within the music community and hold them close to my heart. Receiving this grant is a tremendous honour and it motivates me further to pursue my music studies. I aspire to use my music to make a meaningful impact on society.”
Classical Music (Winds, Brass, Percussions)
Sara LeBlanc
Photo: Ed LeBlanc
Sara LeBlanc is an oboist from Ottawa. She started playing the oboe at the age of 12, studying with Angela Casagrande. She is currently completing her undergraduate degree in music performance at the University of Ottawa, studying with Charles Hamann. Other notable teachers she has worked with include Anna Petersen, Sarah Jeffrey and Suzanne Lemieux. Sara has performed in masterclasses for Robert Walters and Dr. Andrew Parker and has participated in programs across Canada, including the Young Artist Program at the Scotia Festival in 2023 and 2024. In 2024, she was a member of the National Youth Orchestra of Canada, where she had the opportunity to perform nationwide as part of the Horizons Tour. This experience allowed Sara to hone her skills, perform a challenging repertoire, and connect with audiences across the country. Sara has a strong interest in performing works by diverse composers and hopes to continue incorporating this focus into her future performances. In addition to her studies and performing, Sara is a dedicated oboe teacher. Teaching has provided her with the opportunity to encourage and guide new oboists and to impart valuable insights from her own experiences. With each of these opportunities, Sara continues to refine her skills as an oboist and looks forward to contributing to her community in meaningful ways.
Photo: Ed LeBlanc
“This grant will allow me to dedicate more time to my development as an artist and to sharing the joy I experience while performing with my audiences. I am truly grateful for my family, friends and mentors who have supported me this far in my journey, and am excited to see where my career takes me next.”
Classical Music (Strings)
Mario Rodriguez
Mario Rodriguez McMillan is a twenty-year-old cellist from Mexico City. He grew up surrounded by music and began his musical studies at the age of seven. He studied classical guitar at Escuela Superior de Música del Instituto Nacional de Bellas Artes y Literatura, an acclaimed conservatory in Mexico. His love for music inspired him to play various instruments proficiently, including piano, drums, and trumpet. He decided to pursue a career in cello because of the instrument’s incredibly expressive quality. Mario was a member of the National Youth Orchestra of Canada in 2022 and went on to receive its award of excellence and become its principal cellist in 2023. He studied with renowned faculty including Sascha Goetzel, Blake Pouliot, David Hetherington, and Bryan Epperson. He was also principal cellist of the Toronto Symphony Youth Orchestra for two seasons, and section cello for two seasons. In 2022, Mario had his solo debut with the first movement of the Schumann Cello Concerto after winning the North York Concert Orchestra concerto competition. He has performed in masterclasses for world-class cellists Sheku Kanneh-Mason, Jean-Guihen Queyras, and Johannes Moser. Mario is currently in his third year of a Bachelor’s degree in cello performance, studying with Paul Widner, and previously with Joseph Johnson, at the University of Toronto.
“I am deeply grateful to the Hnatyshyn Foundation for this award. Getting financial support, as well as recognition of my hard work and talent, means the world to me as a young artist. I feel honoured to have people out there rooting for me, and it gives me the extra push I need to keep working hard.”
Acting (French Theatre)
Marie Luciani-Grimaldi
Photo: Jean-Sebastien Jacques
Marie Luciani-Grimaldi is an actress studying at the Conservatoire d’art dramatique de Montréal. Born in France, Marie got her first taste of the stage at the age of 5, beginning with classical ballet and her first drama classes, where she bravely recited Jean de la Fontaine fables. Upon her arrival in Canada, still driven by her desire to perform, to be on stage, and to create, Marie continued to nurture her artistic talent by pursuing a highly specialized major in arts and culture throughout high school. It was during these years that she deepened her unconditional love for the arts and people. Building her reputation as an artist through short and feature films, theater, and writing projects, she began her post-secondary studies at the University of Ottawa’s Department of Theatre, followed by studies at the Conservatoire d’art dramatique de Montréal, where she continues to grow and learn. Luminous and passionate, Marie is a curious artist who is always seeking to reinvent herself.
Photo: Alexandre Lirette
“I thank the Hnatyshyn Foundation from the bottom of my heart for recognizing me with this award. Theater has always been profoundly necessary to me. The Foundation’s support for young emerging artists is incredible and I feel privileged to be able to navigate my studies more easily thanks to it. I want to continue to pass on this love through what I create and what I embody. This recognition strengthens my determination to move forward in this profession that already fulfills me and that will continue to shape my life.”
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2024
Classical vocal performance
Clarence Frazer, baritone
Spencer Britten, tenor, dancer and actor
Deantha Edmunds, CM, soprano, writer, composer and mentor
Piano
Eve Egoyan, pianist
Jane Coop, pianist and instructor, University of British Columbia
Luke Welch, pianist and faculty at the Royal Conservatory of Music's Oscar Peterson Program
Jazz
Joshua Rager, pianist, arranger, composer, professor, and Acting Chair of Music at Concordia University
Caity Gyorgy, two-time Juno Award-winning jazz vocalist
Aline Homzy, jazz violinist and composer
Classical Music - Orchestral Instrument - Strings
Brandyn Lewis, double bassist, chamber and orchestral musician, co-founder and Artistic Director of Ensemble Obiora
Claude Lapalme, Music Director and Conductor, Red Deer Symphony Orchestra
Juliane Gallant, Resident Conductor, Calgary Philharmonic
Contemporary Dance
Gerry Morita, Artistic Director, Mile Zero Dance
Esie Mensah, choreographer, dancer, director and educator
Lukas Malkowski, dancer and choreographer, 2015 laureate of the Hnatyshyn Foundation Developing Artist Grant in Contemporary Dance
Classical Music - Orchestral Instrument - Winds, Brass, Percussions
Martin Bui, Principal Percussionist, Edmonton Symphony Orchestra
Claude Lapalme
Juliane Gallant
Acting (French Theatre)
Michel Marc Bouchard, OC QC, playwright and Governor General's Performing Arts Award laureate
Édith Patenaude, actress, Artistic Director and co-Executive Director of Espace Go
Cory Haas, director, performer and Artistic Director of Théâtre la Seizième
Acting (English Theatre)
Michelle Mohammed, Metcalf Foundation Intern Artistic Director at Why Not Theatre
Colin Wolf, Executive and Artistic Director, Gwaandak Theatre
Saccha Dennis, actor, director and 2022 RBC Rising Star Emerging Director Award laureate
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This year, the Developing Artist Grant for Classical Vocal Performance is generously supported by Andrea Michailoff Russell, in honour of her late parents, Carl and Trudy Michailoff.
About Carl and Trudy Michailoff
Carl and Marjorie “Trudy” Michailoff were Toronto-based patrons of the arts who shared a particular affinity for the opera. In explaining their wish to leave a legacy gift in support of the arts, the late Mr. Michailoff said: “the celebration and enjoyment of the arts has been an essential, vibrant and emotional part of our lives, and it is our sincere hope this gift allows others to appreciate the intrinsic beauty it holds. Investing in the next generation ensures the longevity of creative expression and the joy it provides.”
The Hnatyshyn Foundation is extremely grateful for the trust and vision of the Michailoff family. Their decision to honour their parents by supporting the next generation of artists is deeply meaningful.
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In 2003, Mrs. Hnatyshyn visited famed jazz pianist and composer Dr. Oscar Peterson, C.C. C.Q. O.Ont., at his home. When she was about to leave, he said, “I’d like to do a benefit concert for the Foundation.”
In 2004, The Hnatyshyn Foundation was formally launched at “An Evening with Oscar,” a fundraising concert at the National Arts Centre in Ottawa with The Oscar Peterson Quartet.
To this day, The Hnatyshyn Foundation is tremendously grateful for the late Dr. Peterson’ generosity. Since 2005, the Oscar Peterson Award has supported exceptional emerging jazz performers, many of whom have gone on to enjoy impressive careers as performers and composers.
