Seven exceptional young performing artists receive developing artist grants of $10,000 each

September 29, 2021

Eight young performing arts students will receive grants this year from The Hnatyshyn Foundation, supporting their studies for the 2021–22 academic year. This brings the amount invested in post-secondary grants for performing artists to more than $1.2 million since the Foundation began programming in 2005.

The awards include seven $10,000 grants for Developing Artists, and one $15,000 fellowship for a Young Conductor, presented in partnership with the Schulich School of Music at McGill University in Montreal. 

Announcing the winners in Ottawa today, Gerda Hnatyshyn, C.C., President of The Hnatyshyn Foundation, said, “The Hnatyshyn Foundation is pleased to celebrate the accomplishments and promise of these extraordinary young performers. By providing this financial support we are, at the most fundamental level, investing in the development of the world-class artists of tomorrow. We are also proud of our association with the Schulich School of Music and the Decker family towards helping remarkable young talents pursue their studies at one of the world’s finest educational institutions.” 

Through these programs, The Hnatyshyn Foundation continues to extend its support to exceptionally talented young Canadian students in the performing arts. “We are very grateful to The Hnatyshyn Foundation for partnering with us in supporting training of the next generation of Canadian conductors,” said Professor Stéphane Lemelin, Chair of the Department of Performance at the Schulich School of Music. 

All of the winners were selected by expert juries from across Canada. The Hnatyshyn Foundation sincerely thanks all the jurors for their generous assistance.

Recipients of 2021 Developing Artist Grants

David Liam Roberts

Classical Music (Orchestral Instrument)

Winner of the 2021 Michael Measures Prize, David Liam Roberts is establishing himself as one of the most exciting Canadian cellists of his generation. Recent engagements have included an appearance as soloist with the Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra under Maestro Daniel Raiskin, as well as debut recitals presented by Cecilia Concerts (Halifax), Virtuosi Concerts (Winnipeg) and the Women’s Musical Club of Winnipeg. David Liam is Red River Métis and is originally from Winnipeg. He currently studies with Hans Jørgen Jensen and Andrés Díaz at the Glenn Gould School of the Royal Conservatory of Music in Toronto.

“It is such an honour to be this year’s recipient of the Developing Artist Grant in Classical Music - Orchestral Instruments. This award will help me as I complete my studies at the Glenn Gould School and continue to learn and perform in Canada and abroad. I look forward to contributing to the musical landscape in Canada, and I am so thankful for the support the Hnatyshyn Foundation is providing Canadian artists during this crucial period in our studies and career development.”

Naomi Wong

Classical Music (Piano)

Toronto-born pianist Naomi Wong is currently a third-year performance student at the University of Toronto studying with Dr. Enrico Elisi. Naomi is an active performer, collaborator, and teacher, and enjoys being involved in her community. She regularly performs in outreach concerts at retirement homes, hospitals, and fundraising events, and maintains a private teaching studio. As the Grand Prize winner of the International Music Festival and Competition, Naomi looks forward to performing Chopin’s Second Concerto with the Kindred Spirits Orchestra in their 2021-2022 season. Naomi is extremely grateful to her current and past teachers for guiding and inspiring her: Dr. Enrico Elisi, Ken Marple at the University Settlement Music & Arts School, and Rachel Yu.

“For me, music is such a hopeful form of expression because it is born out of sound – vibrations in the air, which unlike words, cannot communicate hostility or prejudice, and unlike actions, cannot inflict violence or exploit the powerless. However, music is not merely sound; the artist plays an indispensable role in molding and shaping the physical vibrations that generate sound into something that is meaningful and inspiring. This grant inspires me to step into my responsibility as an artist, to play a role in realizing music’s tremendous potential to bring beauty, kindness, and understanding into the world.”

Elizabeth Polese

Classical Music - Vocal Performance

Praised as “powerful and engaging” [The Globe and Mail], Canadian soprano Elizabeth Polese is a recent alumna of l’Atelier Lyrique de l’Opéra de Montréal, a fellow at the Tanglewood Music Centre, winner of the prestigious 2019-20 Sullivan Foundation Gail Robinson Award for Soprano, and of the 2021 Hnatyshyn Foundation Prize for Classical Voice. Highlights of her time at Opéra de Montréal included performances of Alice B. Toklas in the Canadian premiere of Twenty-Seven (Gordon + Vavrek), Miss Jessel in The Turn of the Screw (with Orchestre de l’Agora), Contessa di Ceprano in Rigoletto (with René Barbara as Duca), and covers of Marzelline in Fidelio (Orchestre Métropolitain), Agnès in Written on Skin, and Pamina in Die Zauberflöte (COVID-19 cancellation). 

“Throughout my years of study, I have witnessed this generous grant fund the projects of my colleagues, who each are dedicated, excellent, and inspirational. To be recognized by the Hnatyshyn Foundation in this way is deeply meaningful, and I am dedicated to applying this grant to my studies to be a more empathetic performer. My goal is to reach audiences all over the world and make each concert-goer feel seen, connected, and transcended by the power of music – this grant will allow me to deepen my study as a physical embodiment of music making and vocal empathy.”

Jacob Chung

Jazz Performance - Instrumental

Canadian saxophonist/composer Jacob Chung has garnered several accolades including the 2019 Prince Edward County Jazz Festival Rising Young Star Award and acceptance into the 2018 National Youth Jazz Combo. He is also the recipient of the 2018 Yamaha Passion and Performance Award and the 2017 Rico Golden Reed Award. Jacob has had the honour of sharing the stage with the likes of Dennis Mackrel, Rich Perry, Robi Botos, Jodi Proznick, Mike Murley, and Carn-Davidson 9. Jacob is featured on Jacob Wutzke’s 2019 EP Stop & Go and Thomas Steele 10tet’s 2020 EP 10tet. He also appears on the University of Toronto Jazz Orchestra’s 2020 album Embargo.

“I am deeply grateful to be receiving the 2021 Oscar Peterson Grant for Jazz Performance. This honour provides me the freedom and opportunity to continue honing my craft and pursuing my artistic ambitions without barriers. I would like to thank the Hnatyshyn Foundation for supporting young artists, Mike Murley for nominating me, and my bandmates (Jacob Slous, Evan Gratham, and Felix Fox-Pappas) for their time and talent during the process of recording my submission.”

Jérôme Zerges

Contemporary Dance

Following his experience in artistic gymnastics and the circus arts, Jérôme Zerges discovered dance at the École de danse contemporaine de Montréal. This gave him a valuable opportunity to meet and work with inspiring performers and choreographers, including Linda Rabin, Lucie Grégoire and Marc Boivin. He has since absorbed a wide range of styles and approaches, helping him to shape his identity as an emerging dance artist in Montréal. This fall, he will begin his final year in the program, as well as an apprenticeship with the company Cas Public. 

“First of all, I am grateful for the honour this scholarship represents, as well as for the generosity of the Hnatyshyn Foundation. This prize validates my choice of career, and will greatly facilitate my third and final year at school, allowing me to concentrate on my studies and my transition to the professional world. I am also grateful for the importance the Foundation places on the arts, encouraging young Canadian artists in their career choices — choices that are not always easy to pursue, but which are so essential to our communities. Thank you.”

Anton Ling

English Theatre

Anton Ling is a 21 year old actor from Toronto and is this year’s  recipient of the grant for Acting - English Theatre. Anton is pursuing his studies at York University's Acting Conservatory and will be entering his fourth year this fall.

"Theatre has played such a huge part in my self-discovery in both the arts and in life. With theatre, I have the opportunity to explore my personal identity, as well as challenge myself to push past obstacles in life. As a Queer Asian artist, I am grateful for the platform that I have. My goal is to be a role model for the next generation of Queer Asian youth, to be a person they can look up to. I strive to inspire them to never give up and to keep pushing forward."

Doriane Lens-Pitt

French Theatre

Following her studies at the Montréal theatre school, École Robert-Gravel, Doriane began focusing on Arts and Literature at the post-secondary level. Captivated by the possibilities of combining the performing arts with language, in 2019 she applied to, and was accepted at, the Conservatoire d’art dramatique de Montréal. She has since explored theatre games in their many forms, alongside a number of inspiring artists. Next  Spring 2022, she will have completed three years of studies at the Conservatoire. She looks to the future with a keen desire to create news works, while perfecting her skills in singing, dancing and writing. Although her aim is to work in participatory theatre — her true passion — championing all genres,  lies at the heart of her artistic approach.  

“What an honour! I would like to thank all my professors and the Hnatyshyn Foundation jury for this vote of confidence. The scholarship will generously support my final year at the Conservatoire. It will also encourage me to act on my artistic aspirations: I want to create, acquire more training, and push the limits of the language of the stage!”