2009-2010 Vancouver Opera Foundation Bursary Awards
Vancouver Opera Foundation is pleased to announce this year's bursary award winners!
The Brian McMaster Bursary Award
For a Canadian performing in or otherwise contributing to opera
Tina Chang, Piano
Tina Chang has worked with the San Diego Opera Ensemble, Dalhousie University and the Victoria Conservatory of Music Summer Vocal Academy. She appears with VO this season in Voices of the Pacific Rim and the VOIS production of Cinderella, as well as in La Clemenza di Tito.
Past Recipients include: Amiel Gladstone, Angus Kellett, Kinza Tyrrell and Larisa Fayad
The Joe Boxer Bursay Award
For a BC Singer in a resident artist program
Teiya Kasahara, Soprano
Teiya Kasahara appeared in the VOIS production of Naomi's Road and was a participant in VO's Young Artist Coaching Intensive. She is a recent graduate of the Canadian Opera Company's Ensemble Studio.
Past recipients include: Michael MacKinnon, Martin Sadd, Sheila Christie and Raphael Wagner
The Kurt Sickert Bursary Award
For a performing artist, with preference given to Canadians
Calvin Powell, Baritone
Calvin Power appeared in the VOIS production of The Magic Flute: Quest for the Box of Shadows. He has appeared in several VO productions, including the world premiere of Lillian Alling. He has sung with Opera on the Avalon, Newfoundland Symphony Orchestra and several others.
Past recipients include: Hiather Darnel-Kaadonaga, Colin Ainsworth, Majorie Poirier and Sam Chung
The Toni Calveti Bursary Award
For an aspiring BC Opera singing student
Rachel Fenlon, Soprano
Rachel Fenlon is currently completing her Master of Music degree and was a participant in VO's Young Artist Coaching Intensive. She has performed in several productions with the UBC Opera Ensemble, as well as with the Kitchener-Waterloo Symphony and the Vancouver Bach Choir.
Past recipients include: Sylvia Szadovszki, Rose-Ellen Nichols, Simone Osborne and Melody Mercredi
The Barbara Eves-Sharp Bursary Award
For a singer in the VOIS program
Shannon Chan-Kent, Soprano
Shannon Chan-Kent is completing her Master of Music degree and participated in VOIS as an understudy in the touring production of Jack Pine. She has performed several times with the UBC Opera Ensemble.
Past recipients include: Adam Fisher, Michael Nyby, Clarence Logan and John Conlon
Vancouver Opera Foundation support the future of opera in Western Canada by providing critical support to the productions that Vancouver Opera produces and by nurturing the talented artist that will be integral to the industry's future. These bursaries are on way that the Foundation achieve its goals.
VOF extends an enormous thanks to all the donors who make these named bursaries possible on an annual basis.
To learn more about VOF bursaries and other programs funded by Vancouver Opera Foundation, or to share your passion by making a donation, please contact 604.682.2871
The Brian McMaster Bursary Award
For a Canadian performing in or otherwise contributing to opera
Tina Chang, Piano
Tina Chang has worked with the San Diego Opera Ensemble, Dalhousie University and the Victoria Conservatory of Music Summer Vocal Academy. She appears with VO this season in Voices of the Pacific Rim and the VOIS production of Cinderella, as well as in La Clemenza di Tito.
Past Recipients include: Amiel Gladstone, Angus Kellett, Kinza Tyrrell and Larisa Fayad
The Joe Boxer Bursay Award
For a BC Singer in a resident artist program
Teiya Kasahara, Soprano
Teiya Kasahara appeared in the VOIS production of Naomi's Road and was a participant in VO's Young Artist Coaching Intensive. She is a recent graduate of the Canadian Opera Company's Ensemble Studio.
Past recipients include: Michael MacKinnon, Martin Sadd, Sheila Christie and Raphael Wagner
The Kurt Sickert Bursary Award
For a performing artist, with preference given to Canadians
Calvin Powell, Baritone
Calvin Power appeared in the VOIS production of The Magic Flute: Quest for the Box of Shadows. He has appeared in several VO productions, including the world premiere of Lillian Alling. He has sung with Opera on the Avalon, Newfoundland Symphony Orchestra and several others.
Past recipients include: Hiather Darnel-Kaadonaga, Colin Ainsworth, Majorie Poirier and Sam Chung
The Toni Calveti Bursary Award
For an aspiring BC Opera singing student
Rachel Fenlon, Soprano
Rachel Fenlon is currently completing her Master of Music degree and was a participant in VO's Young Artist Coaching Intensive. She has performed in several productions with the UBC Opera Ensemble, as well as with the Kitchener-Waterloo Symphony and the Vancouver Bach Choir.
Past recipients include: Sylvia Szadovszki, Rose-Ellen Nichols, Simone Osborne and Melody Mercredi
The Barbara Eves-Sharp Bursary Award
For a singer in the VOIS program
Shannon Chan-Kent, Soprano
Shannon Chan-Kent is completing her Master of Music degree and participated in VOIS as an understudy in the touring production of Jack Pine. She has performed several times with the UBC Opera Ensemble.
Past recipients include: Adam Fisher, Michael Nyby, Clarence Logan and John Conlon
Vancouver Opera Foundation support the future of opera in Western Canada by providing critical support to the productions that Vancouver Opera produces and by nurturing the talented artist that will be integral to the industry's future. These bursaries are on way that the Foundation achieve its goals.
VOF extends an enormous thanks to all the donors who make these named bursaries possible on an annual basis.
To learn more about VOF bursaries and other programs funded by Vancouver Opera Foundation, or to share your passion by making a donation, please contact 604.682.2871
