The recipients of the first Doris Bradshaw Bursary are Suki Simington and Marot Sammartino.
Suki studies with Nelson piano teacher Anne Macdonald and Marot is a guitar student with Rita Deane.
Each student will receive $250 toward their musical studies.
The late Doris Bradshaw was a passionate supporter of the arts in Nelson. Thanks to the generosity of her family, this bursary,for the next 9 years, will help young aspiring musicians attain new levels of skill and appreciation of music.
The bursary is open to all music students in Nelson and the Regional District of Central Kootenay Areas D, E, F, G and H, whilethey are attending elementary, junior or senior high school. Future applicants can apply in early September. Details can be foundat www.amyfergusoninstitute.ca/awards/.
The Amy Ferguson Institute (AFI) also provides an opportunity for young musicians studying at a post-secondary level.
Every two years, the June Lythgoe Scholarship awards $1000 to an aspiring local musician. This scholarship was established in2006 as a memorial to June Lythgoe, another supporter of the arts in Nelson.
This year, through an additional fundraising campaign, the Lythgoe family raised $500 to help a student of the Corazón choirwith travel, music and uniform costs.
“At the Amy Ferguson Institute, we believe that support for young aspiring musicians is vitally important to the cultural life ofNelson – and what a wonderful way to keep the memory of a loved one alive through a scholarship,” says AFI chair Dianna Ducs.
And the AFI has another major project underway.
Forty-three local singers are working hard under the direction of Allison Girvan to bring you Carl Orff’s Carmina Burana.
For this monumental and extremely popular work the choir will be joined by three soloists, two pianists and threepercussionists, at the Capitol Theatre, February 9, 10, and 11.