When schools return this September, six local students will be better prepared to pursue their artistic passions thanks to the support of Huntsville Festival of the Arts through their annual scholarship program.
The program aims to support young people who are, or plan to continue studies in the performing arts (music, theatre, dance), and to foster the development of performing arts talent in our community. Over the years funds have been offered to various age groups. Since 2012, the Festival decided to direct its scholarship funds to the Senior graduating students. New to this year, HfA offered both a Junior (16 & under) & Senior (17 & older) Performing Arts Scholarship. Since its inception in 1997, 75 local youth have received financial support from Huntsville Festival of the Arts.
This year’s Senior scholarship was awarded to guitarist Oscar Finn, who will be pursuing a Bachelor of Music in the jazz program at Humber College. Oscar receives an award of $1000 towards the cost of his tuition. Oscar was a 2021 Junior Scholarship recipient as well.
Junior Scholarship winners each receive an award of $250. The 2022 recipients include:
– Annalise Duffield who will be using the support to cover tuition and dance fees at the Muskoka Dance Academy
– Chloe Hawes who will put her funds towards additional dance education training to pursue her passion
– Emma McClennan who will use the funds towards pre-professional dance training with The School of Cadence Ballet
– Gwynne Daynard who will be using the funds to further her vocal music education with the Burlington Music School.
– Sophie Mann who will be furthering her musical development with Hub Productions
In addition to its Performing Arts Scholarships, HfA is proud to support a visual arts student through the Kareen Burns HFA scholarship administered through Huntsville High School. The 2022 has been awarded to Sydney Brinklow to support her studies at the Ontario College of Art & Design. This award is in honour of Kareen Burns who was a past HfA Board member and valued member of the Huntsville Community. Her spirit of creativity, imagination and ingenuity continues to make a positive impact on our community.
“We believe that it is our responsibility to support and reinvest in the community through expanded outreach, educational programming and the scholarship programs”, indicated Dan Watson, Executive Director of Huntsville Festival of the Arts. “We have incredibly talented young people in this region and we are honoured to assist them as they develop their skills even further”, noted Watson.
For more information about the scholarship program or the full line-up of performances this season, please visit www.huntsvillefestival.ca
