MARTHA & HAGOOD HARDY PROTÉGÉ HONOUR AWARD
The Hagood Hardy Protégé Honour Award was established in 1998 by SOCAN and Martha Hardy in memory of her husband, Hagood, who died in 1997. In 2019 the Award was renamed the Martha & Hagood Hardy Protégé Honour Award.
Hagood Hardy, O.C., is best known to most Canadians as the composer of such musical favorites as The Homecoming and the Anne Of Green Gables theme. In a lifetime devoted to music, Mr. Hardy composed many other pieces for film and television as well as touring and performing with some of the icons of jazz. Along with his music, Mr. Hardy was a dedicated member of several medical charities and boards of directors of business and artistic groups including the Shaw Festival.
Martha Hardy, a founder, director and benefactor of the Minstrel Foundation passed away in June 2019. Her legacy will forever be remembered by the Minstrel Foundation and all the students who are honoured with the Award.
Each year the Martha & Hagood Hardy Protégé Honour Award goes to a student who has demonstrated, through dedication and progress, that she or he is an excellent role model and an inspiration for other young musicians.
Previous Winners of the Martha & Hagood Hardy Protégé Honour Award
2022
Vivid Ma, continues to reap superlatives for her talent and performance. A graduate of the University of Toronto, Vivid is now studying for her MA in piano performance at the prestigious Butler School of Music, at the University of Texas under the tutelage of Anton Nel. She also works with students studying for their RCM exams and often accompanies young vocalists.
2021
Vivid Ma started her fourth year in September 2021 at University of Toronto studying for her Bachelor of Music in the very competitive Performance Piano Program. Vivid is known for both her talent and hard work.
2020
Vivid Ma is now in her third year at the University of Toronto studying for her Bachelor of Music in Performance and earning top marks. She is deserving once again for the Hagood and Martha Hardy Protégé Award to continue with her university education.
2019
Vivid Ma is a repeat winner of the Hagood and Martha Hardy Protégé Award. Regular Minstrel members are familiar with this exceptionally talented young woman’s performance on the piano including a solo at this year’s Holiday Stars event. Vivid is in her second year in the University of Toronto’s performance program.
2018
Vivid Ma, pianist, has studied for the past ten years at University Settlement and is in her first year in the University of Toronto’s Music Piano Performance Program. Vivid has completed her Grade 10 RCM exam with First Class Honours with Distinction. Her masterful piano performances have earned her top prizes (19 in total) at the many Toronto competitions.
2017
William Constable, an exceptional talent, is that rare breed of male singer called a "true bass". This award will allow him to prepare for his auditions to continue vocal studies at one of the prestigious music schools with the goal of earning an apprenticeship with a large opera company.
2016
Miranda Li is studying piano at the University Settlement House Music School. Described by her teacher as 'bright, intelligent, disciplined and creative" Miranda hopes to continue her music studies beyond high school.
2015
Michelle Liu a gifted 12 year old pianist studying at the Dixon Hall Music School. She has just completed her grade 5 RCM Viola and grade 6 RCM piano exams.
2014
Celine Tan, an eleven year old violinist, from Dunlace Public School won the award for her enthusiasm and hard work. The award allowed her to attend the National Music Camp in Orillia.
Cynthia Chung, a 13 year old pianist studying at University Settlement House achieved First Class Honours in both her grade 7 piano and advanced theory exams. She is described by her teachers as an extraordinary girl with superb musical talent.
2013-2014
Clara Nguyen Tran, 18 year old aspiring violist, currently studying at the RCM Phil & Eli Taylor Performance Academy for Young Artists. She plays with the Toronto Symphony Youth Orchestra where she has earned the spot of Principal Violist. She is also an accomplished pianist.
2013
Daniel Guerrette, 17 year old, outstanding drummer, studying at the Humber College Community Music School for ten years was awarded the Hagood Hardy Award so he could continue his studies throughout the 2014 school year. He has been the recipient of Humber College Honour awards 2012, Junior Jazz Drummer Award 2009 thru 2011.
2012
Wendy He, a 17 year old pianist, from University Settlement House Music School and Jonathan Chapman, an 18 year old drummer, from Humber College Community Music School were joint receipts of the award. Wendy is currently working on her grade 8 piano and was chosen to participate in the Lang Lang 100 pianos recital at Roy Thomson Hall. Jonathan is an exceptional musician and among the most accomplished in his age group. He is currently studying at the Berklee School of Music Boston.
2011
Clara Nyguyen, a 16 year old violist, from the Dixon Hall Music School and Tommy Tang, a 12 year old pianist, from University Settlement House Music School were joint recipients of the award. Clara after 8 years of study has developed into a fine violist who has successfully auditioned for the Toronto Symphony Youth Orchestra. Tommy a gifted pianist is currently studying grade 6 & 7 piano after only 2 years of lessons.
2010
Shara Sun, a 16 year old pianist, from the University Settlement Music School and Tonia Tong, a 16 year old pianist, studying at an advanced level with Gloria Saarinen were joint recipients of the award. Tonia has a 93.3 average in grade 10 and performs for her church and local charities. Shara attends the Claude Watson School for the Arts where she also studies vocal and instrumental music. At the Kiwanis Music Festival she won a $250 scholarship.
2009
Lily Liao, a 14 year old violinist, from the Dixon hall Music School and Lilian Kong, a 15 year old violinist, from University Settlement House music program were joint recipients of the award. Both girls are excellent high school students and have performed publicly at benefits for local charities.
2008
Jack Hang, 12 year old pianist, currently studying at the Dixon Hall Music School. Jack has won a gold star at the Glenburnie Music Competition and the Bluma Appel award.
Frank Jiang, 13 years old, studies drums, piano and theory at the Dixon Hall Music School. He is by far the best drummer the Music School has had. His confidence and assured playing is remarkable, as his commitment to his lessons.
2007
Cindy Hong, 15 year old pianist, currently studying at the Dixon Hall Music School. She received the Silver Medal from the Royal Conservatory for exceptional marks in her Grade IV exams and a scholarship from the Peel Music Festival for her exceptional technique.
Edward Yang, 8 years old, has been studying piano at the University Settlement House for four years. Edward won “Best of Class” in this year’s Kiwanis Music Festival. He is also a regular performer in the University Settlement House’s student concerts.
2006
Linda (Yi Chan) Sun, 17 year old pianist, currently studying at the University Settlement House Music and Arts School. Her piano teacher describes Linda as a person of character…perseverance and maturity for one so young. Her career plan is to become a piano teacher.
2005
Eric Tan, 12 year old pianist, who also composes music, has completed 8 levels of the Royal Conservatory programme with First Class Honors on every exam. He was awarded first place in the Concert Class at the Davenport Music Festival and three first places in the All TV Festival of Music.
2004
Peter Nguyen, 16 year old pianist, currently enrolled in grade 9 RCM piano. Peter has consistently attained marks over 90% in his RCM exams and has placed first several times at the Kiwanis Festival.
2002
Paul Nguyen-Tran, 12 years old, is currently a student at the Regent Park School of Music. This multi-talented violinist has studied music both piano and violin. Having scoring 94% on his recent theory exam, Paul is currently completing his grade 7 Royal Conservatory program. Teachers consider him to be extraordinarily gifted and believe he can have music career.
2001
Tuan Nguyen, 14 years old, pianist, last year won the Kiwanis Music Festival Medal for grade 8.
2000
Wendy Ma, violinist, a full-time honor student at North Toronto Collegiate where she currently plays in the school orchestra. She has been accepted as an exchange student in France for her final year of high school.
1999
Ivy Luguya, pianist, now attending the University of Toronto, completed the top courses at the Royal Conservatory including harmony.
1998
Thompson Egbo-Egbo talented pianist currently planning a career in music through the Humber College Jazz program.