CASSELS BROCK MUSIC AWARD
The Cassels Brock Music Award was established in 2002 to be presented to one exceptional underprivileged student(s) who has demonstrated through his or her dedication a commitment to his or her music studies.
Previous Winners of the Cassels Brock Music Award
2022
Leanne Abalos, age 16, from St. James Town Community Arts, excels in piano, visual arts, violin as well as vocals. The Cassels Brock Award will enable her to take advanced training in piano to improve and strengthen her musicianship.
2021
Shaun Lin, age 13, a budding violin prodigy has been studying for five year at University Settlement Music & Arts School. He is already a member of the Chamber Music Group at University Settlement and yearns to connect with professional musicians to learn more.
2020
Abimbola Teniola, 17 is a repeat winner. His award will pay his fees for private drum/percussion lessons and his participation in the Senior Jazz Ensemble Program at the Humber College Community Music School.
2019
Abimbola Teniola, 16, is a drummer, has studied music for five years and is in the Humber College Community Music School. His award will allow him to take advanced private lessons from Lorne Nehring where he will play with professional musicians and move along on his way to a career in music.
2018
Each of this year’s Award winners received a Scholarship to attend the Youth Jazz Canada Summer Workshop.
Thomas Hainbuch, a 21 year old student in the Humber College Jazz program seeking to become a professional musician.
Mac Rogers, received his BA and MA in Economics from McMaster but decided his passion was in music. At the age of 26, he is now excelling in the Humber College Jazz program where he is a multiple award winner and has taught at the National Music Camp.
Tony Rosenberg, a 21 year old third year student in the Humber College Jazz program studying saxophone and arranging and is a Musicfest Canada Gold Award winner.
Kyle Tarder Stoll, a 22 year old third year student studying Saxophone in the Humber College Jazz program. He ranks in the top 2% of students studying Saxophone.
Agneya Chikte, a 25 year old who completed his third year Bachelor of Music with a major in Percussion at Humber College. Agneye is a multiple award winner at Humber and has his sights on a professional career.
2017
Nick Ntoukas who sings and plays guitar is enrolled in the Humber College Community Jazz Program.
Mark Athanasiadis is enrolled in the Humber College Community Jazz Program and plays in their funk/fusion band, The Yellow Jackets.
Lorenzo Polese is enrolled in the Humber College Community Jazz Program and is a member of of the popular Jazz in the Schools program that performs concerts in TDSB schools.
Robert Wannell, an outstanding jazz guitarist at Humber College is completing his Bachelor of Music degree and getting ready for a professional musical career.
2016
Marshal Herridge is a bass player with the Humber College Community Jazz Program and Oscar Peterson prize winner. He plans for a career in music.
Dillon Colter is studying the jazz drum at the Humber College Community Jazz Program. He is looking forward to advanced training and a career in music.
Matt Logan is a tenor saxophonist in his third year at Humber College. He received his Cassels Brock Award to attend Youth Jazz in The City.
2015
Matthew Lagan, an outstanding saxophonist has studied at the Humber College Community Music School for the past 4 years. He has received numerous awards and accolades including the Performance Scholarship from Humber College and being named to the 2013 Conn-Selmer All Star Big Band at Musicfest Nationals.
Ethan Tilbury, a talented bass player who has recently graduated from Humber's Bachelor of Music Program. He has supported his academic studies through scholarships, grants and part-time work. He will be pursuing a career as a musician.
2014
Daniel Guerrette, a Grade 12 student at the Etobicoke School of the Arts won the Humber College Community Music School’s Outstanding Jazz Drummer Award for 2014 and was Musicfest Canada’s National Lou Williamson Outstanding Drummer Player (2014).
2013
Daniel Guerrette, 17 year old, drummer, studying at the Humber College Community Music School for ten years has been the recipient of Musicfest’s 2013 Pearl Outstanding Canadian Drummer Award. He shows leadership, commitment and dedication to the groups that he performs with.
Matt Lagan, 18 year old saxophonist, studying in the Humber College Community Music School has distinguished himself as an outstanding musician by being named to the Conn-Selmer All Star Band at Musicfest nationals. He participated in combos that won gold medals at Musicfest in 2011, 2012 and 2013.
2012
Daniael Guerrette, 16 year old, drummer, studying at the Humber College Community Music School for nine years has been the recipient of the Zildjian Outstanding Young Drummer Award at Musicfest Ottawa, 2010 and 2012. He is a very focused and dedicated student whose enthusiasm sets a wonderful example for his peers.
2011
Tonia Tong, a 17 year old, pianist, currently studying under Gloria Saarinen, received the highest mark of 91 in the Province Zone Competition 2011 and also received the highest mark of 93 for her Back prelude at the Fall ORMTA competition. She is an excellent student and is enrolled in the IB program.
2010
Issac Djan, 14 year old pianist and excels at computer music composition is currently studying at the Dixon Hall Music School.
2009
Tonia Tong, 14 year old pianist, who was a student at the Dixon Hall Music School and is currently studying under Gloria Saarinen at the Royal Conservatory of Music. She is an A student in high school and a member of their leadership council.
2008
Dhanis Rajasejar from the Dixon Hall Music School has demonstrated a remarkable flair with the snare drums and exceptional creativity and understanding of musical computer concepts.
2007
Na’ama McLaughlin Rock, 11 year old, pianist, currently studying at the University Settlement House for 2 1/2 years is an exceptional performer who already “digs deep into a piece to discover its essence” according to her teachers. She also transposes music by sight, a real feat for one so young.
2006
David Wu, 15 year old pianist currently enrolled at the Regent Park School of Music. David has completed 8 grades of piano and 4 grades of theory in the past four years with first class honours in all exams. Davis plans to be a piano teacher and hopes to teach at Regent Park one day.
Cecilia Nguyen, 12 years old pianist, currently enrolled in Grade 5 piano and Grade 2 Theory is described by her teachers as a hardworking, talented and a promising performer. Her second instrument is Cello.
2005
Irene Shao, 16 year old pianist, currently studying at the University Settlement Music and Arts School. She is working towards her ARCT in piano performance having successfully completed her grade 10 piano and Grade 5 Music History and Analysis. Irene is a committed performer whose playing has the power to communicate depth, emotion and her love of music.
2004
Mei Ye, 12 years old, pianist, has just completed her grade 6 piano at the Royal Conservatory of Music in addition to studying the viola. Her talent and dedication to her music studies has been recognized with this award.