MINSTREL FOUNDATION SCHOLARSHIPS AND AWARDS
The Minstrel Foundation awards individual scholarships to inner city youth to study music and arts at the advanced level. To apply for a scholarship complete the Scholarship & Awards Application and forward it and all required information to the Minstrel Foundation.
Previous Winners of the Minstrel Foundation Scholarships and Awards
2022
Andy Chen, a student of piano at the University Settlement Music School has impressed his teachers with his commitment to music and his raw talent. His teachers describe him as “sincere, dedicated and hard working” and his performances are met with a combination of strength, beauty and boldness.
Daisy Cardick-Sonia, 16 year old vocalist, has been studying voice for the past five years at University Settlement Music School. She performs in public regularly and was selected to perform at the Ontario Provincial Music Festival last year.
Ella Shen, 16 year old pianist, has been studying for 9 years at the Dixon Hall Music School. Ella was awarded the ambassador of Music Scholarship vocal and piano. The Minstrel Scholarship will enable her to take advanced lessons to increase her knowledge and appreciation of high level piano music.
Aleesha De Gollo, vocalist, from St. James Town Community Arts has a clear treble voice with full range and sings vocal repertoire from any genre, including foreign language Classical pieces. The Scholarship will provide Aleesha with the opportunity to pursue her passion to sing and perform as well as reinforce her academic development as well.
2021
Leanne Abalos, age 15, from St. James Town Community Arts is already composing her own music. In addition, Leanne sings and teaches music at the St. James Town Community Arts. The scholarship will allow her to continue to study piano and composition.
Teni Abimola, from the Humber College Community Jazz Program, is a gifted drummer. We have supported Teni for the past few years. He has continued to grow as a musician and is dedicated to a career in music.
2020
Audrey Cai, 9 years old, received a scholarship for private lessons to advance her studies at the University Settlement Music School. Audrey has already advanced to the grade 5 RCM level in piano and performed at the Kiwanis Music Festival in February 2020. as her piano teacher has remarked “her performances at the piano are already moments of introspection and searching that capture and hold the attention of listeners”. Last fall she began taking violin lessons as well. Her violin teacher has noted “she learns fast, has good listening ability and plays with good intonation”.
2018
The following Award winners received a Scholarship to attend the Youth Jazz Canada Summer Workshop
Austin Bassarath, a 20 year old currently in his final year studying Jazz Performance at the University of Toronto. He has performed at many Toronto jazz clubs and has studied at the Berklee College of Music.
Cody Copland, a 19 year old guitar student who completed his first year of the four year Bachelor of Music program at Humber College.
Ben Duff, a 20 year old third year bassist in the Bachelor of Music program at Humber College. Ben also devotes time mentoring students in the Humber College Community Music School.
The following Award winner received a Scholarship to attend the Humber College Community Music School
Tony Abimbola, a 14 year old who has been studying drums at the Humber College Community Music School since 2016. He won Gold at the Musicfest Nationals in 2016 & 2017 and silver in 2018.
2017
Hyunjin Cheon, a guitarist and jazz performer in the Humber College Community Jazz Program continues to progress towards his dream of a professional career. Multiple instrument talented, he plays the guitar, drums and sitar and has performed in the TD Jazz Festival.
Teniola Abinbola, age 13, studies drums in the Humber College Community Jazz Program and hopes to progress into one of the city's jazz ensembles. His scholarship will enable him take master classes in drumming and to attend the National Music Camp.
Michael Bruzzese, who is studying at McGill University, will use his scholarship to advance his jazz guitar skills at the Youth Jazz Canada Summer Jazz Workshop.
Christopher Maskell, also a McGill student, will use his scholarship to take master classes in jazz saxophone and composition at the Youth Jazz Canada Summer Jazz Workshop.
2016
Hayley Naunton, a student at the Dixon Hall Music School and Concertmaster of the Dixon Hall Youth Orchestra has received a Minstrel scholarship to attend Wilfrid Laurier University where she will be studying for a career in music therapy. While in high school, her generous spirit and caring natureled her to apply her music skills to help developmentally challenged youth.
Teniola Abimbola is a talented 12 year old drummer studying at the Humber College Community Music School. At the Music Fest Nationals in Ottawa he was awarded the top Honour Award in ensemble. His Minstrel Scholarship is to attend the Humber College Community Music School and receive private lessons from Raphael Roter.
Hyunjin Cheon is a truly gifted young jazz guitarist. Although only in grade 10, he is already performing at the post-secondary level. He is the youngest student ever named to the Conn-Selmer Centre Stage Band. His Minstrel Scholarship is for a year's study at the Humber College Community Music School and private lessons to take him to his next level of accomplishment.
2015
Celine Tan, 12 year old violinist studying with Xiao Grabke for the past five years. She demonstrates an unfailingly strong sense of commitment and works hard to achieve her standard
of excellence.
Jinu Isac an exceptionally gifted musician who studies both the piano and drums at the Humber Community Music School. He is planning to study music at the post- secondary level for a career in music.
David Cheon, 15 year old guitarist with perfect pitch also plays the sitar. He studies under Lorne Lofsky at the Humber Community Music school. David organized his own band named "Jazz Mobile" who won the Musicfest Provincial award and have been invited to compete at the Nationals.
2013
Jinu Isac, a 16 year pianist and Anoop Isac, a 18 year old violinist and guitarist, enrolled in the Humber College Community Music School are both talented and gifted musicians. They were the recipients of a Musicfest Canada Jazz Award 2012. They are described as outstanding in “technical ability” that “wows” professional musicians.
2012
Anthony Toth, an 18 year old drummer from the Humber College Community Music School, was awarded one of the eleven international full scholarships to the Berklee School of Music in Boston.
Jinu Isac, a 15 year pianist and Anoop Isac, a 17 year old violinist and guitarist, enrolled in the Humber College Community Music School are both talented and gifted musicians. They were the recipients of the 2010 Musicfest Canada Jazz Award.
2011
Matthew Brown was one of eight students selected to participate in the Canadian Film Centre’s intensive 6 month program for actors. Matthew has starred in such hit productions as HAIR, Jersey Boys and Dream Girls.
Rees Simmons, a 16 year old guitarist from the Humber College Community Music School, was chosen outstanding performer at the Next Zen 2010 competition and gold standing at Musicfest Canada 2010.
2010
Anthony Toth, 16 year old drummer, was awarded a Minstrel scholarship to study at the Hummber College Community Music School. Anthony was the only Canadian to receive a full scholarship to Berklee College of Music to study for the summer.
David Diao, a student of flute and the saxophone was awarded a Minstrel scholarship to study at the Humber College Music School. David is an award winning student at the Royal Conservatory of Music.
Thompson Egbo-Egbo, 24 year old jazz pianist, was awarded a Minstrel scholarship to study at the prestigious Berklee College of Music in their young composers program. Thompson achieved his goal this year of making the Dean’s List.
2009
Anthony Toth, 16 year old drummer, was awarded a Minstrel scholarship to study at the Hummber College Community Music School. Anthony was one of two drummers selected internationally to attend the 2009 jazz workshop at the Berklee College of Music.
Thompson Egbo-Egbo, 23 year old jazz pianist, was awarded a Minstrel scholarship to study at the prestigious Berklee College of Music in their young composers program.
2008
Jack Hang, Becky Song and Tonya Tong were awarded Minstrel Foundation scholarships to study at the Royal Conservatory of Music.
In addition, the Minstrel Foundation is supporting Andres Tucci Clarke in his second year studies for his Master of Music degree at the University of Ottawa.
2007
The Minstrel Foundation is please to announce the recipient of its first webpage scholarship. Jillianne Roach, age 15, a French Horn student from the Bishop Allan Academy. Along with her musical achievements, Jillianne is an honors student and a valued member of the Cadet Corps.
The Minstrel Foundation has been associated with Andres Tucci Clarke since his studies at the Dixon Hall Music School. We are pleased to assist Andres in his first term of a Master’s degree in Music at the University of Ottawa.
Shilin He, Jack Hang and Becki Song were awarded scholarships for advanced summer studies at the Royal Conservatory of Music and master classes to improved reading skills and technique.
2005
The Minstrel Foundation has approved scholarship assistance to three post-secondary students studying music. Andres Tucci Clarke who is completing a degree in performance music at Wilfrid Laurier University. Thompson Egbo-Egbo, a student in his final year in the Jazz music programme at Humber College who plans a career in performance. Matthew Brown who recently graduated from the Randolph Academy for Performing Arts in musical theatre. Matthew had a part this summer in “Five Guys Named Moe”
The Foundation awarded three advanced study scholarships to Jack Hang, Eric Tan and ShinLin He to study at the Royal Conservatory of Music under the guidance of Gloria Saarinen. All three students have successfully competed and performed in festivals and concerts as well as demonstrated the focus, desire and eager determination to get as much as possible from their lessons no matter how hard they are pushed.
2004
Matthew Brown, vocalist and a recent graduate of the Randolph Academy of Musical Theatre has been selected for a major role in the new CTV sitcom “Instant Star”.
Tomas Kwong a talented young pianist and the winner of the Ann Tindal Award for outstanding piano performances. Tomas has studied for the last five years at the Dixon Hall School of Music and is their choir accompanist.
Eric Tan at 12 years old is one of the most gifted pianists that has come from the Dixon Hall School of Music. He has a phenomenal ability to learn difficult and challenging pieces of music in a short time and to play them with a natural ease and understanding.
ShiLin He is a very exceptional young pianist who takes great care in learning her repertoire and is capable of beautiful performances.
Andres Tucci-Clarke, cellist, studying at Wilfred Laurier University and Thompson Egbo-Egbo, jazz pianist studying at Humber College both received full tuition scholarships for the 2004 – 2005 school year.
2003
Thompson Egbo-Egbo has been studying jazz at Humber College and has been described as one of the upcoming virtuoso on the Toronto jazz scene.
Andres Tucci-Clarke is currently enrolled in his first year music program at the University of Waterloo studying the Cello.
LISTER SINCLAIR MUSIC AWARD
The Minstrel Foundation is proud to have been chosen to administer the Lister Sinclair Music Award, named for the well-known playwright, author, and broadcaster who died on October 16, 2006. Sinclair, best known recently as the host of the radio series “Ideas” on the CBC had a long and distinguished career in the arts and was one of the strongest supporters of arts education not only in Canada but in his native Britain. On his passing, Eric Tan, a student at the Midsummer Music commented "I feel very sad to hear that Lister passed away. I still remember the inspiring speeches he used to give at Midsummer Music camp. He was so kind, humorous and brilliant. He taught us a lot about nature and music."
Previous Winners of the Lister Sinclair Music Award
2010
Becky Song, a 13 year old pianist, who has struggled with life threatening health issues but excels in music.
2009
Jason Ni, a talented 10 year old pianist who has been studying at the Dixon Hall Music School since he was 4 years old.
2008
Alex Yang, 7 year old pianist, from University Settlement Music School. This dedicated young man is has progressed to the grade 6 Royal Conservatory Music level.
2007
Andrew Wong, 15 year old pianist, grade 10 student in French Immersion at Nelson High School in Toronto. Andrew has already distinguished himself in performances as a soloist and an accompanist in provincial and local competitions. His work has been noted by many professional musicians for his exceptional maturity and technique. Besides his musical accomplishments, had the highest grade point average in grade 9 and won a coveted mathematics award for excellence.