Toronto, April 26, 2011 – The Ontario Arts Foundation today announced violinist, Melissa Wilmot as this year’s recipient of the $1,500 Orford String Quartet Scholarship. The scholarship is presented annually to assist a Canadian string musician with studies, commissioning or performances related to his/her work in the chamber music field.
Melissa is an accomplished violinist, and a student at The Royal Conservatory’s Glenn Gould School, working with Paul Kantor. She is the recipient of The Glenn Gould School Dean’s scholarship (2009-2011), a winner of the Glenn Gould School Chamber Music Competition (2010) and the recipient of the City of Kelowna Civic Award for ìTeen Honour in the Artsî (2006). Melissa’s accomplishments include participating in Carnegie Hall’s Professional Training Workshop (2010), a solo performance with the National Ballet’s Choreographic Lab (2010) and live performances on television and radio.
Melissa was unanimously selected from a field of nominees by a jury consisting of Mary Elizabeth Brown, violinist and Associate Concertmaster of Orchestra London Canada, Daniel Scholz, principal violist at the Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra and Manitoba Chamber Orchestra, Eric Wilson, Professor at the University of British Columbia School of Music. The jury remarked that Melissa ìreflects the future of Canadian performers. Her imaginative and colourful playing brings to life her impressive interpretations. Melissa has the potential to carry the torch of the Orford String Quartet in the future.î
The Orford String Quartet Scholarship Fund was established in 1993 by the members of the highly acclaimed Orford String Quartet – Andrew Dawes, Desmond Hoebig, Kenneth Perkins and Sophie Renshaw. During 25 years of performances, the Orford was one of the best-known string quartets in the world. The scholarship supports the Orford String Quartet’s influence on the development of chamber music in Canada and its encouragement of aspiring young Canadian string players.
The Orford String Quartet Scholarship Fund is administered by the Ontario Arts Foundation. The Ontario Arts Council manages the selection process for the scholarship.
For more information:
Alan Walker
Executive Director
Ontario Arts Foundation
416-969-7413 or awalker@arts.on.ca / www.ontarioartsfoundation.on.ca
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