Since the Fall of 2017, Early Music Vancouver (EMV) has offered a scholarship programme awarding up to 10 scholarships to BC residents. Qualified candidates must be professional-track music students or active professional musicians seeking to develop skills in early music performance. This initiative, like EMV’s Baroque Orchestra Mentorship Programme at UBC, is aimed at increasing the long-term sustainability of the regional period instrument scene in BC by providing instruction on early music performance through private lessons with primarily regionally-based professional artists of the applicants choosing. Involvement in the Baroque Orchestra Mentorship Programme is encouraged but not required.
Applications to study with professional instructors of all period instruments are considered for scholarships, including voice. Applicants must reside in BC.
The Application Process
APPLICATIONS EXTENDED UNTIL NOVEMBER 15, 2023
Applicants will be required to submit the following by email to julia@earlymusic.bc.ca by October 31, 2023:
1. Contact Information: (Full name, mailing address, email address, phone number)
2. Educational Background/Resume
3. A brief essay in which you describe your musical background, your specific experience with early music, the name and background of the teacher you would like to study with, and how further exploration of early music performance will enhance your development as a musician. Word Limit: 500 Max
4. Two letters of recommendation (testimonials via email are acceptable), one sent directly from a teacher who can comment on your experience in early music, and one sent directly from a principal music teacher who can comment on your work more broadly.
5. A 5-minute unedited audio/video recording of Baroque or Classical music performed on your historical or your modern instrument.
Award
The maximum number of awards to be given in a year is set at 10 students, each of whom can be awarded as many as 15 private hour-long lessons over the course of the year. The total number of scholarship recipients to be determined in a year will be based on the size and quality of the applicant pool. A progress review will be submitted by instructors for each student once seven lessons have been completed. Note: previous scholarship winners are welcome to apply again.
Judging
The applications will be reviewed by an anonymous panel of judges. Award announcements will be made by January 30, 2024.
Application & Deadline
We are currently accepting applications for the 2023/24 year, and all applications are due by October 31, 2023.
Meet The Teachers
The list below includes the BC Scholarship program’s core BC teachers. Many more participate in this program, and other teacher suggestions are welcome.
Suzie LeBlanc, C.M., voice
Krisztina Szabo, voice
Alexander Weimann, harpsichord & fortepiano, organ
Chloe Meyers, violin, viola
Natalie Mackie, viola da gamba, cello, violone
Soile Stratkauskas, flute
Matthew Jennejohn, baroque oboe, recorder, cornetto
Katrina Russel, bassoon
Andrew Clarke, horn
2022-2023 Scholarship Winners
Winners of partial scholarships
This initiative is supported by Bryan & Gail Atkins
