Awards
CAIHLA ANDERSON BURSARY
Caihla Anderson was a talented and dedicated musician, who competed at both the Grande Prairie and the Provincial Music Festivals with much success. She was a role model for younger, aspiring musicians until her untimely death at age 20. It is the family’s wish that other young musicians with the same desire to develop their talent and reach their potential, be given some financial assistance toward performance or further study opportunities. Through their passion for music a part of Caihla plays on.
NATALIE KAZAKOFF SCHOLARSHIP
Natalie Kazakoff was a well-respected piano teacher in Grande Prairie for more than 30 years and many of her students continued with musical careers. She continued to teach until she was physically unable to do so. Her family has asked that a scholarship in her name be designated for a young player whose musical abilities show promise.
BARBARA FEDEYKO SCHOLARSHIP
Barbara had a love of music from a very young age – she played the piano, organ and had a beautiful soprano voice. She shared her musical talents in church, choirs, local theatre productions and many other occasions throughout her lifetime. She was the music and choir director at St. Paul’s United Church for many years and served on the Grande Prairie Festival board as a member and entry secretary. She was a director of the Alberta Music Festival Association. Her children and grandchildren continue her musical legacy.
SYDNEY LARTER BURSARY
Sydney was involved with the Grande Prairie Music Festival from 1972 to 2004. He filled several roles on the Board – publicity, logistics, adjudicator coordinator and served as President in 1974. His greatest love was accompanying instrumental and vocal performers at both the local and provincial levels. At the request of the family the winner will use this bursary to pay for the expenses of an accompanist at the local, provincial or national level of competition.
ELLYN OTTERSON MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP
Ellyn was a devoted music teacher and an ardent supporter of the Grande Prairie and District Music Festival. Since coming to Grande Prairie in 1983, Ellyn taught music to hundreds of students over four decades. Performing in the festival was an important part of studying with Ellyn and her students excelled in all of the vocal categories, especially musical theatre. Ellyn founded the GPRC Conservatory Choir and her “choir kids” went on to provincial and national acclaim. Ellyn brought her creativity to every aspect of her students’ performances: vocal technique, interpretation and story telling, choreography, costumes she designed and sewed, and sometimes even composing the piece. Being a talented performer herself, Ellyn was a patient and supportive teacher. She passed away in December 2020 just after celebrating her 80th birthday and she is missed. This scholarship has been donated by a group of her former students so that Ellyn’s legacy will continue to help young musicians in the Peace Country achieve their dreams.
Ellyn Otterson was a devoted music teacher and ardent support of the Grande Prairie & District Music Festival. Since coming to Grande Prairie in 1983, Ellyn taught music to hundreds of students over four decades. Performing in the Festival was an important part of studying with Ellyn and her students excelled in all the vocal categories, especially musical theatre. Ellyn founded the GPRC Conservatory Choir and her “choir kids” went on to local, Provincial, and National acclaim. Ellyn brought her creativity to every aspect of her students’ performances: vocal technique, interpretation and storytelling, choreography, costumes she designed and sewed, and sometimes even composing the piece. Being a talented performer herself, Ellyn was a patient and supportive teacher. She passed away in December 2020, just after celebrating her 80th birthday, and she is missed. This scholarship has been donated by a group of her former students so that Ellyn’s legacy will continue to help young musicians in the Peace Country achieve their dreams.
Ellyn Otterson was a devoted music teacher and ardent support of the Grande Prairie & District Music Festival. Since coming to Grande Prairie in 1983, Ellyn taught music to hundreds of students over four decades. Performing in the Festival was an important part of studying with Ellyn and her students excelled in all the vocal categories, especially musical theatre. Ellyn founded the GPRC Conservatory Choir and her “choir kids” went on to local, Provincial, and National acclaim. Ellyn brought her creativity to every aspect of her students’ performances: vocal technique, interpretation and storytelling, choreography, costumes she designed and sewed, and sometimes even composing the piece. Being a talented performer herself, Ellyn was a patient and supportive teacher. She passed away in December 2020, just after celebrating her 80th birthday, and she is missed. This scholarship has been donated by a group of her former students so that Ellyn’s legacy will continue to help young musicians in the Peace Country achieve their dreams.
Ellyn Otterson was a devoted music teacher and ardent support of the Grande Prairie & District Music Festival. Since coming to Grande Prairie in 1983, Ellyn taught music to hundreds of students over four decades. Performing in the Festival was an important part of studying with Ellyn and her students excelled in all the vocal categories, especially musical theatre. Ellyn founded the GPRC Conservatory Choir and her “choir kids” went on to local, Provincial, and National acclaim. Ellyn brought her creativity to every aspect of her students’ performances: vocal technique, interpretation and storytelling, choreography, costumes she designed and sewed, and sometimes even composing the piece. Being a talented performer herself, Ellyn was a patient and supportive teacher. She passed away in December 2020, just after celebrating her 80th birthday, and she is missed. This scholarship has been donated by a group of her former students so that Ellyn’s legacy will continue to help young musicians in the Peace Country achieve their dreams.
CLEM AND MURIEL COLLINS SCHOLARSHIP
Clem and Muriel have been lifelong supporters of all aspects of the arts in Grande Prairie for many years. Their legacy lives on through the scholarships, contests and financial donations they have made. The Collins Recital Hall at the Grande Prairie Regional College is a well-used venue during the annual Music Festival and is a reminder to everyone of their passion for music.
ERIC DALEN SCHOLARSHIP
An accomplished violinist and fiddler, Eric Dalen shared his love of music for over 90 years by playing for church and community functions; teaching violin, guitar and accordion; restoring and repairing stringed instruments; and, conducting the MAPA Orchestra. All the while he worked as a brick maker and mason at the Grande Prairie Brickyard which was a family owned and operated business. Highlights in Eric’s musical career included a live weekly CFGP radio broadcast of Scandinavian and old-time music with his brothers; the opportunity to play violin and viola in the Saskatoon Symphony and Edmonton Philharmonic Orchestras; and, a tour of duty overseas with the Canadian Army Show during World War II. Eric’s family is pleased to honor his lifelong commitment to music-making by celebrating the talents of young string players.
ROSEMARY SMITH SCHOLARSHIP
Rosemary Smith had a lasting and passionate commitment to the Grande Prairie and District Music Festival Association. As a young girl, Rosemary played the piano in the festival, and she continued her support for the Festival when she taught piano students. For years she programmed the piano entries, fine tuning the complicated process year to year. Each April she dedicated herself to many hours of volunteering at the door for the Festival, listening to her beloved piano music from outside. Rosemary also served as President of the Festival 1994-1995. As an association, we deeply miss Rosemary’s contribution to the music community of Grande Prairie.
SISTER LILLIAN A. ST. PIERRE MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP
Sister Lillian was a member of the Roman Catholic teaching order and taught intermediate and advanced piano students in Grande Prairie from 1970 until the early 1980s. She also gave instruction in music theory including rudiments, aural musicianship, harmony and counterpoint. Sister Lillian was a regular organist at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church and played organ and piano for many weddings and funerals. She enriched the lives of many piano and theory students who performed in the Grande Prairie and District Music Festival.
BARBARA DONKIN MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP
Barbara Donkin was born in England and educated in England and Wales. After her marriage to William Donkin, she moved to Canada and continued her teaching career at Hillside and Aspen Grove Elementary Schools. She taught music classes and put on musical productions such as Oliver, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dream Coat and The Pirates of Penzance during her teaching career. In addition she taught piano and was an alto in the GP College Choir and GP Singers for many years. Barbara was the President of the Grande Prairie Music Festival from 2007 – 2010 and was the entry secretary for many years and took the festival into the “computer age” for registrations. Her contributions to the Grande Prairie musical scene are very much appreciated.