Announcing the laureates of the 2025-2026 grants for performing arts students
November 4, 2025
We are thrilled to reveal the 19 Canadian performers selected to receive grants for the 2025-2026 academic year – totalling $170,000 in scholarships.
The Developing Artist Grants
$12,500 awarded to the most promising Canadian performing artists enrolled in post-secondary studies. Established in 2005, this is the Developing Artist Grants’ 20th anniversary!
The Carl and Trudy Michailoff Developing Artist Grant for Classical Vocal Performance
Camila Montefusco in Gala Talent, Atelier lyrique, Opéra de Montreal, 2024. Photo: Tam Photography.
Camila Montefusco is a Brazilian-born mezzo-soprano training in the Opéra de Montréal’s Atelier Lyrique program. She holds a Bachelor of Violin Performance from the University of São Paulo and a Master of Music from Western University. She attended the Glenn Gould School as a recipient of the Rebanks Family Fellowship. Camila is committed to sharing Latin-American musical culture and history, amplifying voices from communities that have long been silenced, and inspiring a world that hungers for change.
“Live performance is the love of my life. This grant allows me to dedicate myself fully to growing as an artist, without the financial pressures that too often force young musicians to step away from their craft. I’m incredibly thankful to the Hnatyshyn Foundation and the Michailoff family for believing in me.”
Contemporary Dance
Jayda Zhu in Artifact by William Forsythe. Photo: Michael Slobodian.
Jayda Zhu is a dancer studying at Arts Umbrella in Vancouver. She trained at Goh Ballet Academy and Poirier Productions Dance Studios and has attended intensives at the American Ballet Theatre, Juilliard, Arts Umbrella, and the Nederlands Dans Theater. She has worked with Crystal Pite, Kirsten Wicklund, Cyril Baldy, Astrid Boons, Fernando Magadan, James Kudelka, Ethan Colangelo, Stephen Shropshire, Felix Landerer, and Lukáš Timulak, and trained with Rena Narumi, Amy Raymond, Renée Sigouin, Risa Steinberg, Anders Hellstrom, Darren Devaney, Spencer Dickhaus, Celine Gittens, Luca Tessarini, and Lea Ved. In 2024, she performed Pite’s re-work of Frontier with Ballet BC in Vancouver and Los Angeles.
“This grant will give me the freedom to travel for auditions and allow me to develop my technique and reach my goals as a young artist. Dance means the world to me. I aspire to work in a professional dance company where I can express my artistic voice and embark on a journey of exploration through movement.”
Classical Music - Strings
Courtesy of Justin Saulnier
Justin Saulnier is a violinist studying at the Schulich School of Music (McGill University) under the tutelage of Andrew Wan. He has performed with the Montreal Symphony Orchestra, the Orchestre Métropolitain, the National Arts Centre Orchestra, the National Youth Orchestra of Canada, the Ottawa Symphony Orchestra, the McGill Symphony Orchestra, the Pembroke Symphony Orchestra and the Sinfonia de Montréal. He has worked with Yannick Nézet-Séguin, Tomas Netopil, Naomi Woo, and Alexis Hauser. He won first prizes in the Eckhardt-Gramatté National Music Competition, the Canada Council for the Arts’ Michael Measures Prize, the Schulich School of Music Golden Violin Award, and the NACO Bursary Competition, as well as the grand prize in the Orchestre Métropolitain OMNI Competition. He plays on a 1680 Ruggeri from Cremona, and a Louis Gillet bow, generously loaned to him by Canimex Inc. in Drummondville.
“This scholarship allows me to flourish through various musical experiences, to explore different environments, and to gain new perspectives. I plan to apply for masterclasses at the Kronberg Academy and the Prussia Cove International Festival this year. I thank the Hnatyshyn Foundation for their support of young Canadian musicians.”
Classical Music - Winds, Brass, Percussions
Photo: Céline Klein – JamStone Productions.
Mathilde Lepage is a horn player studying at the Conservatoire de musique de Montréal under the tutelage of Marjolaine Goulet. In 2023 and 2024, she attended the Académie du Domaine Forget, where she played for Markus Maskuniitty, Andrew Bain, Benoît de Barsony, and Pierre-Antoine Tremblay. As a soloist, she won the Coup de cœur Youkali Prize at the 6th edition of the Pentaèdre-Youkali Competition, and as an orchestral player, she was selected to join the National Youth Orchestra of Canada under the direction Naomi Woo for the 2024 and 2025 seasons, where she was awarded the Brian G’froerer Memorial Fund Scholarship. In 2025, she participated in the NACO Mentorship Program. She has played with GFN Productions and Patrick Watson, the Orchestre Philharmonique du Québec, the Festival Classica Orchestra, and the Orchestre symphonique de Montréal.
“The future of Canadian art is alive and thriving, and it is thanks to scholarships like this one that young artists like me have the freedom to dream bigger, aim further, and push our limits to make art a profession. This grant will allow me to focus all my energy on completing my degree and further developing my horn playing, with the goal of pursuing a master’s degree next year.”
Classical Music - Piano
Courtesy of Emmanuel Roberts Dugal
Emmanuel Roberts Dugal is a pianist studying at the Schulich School of Music under the tutelage of Stéphane Lemelin. He was awarded the OMNI Prize in 2022, which led to a performance of Rachmaninoff’s Second Piano Concerto with the Orchestre Métropolitain under the direction of Yannick Nézet-Séguin. Driven by deep musical curiosity and a commitment to continual growth, Emmanuel explores an expansive repertoire. He is an avid chamber musician and collaborative pianist and his artistry has been featured in festivals across Canada, the United States, and Europe.
“This recognition supports me in pursuing my dream and makes it feel tangible. It gives me immense hope for my career. To see my name listed alongside fellow recipients and a long line of past winners whom I admire and respect is profoundly moving. Words cannot fully express my gratitude to the Hnatyshyn Foundation. They are, and will always remain, architects of my success.”
The Oscar Peterson Award for Jazz Performance
Photo: Averyn Ngan
Eric Liang is a pianist and composer studying at the University of Toronto. He has previously studied with Glenn Zaleski, Aaron Parks and Chris Donnelly. An active pianist in the Toronto jazz scene, he frequents venues such as the Jazz Bistro and the Rex. Eric has performed with musicians including Neil Swainson, Pat Labarbara, Terry Clarke, and Kirk Macdonald.
“Receiving this grant has made it possible for me to purchase my ideal keyboard, which is something I use daily for practicing, gigging, and composing. As a working musician, having the right tools is essential, and this support from the Hnatyshyn Foundation has given me the means to continue growing both artistically and professionally. I’m truly grateful to be part of a community that invests in young artists and their futures.”
Acting - English Theatre
Oliver Gold (right) in The Fantasticks at White Rock Players’ Club, directed by Kerry O’Donovan, 2023. Photo: Johnathan MacEwan.
Oliver Gold is an actor studying at the University of British Columbia. His first performances were in church where, as a child, he sang hymns and acted in a nativity play. While attending a musical theatre class at Richmond’s Gateway Theatre, he landed the role of Winthrop Paroo in The Music Man (2016). He then performed in Royal City Musical Theatre’s Cabaret (2018) and Align Entertainment’s A Christmas Story (2018).
“As a kid with Tourette’s Syndrome and Crohn’s disease, I never thought I would have a chance to be a performer, but countless people have given me a chance to perform and have uplifted me. Some of those people are Perry Ehrlich, whose Showstoppers taught me how to have confidence on stage; Joel Garner, who mentored me in life and in acting; and Cheryl Mullen, who taught me how to sing and helped me grow as a young man. I thank my sister Emma, my father Arthur, and my mom Debbie for supporting me even in my hardest moments. To Barbara Tomasic, Iain Mackelworth, Kerry O’Donovan and so many more, thank you.
I cannot begin to express how grateful I am to the Hnatyshyn Foundation for providing young artists like me the opportunity to pursue their dreams, free from the overwhelming financial burden that many young artists feel. This grant has lifted the burden of uncertainty off my shoulders and reinforced my confidence. Thank you for believing in me.”
Acting - French Theatre
Ricardo B. Beaubrun (left) in Les sorcières de Salem. Photo: Olivier Hardy.
Ricardo B. Beaubrun is an actor studying at the Université du Québec à Montréal. Driven by a desire to explore the human soul in all its complexity, his acting is rooted in the notion of physical presence and in building ever-renewed relationships with audiences. He is inspired by his teacher Sylvio Arriola’s ability to immerse his students in a state of urgency, forcing them to remain grounded in the present moment, and by Camille Renarhd’s teachings on in-situ performance. He was profoundly influenced by his role in Multitud, a performer-led choreographic composition directed by Tamara Cubas as part of the 2024 Festival Transamérique.
“The possibilities in theatre are endless, and thanks to this scholarship, I have the opportunity to explore them fully. Performing allows me to transform my curiosity into creation. Each role is an opportunity for me to push my limits, challenge my beliefs, and offer the audience raw and authentic emotions. This grant gives me the momentum I need to continue my studies with confidence, curiosity, and even more boldness. It is a recognition of my work and my ever-growing love for this vocation. I thank the Hnatyshyn Foundation for this prize, my teachers for their trust and support, and my generous stage partner and friend Audrey Gendron-Paiement, with whom I have shared this process.”
The Joysanne Sidimus Ballet Grant
$10,000 awarded to an exceptionally talented young dancer to bridge the gap between full-time training and a professional career. Generously supported by Lynda Hamilton.
Melia Lin is in her final year in the National Ballet School’s Ballet-Academic Program.
Melia Lin in performance with Erik Nimchuk. Courtesy of Canada’s National Ballet School.
“What excites me most about dance now is the endless possibility within it. I will never forget my first big role in George Balanchine’s Haieff Divertimento. I was not originally cast in the principal part, but Margaret Tracey asked me to take it on. On opening night, I walked on stage smiling so wide, I could not hold back my happiness. I felt so connected to my partner and to the music. In that moment, I felt myself evolve from being a student to a true artist. It was the happiest I had ever been dancing. Ballet has given me resilience, confidence, and a kind of happiness that I carry with me everywhere. I cannot wait to bring that into the next chapter of my career. I thank Vera Timashova for teaching me to approach ballet with love, even on the hardest days. As I begin my final year at Canada’s National Ballet School, this grant will allow me to fully focus on my dancing and to audition around the world for my dream ballet companies.”
The University of Saskatchewan Scholarship for Indigenous Students in Drama
$10,000 awarded to an Indigenous undergraduate student studying in the University of Saskatchewan’s wîcêhtowin Theatre program.
Gabe Martell (he/they) is pursuing a major in drama with a minor in English. Recently, they played E2 in 10 Out of 12 (by Anne Washburn, directed by Clare Middleton, 2024) and were the sound designer for Brainstorm (by Ned Glasier, Emily Lim, and Company Three, directed by Shannon Blanchet, 2025).
Gabe Martell (lower left) with the cast of 10 out of 12 (2024) at the University of Saskatchewan’s Greystone Theatre.
Gabe thanks the professors who continue to inspire him, including Ken Mackenzie and Deneh’Cho Thompson, for assisting him in fuelling his emotions and passion into what he does and for never giving up on him and his classmates, and Carla Orosz, for guiding him towards a future in stage design. Gabe is a member of the Waterhen Lake First Nation and is of mixed Indigenous and settler descent. He is in the second generation of his family to pursue university studies. Gabe wishes to thank his band, particularly his father, for their ongoing support.
“My father, Robert Martell, has been there to help ground me while I came across many challenges with my mental health and with feelings of self-doubt as I sought to learn about my Indigenous roots as an Indigenous person who presents as white. After enrolling at the University of Saskatchewan, I feel more comfortable with my identity, as my peers and teachers have created an open and understanding space for others and myself. This award means a great deal to me, and I will utilize it to continue growing as an Indigenous theatre artist.”
The Hnatyshyn Foundation - Christa and Franz-Paul Decker Fellowship in Conducting
$18,000 awarded to a graduate student in conducting at the Schulich School of Music.
Wanning He is pursuing a Master’s degree in Orchestral Conducting at McGill University under the mentorship of Alexis Hauser.
Courtesy of Wanning He.
Wanning’s passion for leadership was sparked when she was a saxophonist in her high school band. She was captivated by her teacher’s gestures, silently analyzing how his movements shaped the ensemble’s sound. She realized that movement could shape music, not merely follow it.
During her undergraduate studies at McGill, Wanning received numerous distinctions for her academic and artistic excellence. She has led the McGill Beethoven Orchestra in multiple concerts and serves as principal conductor of the McGill Chinese Orchestra. She made her European debut in 2025 conducting the MAV Symphony Orchestra in Budapest. Her mentors include Jorma Panula, Jonathan Dagenais, Leandro Cardoso, Miguel Harth-Bedoya, Eitan Globerson, and Dina Gilbert. Before conducting, Wanning trained as a pianist at McGill University with Marina Mdivani. She maintains an active piano studio, inspiring students to connect deeply with the expressive worlds of Beethoven, Brahms, and Tchaikovsky.
“I am deeply grateful for this vote of confidence. This generous fellowship has made a tangible difference in my journey, helping to cover my tuition and enabling me to travel internationally to study with legendary pedagogues. These opportunities have allowed me to refine my technique, deepen my musical understanding, and gain the guidance necessary to build a meaningful and sustainable career in conducting. Beyond the practical support, this recognition has also given my parents the reassurance that I have the potential to continue pursuing music at a high level. Thank you for supporting my education and artistic development; your generosity not only helps me realize my dreams but also contributes to shaping the next generation of Canadian conductors.”
The Developing Artist Grants - Runner-up Grants
To recognize the exceptional quality of applications for the Developing Artist Grants, we are pleased to award a scholarship to high-performing runners-up in all disciplines. This year’s Runner-up Grants are supported in part by the Michailoff family.
Photos (top left to bottom right): Amillya Beech (photo: Michael Slobodian), Kelan Lynch (David Monteith-Hodge), Anna Štube (Andre Harms), Aidan Rigor (Chris Santos), Julien Gagné, Sam Fortin (Alejandro Fuentes), Sydney Fisher (Ian Redd) and Vladmir Victor (Maxime Côté).
Amillya Beech is a dancer studying at Arts Umbrella in Vancouver.
“This recognition reminds me that being an artist is not just an individual pursuit, but a shared experience. I am incredibly grateful to be on this path with others who show me everything I would not quite discover on my own.”
Kelan Lynch is a countertenor studying at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama in London, UK.
“Coming from a small city in northern Alberta, pursuing a career in classical vocal performance – particularly as a countertenor – has been a rare and challenging path. This scholarship has eased the financial demands of studying abroad and affirms the importance of diverse artistic voices in classical music. As I continue to grow as a performer, I look forward to contributing meaningfully to Canada’s cultural landscape in the years to come.”
Anna Štube is a Latvian violinist studying at the Glenn Gould School of the Royal Conservatory of Music.
“I am beyond thrilled to have received an award from the Hnatyshyn Foundation. It will be instrumental to my continued success in providing me the opportunity to fully dedicate my efforts to pursuing my artistic development and vision without compromise, and allowing me to focus on establishing an international performance career where I am able to utilize my passion for art as a tool to bring people together.”
Aidan Rigor is a classical saxophonist studying at the University of Calgary.
“Thank you to the Hnatyshyn Foundation and its donors for this grant. It has relieved a lot of financial pressure and allowed me to commit myself fully to my degree and to exploring where I can next take my experiences and share the joy of music with the communities of which I am a part.”
Julien Gagné is a pianist studying at the Conservatoire de musique de Montréal.
“This grant will allow me to dedicate myself wholly to my artistic development. This support is more than just financial; it is a concrete recognition of my dedication, my work ethic, and my passion for music.”
Sam Fortin is a jazz pianist and composer studying at the Schulich School of Music.
“I am proud and honoured to receive this award. In addition to supporting my studies, this grant will allow me to upgrade my performance equipment and professionalize my live sound. It will help me with costs associated with graduate studies in music, which I hope to pursue.”
Sydney Fisher is an actress studying at the University of British Columbia.
“It is such a gift to be pursuing something that I am unequivocally passionate about, and this award has helped me to continue to pursue my ambitions, and to strengthen my confidence as a performer. Thank you to the Hnatyshyn Foundation for recognizing my dedication to my work and allowing me to continue chasing the thing that makes me feel most alive.”
Vladmir Victor is an actor studying at the École nationale de théâtre du Canada.
“I want to prove that our wildest dreams can come true. I want to prove that being an artist is worthwhile and feasible. I hope to break down the stereotypes that surround me and to represent a human being, not just an image. Thanks to this grant, I will push myself to grow, enrich myself, and refine my craft in order to touch people on human issues or, quite simply, to inspire them to make a living from their art.”
