Scholarships Sponsored by MTA-NWT
– Information for teachers and students –
5 more reasons to be a member of MTA-NWT!
The following scholarships are available to students of MTA members who compete in the Yellowknife Music Festival. With the exception of the Rowena Dixon-Wiest Scholarship, which is fixed, the amount to be awarded will vary from year to year depending on the financial situation of the Yellowknife Music Festival and the number of musicians who qualify.
We also donate to Alberta Provincials and CMFTA each year, depending on our financial situation, in support of their scholarships. Scroll to end to see more.
1. Rowena Dixon-Wiest Scholarship
Rowena Dixon-Wiest
was a respected, dedicated, hard-working, and passionate musician and dancer, who strove for excellence as she developed these skills. She was a music and dance teacher in Yellowknife, member of Classics on Stage Yellowknife, competed in the first Yellowknife Music Festival (2009) and many thereafter, and was the first person recommended to compete in the Alberta Provincial Music Festival from the Northwest Territories. She pursued these and all other aspects of her life with grace, compassion, and kindness and acted as a role model and inspiration to other young artists. Her love of classical music showed an appreciation for artistry and beauty that transcended generations and provides hope for the continuation of this musical genre.
This Scholarship
This scholarship is intended to recognize music students in any instrument who exemplify similar qualities to those held by Rowena who are pursuing the study of classical music seriously. This could include through post-secondary studies, or through another avenue.
The total value of this scholarship is $500 annually.
Students are nominated for this scholarship by their music teachers. Nominating teachers must be members of the Music Teachers’ Association – NWT.
Music students who feel they qualify to be considered for this scholarship should ask their teacher about it and ask to be nominated. They can submit their description (500 words max) of why they feel they should be considered for this scholarship to their teacher, who will add it to the application form and submit it below. Application forms (a fillable pdf) can also be requested from the YK Music Festival Administrator.
The award decision will be made by the Music Teachers’ Association – NWT and a member of Rowena's family and will be announced during the annual Yellowknife Music Festival Showcase Concert.
Nominations for next year should be submitted before April 20th, 2025. Please complete the application form below.
2. Graduation Scholarships
These scholarships are awarded to Yellowknife High School Graduates entering their first year of university to study music.
Students must have competed in the Yellowknife Music Festival the year that they graduate from high school and it is their responsibility to apply for this award by contacting the Festival Administrator to say that they wish to be considered for this award by the MTA-NWT board, supported by a copy of their letter of acceptance into a University or College program with the intent to major in Music, at ykmusicfestival@gmail.com.
Scholarships Awarded
YK Music Festival
Most of the scholarships and other awards made by MTA-NWT go to our biggest project, the Yellowknife Music Festival. To go to the YKMF website and view the list of recipients of awards, click on the button below.
Congratulations to Matthew Bui, winner of both the Graduation & the Rowena Dixon-Wiest Awards in 2024.
OTHER AWARDS AVAILABLE TO YKMF PARTICIPANTS:
1. Alberta Provincials Scholarships
Alberta Provincials Scholarships are awarded to students recommended to compete in Edmonton by the adjudicator of qualifying class(es) in the Yellowknife Music Festival. Only one performer and an alternate from each category will be nominated by the adjudicator.
The scholarship pays for the winners’ registration in the Provincials, which is done by the Festival on behalf of the student, as well as a small cash award towards travel expenses.
There is no need to apply for this scholarship as the recipients will be chosen by the adjudicators in consultation with the Festival Administrator.
For more information and to find out whether your student is eligible, talk to the Registrar.
2. Canada West Performing Arts Festival Scholarships
Winners of the Alberta Provincial Festival are eligible to be recommended to this Regional Festival by the Alberta Provincial Festival adjudicators.
Any Yellowknife performer who enters the Canada West Performing Arts Festival on the recommendation of the Alberta Provincials will receive a stipend from MTA-NWT to cover their registration fees as well as some cash towards travel expenses.
In order to receive this scholarship, the student or their teacher should make MTA-NWT aware of their success by emailing us at nwtmusicteachers@gmail.com .
CFMTA Competitions
MTA-MTA may from time to time offer financial support to a Yellowknife student who enters a Canadian Federation of Music Teachers’ Associations competition. This will be decided on a case by case basis and may depend on the organization applying successfully for a government grant or corporate sponsorship to cover the cost.
CFMTA competition sponsorship
2023 Diana Rockwell, Classical Voice
Congratulations goes out to Diana Rockwell who took First Place with a prize of $5000 at the Canadian Federation of Music Teachers' Association's Vocal Competition held in Edmonton on July 7! Congratulations also goes out to her collaborative pianist Shannon Heibert and her voice teacher, MTA-NWT member, John Tessier.
We also donate to Alberta Provincials and CMFTA each year, depending on our financial situation, in support of their scholarships.
Thankyou!
Here is an example of a letter from a grateful Alberta music student who benefited from an MTA donation in spring 2024.