Montreal, May 7, 2026 – The Jeunesses Musicales Canada Foundation held its annual scholarship awards ceremony in Montreal on May 6, celebrating the talent, determination, and exceptional promise of a new generation of Canadian artists.
As part of the 2025–2026 call for candidates, the Foundation awarded more than $120,000 to 29 recipients, selected from nearly 95 applications submitted from across the country. These scholarships will enable young musicians and conductors to pursue advanced studies, participate in international competitions, attend masterclasses, audition for important opportunities, and undertake professional development projects.
“Supporting emerging artists means investing in far more than individual careers. It means helping shape the culture of tomorrow, showcasing our homegrown talent, and strengthening what brings us together as a society,” said Christine Chan.
The evening also highlighted the journeys of past and current scholarship recipients through live performances that demonstrated the concrete impact of philanthropic support in the careers of rising artists.
Through its scholarship programs, the Foundation plays a vital role in supporting young musicians who will carry Canadian classical music to stages at home and abroad, while contributing to the country’s cultural vitality.
The Foundation warmly thanks its jury members, partners, donors, and all those whose continued commitment makes this mission possible year after year.
2025–2026 Special Prize Winners
Choquette-Symcox Prize
Edyelwys Silva
Iwan-Edwards Scholarship
Dami Choi
Recipients of the 2025–2026 AIDA Fund
Simone Alder-Gendron – Violin
Participation in the Voksenåsen Summer Academy in Norway
Amélie Baland-Capdet – Soprano
Studies at the Conservatorium Van Amsterdam
Annabelle Chouinard – Violin
Studies at the Haute école de musique de Genève
Kristian Del Cantero – Guitar
Participation in an advanced training programme at the Domaine Forget de Charlevoix
Aneska Diament – Soprano
Studies at the Royal College of Music in London
Gabriel Dodin – Violin
Studies at the Music and Arts University of the City of Vienna
Chloé Dumoulin – Piano
Studies at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama, with M. O’Hora
Tommy Dupuis – Guitar
Participation in the International Guitar Festival-Academy in Rhine, Germany
Natasha Henry – Soprano
Auditions for opera studios in Canada and France
Chelsea Kolic – Soprano
Auditions in North America and Europe
François Lamontagne – Cello
Participation in the Académie de musique de chambre musique à Flaine, in France, with the Timia Trio
Justine Ledoux – Mezzo-soprano
Participation in international competitions
Jayden Lee – Flute
Auditions in North America and Europe
Maxime Lepage – Tuba
Professional coaching for orchestral auditions
Eva Lesage – Violin
Advanced studies at the Vienna Conservatory of Music & Dance
Malena Lorenson – Bass trombone
Studies at the Haute école de musique de Bern, Switzerland
Emmanuel Marquis-Pelletier – Cello
Participation in the summer program at the Meadowmount School of Music
Anne-Sophie Gagnon-Métellus – soprano
Participation in the Opera Caledonia Vocal Studio 2026
Aliyah Mitchell-Richer – Soprano
Studies at the Guildhall School of Music & Drama in London
Annie Noël-de-Tilly – Flute
Auditions for master’s programmes in Switzerland
Le Minh Nguyen – Guitar
Participation in an advanced training program at the Domaine Forget de Charlevoix
Otto Popescu – Piano
Studies at the University of the Arts Helsinki, Sibelius Academy
Kaïla Stephanos – Flute
Participate in the Chamber Orchestra workshop at the Domaine Forget de Charlevoix
Elisabeth St-Gelais – Soprano
Advanced language study stay in Germany and Italy
Jessy Sun – Viloin
Studies at the Hochschule für Musik Hanns Eisler in Berlin
Michael Sun – Violin
Participation in a music camp and competitions
Yosra Zaazaa – Tenor Trombone
Participation in an advanced training program at the Domaine Forget de Charlevoix
About the Jeunesses Musicales Canada Foundation
The Jeunesses Musicales Canada Foundation raises, creates, and administers funds in support of Jeunesses Musicales Canada and its mission to democratize access to classical music for young audiences while helping launch the careers of emerging Canadian artists.
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Media Contact
Véronique Desjardins
Executive Director
Jeunesses Musicales Canada Foundation
vdesjardins@jmcanada.ca
