The family of Maria Burgess is continuing her decades-long commitment to the arts through an annual award aimed at helping emerging musicians and theatre artists pursue post-secondary education<\/p>\n
Applications for the Maria Burgess Memorial Music and Theatre Award are now open.<\/p>\n
This award honours the life of Maria Burgess by providing $1,000 to a person in the\u00a0community with a passion for music and\/or theatre who is pursuing post-secondary education.<\/p>\n
Burgess got involved in local theatre in the mid-70s\u00a0and,\u00a0for the next 40 years, she performed, produced, and directed countless productions.<\/p>\n
Among her biggest passions were The Soo Sings for Kids\u00a0and Theatre SMC at St. Mary\u2019s College. She\u00a0guided and mentored several young performers from Theatre SMC who went on to pursue professional careers in the arts.<\/p>\n
\u201cSupporting Maria\u2019s love of music and theatre with this award brings our family great pride . . . it was music that united us at Brock University,\u201d said\u00a0Maria\u2019s husband Steve.<\/p>\n
Last year’s winner\u00a0was Allison Lees.<\/p>\n
\u201cThanks to this award I purchased a saxophone and everything I needed to learn it! I am now able to fulfill the requirements to apply to teacher\u2019s college for music,” Lees said.<\/p>\n
Eligible applicants who are accepted into or enrolled in a recognized post-secondary institution to study music and\/or theatre are invited to apply with the deadline for applications getting extended to\u00a0May 4.<\/p>\n