AMCA Scholarship Winners 2000

Meet the 2000-2001 AMCA Scholarship Winners

The AMCA Scholarship Committee is pleased to present to our membership the successful winners of our Scholarships for the academic year 2000-2001. Our congratulations to these outstanding young musicians! (See Scholarship winners 2000 announced!)

Katie Butler
is entering her Sophomore year in the music program at Viterbo College. Katie's past accolades are highlighted in last year's winners' section. In the beginning of her Freshman year at Viterbo, Katie was accepted in both the Concert Choir and the Show Choir, an accomplishment attained by very few freshmen, and performed in many performances held by both choirs throughout this past year. As a result of her sincere interest and love for music theatre, Katie is now a double major, focusing on music performance and music theatre. This summer she hoped to work in with a music theatre company.
Future: "This past year has been a lot of work, and I'm sure it will continue to be like this for the rest of my college life. I am prepared to face any challenges thrown at me with enthusiasm and determination".
Katie is proudly sponsored by the Minneapolis Knights of Columbus Male Chorus. This is Katie's second scholarship from AMCA. ($500.)

Leah Gordon
is a Freshman at the Faculty of Music, University of Toronto. In the past Leah has established herself as a wonderfully talented musican in her high school's Integrated Arts Program performing in various vocal ensembles. Last year her contributions as an ensemble member and soloist in the choir led to an invitation to MusicFest Canada, where they received a Gold Medal Standing. Leah is actively involved in her community, often performing as a featured soloist. This past Spring Leah performed as featured soloist at the Kawartha Male Chorus Concert. "Each time she performs, people are stunned by her musical abilities". As well, Leah placed first in her category at Ontario Music Festival Provincial Competitions, similar accomplishments attained by Leah over the past two years.
Future: "After studying all the fundamentals of music I will apply to the Opera School. After which I plan to enter the world of opera. I've checked all the road maps and I am going the right way".
Leah is proudly sponsored by the Kawartha Male Chorus and this is Leah's first AMCA scholarship. ($500.)

Karen Pinkney
is a Sophomore at Penscola Christian College. Being a scholarship winner last year you can find her past accomplishments highlighted in the 1999-2000 winners' profiles. Karen is a multi-talented musician. In her first year of college she has continued in her vocal instruction program, accompanied (piano) fellow vocalists, participated in a strings program learning to play the cello, and played the clarinet in the college band/orchestra. One of Karen's faculty members stated that "she was a leader in my Vocal Instruction class", and that "Karen was honestly THE favoured accompanist in the class". This summer Karen was singing in an ensemble at the Bill Rice Ranch in Murfreesboro, Tenn.
Future: "I am planning to be a missionary and minister with music, or concentrate on music within the church. Ultimately, I want to use my musical abilities to glorify God and bring other to Him".
Karen is proudly sponsored by the Mansfield Men's Chorus. This is Karen's second AMCA scholarship. ($500.)

Giles Tomkins
is this year's winner of The Lester Axdahl Scholarship Award.
Giles is entering his Junior year at the Faculty of Music, University of Toronto. In addition to the many past awards that Giles has attained in his "music career" thus far, (see Giles' profile in our last year's winners' section) he was selected this summer to participate in the Oberlin College summer music program, held in Casalmaggiore, Italy, working with international musicians, while studying and performing the title role in the Mozart opera "Don Giovanni", as well as playing Bartolo in "The Marriage of Figaro". These three and a half weeks proved to be an incredible experience for Giles. In addition to his various choir committments, in which he is often the featured soloist, Giles was a featured soloist at The Queensmen of Toronto Male Chorus annual Christmas Concerts, and in the Spring performed at an Invitational Concert hosted by the Queensmen. Last Fall, Giles was also privileged to be a guest soloist with the prestigious Toronto Mendelssohn Choir.
Future: "Vocal music has been the focal point of my life and I plan to continue both studying and performing this wonderful art form."
Giles is proudly sponsored by The Queensmen of Toronto Male Chorus. This is Giles' second AMCA scholarship ($800).

Nathaniel Voelker
is entering his Freshman year at The Eastman School of Music, majoring in voice performance. This past year Nate completed his high school studies at the Interlochen Arts Academy, Michigan, where he excelled in both his academics as well as his artistic studies. In addition to serving as tenor section leader, he enjoyed many opportunies to perform as soloist with the choirs and in the opera workshop. He studied with all the conductors on campus and conducted major ensembles in studio and concert settings with great success. In his final year Nate served as Assistant Conductor of the Academy Choir and Chamber Singers, and as a Theory Tutor. His long term goals include graduate studies in both voice and conducting.
Future: "I was recently asked why I wanted to be a singer. My response - it's not that I can't do anything else, just that I won't. Music and singing are the only aspects of my life that can completely lift me up."
Nate is proudly sponsored by the Flint Male Chorus and this is his first AMCA scholarship. ($500.)

	Katie Butler is entering her Sophomore year in the music program at Viterbo College. Katie's past accolades are highlighted in last year's winners' section. In the beginning of her Freshman year at Viterbo, Katie was accepted in both the Concert Choir and the Show Choir, an accomplishment attained by very few freshmen, and performed in many performances held by both choirs throughout this past year. As a result of her sincere interest and love for music theatre, Katie is now a double major, focusing on music performance and music theatre. This summer she hoped to work in with a music theatre company. Future: "This past year has been a lot of work, and I'm sure it will continue to be like this for the rest of my college life. I am prepared to face any challenges thrown at me with enthusiasm and determination". Katie is proudly sponsored by the Minneapolis Knights of Columbus Male Chorus. This is Katie's second scholarship from AMCA. ($500.)
	Leah Gordon is a Freshman at the Faculty of Music, University of Toronto. In the past Leah has established herself as a wonderfully talented musican in her high school's Integrated Arts Program performing in various vocal ensembles. Last year her contributions as an ensemble member and soloist in the choir led to an invitation to MusicFest Canada, where they received a Gold Medal Standing. Leah is actively involved in her community, often performing as a featured soloist. This past Spring Leah performed as featured soloist at the Kawartha Male Chorus Concert. "Each time she performs, people are stunned by her musical abilities". As well, Leah placed first in her category at Ontario Music Festival Provincial Competitions, similar accomplishments attained by Leah over the past two years. Future: "After studying all the fundamentals of music I will apply to the Opera School. After which I plan to enter the world of opera. I've checked all the road maps and I am going the right way". Leah is proudly sponsored by the Kawartha Male Chorus and this is Leah's first AMCA scholarship. ($500.)
	Karen Pinkney is a Sophomore at Penscola Christian College. Being a scholarship winner last year you can find her past accomplishments highlighted in the 1999-2000 winners' profiles. Karen is a multi-talented musician. In her first year of college she has continued in her vocal instruction program, accompanied (piano) fellow vocalists, participated in a strings program learning to play the cello, and played the clarinet in the college band/orchestra. One of Karen's faculty members stated that "she was a leader in my Vocal Instruction class", and that "Karen was honestly THE favoured accompanist in the class". This summer Karen was singing in an ensemble at the Bill Rice Ranch in Murfreesboro, Tenn. Future: "I am planning to be a missionary and minister with music, or concentrate on music within the church. Ultimately, I want to use my musical abilities to glorify God and bring other to Him". Karen is proudly sponsored by the Mansfield Men's Chorus. This is Karen's second AMCA scholarship. ($500.)
	Giles Tomkins is this year's winner of The Lester Axdahl Scholarship Award. Giles is entering his Junior year at the Faculty of Music, University of Toronto. In addition to the many past awards that Giles has attained in his "music career" thus far, (see Giles' profile in our last year's winners' section) he was selected this summer to participate in the Oberlin College summer music program, held in Casalmaggiore, Italy, working with international musicians, while studying and performing the title role in the Mozart opera "Don Giovanni", as well as playing Bartolo in "The Marriage of Figaro". These three and a half weeks proved to be an incredible experience for Giles. In addition to his various choir committments, in which he is often the featured soloist, Giles was a featured soloist at The Queensmen of Toronto Male Chorus annual Christmas Concerts, and in the Spring performed at an Invitational Concert hosted by the Queensmen. Last Fall, Giles was also privileged to be a guest soloist with the prestigious Toronto Mendelssohn Choir. Future: "Vocal music has been the focal point of my life and I plan to continue both studying and performing this wonderful art form." Giles is proudly sponsored by The Queensmen of Toronto Male Chorus. This is Giles' second AMCA scholarship ($800).
	Nathaniel Voelker is entering his Freshman year at The Eastman School of Music, majoring in voice performance. This past year Nate completed his high school studies at the Interlochen Arts Academy, Michigan, where he excelled in both his academics as well as his artistic studies. In addition to serving as tenor section leader, he enjoyed many opportunies to perform as soloist with the choirs and in the opera workshop. He studied with all the conductors on campus and conducted major ensembles in studio and concert settings with great success. In his final year Nate served as Assistant Conductor of the Academy Choir and Chamber Singers, and as a Theory Tutor. His long term goals include graduate studies in both voice and conducting. Future: "I was recently asked why I wanted to be a singer. My response - it's not that I can't do anything else, just that I won't. Music and singing are the only aspects of my life that can completely lift me up." Nate is proudly sponsored by the Flint Male Chorus and this is his first AMCA scholarship. ($500.)