By Marilou Yacoub, Administrative Coordinator, Concordia Conservatory

Sept. 8, 2021: Concordia Conservatory is delighted to announce the recipients of the 2020-21 Awards of Distinction. This year’s recipients are: Valentino Angelani, flute (age 12), Masha Lekovic, flute (age 13), and Sarah Angevine, voice (age 14).

Nominated by their faculty, these students exhibited extraordinary dedication and commitment to learning and performing their craft. Their names will be added to a special plaque displayed in the Conservatory’s Stein Hall.

The Awards of Distinction is an honors program created for Conservatory students who truly excel in their musical pursuits. The award is presented annually prerequisites including enrollment in individual lessons; solo performance and chamber ensemble participation. Conservatory flute faculty Clare Hoffman, nominated Valentino and Masha and had this to say: “Valentino shows a precocious level of musicianship and intellectual curiosity. He is a natural flute player, with a wonderful, mature concept of tone. Masha is a wonderful young flute player. She recently received First Class Honours on her Royal Conservatory Level 4 Practical Exam. Her musicality makes her a joy to listen to. Both are dedicated young musicians and are very deserving of this award!”

Conservatory voice faculty Julie Schmidt’s nomination of Sarah Angevine included this: “Sarah has shown outstanding achievement in voice, fulfilling all of the requirement for the Award of Distinction. Her warm voice and expressive artistry delights audiences whether she is singing in a show, as a soloist, or in a group. It has been my pleasure and privilege to work with Sarah for the past six years, and I am confident we will see much more from her in the future.”

Pictured (L to R): Sarah Angevine; Valentino Angelani; Masha Lekovic

Photo courtesy Concordia Conservatory