Scholarship Fund


There are many ways to support our young professional dancers, and many ways to help them achieve their dreams.



The Scholarships are awarded annually and directly supplement the student’s financial costs, allowing those with great potential to continue careers in dance where they might not otherwise have had the opportunity.



Each year in the fall, the RWB School hosts Scholarship Presentation Night. A variety of scholarships are awarded as pre-determined by their set criteria, and the recipients chosen by the RWB’s artistic staff.



There are two ways to establish a scholarship:

  • By Endowment: A designated fund is established from either a lump sum or series of gifts, and the yearly interest, or portion thereof, is awarded as the scholarship amount.

  • By Annual Gift: The donor makes an annual gift, the total of which is awarded as the scholarship.


Doreen Macdonald Scholarship

Doreen Macdonald was a longtime Wardrobe Director at the RWB. This scholarship is awarded annually to a student showing interest and talent in the field of design. Taylor Drury was the recipient of the 2009 scholarship.



Millicent Rockwell Donnelly Bursary

This scholarship is awarded to a junior, Manitoba-born student who has shown talent, professionalism, and good work habits. The 2009 award was given to Megan Jersak.

Paddy Stone Scholarship
This scholarship was established in memory of former Royal Winnipeg Ballet dancer and choreographer Paddy Stone and is given to a dancer who demonstrates choreographic talent. The scholarship was awarded to Taylor Drury during the First Steps Choreographic Competition.



University Women's Club / Dr. Alice Cheatley Bursary

This award is given to a Level I - IV student based on talent, commitment and motivation. Elina Ranta-Diegel received the 2009 scholarship.

University Women's Club  Performing Arts Bursary

This award is given annually. Sarah Harris received the 2009 scholarship.



David Peregrine Memorial

This award was established by David Peregrine’s family in his memory and is given annually to a promising junior dancer. The 2009 award was presented to Peter Kurta.



Julia Arkos Memorial Award

The RWB School established the Julia Arkos Memorial Award in memory of this long-time teacher whose vision and dedication helped to shape the RWB School. 2009 recipient: Hunter Loewen.



Douglas and Elizabeth MacEwan Scholarship
This award was created by Douglas MacEwan, former RWB Board Member, in recognition of the many educators in his family. Alia Tahiri was the recipient in 2009.

Rene Highway Scholarship

The Rene Highway Scholarship was established in memory of Rene Highway, a First Nations Canadian from northern Manitoba who began dance classes with the Recreational Division of the RWB School. He went on to dance with the Toronto Dance Theatre, eventually moving to and performing in Europe. This scholarship is in the process of becoming endowed and was not awarded in 2009.



Daimler-Chrysler Scholarship
Presented to Alex Li-Chia Ko for 2009, this award was established by Daimler-Chrysler Canada and is awarded to assist a talented student in his or her studies.



Jane McEvoy O'Donnel Scholarship

Jane McEvoy O'Donnel was a ballet lover who attended RWB performances regularly with her friends. A gift from her estate, with added donations from friends and family, was used to establish this scholarship in her memory. 2009 Recipent: Taylor Drury.



Dr. Alice Cheatley Scholarship

This award presented to Sara Stockwell (2009), was established by the board in 1988 to honour Dr. Cheatley's significant contribution to the School. It is presented to a Level V to VII student who demonstrates motivation, high commitment and a love of dance.



Kally Kennedy Memorial Scholarship
Kally Kennedy was a passionate supporter of the RWB and its school, and helped found our Creative Movement program. Awarded to a student in the Teacher’s Course who is training to teach creative movement to preschool children; this year’s scholarship was awarded to Krista Dorman and Marilee Schroeder (2009).



Nijinski Dance Scholarship
This scholarship was established in 1984 by Casimir Carter, a founding member and first secretary of the Winnipeg Ballet Club and a dancer with the Company from 1939-43 and 1946-49. This award is available to promising Manitoba students of Polish descent and was presented to Filip Kurlowicz in 2009.



Odette & Odile Scholarship

The Odette & Odile Scholarship was awarded to Kianna Wong (2009). This scholarship was established by a gift of the DeFehr Foundation. It was named after the principal characters in the great Russian classic, Swan Lake, in recognition of the pursuit of excellence undertaken by all students of ballet, and in honour of the DeFehr's Russian roots.



Juanita Y. Alexander Scholarship for Artistic Excellence

The Juanita Y. Alexander Scholarship for Artistic Excellence was presented to Zach Rogers (2009). This scholarship was established in 1992 by the Alexander family to commemorate the late Juanita Alexander's lifelong commitment to the Royal Winnipeg Ballet.



Carlson Wagonlit Travel Bursary
Awarded to a professional division student based on talent, motivation and commitment. This year's recipient was Kira Hofmann (2009).



Investors Group Summer Scholarships
Each year Investors Group generously provides up to 11 summer session scholarships, one in each province and one in the Yukon.

The 2009 recipients were: Emma Winowich, Hailey Schaus, Brandon Lockhart, Abigail Falvey, Nicola Wall, Paige Powell, Jesse Petrie, Chantel Lim, Valeriya Belskikh.



Investors Group Professional Division Fall/Winter Scholarships
Investors Group also provides several scholarships each year which support talented students during their fall/winter studies at the RWB School. The 2009 recipients were Seth Buckley, Alexandra Fahlgren, Philippe Larouche, Katrina Smith. 



Craig Music & Entertainment Scholarship

Awarded to Alexandra Fahlgren (2009), this scholarship is annually donated by Craig Broadcasting to support a student in his/her studies at the RWB School.



Esso Kids Award of Excellence Scholarship
This award provides support for a talented young artist in his/her pursuit of excellence in the art of dance. The 2009 award was presented to Akanbi Babatunde.



Endowment Award

This award derives from the RWB's Endowment Scholarship Fund to which many hundreds of individuals have made gifts. It was awarded to Naomi Tanioka and Victoria Clerico (2009).



ANR Pipeline Scholarship

This scholarship was created by ANR Pipelines to provide support to committed and talented young artists in the company’s target areas of Wisconsin and Michigan. Awared to Alia Tahiri (2009) who comes to the RWB School from Delavan, Wisconsin.



Canadian Pacific Scholarship

The Canadian Pacific Scholarship is awarded annually to a Canadian student who has demonstrated an exceptional level of commitment to the art of ballet. Xavier Reigneau was the 2007-08 scholarship recipient.



Antonio Klockow Memorial Bursary

Antonio Klockow felt that his life had been greatly enriched because he had been able to study dance, something that was only possible for him because financial assistance was available. This bursary was established in his memory, to ensure that other young artists may share his experience.. 2009 Recipient: Ryan Vetter.



Shining River
Awarded to a male ballet student who is from the Interlake area in Manitoba and who is a Treaty Status First Nations person. The award is presented to a student who possesses passion and love of dance, and who has exemplified commitment and consistency over the course of his ballet studies. This scholarship was not awarded in 2009.

Founders' Scholarship
2009 Recipient: Georgia Richtscheid

This scholarship was established by the board of directors in memory of Gweneth Lloyd and Betty Hey Farrally, founders of the RWB.



Royal Bank of Canada Award

The Royal Bank of Canada Award, presented to Nikita Kopotun, Brandon Lockhart, Katie Simpson and Elina Ranta-Diegel (2009), is given annually to students who have demonstrated an exceptional level of talent, commitment and achievement. The recipients must be Canadian, with a priority given to students from rural areas.



Arnold Spohr Scholarship
Established by the board of directors to recognize Mr. Spohr's many years with the RWB and the influence and inspiration he has given and continues to give. It is presented to two students annually. The 2009 scholarship was presented to Emily Chessa and Philippe Larouche.



Prince Edward Award

The Prince Edward Award was established in 1990 by the Province of Manitoba to commemorate the visit of His Royal Highness Prince Edward. The award is given to two students entering Level V, VI or VII who have shown exceptional talent, commitment and achievement. This year the awards were presented to Sophia Lee and James Fisher.

RWB Alumni Scholarship
First awarded in 2009 (Natalia Perkovic), this scholarship was mostly precipitated in memory of Margaret Piasecki (Hample), one of the RWB's first students. She was a founding member of the RWB Alumni Association.

Coming soon

 



 

DONATE ONLINE NOW
Donation Form

204-957-3442
204-943-1994
rcatt@rwb.org
380 Graham Ave. Winnipeg, MB, Canada R3C 4K2
CRA info for Donors