Congratulations Mount Royal Conservatory Academy for Gifted Youth grads.

Some of the 42 members of the class of 2014 have grown up at the Conservatory, spending the last 10 years honing their performance skills.

Many were on stage April 28 performing at the Academy Graduation Recital in the Leacock Theatre.

An impressive future awaits our Academy grads. Many are leaving home to study at universities, including U of C, McGill, Ambrose, University of Victoria, University of Toronto, Queens, UBC, New England and Florida.

And they’re not just continuing their musical studies. Some of our grads say they’ll be studying bio-chemistry, science, kinesiology, engineering, pre-law, communications, and business.

Cellist Maclean Pachkowski says after a decade studying at the Conservatory, he is heading to New York’s Bard College.

He’ll be studying music and bio chemistry, he says.

While he’s excited for the adventures ahead, Pachkowski says he’ll miss the friends he’s made at the Conservatory, especially Academy artistic advisor John Kadz.

“It’s sort of like you’re leaving home. I wouldn’t be the person I am today if it weren’t for the program and Mr. Kadz,” said Pachkowski.

Kadz puts it best: “I think they’re well-equipped to make the best use of music no matter what you do with it. Remember to thank your parents.”

ACADEMY APPLICATIONS:

Academy for Gifted Youth (ages 6+)

• Advanced Performance Program
• Guitar Academy program
• Strings, Piano, Winds Academy program
• Vocal Academy program

The Academy Program for Gifted Youth is an enrichment program providing musical training of the highest quality for gifted young artists.

Since the program began in 1980, participants in the Academy Program for Gifted Youth pay only a nominal registration fee, thanks to generous funding from corporate, government and private donors.

Academy students benefit from:

• World-class coaches, teachers and famed guest artists
• One of the finest programs in North America
• Programs designed for children to young professional musicians
• Performance-based study that yields results