WINNIPEG, MB – Juno award-winning singer-songwriter Chantal Kreviazuk helped launch her alma mater’s new performing arts program at The University of Winnipeg Collegiate today. Her support highlighted expanded offerings, establishing The Collegiate as a premier destination for students who are passionate about music and the arts: an innovative suite of programming will begin this fall in partnership with the prestigious Manitoba Conservatory of Music & Arts (MCMA) and the renowned Royal Winnipeg Ballet (RWB).
In September, The Collegiate will be offering an instrumental band program (senior and junior bands) and a choral program that will be offered in partnership with teachers of the MCMA. A jazz dance program will also be introduced, along with established courses in art, drama, extra-curricular dance and creative writing on campus. Other performance arts, such as additional form of dance and musical theatre are planned for the future, as are opportunities for Collegiate students to earn credit hours in a music course at the undergraduate level.
“As a thriving high school within a university campus, The Collegiate is already unique in Canada. It enjoys a long history of excellence based on developing young, passionate minds. Building on this foundation is a burgeoning performing arts program that reimagines The Collegiate as the place to go for creative students whose interest lies in music and the arts. This important evolution will further distinguish The Collegiate and underscore the UWinnipeg’s strong tradition of support for the cultural and performing arts and our commitment to being a centre for artistic excellence that encompasses many forms,” said Dr. Lloyd Axworthy, President and Vice-chancellor of UWinnipeg.
“These new and exciting offerings at our Collegiate are possible thanks to our continued partnerships with the MCMA and the RWB, two prestigious arts institutions in our province,” explained Robert Bend, Dean of UWinnipeg Collegiate. “Our new program carves out a new path that will allow further collaborations with other Manitoba arts organizations to ensure the best program possible in the performing arts. This, combined with our continued high level of academics, will create a new hybrid of interdisciplinary learning that will make the Collegiate a very exciting place to study.”
Bolstering The Collegiate’s evolution to a destination performing arts school is a co-location with MCMA, which will be moving into UWinnipeg’s historic Bryce Hall. Work is about to start on a project converting Bryce into state-of-the-art music facilities, including a spacious instrumental music classroom and ten studio spaces. MCMA has provided music instruction to Collegiate students for the past several years; its pending move to campus will bring expanded music programming to the entire UWinnipeg population. Returning and new students of the Conservatory will flourish in a first-class facility that will support the continued high level of instruction the MCMA has provided for over thirty years.
“The Conservatory is thrilled to grow our partnership with UWinnipeg,” says Norine Harty, MCMA Executive Director. “Our newly renovated central location will serve as the perfect base to support our principles of providing excellent, accessible music education.”
About The Collegiate
Unlike any educational institution in Canada, The Collegiate is a high school at university that prepares students to thrive. Noted for accelerated courses, dual credits and a safe, supportive learning community, The Collegiate environment builds a foundation for success. Its 125-year history of excellence is based on developing the innovation and critical thinking of passionate minds. If your interest lies in music and the arts, The Collegiate is the place to discover your passion.
About The Conservatory
The Manitoba Conservatory of Music is Manitoba’s premier independent musical institution, dedicated to helping students learn and achieve. The Conservatory is a musical community intent on embracing and nurturing the musical spirit in all students, from beginners to professionals. As an added benefit to our music program, Collegiate students may also participate in private music lessons taught by Conservatory instructors.
Canada’s Royal Winnipeg Ballet School
The RWB School is well known for being the most comprehensive dance training facility in Canada. With more than 1,200 students annually, our multi-level state of the art facility is the home to the Professional and Recreational Divisions. These two divisions provide the highest caliber of training available to aspiring professional dancers, recreational students and professional teachers of dance. Internationally renowned for its exceptional teaching staff and commitment to artistic excellence, the RWB School inspires students of all levels and ages to set and achieve their goals.
