“Thank you for being a pillar in my journey”

The Kenneth G. Mills Foundation is pleased to announce the 2023–4 recipients of its scholarships at the Glenn Gould School of the Royal Conservatory of Music: Robyn Lianne Cheng, viola (Kenneth G. Mills Scholarship) and Stella Christine, soprano (Dianne Forsyth Vocal Scholarship).

These young music students are thrilled to be pursuing their passion at the school and are very appreciative of the excellent training they are receiving in an atmosphere of dedicated focus and support.

Stella Christine hails from St. John’s, Newfoundland, and has loved opera from the age of three, especially the voices of Lily Pons and Jeanette MacDonald, and was amazed that Dr. Kenneth G. Mills had actually heard and met Ms. Pons. As well as receiving individual vocal instruction, she learns music theory and the business of career management. When she is not studying at the Glenn Gould School, Stella teaches piano to children and is an usher at Roy Thomson Hall. Her end-of-year recital, which will take place in April 2024, will focus on the music of female composers.

Robyn Cheng started playing violin in the Philippines but, at the age of twelve, with guidance she found that the viola suited her better. She performs in the Royal Conservatory Orchestra and has played in the Caledon Music Festival. To Robyn, “music is immensely important to me and what I consider my best friend. I turn to playing the language of music to convey and create. In the same way, music is an integral part of my identity.”

Dean James Anagnoson of the Glenn Gould School expressed in a recent letter to the Foundation: “My sincere thanks for your belief in the incredible potential of our students. Your support is vital in helping them achieve their dreams.”