St.

Albert Gazette, Wednesday, March 08, 2017 - 29

HAILEY olivia kate AMY SIERRA

BENEDICT iatridis POLCZER WIRSCH

Youth Artist Award

Hailey Benedict
Raised in St. Albert, Hailey
is a multi-talented young artist
who emerged on the local scene
performing musical theatre at Citadel
Theatre and singing country music at
too-many-to-count high profile gigs.
Twice nominated for the Fan Choice
Award at Association of Country
Music, she received the trophy in
2014. She was 12 and made history as
the youngest recipient to receive the
award.
Olivia Kate Iatridis
Born in Yellowknife, N.W.T. Olivia
enjoys a diverse cultural background.
Her mother is Inuvialuit and her
father is of Greek descent. She found
her calling acting in school, and when
the family moved to Alberta in 2015,
Olivia discovered new opportunities
as a shorts and a feature film extra.
Amy Polczer
A multi-instrumentalist, composer
and actor, Amy has received awards
from Alberta Music Festival for her
compositions. In addition, as an
actress she has performed in The
Ghost Knows, #ROXY and Caution:
May Contain Nuts.
Sierra Wirsch
Passionate about art, Sierra still
recalls the first piece she ever created,
a portrait of herself in kindergarten.
Today Sierras technique and
inspiration has improved as her work
was hung in St. Albert Place Youth
Gallery and is screened on Instagram.

St. Albert Chamber of

FRIENDS OF ST. ALBERT
CHILDRENS THEATRE SOCIETY
Commerce Community
Arts Group Award
Friends of St. Albert Childrens
Theatre Society
The Friends of St. Albert Childrens Theatre
Society promotes, educates and fundraises to
DAN RIEDLHUBER/St. Albert Gazette
support childrens theatre arts experiences in
LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT Michael Massey on his grand piano in the studio
the city.
of his home in St. Albert.
St. Albert Chamber Music Society
The society is composed of individuals

st. albert chamber music

who love the classical repertoire and
appreciate the high quality of chamber music
performed by distinguished professionals and
St. Albert honours
conductor-pianist
society
emerging musicians booked at the monthly
salons.
St. Albert Photography Club

ST. ALBERT
PHOTOGRAPHY CLUB
visual arts studio association
of st. albert (vasa)
curtis DONNA
labelle LEWIS
Dawson Wallace Established Artist Award
Curtis Labelle
Former Visionary Centre for the
Performing Arts music director and
musician, Curtis taught piano and
directed the centres musical theatre
productions. He is also an eloquent
composer and a flamboyant star in A
Tribute to Liberace, an homage to the
former stars dazzling Las Vegas shows.
Donna Lewis
Donna Lewis of Donna Lynn
Photography is an internationally
published fashion, glamour and portrait
couture photographer whose style leans
towards fairytale, romantic, ethereal and
fashion portraits.
Carol Rose
A 1996 founding member and still
Started in 1992, the St. Albert Photography
Club is a thriving organization with
individuals who capture the world through
their lenses in wondrous and unique
ways. All ages are welcome and the only
prerequisite is an interest in photography.
Visual Arts Studio Association of St.
Albert (VASA)
VASA provides 23 artists with space and
features two art galleries with monthly
exhibits. The studio also offers a variety of
programs including Authentic Art, a program
for people with developmental disabilities.
CAROL DONOVAN RANDY
ROSE WEIHMANN WILLIAMS
active member of St. Albert Painters
Guild, Carol Rose continues to be
attracted to the beauty of nature.
Donovan Weihmann
One of the citys most diverse singers,
Donovan is a vocalist with the jazzy Tri-
City Rat Pack, belts rock with ThinLine
Sid, is part of acoustic duo Blue
Harvest and parties it up in Retrofitz.
A regular vocalist at Edmonton Singing
Christmas Tree, he also branched out in
Walterdale Theatres musical Man of No
Importance.
Randy Williams
Randy has enjoyed a varied career as
a visual artist, musician and educator
and enjoys the distinction of notching
eight degrees and diplomas.
Michael Massey
By Anna Borowiecki
Staff Writer
It often surprises first time visitors
how easily the Edmonton Youth
Orchestra navigates through the
most complex works.
But a large portion of the
praise goes to conductor Michael
Massey, 71, who has the ability to
turn a workday performance into
something incredibly special.
It is not only his encyclopedic
knowledge, thoughtful preparation,
artistic vision and leadership that is
important, but a nurturing ability to
inspire.
Former EYO cellist Mark Moran
described his mentor this way,
You learned how to love the
classics. Michael Massey had such
energy and he loved classical
music. You learned so much when
he explored why a composer
wrote a piece of music. And he
knew how to draw the energy
from you.
Those who know the British-born
conductor are quick to mention
that he has forged a solid national
and international reputation as both
a superb orchestral trainer and as a
man and pianist of great integrity.
Over time, his 40 years at the
helm of the EYO have earned
many laurels: 2002 Inductee into
Edmontons Cultural Hall of Fame,
the Queens Golden Jubilee Medal
and the 2016 Alberta Order of
Excellence, the highest honour
bestowed on a civilian.
At the height of his career,
Massey is slated to receive the
St. Albert Mayors Celebration of
You learned how
to love the classics.
Michael Massey had
such energy and
he loved classical
music.
MARK MORAN
Former EYO cellist
the Arts Lifetime Achievement
Award for his indefatigable support
of young musicians as well as
his accomplishments as a concert
pianist.
Im humbled by it all. I didnt
seek accolades but its very nice
to be recognized for the work Ive
done, said the soft-spoken Massey.
His statement is a genuine
reflection of the man serene,
refined with an old-world
graciousness and charm that is rare
in the 21st century.
I hope Ive made a difference
to Albertas young musicians and
inspired them to continue as
musicians whether its professional
or not. And maybe instil a love of
music that will stay with them for
the rest of their lives. Thats my
job to open their eyes to this
wonderful music we play.
While most classical conductors
search for a career leading finely
honed professional players,
Masseys hallmark is to express his
creativity with emerging artists.
See Massey, page 30