The Royal Occasion, April 22, Toronto
On April 22, The Royal Conservatory of Music raised $450,000 to support scholarships, outreach and training opportunities for the next generation of Canadian artists. The fundraiser, billed as The Royal Occasion, has raised nearly $4 million for the school over the past decade. Board of director members Heather Bala Edwards, Sondra Lindros and Rayla Myhal served as this year’s co-chairs. Alexander Brose, Michael and Sonja Koerner President and CEO of The Royal Conservatory, took the stage to welcome the 600 supporters who had gathered. He spoke to the great work the school is undertaking and encouraged guests to “take a class, attend a concert, a recital, or a lecture. Encourage your children and grandchildren to pick up an instrument.” Brose also honoured late philanthropist Michael Koerner, one of the RCM’s greatest supporters who studied piano through the RCM Certificate Program in Vancouver. Later, longtime supporters Jenifer and Stephen McDonald and singer Jann Arden received Honorary Fellowships, the institution’s highest distinction awarded to individuals who have made extraordinary contributions to arts and culture. Following performances by Juno Award-winning artists Laila Biali and Donovan Woods, and 11-year-old pianist Khloe Wu (a student in the Phil and Eli Taylor Performance Academy for Young Artists), Arden closed out the night accompanied by four students from The Glenn Gould School. Attendees included Adrienne Clarkson and John Ralston Saul; First Generation Capital CEO and RMC board member Ian Ihnatowycz and his wife, Marta Witer; CBC Radio host Tom Power; RMC board chair Tim Price and his wife, Frances Price; UHN’s Dr. Toni Zhong; and supporters Phil and Eli Taylor.
Chefs for Change, April 14, Toronto
The previous week, Stacey Kline, Marissa Kassam and Lauren Levy co-chaired the second instalment of Chefs for Change, which brings Toronto’s top chefs together to fight student hunger. According to the Toronto Foundation for Student Success, 40 per cent of the city’s students come to school without eating breakfast, and those kids are more likely to miss class and fall behind. The event raised $1.4 million to support the foundation’s school nutrition program and underwrite two million meals for kids across the city who might otherwise go hungry. Some of Toronto’s most talented chefs such as Alex Tzatzos, Craig Harding and Daniele Corona cooked and served dishes at interactive stations inside St. Lawrence Market North for more than 600 guests. Adrian Rocca, CEO of presenting sponsor Fitzrovia, and Catherine Parsonage, Toronto Foundation for Student Success CEO, were in attendance. Ontario Premier Doug Ford and Mayor of Toronto Olivia Chow faced off for a second time in an on-stage cook-off with young students as their sous chefs.