The School of Media, Art & Design at Durham College (DC) is pleased to announce three Music Business Management students – one graduate and two currently enrolled – are recipients of the 2021 SHINE! Music Bursary. Second-year students Whitney Otis and Kailey Haskell along with Alexa Michaels, who graduated from the program in 2017, received the awards at the 2021 SHINE! Concert on March 7.

Established in 2010, the SHINE! Music Bursary is an external financial assistance award aimed at supporting young musicians looking to further their study of traditional or folk music. Originally named the Jim Fay Music Bursary, the award has evolved over time in memory of four influential contributors to the Greater Toronto Area’s music scene, including:

• Jim Fay – Irish-born guitar and mandolin player
• James Gray – musician and long-time keyboard player for Blue Rodeo
• Doug Queen – musician, singer and song-writer, and member of the bluegrass band Jughead (“Hockey Song”)
• Bruce Adamson – lead guitarist of Staggered Crossing

Funding for the bursary is raised through the annual SHINE! Concert as well as generous donations from individuals and groups. Now in it’s 12th year, the concert was streamed virtually due to COVID-19. DC’s Alexa and Whitney were two of four recipients to join this year’s lineup and performed on the virtual stage.

“Quite often, financial barriers can cause disruptions in the continued practice or study of music,” explains Marni Thornton, professor, School of Media, Art & Design. “Financial assistance awards, such as the SHINE! Music Bursary, can make all the difference for those hoping to forge a future in music.”

Youth between the ages of 16 to 24 can apply to the bursary each year, with award amounts ranging between $500 and $2,000, to support opportunities for aspiring musicians to advance their careers, such as album releases and additional coaching.

“We are thrilled that the college and SHINE! found each other,” says Ian Newall, chair, SHINE! Music Bursary. “Durham College has an innovative program that produces keen musicians and I look forward to meeting new applicants in the future.”

To watch the 2021 SHINE! Concert, click here.