A legacy of leaders in the Arts – Celebrating CCPA’s 25 Years

An adage goes “there’s no business like show business.” For 25 years, the Canadian College of Performing Arts has been training the leaders of show business in Greater Victoria and beyond. And for some, the help from a generous individual has helped carry their studies forward. 

This year marks the Canadian College of Performing Arts (CCPA) 25th anniversary. For 25 years, CCPA has been training professionals in the arts from performers to teachers, arts administrators, creators and more. Founded in 1998, CCPA boasts over 700 alumni contributing to the arts in their community. 

During her lifetime, Alice May Salmon of Victoria supported scholarships for students at the CCPA.   On her passing in 2010 and through Alice May’s generosity and forethought in leaving a gift in her Will, the Alice May Salmon Scholarship continues to help lift the arts leaders of

tomorrow through financial assistance. Moreover, it’s helped foster the arts leaders of tomorrow in Greater Victoria and beyond. 

To celebrate the Canadian College of Performing Arts’ 25th Anniversary, the Victoria Foundation was fortunate to hear from past students and recipients of the scholarship through letters describing the impact Alice May’s generosity had.

Katie Van Bergeyk 

Katie is in her third year at CCPA, entering the Studio Ensemble program. A recipient of the Alice May Salmon Scholarship in 2023, her first experience with musical theatre was watching her siblings perform a song from Annie Get Your Gun in the school talent show. From that moment, she fell in love with the mix of dance and music and began to train in musical theatre and classical singing. She says that singing has taught her how to work hard, apply herself, and how singing can benefit everyone’s life. 

“It means so much that you all believe in my future that you would support me and my education. I grew up with music, specifically piano and singing. My mother is a piano and voice teacher and insisted that our “musical education” was just as important as our school education. I remember when she would pull up a song that she grew up with and make us listen to it, and then ask us what it was about. My favourite song was “Big Yellow Taxi” by Joni Mitchell. She taught us to play, create and sing together…” 

“…Your generous support will aid me in continuing my studies at the Canadian College of Performing Arts, and help give me the best chance in succeeding.” 

Megan Strong 

A first-year student at the CCPA, Megan was a recipient of the Alice May Salmon Scholarship in 2023. The support has energized her as she looks forward to the fall, where she will continue to train and jump at any opportunity offered. 

“I cannot express how grateful I am to have even been considered for this scholarship. The arts have been my passion since I was a child, and getting to move to a new city, on my own, studying what I love every day, it’s more than I ever could have imagined.” 

Jeremy James Sinclair

Jeremy James Sinclair received the Alice May Salmon Scholarship in 2022, and recently, had a piece of original theatre debut at the CCPA. His show, Castle of Glass, was one Jeremy wrote, produced, directed and performed in. He says receiving the scholarship allowed him to direct all his creative energy into creative training and show preparation. He has hung the award in his music studio to remind him of the support, providing inspiration and reminding himself “that I have a voice worth sharing.” 

“This scholarship gives hope to hungry students like myself. It encourages them to keep working on what makes them happy. It serves as a reminder that the pursuit of this career is of value to our society. As a way of carrying your generosity forward, I intend to make it my mission to inspire young artists to follow their creativity to make this world a brighter, more hopeful place for everyone. Thank you for continuing to make this scholarship possible.”

25 Years working with the art leaders of tomorrow

The Victoria Foundation is proud to work with the Canadian College of Performing Arts and joins the community in a resounding “encore” for their 25 years of educating and fostering the arts leaders of today and tomorrow. Learn more about the Canadian College of Performing Arts and the work they do in our community.

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The Alice May Salmon Foundation Fund is held at the Victoria Foundation. Your legacy giving can be as individual as you are, across the arts, food security, housing or many other issues close to you. Click here to find out how you can leave a legacy or contact the Victoria Foundation at donorservices@victoriafoundation.bc.ca or call 250-381-5532.