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MONCTON, N.B.: DEC. 1, 2025: Two former New Brunswick Youth Orchestra performers are proving hard work and talent pays big dividends after they were awarded multi-year scholarships worth more than $270,000 at one of the world’s top music education institutions.
Avery Hubert of Moncton is a recipient of The Temerty Foundation Scholarship and Kalvin Rowe of Saint John was awarded The Rayla & George Myhal Scholarship to The Glenn Gould School in Toronto. The Glenn Gould School is The Royal Conservatory of Music’s internationally recognized centre for professional training in music performance. Both are full-tuition awards valued at $135,020, covering the $33,755 tuition for four years.
Kenn Mainville, NBYO President and CEO, said the scholarships are extraordinary achievements for the students and their peers.
“When two young musicians from New Brunswick earn full-tuition, merit-based scholarships to Canada’s top conservatory, it shows that talent grows everywhere when opportunity is present. Their success reflects what we see every day. When young people are surrounded by high expectations, professional instruction, and a community that believes in them, they achieve remarkable things,” Mainville said.
Maestro Tony Delgado, NYBO musical director, said everyone in the orchestra and staff are proud of the musicians’ accomplishments.
“Avery and Kalvin are heroes for the other musicians. Only a select few musicians attend this school… The scholarships are the highest NBYO alumni have ever received,” Delgado said. “These are incredible achievements from Sistema NB graduates. Both are very accomplished musicians and they’re not even 20.”
Avery Hubert has played the French Horn for 12 years. His goal is to be a professional musician and to perform in multiple professional orchestras.
“When I received my bursary in my acceptance letter to the Glenn Gould School of Music, I was overjoyed. I felt relieved that I would be financially stable for my duration of schooling in Toronto; if it weren't for this scholarship, I would not have been able to attend the school,” Hubert said.
Kalvin Rowe, an 18-year-old clarinetist from Saint John, joined the Sistema NB program at the Saint John location in 2013 and then became a NBYO musician. He wants to be a performer and teacher, “giving back to youth through the knowledge I’ve been fortunate to learn and as well having a great orchestra, chamber and soloist career.”
“I was blown away by the amount the school was willing to support young musicians. Covering the entire tuition is something that allows students to be able to pursue their passion of music at the next level,” Rowe said.
Both musicians said Royal Conservatory of Music and Glenn Gould School alumni, including Measha Brueggergosman, Loreena McKennitt, Bruce Cockburn, David Foster, Diana Krall, and Sarah McLachlan help inspire their studies and creativity.
“When I hear about the musicians that have attended this school in the past, I feel inspired; everything from past students to my current colleagues spark my ambition,” Hubert said.
“The standard here is high. So many talented musicians graduated or have performed at this wonderful school. Living up to their status is a drive for excellence but also a little intimidating. It can be worrying at times understanding just how fortunate it is to be at a top music school,” Rowe added.
Both musicians are enjoying university life in Toronto, studying with some of the top teachers and students in Canada. Hubert said he has “found my groove” and enjoys city life.
“New Brunswick is so calm I find compared to here... I enjoy this ‘city’ life. Sometimes I leave my practice room at midnight and the city will still be full of noise and just makes the environment livelier,” Rowe agreed.
Delgado said the prestigious awards will motivate other NBYO musicians to work hard and achieve results.
“Some of our musicians are already going for master’s degrees in big universities and auditions for roles in large orchestras. In a few years we will be seeing the long-term results of the orchestra’s hard work and progress,” Delgado said. “We have many students attending universities, using the skills, crafts and experiences learned in performing orchestral music to succeed in other professions.”
Mainville said NBYO students seeing their peers succeed reinforces a core lesson at the heart of Sistema NB - sustained effort over time leads to achievement.
“Our supporters take great pride in seeing young people from New Brunswick succeed on a national stage. These scholarships confirm exactly why they invest in the NBYO and Sistema NB. The outcomes are real, measurable, and life-changing,” Mainville said. “Avery and Kalvin’s success highlights the power of long-term investment in young people. Although their achievements are exceptional, they are part of a broader pattern we see across Sistema NB. Young people discover what they can accomplish when they are supported, challenged, and inspired. We are very proud of them and grateful to every partner, donor, teacher, and family member who helped make this moment possible.”
