Villa Charities 2018 Annual Report VC19_AnnualReport_Interiors_Apr29_FNL2 | Page 24

BY THE NUMBERS
columbus centre
arts, youth &
culture
95%
of art school registrants
are returning students
85%
of music school
registrants are returning
students
Columbus Centre’s Arts, Youth & Culture
Department introduced new culinary
and art programs, and provided new
performance opportunities for music
students in 2018. Following are some
of the key highlights during the year.
95%
of 2017-18 music
scholarship winners
returned in 2018-19
COLUMBUS CENTRE SCHOOL OF MUSIC
Students in the music program continued
to attain higher levels of excellence while
program enrollment remained steady.
For the first time ever, the school
participated in the Cantagiro International
Youth Singers Competition, held in Fiuggi,
Italy. Following a selection process that
included five Columbus Centre vocal
students, 17-year-old Sophia Lygdas was
chosen to represent the school. At the
competition, Sophia advanced to the
semi-finals and, in recognition of her
talent, was also asked to perform an
opening song to welcome guests to the
competition. Sophia has been taking
vocal and piano lessons at the Columbus
Centre since she was a child.
The School of Music secured more
performance opportunities for students,
including a pair of vocal students who
sang the national anthem at Villa
Charities’ Giro Cycling Fundraiser.
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VILLA CHARITIES
ANNUAL REPORT
CULINARY PROGRAMS
A new series of unique and distinctly
Italian culinary workshops was introduced
in the fall of 2018. Led by Italian born and
raised chef Franco Berti, the workshops
focus on the creation of classic, rustic
Italian dishes with a contemporary flair.
Participants were actively involved in the
creation process, and learned about the
ingredients and Italian regions of the
dishes they created. The workshops
quickly became a popular success with
a multi-generational following.
ART PROGRAMS
The department’s Art Programs were
enhanced significantly in 2018. Monthly,
one-day Impressionist Painting
Workshops were introduced to appeal to
those who don’t wish to register in a full
course. Students explored their artistic
talent in a relaxed and social atmosphere
as they recreated classic impressionist
works such as Monet’s “Water Lilies” and
Van Gogh’s “The Starry Night.” Some
workshops were so popular that they sold
out, and a second class was added.
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