Theresa Pothier Vocal Scholarship
The Theresa Pothier Scholarship Fund is an annual scholarship to assist a student of music (high school or university) living in the Niagara region in their pursuit of musical education.
Ms. Pothier's Story
Theresa Pothier attended Dalhousie University for her Bachelor of Music degree, Julliard in New York City, and the University of Toronto for her teaching certification. She taught at the St. Catharines Collegiate in St. Catharines for 20 years where she developed a choral music program. Her choirs and ensembles won many awards at Kiwanis Music Festivals in Niagara and Toronto, and winning a provincial championship for her women’s choir. She also produced musicals such as The Mikado and Oklahoma, and organized choir trips across Canada and the U.S.
Ms. Pothier sang with the St. Catharines Symphony, the Madrigal Singers, Chorus Niagara, and the Fred Willett band as well as at hundreds of weddings. She also played the organ, was pianist at the Oban Inn and Riverbend, and was choir director at several churches, and taught private piano and voice students until she was 90 years old. Her private students often competed in the Kiwanis festival, receiving many awards and accolades.
Theresa had a significant soloist career in the Niagara Region including performing as a soloist in Mahler’s 2nd Symphony with Maureen Foster. Her family wished to continue this legacy and established this fund through Chorus Niagara, upon her passing in the Spring of 2021, to support a promising young soloist in their pursuit of vocal training.
The Theresa Pothier Scholarship recipient is chosen on an annual basis by Chorus Niagara's Artistic Director.
Application Process
• Submit a video singing one song of your choice. The genre is preferably classical, folk or musical theatre
• Upload it to YouTube and as an UNLISTED link and email it to chorusniagara100@gmail.com
Eligibility
• Currently be a resident of the Niagara region
• Currently be in high school with interest in music, post-secondary student in music or music education, or a recent music graduate planning on continuing their music education studies
• Be available Monday evenings from 7 - 10pm.
Scholars are expected to sing with Chorus Niagara for the duration of the season
Current Theresa Pothier Scholarship Recipient
Chorus Niagara is proud to announce Bailey Williams as the recipient of this award for the 2024/2025 season!
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Bailey is currently studying at Brock University, pursuing a degree in Voice.
Past Recipients
Alden Robinson was the recipient of the Theresa Pothier Vocal Scholarship for the 2023/2024 season. He is currently studying film at Toronto Metropolitan University and remains active in his musical endeavours.
Julianna Collevecchio was the recipient of the Theresa Pothier Vocal Scholarship for the 2022/2023 season. She is currently pursuing a Masters in Opera Performance at McGill University.
Isabella Milano was the first ever recipient of the Theresa Pothier Scholarship, awarded in the 2021/2022 season. She is currently studying at the University of Toronto to pursue a degree in Vocal Performance.