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Additional information pertaining to
2006 Banff Summer Arts Festival turns a spotlight on innovative new work and rediscovered favourites

For immediate release
April 27, 2006

RBC Financial Group support backs Banff Summer Arts Festival’s young artists

With the generous support of RBC Financial Group, through its charitable foundation, 20 young artists from across Canada will come to Banff to train and perform in Banff Summer Arts Festival events. Backed by the RBC Youth Excellence Scholarships, artists in the disciplines of opera, music, and dance will be performing during the 2006 Festival.

Established last year with a $1 million donation over six years to artistic programs and scholarships at The Banff Centre, RBC’s commitment will assist more than 150 professional artists in developing their careers in Banff. Scholarships will go to visual, literary, and performing artists in all areas, including dance, theatre, opera, music, jazz, Aboriginal arts, writing, visual art and media arts. The scholarship program will directly assist with arts training at the Centre, while RBC’s sponsorship of the annual Banff Summer Arts Festival will help to showcase the work of those artists. Every year, the Festival provides invaluable performance and exhibition opportunities for hundreds of artists on stages, in studios, and behind the scenes.

To qualify for an RBC Youth Excellence Scholarship, artists must demonstrate artistic excellence and a commitment to community development and leadership. This year’s 20 recipients are examples of the best in artistic and community leadership from across Canada, and The Banff Centre’s artistic programs, and Festival audiences, will benefit immeasurably from the skills and talents of these young artists.

RBC Youth Excellence Scholarship recipient Emily Westell

An accomplished violinist from Calgary, Emily Westell received her bachelor of music degree from the University of Calgary this year, and will begin her master’s degree at the New England Conservatory in the fall. Westell won an opportunity to perform as a soloist this year with the Calgary Philharmonic Orchestra, and will also compete as a semi-finalist in the Eckhardt-Grammaté National Music Competition this spring. A multiple award winner in chamber music and solo performance, she has led the Enigma String Quartet, and has performed as concertmaster for orchestras including the Tanglewood Music Centre Orchestra and the University of Calgary Orchestra. Her community involvement has included volunteer positions with the ProMusica society of Calgary, the University of Calgary’s Women’s Group, and the Holy Cross Long-Term Care Centre.

About arts training at The Banff Centre

Training for young artists is fundamental to The Banff Centre’s mandate. As one of Canada’s only post-secondary institutions dedicated to the arts, the Centre provides learning opportunities for thousands of early- and mid-career artists every year. Artists participate in master classes, thematic and independent residencies, and production workshops, and present their work to public audiences through year-round performances and exhibitions. The value of The Banff Centre artistic experience is clear. Recent alumni include Booker Prize-winning author Yann Martel, Calgary-based visual artist Chris Cran, Royal Winnipeg Ballet principal dancer Tara Birtwhistle, Esther Honens Piano Competition Laureate Katherine Chi, and acclaimed soprano Laura Whalen.

About RBC Financial Group

RBC Financial Group (RBC) supports organizations, initiatives and events that contribute to Canada’s communities through nurturing and celebrating artistic expression. In 2005, RBC supported national and community theatre, dance, choral and orchestral music, and the visual arts, including the annual RBC Canadian Painting Competition. Focus areas include programs that help emerging artists from all disciplines. For more information, please visit www.rbc.com.