Established in 2008 in partnership with Bell Media (formally CTVglobemedia), the MusiCounts Fred Sherratt Award is given each year to 12 outstanding post-secondary graduates of Canadian music programs.

Each recipient receives $3,500 and a trip to Toronto, including transportation, meals and accommodation, to attend a reception for all 12 recipients and spend an educational day at MuchMusic and CHUM Radio.

Broadcasting pioneer Fred Sherratt was instrumental in building CHUM Limited into one of Canada’s leading media companies. He served as Vice-Chairman of the company from 2000-2003 and prior to that held a number of roles including Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer. He was inducted into the Canadian Association of Broadcasters Broadcast Hall of Fame in 1995, in 1993 received the Ted Rogers Senior/Velma Rogers Graham Award for his “pioneering spirit and contribution to the broadcasting system,” and in 2008, received the Ontario Association of Broadcasters’ inaugural Lifetime Achievement Award. He was also honoured by CARAS with the Walt Grealis Special Achievement Award.

The MusiCounts Fred Sherratt Award is available to post-secondary graduating students of the following 12 partner colleges and universities:

The Art Institute of Vancouver – Vancouver, BC
The Banff Centre – Banff, AB
Capilano University – North Vancouver, BC
Fanshawe College – London, ON
Grant MacEwan College – Edmonton, AB
Harris Institute  – Toronto, ON
Humber College – Toronto, ON
Musitechnic Educational Services Inc. – Montreal, QC
Red Deer College – Red Deer, AB
Selkirk College – Nelson, BC
St. Francis Xavier University – Antigonish, NS
Trebas Institute – Montreal, QC; Toronto, ON

2011 Fred Sherratt Recipient Biographies:

Ellian Bell – Harris Institute – Ellian was a high honours graduate of the Arts Management Program at Harris Institute here in Toronto. She was able to achieve consistent academic excellence and is described as a major contributor to the college’s social and interpersonal environment. Before attending Harris Institute, Ellian previously earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Victoria. Currently, Ellian is the Executive Assistant at Full Capacity Concerts.

Eli Bennett (Vancouver, BC) – Humber College – A graduate from Humber College in Toronto, Eli was described by his mentors as perhaps the strongest student at Humber in 25 years. Eli was a perfect student, coachable, and maintained a 90% average. Also a great composer of original jazz music, he recently recorded his first full length CD, containing 80% original material. Eli is well on his way to becoming a world class musician, and arguably, has already become one.

Anthony Biafore (North Bay, ON) – The Art Institute of Vancouver – Anthony graduated from the Professional Recording Arts program at the Art Institute of Vancouver with an impressive grade point average of 3.7. Anthony demonstrated his passion, commitment and discipline in pursuing everything to do with audio from the first day he stepped into class. Quickly getting on track in the audio industry soon after graduating he is already in a position to thrive in the future.

Hazel Burns (Kelowna, BC) – The Banff Centre – Hazel was a senior work-study student at The Banff Centre this past summer. She showed great dedication to excellence in her work. In fact, she was made a senior producer workstudy this year, due to her talent and skill in working with classical musicians. She also has a degree from McGill University in Sound Recording and earlier studies from Recording Arts Canada. Her past instructors are confident that she will succeed as a talented producer and recording engineer in Canada in the future.

Michael J. Copley (Calgary, AB) – Selkirk College – A graduate from Selkirk College in Nelson, BC, Michael is a hard worker, a gifted musician, and an excellent performer. He has already displays confidence on stage and he is an organized an efficient band leader. It is through his songwriting that Michael truly shines. His lyric writing is mature and speaks to a wide range of topics with insight and clarity. His fabulous voice always does justice to his compositional intentions.

Samuel Gemme (Ste. Julie, QC) – Musitechnic – A graduate from Musitechnic in Montréal, Samuel’s interest in music started with his first drum set at the age of eight. Moving into his teens, he also began to sing, play the guitar and the piano. At 17 he enrolled at Musitechnic and graduated just one year later with grades much higher than the class average. July 2010 saw the launch of his band’s album followed by a 15-show North American Tour.

Cameron Hurd (Innisfil, ON) – Fanshawe College – Cam had excellent academic standing in the majority of his courses within the Music Industry Arts program at Fanshawe College, in London, Ontario. This past year, Cam was president of the Coalition of Music Industry Students. His exceptional leadership skills enabled him to lead and direct many projects including fundraising events, merchandising of the Music Industry Arts products, and organizing, managing and running the annual Music Industry Arts/Audio Post Production Awards Night.

Jason Lewis (Riverview, NB) – St. Francis Xavier University – Jason recently completed his senior recital in partial requirement for his Bachelor of Music degree at St. Francis Xavier University, in Antigonish, Nova Scotia. It was excellent, and showed evidence of four years of hard work and dedication on his part. In this way, he had constantly shown himself to be a role model for the younger students in the department. He was tangible evidence to the rest of the students that hard work really does pay off.

Andrew Rasmussen (Vancouver, BC) – Capilano University – Andrew is an outstanding musician and was an integral part of all the premier ensembles at Capilano University in Vancouver for many years. He is an extremely versatile musician and has great empathy for fellow musicians. An excellent student in the classroom and highly respected outside by his peers, he is a natural student leader. Never content to rest on his laurels, Andrew shows constant improvement, always looking to increase his skills.

Laura Swankey (North Vancouver, BC) – Grant MacEwan University – Majoring in vocal performance, Laura was a very dedicated student who was highly respected by both faculty and her peers at Grant MacEwan University in Edmonton. She performed in countless concerts and graduation recitals and has an extensive background in vocal jazz, excelling in vocal improvisation. She was an active and integral part of the music program and was the featured vocalist in the Jazz Combo and Jazz Band. Laura was an outstanding student and received several awards for academic excellence while enrolled in the music program.

Stephanie Taralson (Sylvan Lake, AB) – Red Deer College – Stephanie Taralson scored 99% and 100% on several courses throughout her two year music diploma program at Red Deer College. Stephanie was the second place winner in the piano category of the annual Performance Scholarship Competition, and completed a very successful piano recital in March. She also helped with sectional rehearsals in the Chamber Choir. Stephanie is a natural leader and was elected Music Society President by her peers, with the Music Society thriving under her leadership.

Jeramie White (Toronto, ON)- Trebas Institute – Graduating from The Trebas Institute in Toronto, Jeramie comes from a musical background, playing instruments like the piano, violin, saxophone, and started composing, producing, recording, mixing his own music and along with his brother, at the early age of 16, formed a production and entertainment company. Graduating with a 96% average overall, Jeramie now holds a position at AVW-TELAV, the biggest a/v company nationwide.