Take a bow

Award-winning violinist Paul Medeiros (Pearce photo)

When violinist Paul Medeiros was accepted into DalhousieÕs music program, he had no idea that he would be bringing along a prestigious, national award with him.

First presented in 2005, the Hnatyshyn Foundation scholarships are awarded to exceptional young Canadians in post-secondary performing arts training programs. Named after CanadaÕs 24th Governor General, the Right Honourable Roman John Hnatyshyn, each of the eight $10,000 scholarships presented this year hopes to nurture the best performing talent in Canada while also exposing Canadians to the wealth of artistic talent the country has.

"I was pretty astonished"

While he learned about the awardÕs existence, Medeiros didnÕt give it much thought. ÒI figured thereÕs no way IÕm getting the $10,000,Õ he says. ÒOnly one for all orchestral instruments? In all of Canada? ThatÕs a lot of people.” Even when his teacher and mentor, Dalhousie professor Philippe Djokic, nominated him for the award, he didnÕt give himself much of a chance.

This July, just before Medeiros was about to leave to participate in the 2006 Summer String Session at Domain Forget AcadŽmie de Musique in Charlevoix, Quebec, he got the call from Ottawa. ÒI STILL didnÕt make the connection at first,” he laughs. ÒIt didnÕt hit me. The lady on the phone had to say the whole thing over again. I was pretty astonished.”

Also astonishing is that Medeiros, a graduate of Charles P. Allen High School in Bedford, Nova Scotia, knew that he was destined to be a violinist since he was only two years old. ÒMy grandmother always painted with classical music in the background, and I was intrigued by it,” he says. ÒIt took mom and dad a while until they were convinced I was serious, though.” By the age of seven, the paintbrushes Medeiros used to pretend to make music with gave way to his first real violin, bought for him by his parents who continue to this day to be nothing but supportive of his musical endeavours.

Dream big

After training with Karen Langille, first violinist with Symphony Nova Scotia, Medeiros has been working with Professor Djokic for several years now. He has played with the Nova Scotia Youth Orchestra since the age of 15, and in addition to the violin also plays the oboe and dabbles in acting and singing. The violin is still his favourite, though, and he spends an average of three hours each day practicing.

”Paul is the perfect student,” says Professor Djokic. ÒHe has a special artistic personality that really is evident as soon as he starts to play, full of energy, passion and love for the violin. He has a promising future and this important award confirms this.”

Medeiros hopes that his time at Dalhousie will help him on his way to achieving his life goals: being able to train overseas and one day working as a professional soloist. ÒI always say shoot high,” he says. ÒYou have to dream big because it could come true. IÕm willing to work as hard as I can to get there. Music chose me. I know that this is what IÕm meant to do.”