The Mya Domeij Evenden Memorial Fund

This fund was created to offer a scholarship to voice students to assist in their development. It was created in memory of Mya Domeij Evenden who passed away on Jan 16, 1999. She was a Voice Teacher and Choral Director in Maple Ridge. The fund is managed by The Vancouver Foundation and awarded through the BC Choral Federation.

The scholarship will be awarded to a beginning singer who wishes to develop his/her potential as a singer. A maximum of $1000 will be awarded annually. There is no requirement for the student to pursue either higher education or a career as a singer.

The following guidelines will be for the qualification, acceptance and awarding of the funds for the scholarship:

  • The scholarship will be open to any individual living and studying in British Columbia regardless of age, sex or nationality.
  • The individual applying must be a current member of a choir (community, school, church).
  • Prior involvement in vocal instruction is not a pre-requisite for the scholarship.
  • The applicant will provide a letter explaining:
    1. why they feel deserving of the scholarship,
    2. financial need for the funds,
    3. their future goals as a singer.
  • The applicant will also provide two (2) letters of referral supporting their application, one of those being from a music educator/choral director working with the applicant.
  • The applicant will provide a recording (cassette or CD) with 2 or 3 songs in contrasting styles, any genre. The quality of the recording will not be judged.
  • The individual will submit four (4) copies of their application for the committee members.This includes all letters and recordings
  • Applicants may be required to attend an interview and/or audition. This will be at a location as convenient as possible for all parties.
  • Applicants will be able to request an amount up to $1000. They will provide, with their application, a guideline of how the monies will be spent and will provide to the committee, within 1 year of the award date, a detailed report on the use of the funds. Acceptable costs may include voice instruction, music costs and accompanist fees. 80% of the funds must be applied to vocal instruction. A response form will be provided to the successful applicant.
  • Applicants may reapply in following years to a maximum award of $1000.

An application form will be available to individuals from the BCCF, in a printable text format here,  and in a downloadable .pdf format here.

The annual time-line for the applications is:

  • June 30th : Application deadline (postmarked). Any applications received after that date will be considered for the next years scholarship.
  • August 30: Announcement and awarding of scholarship.

Past and current judges include:

Paul Evenden – Vancouver musician and choral director, co-founder of the fund.

Christine Sinclair – Vancouver based singer, co-founder of the fund.

Diane Loomer – Vancouver choral director and clinician.

Jeanette Gallant – Vancouver choral director, voice teacher and composer, now living in England.

Robin Suddaby – B.C. Choral singer and Piano Teacher living in Enderby, B.C.

Willie Zwozdesky - B.C. Choral Director, Composer, Arranger

Rita Domeij Evenden - Daughter to Mya, Dancer, Musician