An Hour with Ross Brown

I walk on a witheringly cold winter’s afternoon to Ross and Margaretta Brown’s apartment on Lower Water Street, but I am greeted at the door with warmth by their daughter, Eilfan. She shows me inside to a comfortable apartment decorated with family heirlooms and cozy seating. 

Ross and his wife, Margaretta, are very welcoming and Ross makes me a cup of hot, strong coffee. Eilfan smiles from the dining table as we settle down to chat and I ask Ross how he first became involved with the Conservatory? He looks me in the eye and says, “I met a girl on a street corner one night going to a school dance at Queen Elizabeth High School. That’s how it all came about. That was in January of nineteen fifty-two. And she happened to be the daughter of the Director.” The Director was Ifan Williams Sr. and his daughter was of course, Margaretta. 

Many years later Ross joined the Board of Governors in 1973. “I’d been on the board for two years and the Chair was taken sick so they put me in on a temporary basis. Fifteen years later I was still there!” Ross smiles, “I enjoyed it. I moved the Conservatory to several locations. For example at this point in time, we’re at the old St Mary’s College on the corner of Quinpool Road and Windsor Street. They were tearing it down so I put the Conservatory in Philae. We took the Conservatory from the College to Philae (Temple on College Street) to St Mary’s University and it was there for seven or eight years. Then the President gave us notice that they required the building so we had to move out of there. I think the nun’s felt sorry for us and we were able to move into the Convent of the Sacred Heart. Around this time I was going to resign. I thought! But it didn’t quite work that way and I finally stepped down in 1990. And the Conservatory moved for the final time from the Convent to the School on Chebucto road.” 

He recalls the ups and downs—the strain of having to constantly move must have been exhausting but Ross’s resilience and his modesty are typical of him. “I had a good run at it, but I guess what was good about it was Margaretta’s father.” Ross’s great respect for Ifan Williams is clear and he relates how Ifan became the director of the Conservatory. He recalls darker times too when Williams was diagnosed with Leukemia while on a visit to see his mother in the UK. Ross and Margaretta travelled there to stay close by to comfort him until his death just weeks after the diagnosis. 

Ross’s memory darts backwards and forwards and he recalls a brighter time: a highlight of his at the Conservatory was the Convocation in June of 1957. “Mr. Williams came over to me and we worked Convocation between the two of us and that was quite a night. But it was the last time we saw him before his illness. Convocations at that time were at the Nova Scotia Hotel and were there ever some fine performances!” He points at a photograph “That’s Mr. Williams there,” and Margaretta identifies the people in the picture, “That’s Jean Fraser, Annie Webber and Dad”.

They talk about the heirlooms around the room. A violin of Ifan Williams rests on a table in the corner. “And that’s Mr. Williams’ personal belongings behind you”, says Ross “the music stand and the baton….and there’s a coincidence that the silver tray for Mr. Williams was engraved by my father at Birks,” and Margaretta laughs saying “they didn’t know one another, and to think that I ended up marrying Ross.” I ask Ross why he believes the Conservatory is important and he says, “We have music teaching at different Universities and my goal was to bring it up to that level to have people going into the Universities, but to have people at that level before they go into Universities…and it worked. I think when I left we had eleven hundred students and when I started it was four hundred and seventy five. It wasn’t easy at times but we got through it.” I ask Ross what he would say to those at the Conservatory today. “It’s a great organization and it’s come a long way in the last twenty years. Be proud, it’s your school and you can either make it or break it and we made it.”

When I return to the Conservatory later that day I walk through the front door and as ever I am struck by the feeling of coming home, and I am suddenly aware that without Ross there may well be no home, no Conservatory. And that is the Conservatory—without people like Ross—those who saw us through thick and thin—without them this would not be the wonderful place that it is today. 

Thank you, Ross, for all you have done.

The Michael George Harper Bursaries – Charter

Michael George Harper
September 30, 1961 – January 16, 2023

Michael Harper grew up in Halifax, Nova Scotia, the third child of a CBC TV producer, and a petite French-Canadian mother. Through his extended family, school and the Theatre Arts Guild (located close to his childhood home), he was introduced to music, dance and theatre early in his life. He joined the Guild at age eleven, later becoming the youngest Stage Manager for the company at thirteen years of age.

During senior year at J.L. Ilsley High School, he played lead roles in three annual musicals; studied voice privately; and trained in dance at the Conservatory. This led to his acceptance at the Dalhousie University Music Department in 1980. In the same year, Michael was cast in his first professional show; Alan Lund’s revival of Meet the Navy. The show toured Nova Scotia for three summers, culminating in a command performance for Queen Elizabeth II in spring 1982 to celebrate the signing of the Canadian Constitution. With fellow cast mate, Kathryn MacLellan, he continued dance, competing nationally in Ballroom and Latin dance under the tutelage of Jane Edgett. In 1981, Michael chose a new career path, a Bachelors Degree in Public Relations at Mount Saint Vincent University, eventually joining the Public Relations team for Canadian Airlines and Air Canada. Throughout this period, his love for music and the stage continued. He sang in the Vancouver Mens Chorus from 1994 to 2013, serving as resident choreographer for eleven years. Through night school and other training, he also became an established hair and makeup artist for stage, media and special events. He also learned to play a tenor ukulele and often played and sang for friends and family.

Over his life, Michael resided in Halifax, Montreal, Toronto, Calgary, Vancouver, Pender Island, and Palm Springs. He thoroughly enjoyed attending all disciplines of live performance and was always eager for a detailed discussion on each production.

Charter for the Michael George Harper Bursaries

Purpose of the Michael George Harper Bursaries
The bursaries will provide assistance to young adults (12-20) who have exhibited a passionate interest and dedication to voice, dance and/or musical theatre and who, because of financial need, require multi-year funding support for training in these arts.

The Michael George Harper Bursaries embrace the principles of diversity and equality as enshrined in the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms. Every application for the Bursaries will be treated
with respect and careful consideration.

The Award
• Two bursaries will be awarded every other year: one for She/They and one for He/They.
• The financial support for each recipient will be for two years, with funding being provided annually.
• The amount of each bursary will be $3500 per year; adjustments to this amount may be required depending on the financial performance of the principal fund for the bursaries.
• Recipients of the bursaries are eligible to apply more than once.
• Funding from the bursaries will be administered through the Maritime Conservatory of Performing Arts (the Conservatory). Funding can be used for training in class work or private coaching at the Conservatory, as well as the purchase of essential equipment. Training at an external organization or institution may be considered. There is no cash award directly to the recipient.
• The recipient must register and participate in training at the Conservatory three to five times per week throughout the year during each year of the award. They also must demonstrate a passionate and ongoing commitment to the training, and continued advancement in their chosen disciplines (as evaluated by their instructors).

Selection Criteria
The applicant must:
• Be between 12 to 20 years of age or less as of December 31 in the year of their submission.
• Demonstrate a committed drive and passionate desire to excel in voice, dance and/or musical theatre by training at he Conservatory three to five times per week throughout the year (e.g., September to June). A basic proficiency in these arts is preferred but not essential.
• Provide a written description for each of the following criteria (maximum of one type written page per criteria):
1. A demonstrated passion for voice, dance and/or musical theatre
2. A yearly plan setting out their goals and objectives in the chosen discipline(s)
3. A description of how the funding will assist in achieving their goals
4.Why the funding is required at this time
• Financial need must be supported by submission of CRA proof of net income for the year immediately preceding the year of the application. The net income of a single parent or guardian must be $40,000 CAD (Forty Thousand Canadian dollars) or less. The net income for two parents or guardians must be $80,000 CAD (Eighty Thousand Canadian dollars) or less.

Applicants must complete the Application Form for the Michael George Harper Bursaries. The applicant must identify if they want to be considered for She/They or the He/They category.

Timing of the Award
Applications for the Michael George Harper Bursaries are due by the close of business (5:00 PM Atlantic Daylight Savings Time) on April 28, 2023. The recipients will be determined before or on June 1, 2023. The successful recipients will be publicly announced at the June convocation for the Conservatory.

Applications for the bursaries will occur every two years thereafter (e.g, 2025, 2027, 2029).

Selection Committee
The Selection Committee will be made up of three individuals representing three different categories:
• A representative of the extended family of Michael Harper
• A representative of the broader artistic community in Halifax
• A representative of the Conservatory
The initial Selection Committee will be made up of Jeffrey Green (representing the extended family of Michael Harper), Kathryn MacLellan (representing the broader artistic community in Halifax), and a representative of the Conservatory.

All decisions by the Selection Committee under this Charter must honour and abide by the Purpose of the Michael George Harper bursaries as described above.

Within thirty (30) days of the start of the selection Committee, each member of the Selection Committee will identify a replacement for themselves in the event that they need to resign, are incapacitated, or die. The Selection Committee must agree by majority or unanimously on each of the replacement nominees.

When a replacement nominee becomes a member of the Selection Committee, a new replacement nominee for that category must be identified within thirty (30) days and agreed upon by the Selection Committee by majority or unanimously.

If a replacement nominee is no longer able to act as a replacement, the acting Selection Committee Member for that category will identify a new replacement nominee. This nominee must be agreed upon by the Selection Committee by majority or unanimously.

Selection of the Recipients
• Each Selection Committee Member will individually review all of the applications.
• Using the written descriptions for the first three criteria (see above), each Selection Committee Member will score each criteria from 0 (low) to 5 (high) (no fractions ). The total rank for the applicant will be the sum of the three scores. The total score for each applicant will be used to generate a total performance score resulting in a ranking of all applicants.
• The Selection Committee will then meet, by digital conferencing or in person, to review their scores and recommendations for each of the applicants.
• The final decision on the persons receiving the bursaries will be based on the performance scores, in combination with the need for financial aid. The successful candidate may have a lower score but a greater need of support.
• If there is only one suitable recipient, only one award will be made for that year. New applications for the remaining outstanding category of the second bursary will be accepted the following year.
• If there are no suitable candidates in either category, no awards will be made in that year. Applications for both categories of the bursary will be accepted the following year.
• All discussions of the Selection Committee pertaining to the applicants will remain confidential. The Selection Committee’s decisions are final.

Requirements for Recipients of the Bursaries
Successful recipients of the Michael George Harper Bursaries will train at the Conservatory three to five times per week throughout the year (e.g., September to June) or as outlined by the Maritime Conservatory and their instructor or coach.

Funding may be used for training at an external organization or institution if (1) the instructor or coach approves such training; and (2) the Selection Committee approves such training.

At the end of each of the two years of the bursaries, the recipients will:
• Provide a written description (minimum one to maximum two pages) or digital presentation (minimum two to maximum three minutes) outlining the recipient’s work and achievements during the previous year.
• At the end of the first full term of training (September to June), complete a goal setting plan for the second year. This will be in the form of a written description (minimum one to maximum two pages) or digital presentation (minimum two to maximum three minutes).

At the end of each year of study, the instructors and/or coaches of the recipient will provide a written description of the progress made. This can be either a written description (maximum one page) or digital presentation (minimum two to maximum three minutes).

Non-Performance Clause
If a recipient of the Michael George Harper Bursaries does not demonstrate a determined passion and advancement in their chosen art(s) throughout their training, the Selection Committee reserves the right to revoke funding for the current or second year of the bursary. The Selection Committee will consult with the instructor or coach for the recipient in making such a decision.

Amendment of the Charter for the Bursaries
The Selection Committee will annually review the Charter to determine if it is meeting the current needs of applicants. Any changes to the Charter must adhere to the Purpose of the Michael George Harper Bursaries as identified above.

Closure of the Conservatory and Transfer of the Bursary Funds
If the Conservatory closes or can no longer support the Michael George Harper Bursaries, all of the remaining funds in the Michael George Harper Bursaries Fund will be transferred to the Nova Scotia Talent Trust (PO Box 575, Halifax, NS, B3J 2R7; (902) 492-6801; scholarship@nstalenttrust.ns.ca).

If the Nova Scotia Talent Trust no longer exists, the Selection Committee will identify an independent organization whose mandate includes encouragement and support for voice, dance and/or musical theatre in Halifax, Nova Scotia and/or Atlantic Canada. Based on a majority or unanimous support by the three Selection committee Members, all remaining monies will be transferred to this organization. It is the desire of the founders of the Michael George Harper Bursaries Fund that the bursaries continue under the same name, rules, and criteria.

The Michael George Harper Bursaries – Call for Applications

Michael George Harper
September 30, 1961 – January 16, 2023

Completed applications are due by the close of business (5:00 PM Atlantic Daylight Savings Time) on April 28, 2023.

The bursaries will provide assistance to young adults (12-20) who have exhibited a passionate interest and dedication to voice, dance and/or musical theatre and who, because of financial need, require multi-year funding support for training in these arts. The bursaries embrace the principles of diversity, and equality as enshrined in the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms.

One bursary will be awarded for a female (cis/trans) and one for a male (cis/trans). Each of the two bursaries will be for two years, with funding being provided annually. The estimated annual bursary for 2023 and 2024 will be $3,500 for each bursary each year.

Funding will be managed by the Conservatory and can be used for training in class work or private coaching, as well as essential equipment. Some external training may be considered.

The recipients will be determined before or on June 1, 2023. The successful recipients will be publicly announced at the June convocation for the Conservatory. Applications for thebursaries will occur every two years thereafter (e.g, 2025, 2027, 2029).

The Michael George Harper Bursaries -Announcement

Michael George Harper
September 30, 1961 – January 16, 2023

We are pleased to announce that a fund has been established to support the Michael George Harper Bursaries at the Maritime Conservatory of Performing Arts in Halifax.

The bursaries will provide assistance to young adults (12-20) who have exhibited a passionate interest and dedication to voice, dance and/or musical theatre and who, because of financial need, require multi-year funding support for training in these arts. The bursaries embrace the principles of diversity, and equality as enshrined in the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms.

Two bursaries will be awarded every other year: one for She/They and one for He/They. Each of the two bursaries will be for two years, with funding being provided annually. The estimated annual bursary for 2023 and 2024 will be $3,500 for each person each year.

Funding can be used for training in class work or private coaching at the Conservatory, as well as essential equipment. Some external training may be considered.

If you desire, donations to the Michael George Harper Bursaries can be made by cheque, bank draft or e-Transfer. The Conservatory is a registered charity in Canada (Charitable Registration Number: 840672703RR0001). Tax receipts will be issued for all donations of $20 or more.

For all donations, please state that that the funds are for the Michael George Harper Bursaries and provide your:
• full name
• mailing address
• phone number
• email address

For cheques or bank drafts, make payable to to the Maritime Conservatory of Performing Arts and send to:
Director
Maritime Conservatory of Performing Arts
6199 Chebucto Road
Halifax, Nova Scotia B3L 1K7

For e-Transfers, send using online banking to accounting@maritimeconservatory.com