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(B.Mus 2019) was recently recognized by the Hnatyshyn Foundation as , valued at $10,000.聽Open to applications from nominated post-secondary students across Canada in the penultimate or final year of their program, the grants were established to "foster excellence in new talent."

When asked, Thomas spoke enthusiastically聽about the new opportunities that receiving the grant offers him.聽"It鈥檚 an honour and a privilege to be the 2018 recipient of the Hnatyshyn Foundation鈥檚 Oscar Peterson Grant for Jazz Performance. Receiving the grant has facilitated the pursuit of my education, and allowed me to focus more completely on my musical goals at the highest levels of recognition and performance. I extend my sincere gratitude to UU直播 professors Jean-Michel Pilc, R茅mi Bolduc, Donny Kennedy, and St茅phane Lemelin for their mentorship and assistance during the application process, and to the Hnatyshyn Foundation for their generous and unwavering support of Canada鈥檚 Developing Artists."

Donny Kennedy, who served as a聽mentor and teacher for Thomas, also commented on Thomas' success. "[He] possesses a natural fearlessness in his approach to improvisation. He's really developing a unique personal voice on the baritone saxophone, which is a bit less of a mainstream jazz instrument. As such, Thomas has something special to add to the ensembles that he plays with. He is strong-willed, and his opinions聽and musical viewpoints are backed by a strong artistic resolve. I believe this is a contributing factor to the refreshing, fearless nature of his playing."