The RBC Apprentice Program offers eight post-secondary artists one year of mentorship with The Musical Stage Company, learning from our local and visiting artists and receiving substantial showcase opportunities to help build the foundation for their careers. Our RBC Apprentice Program is made up of the winners of The Banks Prize (a cash award given to two emerging artists each year) and six emerging artists in different areas of production.
RBC Apprenticeship
About RBC
In 2013, the RBC Foundation committed $6.7 million to arts and cultural organizations, supporting local, national and international initiatives. The RBC Emerging Artists Project helps artists bridge the gap from emerging to established, and supports organizations that provide the best opportunity to advance their career trajectory. RBC support arts organizations and artists in a range of genres including visual art, music, theatre, performance, literature and film.
The Kathleen Freeman Fund
The Kathleen Freeman Fund
The Kathleen C. Freeman Leadership Development Fund is a signature component of The RBC Apprentice Program. Each year, the fund supports the investment in and training of two Canadian female artists under the age of 35 in leadership areas that currently lack female representation. Disciplines focused on include direction, music direction, production management, sound design, and writing.
The Kathleen C. Freeman Leadership Development Fund is made possible through the generous support of Leading Lights Kathleen & Dennis Freeman.
Current Apprentices
Current Apprentices
2019-20 RBC Apprentices
Deanna Choi – RBC Apprentice Sound Designer
Karli Feldman – RBC Apprentice Stage Manager
Eva Foote – RBC Apprentice Performer & Banks Prize Recipient
Juliette Jones – The RBC Music Apprentice, as a part of The Kathleen C. Freeman Leadership Development Fund
Tsholo Khalema – RBC Apprentice Director
Esie Mensah – RBC Apprentice Choreographer
Kale Penny – RBC Apprentice Performer & Banks Prize Recipient
Ali Joy Richardson – The RBC Apprentice Director, as a part of The Kathleen C. Freeman Leadership Development Fund
Past Apprentices
Past Apprentices
2018-19 RBC Apprentices
Brandon Antonio (Performance/Banks Prize Winner)
Michelle Bouey (Performance/Banks Prize Winner)
Jen Cooper (Production & Stage Management)
Jonathan Corkal (Music Supervision & Arranging)
Alessandro Costantini (Dramaturgy)
Sabryn Rock (Direction)
2017-18 RBC Apprentices
Fatuma Adar (Songwriting)
Alessandro Costantini (Direction)
George Krissa (Performance/Banks Prize Winner)
Jeff Lupker (Music Direction & Arrangement)
Lucy McPhee (Stage Management)
Celine Tsai (Performance/Banks Prize Winner)
2016-17 RBC Apprentices
Jahlen Barnes (Performance/Banks Prize Winner)
Deanna Choi (Composition)
Arinea Hermans (Performance/Banks Prize Winner)
Rob Kempson (Direction)
Michaela Steven (Stage Management)
Aijia Waithe (Performance)
2015-16 RBC Apprentices
Colin Simmons (Performance/Banks Prize Winner)
Brittany Banks (Performance/Banks Prize Winner)
2014-15 RBC Apprentices
Alessia Lupiano (Performance/Banks Prize Winner)
Graham Scott Flemming (Performance/Banks Prize Winner)
Eden Richmond (Performance)
Sarite Harris (Performance)
Program Sponsor
