One month following the devastation of the 2013 Calgary flood, EducationMatters received a very welcome phone call from Honens, a foundation dedicated to discovering, nurturing and presenting talented pianists. The organization wanted to give back to the river-banked community of Rideau Park by hosting a benefit concert, with proceeds supporting flood damaged Rideau Park School. The concert, featuring 2012 Honens Prize Laureate Pavel Kolesnikov with musical friends Samson Tsoy (piano) and violinist Donovan Seidle, the Calgary Philharmonic Orchestra Assistant Concertmaster, was a complete success.

Over 400 community members gathered at Christ Church to enjoy amazing piano and violin performances, while raising over $14,000 to offset landscaping repairs for the school. The concert is a fine example of collaboration and demonstrates our community’s commitment to the success and excellence of Calgary students – a vision EducationMatters has promoted
for 10 years.

“Our schools have been damaged, but the past month has shown us that our spirit and our community have not been. We are grateful to Honens for organizing this fundraiser and our community for supporting it as we work to rebuild our schools. When Rideau Park School opens for students in the fall, it will be better than ever.”
– Naomi Johnson, Chief Superintendent of Schools
July 2013