On the eve of what would have been graduation day for the Class of 2020, Artistic Directors Alisa Palmer and Frédéric Dubois as well as CEO Gideon Arthurs, pen a heartfelt note of farewell to the graduating artists.

We are so proud of you…

We wish we could be with you in person right now… but let’s not say that … because we are with you!

While nothing can undo what has happened, and it has not been easy, what we have made of this situation is strong and powerful, so strong that even from afar, even through our screens, we have remained together.

Thank you for the work you have done in the School, what you have brought to us,  and for your ideas; thank you for what has been difficult and not, uplifting and less so…it is all valuable and full of meaning and above all, it is yours.

We wish you a very bright future!

That you find your path; it is out there for you.

So, go forward, change the world in your own way, no matter how big or small. What this historic event can teach us is that every action counts.

As Maestro Yannick Nézet-Séguin said:

''We must never forget the love of what we do… it is where we find the foundation of our profession.''

We hope that you have found enough love and joy within our School to propel you to go beyond what you thought possible.

We are proud to have played our part in your journey.

Strange and powerful beauty can emerge from these difficult times. We’ll build on that together.

May you have continued success in the future.

-Alisa, Frédéric and Gideon