Sun Life donates $300,000 to
help underserved and at-risk children and youth
EDMONTON, May 25, 2016 /CNW/ - Edmonton's underserved and at-risk children
and youth will now have the opportunity to gain access to
world-class music programming at no cost. The Sarah McLachlan
School of Music (SoM), currently operating in Vancouver, is opening their second school in
Edmonton, Alberta. As the Founding
Sponsor, Sun Life Financial has donated $300,000 to help launch the new school.
"We're thrilled to be expanding into Edmonton and offering more kids the
opportunity to experience the power of music education," said
Sarah McLachlan, Founder, Sarah
McLachlan School of Music. "Music has played such an important role
in my life and career. Being able to share the gift of music is
magical. This opportunity will enrich the lives of kids who need it
the most."
Students receive ensemble-based instruction in music
fundamentals, guitar, piano, percussion, choir, songwriting, music
theory and electronic music. By the end of 2016 the school hopes to
have approximately 120 students enrolled and over 250 by the end of
2017. SoM Edmonton began offering
classes in April and is currently operating in partnership with
Edmonton Public Schools.
"This is a great way to demonstrate the ongoing efforts to
provide our students with access to music education," said
Darrel Robertson, Superintendent,
Edmonton Public Schools. "Edmonton
Public is pleased to see SoM Edmonton in the community, serving
children in need."
Sun Life Financial is proud to be the Founding Sponsor of SoM
Edmonton. A $300,000 donation helped
establish the school, and provide musical instruments, instruction
and administrative support. In 2014, Sun Life Financial also
announced a $300,000 donation and
three-year partnership with SoM Vancouver.
"We've seen first-hand the amazing impact SoM has had on the
lives of children and youth. Students not only learn the
fundamentals of music but build essential life-long skills like
confidence and resilience," said Paul
Joliat, Assistant Vice-President, Philanthropy &
Sponsorships, Sun Life Financial. "We are committed to supporting
music schools across Canada and we
look forward to seeing the impact this new school will have in
Edmonton."
Sun Life Financial is supporting the vision of Grammy and Juno
Award-winning Canadian music icon Sarah
McLachlan. Sarah's dream of making a difference by bringing
music into the lives of young people who might not have access,
reflects the core goal of Sun Life Financial's signature Making
the Arts More Accessible™ program. The heart of the program
aims to provide Canadians the opportunity to enjoy the very best of
our country's arts and cultural community, regardless of their
means.
For more information about Sun Life's philanthropic work with
SoM and to learn more about Sun Life Financial's Making the Arts
More Accessible™ program, visit
www.sunlife.ca/artsandculture.
About the Sarah McLachlan School of Music
The Sarah McLachlan School of Music (SoM) provides high quality
music instruction at no cost, in a safe and nurturing environment,
for at-risk and underserved children and youth in Vancouver, Surrey and Edmonton. Our vision at SoM is to create
opportunities in the community that do not otherwise exist for
at-risk and underserved children and youth. Students aged 1 to 5,
grades 3 through 12 receive music instruction in both contemporary
and classical traditions with no previous experience required. Our
professional musical instructors provide a safe space for students
to explore their creativity, to approach music in an ensemble
setting, to express themselves through song writing, and to access
lessons in voice, piano, guitar, bass, drums, marimba, auxiliary
percussion, electronic music and multi - media. SoM provides
opportunities for young people to develop creatively and
emotionally, to collaborate with others, communicate in new ways,
and to gain the self-confidence they need to thrive in all areas of
school and life.
Funded entirely through donations, we provide music education to
over 1,100 students through our onsite and offsite programs at
partnering schools in Vancouver,
Surrey and Edmonton. At SoM we are fortunate to receive
support from the Sarah McLachlan Foundation that covers our
overhead and admin costs.
About Sun Life Financial
Sun Life Financial is a leading international financial services
organization providing a diverse range of protection and wealth
products and services to individuals and corporate customers. Sun
Life Financial has operations in a number of markets worldwide,
including Canada, the United States, the United Kingdom, Ireland, Hong
Kong, the Philippines,
Japan, Indonesia, India, China,
Australia, Singapore, Vietnam, Malaysia and Bermuda. As of March
31, 2016, the Sun Life Financial group of companies had
total assets under management of $861
billion. For more information please visit
www.sunlife.com.
Sun Life Financial Inc. trades on the Toronto (TSX), New
York (NYSE) and Philippine (PSE) stock exchanges under the
ticker symbol SLF.
SOURCE Sun Life Financial Canada