TORONTO, ONTARIO – Humber College is celebrating 50 years of excellence in music education providing students with the skills and experience to succeed in the music industry. Since 1972, Humber graduates have established themselves as leading professionals in music performance, production, composition, and education. Countless graduates have shaped the Canadian music industry and beyond, collecting prestigious awards along the way.
To mark this milestone and recognize the contributions of its alumni, faculty, and staff, Humber College is hosting a special showcase performance on March 31 at 8 p.m. in the Humber Lakeshore Auditorium. The show will be headlined by Laila Biali and her Jazz Trio. A Humber Music alumna, Biali is a multi-award-winning Canadian jazz vocalist, pianist and singer-songwriter, as well as the host of the CBC National Radio show Saturday Night Jazz. The second half of the concert will feature The Humber 50th Anniversary Band and take the listener on a journey through each decade of music at Humber. The ensemble is comprised of both current and former Humber music students and faculty, showcasing a diverse representation of the talent associated with Humber’s music programs.
"Humber College’s music programs are designed to provide students with a world-class education and teach the practical skills one needs to succeed in the music industry," said Dr. Ann Marie Vaughan, president and CEO, Humber College. "We are proud of the accomplishments and contributions our students, graduates and faculty make to the world of music, how they share their talents and create breathtaking melodies that make us dance, sing and feel powerful emotions.”
Humber College is the only Ontario college to offer a four-year degree in music performance. Students gain skills, experience, and industry connections they need to excel in the competitive world of music. The College offers a comprehensive system of music education that encompasses five distinct offerings: Introduction to Commercial Jazz Music, Bachelor of Music, Music Business, and Music Composition for post-secondary students and the Community Music School, where children aged three to 18 discover their love of music making and develop performance skills.
Humber's music performance program graduates have received international recognition and have been accepted into Master of Music programs at Juilliard, McGill University, York University, University of Toronto, University of Victoria, University of Louisville, and other distinguished institutions. Graduates have been nominated for or have won Grammy Awards, JUNO Awards, Toronto Arts Foundation Emerging Jazz Artist Awards, National Jazz Awards, DownBeat Awards, and have received the Hnatyshyn Foundation Oscar Peterson Grant for Jazz Performance.
Artists and producers in residence visit Humber annually to work with students. Some past guests include jazz drummer Terri Lyne Carrington, jazz guitarist Pat Metheny, Susan Rogers, who worked as the audio engineer on Prince's Purple Rain, and Grammy award-winning producer Greg Wells, a former Humber Music student who has worked with renowned artists such as Katy Perry and Adele.
“The Humber College Music program is a true reflection of the Toronto music scene and provided me with a strong foundation in jazz while allowing me to explore my artistic goals,” said Jesse Ryan, saxophonist and Humber College instructor. “The mentorship and camaraderie I experienced as a student created a springboard for me to continue to grow, create, and share with my community. Returning to teach at Humber is a blessing as I now get to support the next generation of musicians and work alongside my musical heroes."
In 2024, Humber College will open the first phase of the Humber Cultural Hub (HCH). The 365,000 sq. ft. HCH will spark exciting possibilities for students, local cultural and creative industries, and the community. It will provide a new home for Humber’s music programs and include two recital halls with built-in recording technologies, creating a unique live recording space in Canada.
The HCH will provide unmatched access to talent development, entrepreneurial supports and applied research. It will also benefit culturally underserved local communities, build new appreciation and opportunities for the creative arts, attract new jobs and industries to the area and enrich the local economy. Overall, this facility will enhance the training and career-readiness of students while allowing Humber to solve business challenges for industry in the creative and performing arts.
For more information, please visit the Humber Cultural Hub website.
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About Humber College Institute of Technology & Advanced Learning
Innovation. Opportunity. Partnership. Support. At Humber College, we bring it all to more than 86,000 learners, in-person and online. As a global leader in polytechnic education, Humber provides in-depth theoretical learning, hands-on, work-integrated experiences and applied research opportunities to students at three main Toronto locations and beyond. Extensive industry connections, experienced faculty and a comprehensive range of credentials, including honours undergraduate degrees, Ontario graduate certificates, diplomas, apprenticeships, and certificates prepare career-ready global citizens for success in the future world of work. Visit humber.ca.
For more information, please contact:
Sylvie Lendvay
Media Relations and External Communications Specialist
Humber College Institute of Technology and Advanced Learning
sylvie.lendvay@humber.ca | 416.729.8940