Marley Rynd Memorial Performance Scholarship
The Marley Rynd Memorial Performance Scholarship was created by her family and is managed by the Calgary Foundation and the Calgary Phil serves as an adjudicator.
A graduate of McGill and Indiana Universities, Marley joined the Calgary Philharmonic in 1976. She was a valued member of the bass section, served as musician representative on the Board of Directors, and was a tireless fundraiser for the organization. Marley passed away from cancer on 8 July 2005. Her friendship, dedication, and professionalism are sorely missed.
The Marley Rynd Memorial Performance Scholarship reflects Marley’s support of emerging talent and will help in the career development of an accomplished student. In perpetuating her memory, it will forge a link between musical ability and the disciplined study of youth, the training and mentorship of teachers and educational institutions, and the recognition afforded by the Calgary Philharmonic.
2025/2026 Marley Rynd Memorial Performance Scholarship recipient: Chanan Ngo, Violin
A long-time member of the Calgary Youth Orchestra at the Mount Royal Conservatory, under the direction of conductor Edmond Agopian, Chanan has been appointed concertmaster for performances including Mahler’s First and Second Symphonies and Vincent Ho’s The Shaman: Concerto for Percussion and Orchestra. As the first-place winner of the Frank Simpson Concerto Competition, he was featured as soloist with the CYO in 2024, performing the “Fiddler on the Roof” Cadenza and Fantasy.
Chanan also performed with the Calgary Philharmonic Orchestra at the RBC Concerto Concert in 2025, representing the Mount Royal Conservatory. As a two-time winner of the Calgary Concerto Competition, he performed twice as a soloist with the Calgary Civic Symphony (2022, 2024) and was appointed concertmaster by conductor Rolf Bertsch for their upcoming “Rising Stars” concert in June 2025.
Starting in the fall of 2025, Chanan will be attending the Robert McDuffie Center for Strings for an undergraduate degree in violin performance, under the tutelage of Robert McDuffie, Amy Schwartz Moretti, and David Kim. This next chapter will build on his existing experiences as winner of the Rose Bowl at the Calgary Performing Arts Festival (2023), and alumnus and Gold Medalist (Violin) of the Royal Conservatory of Music (ARCT, Violin performance and Piano performance).
