$100,000 TO BE CONTRIBUTED TO MUSICOUNTS PROGRAMS THROUGH THE GORD BAMFORD CHARITABLE FOUNDATION

WINNIPEG, MB – Shocked and amazed are some of the many words to describe the reaction of local Winnipeg music teacher Jeff Kula of River East Collegiate (REC) as MusiCounts presented him with the 2014 MusiCounts Teacher of the Year Award at a surprise assembly today. Announced by Allan Reid, Director, MusiCounts, to an auditorium filled with students and faculty, the award was officially presented by 2014 JUNO Award Country Album of the Year nominee, Gord Bamford.

The MusiCounts Teacher of the Year Award recognizes the incredible, dedicated and hard-working music teachers in Canada who encourage music education for many young Canadians.

Sponsored by the Gord Bamford Charitable Foundation this year, Bamford was on-hand to present the award and additionally announce a generous contribution of $100,000 that will be given to MusiCounts programs over the next three years.

“If I wouldn’t have started music at a young age, and started in school, I probably wouldn’t be where I’m at today,” says Bamford. “It creates dreams. It’s a dream I eventually started chasing, and it’s come true for me. It all started in grade four and I have my teacher to thank for that. I want to make a difference, and giving back is the most rewarding thing that I’ve been able to do.”

For Kula, the award recognizes his 27-year career, 15 of which have been spent as the sole full-time Instrumental Music Director at REC. Of the 950 students who attend the collegiate, 20% are enrolled in the music program due to his leadership, reputation and ability to motivate students to produce music. Over the years, he has established a variety of instrumental groups including concert band, jazz percussion ensembles and small chamber groups. Beyond the already extensive hours that his music program demands, he is extremely generous with his time, often accompanying young players to the music store on weekends to help them get mouthpieces and driving forgotten instruments to students’ homes around the city. Known as an innovator that inspires the next generation of musicians, Kula has implemented student-produced videos and art as part of band performances, clinics with veteran session players, and placement in competitions throughout North America for students to participate in.

In honour of Kula’s dedication, he will receive $10,000, a solid crystal JUNO Award statuette, plus VIP treatment throughout JUNO Week including recognition at the Chairman’s Reception, attending the JUNO Gala Dinner & Awards and a walk on the red carpet at the 2014 JUNO Awards Broadcast. An additional $10,000 contribution will be made to River East Collegiate’s music program.

“Each year we receive a number of nominations on behalf of teachers who impact school communities across Canada,” says Allan Reid, Director, MusiCounts. “Choosing the one recipient of this annual award is never easy, but Jeff Kula’s commitment to his students and how he goes above and beyond the call of duty of a music teacher exemplifies the reason that we established this award to begin with.”

“It’s an honour to have been named the MusiCounts Teacher of the Year,” says Jeff Kula. “My satisfaction comes from trying to help my students progress and have their own successes to whatever extent that is. I am blessed to have the opportunity to work with a group of wonderful young people on a daily basis.”

*To learn more about MusiCounts’ Teacher of the Year Award visit here.

**To download hi-res images from today’s event visit here.
Photo credit: David Lipnowski Photography

About MusiCounts
MusiCounts, Canada’s music education charity associated with The Canadian Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences (CARAS) and the Canadian Country Music Association (CCMA) is helping to keep music alive in schools across Canada. MusiCounts’ mission is to ensure that children in Canada, regardless of socio-economic circumstances or cultural background, have access to music programs through their schools. MusiCounts includes Band Aid musical instrument grants, the TD Community Music Grants, the MusiCounts Teacher of the Year Award, Scholarships and other music education initiatives. MusiCounts is funded by annual contributions by Bell Media; TD; SiriusXM Canada; the Slaight Family Foundation; Music Canada, Vista Radio, Morningstar Canada and supported since inception by Sony Music Entertainment Canada Inc.; Universal Music Canada and Warner Music Canada Ltd.; along with JUNO Songwriters’ Circle presented by SOCAN in association with Manitoba Film & Music and The Asper Foundation as well as JUNO Cup. Since MusiCounts’ establishment in 1997, nearly $7,000,000 will have been awarded to help support music education in Canada. These funds have impacted over 600 school communities from coast to coast, supported over 300 post-secondary music program graduates and honoured nine extraordinary music teachers through the MusiCounts Teacher of the Year Award.

-30-

For more information and to RSVP attendance please contact:

Catrina Jaricot
Manager, Strut Entertainment
catrina@strutentertainment.com

Samantha Pickard
President, Strut Entertainment
samantha@strutentertainment.com