by Morinville News Staff
It was a big weekend for one current and one former Sturgeon County resident. Olivia Imbrogno and Danielle Marie were both presented awards for their music.
Gold in French Horn
Nineteen-year-old County resident Olivia Imbrogno received her applause from The Royal Conservatory of Music, one of the world’s largest and most respected music and arts education institutions.
She won a Gold Medal for scoring the top mark in Alberta on the Level 10 French Horn examination. Imbrogno received the award Oct. 25 at a public ceremony in Calgary.
Each academic year, The Royal Conservatory issues Regional Gold Medals to examination candidates in Preparatory A and B and Levels 1 to 10 who achieve the highest mark in their respective province or designated region. A minimum score of 80 per cent on the practical exam is required for eligibility as is the completion of theory examinations for their respective grade and discipline.
Danielle Marie takes BCCMA Award
Former Sturgeon County resident Danielle Marie was recognized Oct. 25 by the British Columbia Country Music Association with the Ray McAuley Horizon Award.
Now living in Vancouver, the singer/songwriter received nominations for Album of the Year (Here Right Now), the Fans Choice, Female Vocalist of the Year, and the Ray McAuley Horizon Award.
“Winning the Ray McAuley Horizon Award, as cliché as it may sound, really did mean the absolute world to me,” Danielle Marie said. “I feel since moving to the west coast, I’ve not only developed myself as an artist but as a person also.”
The perfomer went on to say she was pleased to be recognized for the hard work she and her team had put in over the past year and throughout her career.
“I want to pave a path for young artists to follow,” she said. “I want them to know that you can be an indie and be successful. It just takes some hard work and passion.”
During the awards night, Danielle performed What You Can’t Have from her Here Right Now, an album that was nominated as BCCMA Album o the Year. She was the only female artist in the category.
The former County performer is releasing a Christmas single oniTunes that will include a special B Side song with purchase. Here Right Now broke iTunes Top 25 within 24 hours of its release earlier this year.
