Funds are also raised through online donations ⇥ https://www.canadahelps.org/en/dn/59252
The SHINE Music Bursary is an annual financial award intended to support young musicians who wish to further their study or practice of traditional or folk music. This bursary is available to youth who:
Face financial barriers impeding their practice and/or study of music
Are between the ages of 16 and 24
Are living in the Greater Toronto Area or surrounding communities
Are seeking to further their study or practice of traditional or folk music
SHINE began in 2010 as the Jim Fay Music Bursary. A talented guitarist and mandolin player and ardent performer of Celtic, folk and acoustic music, Jim Fay was very involved in Toronto’s music community. Among other things, Jim established the Tuesday session at Whelan’s Gate in 1990, now one of Canada’s longest-running Irish song sessions. Jim always encouraged others to play and perform. When he died in 2008, Jim's family and friends established a music bursary in his name to assist struggling young folk musicians. In 2013, the Toronto music community lost another great friend and talent in James Gray, brilliant musician and long-time keyboard player for Blue Rodeo. To help honour James’ legacy, his family and friends teamed up with Jim Fay’s and the SHINE Music Bursary has been offering bursaries in both men’s names ever since. Since 2016, SHINE has been celebrating the life and legacy of Doug Queen, accomplished multi-instrumentalist, co-founder of the Toronto rock/bluegrass band Jughead, and long-time music teacher at Brock Public School. In 2020, SHINE began offering bursaries in memory of Bruce Adamson, brilliant lead guitarist for Toronto band Staggered Crossing and influential contributor to the Toronto music community until his untimely death in 2015. As of 2023, SHINE is honoured to embrace Gord Goodwin in its family of bursaries. Gordie was known all over the city at open stages and local musical gigs as a gifted guitarist, yet one who shunned the spotlight. He never wanted to direct the song, he simply and brilliantly complimented anyone and everyone with whom he played, sharing in the joy and wonder of the song.
