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Amy Dundas Head Memorial Award
The Amy Dundas Head Memorial Fund was established by a family member in memory of Amy Dundas Head in 2005 to provide scholarships at the Vancouver Youth Symphony Orchestra Society for a deserving senior orchestra string player based upon all-around merit.
A VYSO alumnus, Amy Dundas Head died in a stable accident in 2003. She is deeply missed by her husband Keith Head, her brother Mathew (VYSO alumni cellist) and her parents Gail and Tim Dundas, a VYSO President from 1991-1993. Her short life was an inspiration to many.
On starting the Suzuki violin program at the Vancouver Community Music School Amy quickly showed her talent and a readiness to take the stage. She was trained and inspired by teachers such as Marianne Schreiber and later by Ruth Shipitsky. Before entering the UBC Violin Program she enjoyed many solo recitals, successfully competed in several festivals, and played in the Vancouver Academy Strings, the Summer Pops Youth Orchestra, the UBC Orchestra, and the VYSO. She won the Senior Orchestra Concerto Competition and performed the Bruch G minor Concerto at the QE Playhouse on her 17th birthday.
Amy left UBC due to a chronic wrist condition to focus on her equestrian talent, but her love of the violin endured, which delighted her family and friends. She had started riding at age 10, and here she also showed exceptional talent, winning numerous awards and events in show jumping, including the $40,000 Atco Dual Slalom at Spruce Meadows in 1994 riding the ex-race horse "Fantasia" which she had trained herself. Her talent, honesty, determination, cheerful disposition, infectious enthusiasm and readiness to help others enriched so many lives both in music and in equestrian sport throughout the western continent.
Find out more about Amy's amazing life.
