Friday, September 2, 2011

Josh Groban Gives to Arts School

Music . Classical pop superstar Josh Groban will be brightening up the lives of young Calgary students for years to come, thanks to a donation to a local school that specializes in lighting the artistic spark.

The vocalist, in town Thursday night to perform a concert at the Saddledome, also took the time to announce that his Find Your Light Foundation was making a cash contribution of an undisclosed sum to the Calgary Arts Academy, a public charter school that "engages students through arts immersion."

Groban has been making similar charitable gestures toward nonprofit organizations through his foundation at every stop in his current tour.

"Ensuring every child has the opportunity to experience and arts education is very important to me," Groban said in a statement. "Calgary Arts Academy shares this goal with me, and it fives me great pleasure to highlight the work they do."

Josh Van Beers, the principal of the almost 500-student school, was surprised and understandably thrilled when informed of the gift, agreeing that the philosophy of the academy was very much in keeping with Groban's foundation.

"I think that they're very similar in many ways, so I think it's definitely a very good fit," said Van Beers, who admitted he wasn't sure how the school had first come to the attention of the artist.



As to how they would spend the money, Van Beers was waiting to hear how much the donation would be as well as get input from Groban and his people. "We're always looking for funds to bring in additional artists and give the kids different experiences with the arts."

The Calgary Arts Academy, which was founded in 2003, is open to any child in kindergarten age to Grade 9 on a first-come, first-serve basis, with the only requirement being that the youngsters be willing and able to do their learning in a slightly less orthodox manner.

Representatives from the school, including Van Beers and 17 students, were also acknowledged during the performance.

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