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North America Wales Foundation Heritage Award and Gala Banquet
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This annual gala evening is co-sponsored by the North America Wales Foundation (NAWF) and the Welsh North American Association (WNAA) and will honor the 2025 recipient of the NAWF Welsh Heritage Medallion, David Matthews. Following the award presentation, entertainment by Manon Ogwen Parry the 2024 recipient of the coveted Osborne Roberts Blue Riband Memorial Award at the National Eisteddfod in Wales.
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Dave Matthews was born in Borth, grew up in Aberystwyth, and moved to Canada in 1967. He lived and worked for several decades with First Nations peoples in the north of Canada, especially with truth and reconciliation efforts.
For the past 15+ years, Dave Matthews has played a key leadership role with the Calgary Welsh Society. He has helped document and tell the story of Welsh immigration to Alberta and Calgary in particular. |
He joined the WNAA Board and served as President for two years and brought NAFOW to Calgary in 2016 and served as host. He has served as a pivotal liaison in hosting visits from numerous choirs from Wales. In this context Dave Matthews has organized free concerts for the Calgary community featuring Welsh music. Along with his wife, Mona, and one of his sons, he has hiked the Cambrian Way in 2014 and 2019 as a Journey of Remembrance in order to raise funds for Cancer research and treatment in Wales.
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Manon Ogwen Parry is a sought-after Welsh soprano who is currently studying with Marilyn Rees on the Opera Course at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama, having gained a First Class Honours Bachelor of Music and a First Class in Master of Music. In 2024, Manon was awarded the Paul Hamburger Prize, the Susan Longfield Bursary, the Osbourne Roberts Bursary and won second prize at the 2024 Llangollen International Voice of the Future competition.
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She had previously been awarded the Kathleen Ferrier Society Bursary for young singers.
In 2024, she made her recital debut at Carnegie Hall NYC. In addition to concert activity, she has recently studied Lieder with artists such as Elly Ameling, Helmut Deutsch, Wolfram Rieger, and Roger Vignoles and participated in masterclasses at Wigmore Hall with Olaf Bär. In 2022 she was featured in BBC Radio 3’s Immersions Concert Series for composer George Walker. She has also represented the Urdd Gobaith Cymru at the North American Festival of Wales.
In 2024, she made her recital debut at Carnegie Hall NYC. In addition to concert activity, she has recently studied Lieder with artists such as Elly Ameling, Helmut Deutsch, Wolfram Rieger, and Roger Vignoles and participated in masterclasses at Wigmore Hall with Olaf Bär. In 2022 she was featured in BBC Radio 3’s Immersions Concert Series for composer George Walker. She has also represented the Urdd Gobaith Cymru at the North American Festival of Wales.
Established in 1980, the North America Wales Foundation was the initiative of several individuals, inspired by the late Jack K. Evans, a native of Wales. The Foundation has a commitment to preserve, share and promote the common culture and traditions of Wales and North America. The NAWF has distributed hundreds of thousands of dollars in awards over the years and runs an annual scholarship and grant program. Its highest honor, the Heritage Medallion, is awarded to individuals or organizations distinguished by their contributions to North American Welsh life.
PLEASE NOTE: *You must have your seating preassigned to attend the banquet. Please bring your banquet ticket, and those in the party you would like to sit with, to the registration area to reserve your place. Banquet seating selection will be available throughout the hours that the Registration Desk is open on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday. [see menu]