The Vermont Symphony Orchestra (VSO) and TD Bank yesterday announced Castleton University sophomore Erik Kindestin as the winner of the organizations’ joint TD Ambassador Scholarship. Kindestin, a resident of Barre, Vt., is a sophomore at Castleton University where he participates in at least 15 service hours each semester and plays in the school’s marching and spirit bands. As a lifelong fan of music, Kindestin has attended the VSO’s Summer Festival Tour and Holiday Pops concerts since he was three years old. Kindestin’s dedication to his passion is notable, having adapted his instruments for one-handed usage.
“It is so important for high-profile local companies like TD Bank to support the arts by promoting classical music and making it accessible for everyone,” notes Kindestin in his scholarship application. “I have residual effects from a prenatal stroke which left me with the use of only one hand, therefore I have made accommodations to be able to play the trumpet with one hand and have, with the help of my band family, re-crafted keyboard pieces to be played with one hand.”
“We deeply appreciate Erik’s work with the VSO,” says Sasha Vaut, director of philanthropy at the Vermont Symphony Orchestra. “We are inspired by his spirit and believe he serves as a wonderful role model for our community. It is an honor to announce him as the recipient of our TD Ambassador Scholarship.”
"We are honored to support the VSO and proud of Erik's extraordinary dedication to providing cultural opportunities for his community," said Phil Daniels, market president of TD Bank. "This collaboration provides TD with the opportunity to drive positive change that enriches the lives of our customers and communities across the diverse communities we serve."
The TD Ambassador Scholarship was created to honor a TD Ambassador who is currently attending or has been accepted to a college program and is currently enrolled in college for the Fall 2018 year. A TD Ambassador is a civic-minded individual who volunteers to represent their community at the Vermont Symphony Orchestra’s TD Bank Summer Festival Tour. For more information about the TD Ambassador program, please visit www.vso.org/tdambassador
In its 84th year, the VERMONT SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA (VSO) is the nation’s oldest state-assisted symphony orchestra. With a mission to cultivate diverse cultural communities, the VSO celebrates orchestra music as a unifier throughout Vermont and venues of all types. A proactive music education promoter, the VSO’s SymphonyKids programs offer extensive supplemental learning experiences to students across the state every year. The VSO is a unique shared resource in Vermont, belonging to all of the communities it serves.