Artscene Oakville Beaver · WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 6, 2006 37 Young singer tops in Ontario By Krissie Rutherford OAKVILLE BEAVER STAFF The Royal Conservatory of Music has recognized Oakville's Ivy James as tops in the province when it comes to singing. The 10-year-old Rotherglen School student scored a 92 the highest in Ontario on her Grade 2 vocal exam and was rewarded with a prestigious Royal Conservatory Silver Medal. "I was speechless when I found out," said the Grade 5 student. "I called my mom and I was really happy." The average mark on the Grade 2 exam, which requires students to sing three songs from a specific book of music, do a series of ear tests and other pre-set scales, was 79. Ivy got a letter in the mail from the Royal Conservatory of Music (RCM) saying she received a 92, which meant first class honours with distinction. "I don't think she quite understood how good it was when she first found out," said her father, Doug. "I'm very pleased for Ivy about this. At any level, it's just extraordinary to be recognized like this. It's a very high honour for everyone." Susan Ambrose Ivy James' singing teacher "When you're the number one person in the entire grade, it's quite an accomplishment. She thought at first it was just three people, and then you tell her it's hundreds and it hits home." In fact, Ivy admits she hadn't heard of the Silver Medal award until she won it and did a little research. Silver Medals are awarded once a year by region to RCM candidates in grades one through 10 who have achieved the highest mark in their grade and discipline. "It is such a rare award," said Ivy, adding that being recognized with a Silver Medal makes her both proud and happy. "It also makes me feel very confident as a singer. I don't think I could give up singing for anything." Although she was nervous on RCM examination day, Ivy didn't let that get in the way of her performance. "I put a bubble around me," she said, noting it helps if she imagines she's not singing to an audience. "I started, and then I stopped and counted to three and started over." That worked like a charm. Last week, Ivy was honoured along with other winners at the Silver Medal ceremony at the CBC Glenn Gould studio. Although it's called a Silver Medal, which makes it seem as though recipients came second, there's no higher honour. "It's very rare to win one of these medals," said Ivy's singing teacher, Susan Ambrose. "I'm very pleased for Ivy about this. At any level, it's just extraordinary to be recognized like this. It's a very high honour for anyone." Ambrose, a former professional RIZIERRO VERTOLLI / OAKVILLE BEAVER SILVER MEDALLIST: Rotherglen School student Ivy James scored the highest in the province on the Grade 2 Royal Conservatory of Music vocal exam. While the average on the exam was 79, James scored a 92 to earn first class honours with distinction, and a Silver Medal. See Singer page 38