On being Estonian:
“My Estonian identity and my love of music are intimately linked. The tradition of choral music is a deep, rich [respected] part of Estonian culture. I hope to be a part of that tradition, and further its place on the world stage, and present the world with the significance that my Estonian heritage has impressed upon my music: namely its power of community, identity, and improvement. It is through the inspiring lessons of my Estonian culture that I learned the ways in which music can change lives.”
On the role of EFC:
The Estonian Foundation of Canada is of vital importance to the community… as a unifying and vocal presence for the Estonian community, the Foundation ensures the Estonian presence in [the Canadian] tapestry…[by promoting the ability of] Estonian-Canadians to unite under and share our unique and beautiful culture with our community and the rest of Canada.
Thanks to the generosity of our donors, Estonian Foundation of Canada has granted over 130 scholarships to Canadian-Estonian youth since 2003. See www.estonianfoundation.ca for details on eligibility and application dates or to make a donation to help support youth in our community.