Following the end of the school year, Mississauga teacher Julia Jung stayed in contact with her students at St. Aloysius Gonzaga Secondary School. Jang encouraged students to continue learning and organized a student cover over the song “years in the making” by The Arkells, a band from Hamilton.
A video of the cover was shared online and reached The Arkells’ lead singer Max Kerman as well as Toronto Raptors head coach Nick Nurse.
After seeing the video, Nurse announced that his charitable organization, the Nick Nurse Foundation, and Entertainment One Music would donate $25,000 to Jung’s school to purchase new instruments.
The Nick Nurse Foundation was created in March to support music programs for kids in Toronto. The foundation’s mission is to expose students to music, sports, and literacy.
Before COVID-19, sharing instruments was an issue due to the high risk of viral transmission. With new restrictions coming into effect in the fall, Jung said she couldn’t imagine what the fall year would look like. Thanks to the donation, music studies can continue at St. Aloysius.
While Jung continues to connect with her students, her main goal is to continue virtual meetings with the class. She’s also recording lessons and working on putting together more performances.
Jung reports the new instruments were purchased and are en route.