Beatrix Finta, well-known Ottawa music teacher and choir director received the PRO CULTURA HUNGARICA award on March 12th 2010 in recognition of her lifetime ahcievements in the field of musical education in Canada. She was presented with the award by His Excellency, Dr Pal Vastagh, ambassador of the Republic of Hungary. Bea, as she is known, had taught and promoted the Kodaly method over a twenty year period to music students and teachers across Canada.
Subsequently, after settling in Ottawa, where she continued to teach music, she also provided professional guidance to the Ottawa Hungarian Choir for the last 15 years developing the choir from an informal group into a regular and sought after institution of the local music scene. The Choir frequently performs at Hungarian cultural events but also participates with other Canadian choirs in festivals and concerts.
The next performance of the Choir will take place on April 17th 2010 at 7pm at the First Unitarian Church, Cleary Avenue, Ottawa where they will perform together with the Kanata Choral Society and the Chalice Choir of the First Unitarian Congregation.