On Friday, June 6, the Sarah McLachlan School of Music (SoM) hosted its first-ever Spotlight Celebration—an emotional and inspiring evening honouring graduating students and the generous donor community that makes the school’s tuition-free programs possible. Taking place at the SoM campus in Vancouver, the event marked a meaningful milestone for the school, which currently serves over 1,100 youth annually across Vancouver, Surrey, and Edmonton.
Founded on the belief that music can change lives, SoM offers a safe, supportive space for young people to explore their creativity, find their voice, and build confidence—no matter their financial circumstances.
“It’s a great point of pride for me to have created a community that feels safe and welcoming to kids,” said Sarah McLachlan, the school’s founder. “I was bullied as a young girl, and music was always the place I felt seen and heard. That’s what I wanted to give to these students.”
One of those students is Grade 12 graduate Tikvah Wilkinson, who has been taking private voice and songwriting classes at SoM since 2018. “I started out unsure of myself, and now I feel like I’ve found my voice—musically and personally,” Tikvah shared. “Performing at this event for the people who made my journey possible is incredibly meaningful.”
The event also included performances from students like Jordan Fianza, who credits SoM with transforming her passion for music into a guiding force in her life, and from Logan Skelton, whose mother Katie describes the school’s impact as “nothing short of life-changing” for their entire family.
McLachlan spoke in advance about her love for teaching music to kids: “Watching them light up when they play a note right or find a rhythm—it’s magic. I get to witness transformation in real time.”
Attendees were treated to an evening filled with music, heartfelt stories, and a deep sense of community, all set within the walls of a school where creativity and connection take centre stage.
To learn more about the Sarah McLachlan School of Music and its programs, visit sarahschoolofmusic.com.
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