Congratulations to our 2025 Bert Kroeker Scholarship Recipient!

MCA is pleased to announce that the 2025 Bert Kroeker Scholarship has been awarded to Kendalyn Penner.

The Bert Kroeker Scholarship was established in 2006 in memory of long-time member and supporter of MCA, Bert Kroeker. Bert was the founder of ChoralFest in Manitoba and was a former president of MCA as well. MCA awards this scholarship annually to students who are actively pursuing a career in choral music education.

This year, one deserving recipient was chosen to receive the award.

Kendalyn Penner

Kendalyn Penner is a fifth-year music education student at Brandon University, specializing in senior years choral music education. At Brandon University, she also studies instrumental music education and early years music education.

Kendalyn’s love for music began at an early age with piano lessons, voice lessons and taking part in school music events and community choirs with her mom. Her true passion for singing in choirs and choral music, stemmed from her time in Western Manitoba Youth Choir. It was her time at Westman Youth Choir, and the overwhelming sense of community, passion, and dedication from the singers and the conductors that showed Kendalyn that music and choir was where she belonged. In her time at Brandon University, Kendalyn has been a member of Brandon University Concert Choir, Brandon University Chorale, and the Bel Canto Community choir.

She is excited to be completing her music education degree at Brandon University in the spring of 2026. As a choral music educator, Kendalyn looks forward to creating a safe space where every singer is accepted, respected, and celebrated. In this way, we can come together to make music that will have lasting meaning and benefits for the students and all people that hear it.

Congratulations Kendalyn!