Mikeal Abramoff, 2007 Garfield Weston scholar

Music is more than a hobby for 2007 Upper Year Garfield Weston scholar Mikeal Abramoff. An aficionado of the viola and violin, he has explored many aspects of his chosen instruments. He has been playing and performing for many years, and last year he discovered violins from a new perspective: that of a maker. During his Garfield Weston summer, Mikeal moved from Calgary to New Hampshire to attend the Violin Craftsmanship Institute. “It was a wonderful experience to expand my knowledge of this art and learn new skills,” he says. He also valued the chance to study outside of Canada: “It was a learning experience to travel to the eastern U.S. and meet new people.”

Mikeal has brought the joy of music to others through community performances in nursing homes and hospitals and by giving lessons. “It is important to give back to people who are in less fortunate circumstances…I also feel I can be a positive influence to those I teach and work with in my volunteer activities.”
Besides music, Mikeal also has a passion for innovation in business. “I love looking for new possibilities and trying to develop them,” he says. To expand his skills in this area, he undertook a degree in business and entrepreneurship at Mount Royal College in Calgary. His aptitude for the field is evident in his outstanding grades: he was the top academic student in the program four years in a row. “I am extremely appreciative for the financial assistance I received from the W. Garfield Weston Foundation. The funds allowed me to focus and to maximize my learning.” Mikeal aims to put his business acumen to use by working for a venture capital or market research company.