Barbara Ritchie’s daughter Kim (Ritchie) Persky graduated from UTS in 1980 yet Barbara continues to be a regular face at our schools’ annual Nocturne recital. She enjoys the extraordinary calibre of musical talent so much that she brings members of her local community to join in the experience. “The last time Nocturne took place in person it was so jam-packed, you could hardly find a seat,” she says. “There is so much talent there, it really is second to none.”
Barbara, along with her late husband, Cedric Ritchie O.C., P ’80, has been a loyal supporter of UTS for over 20 years. Now, she will receive recognition for her generous support of the Building the Future campaign in our renewed building’s music practice rooms, that crucial space where talent and dedication transform into art. She was inspired to support the campaign to build something concrete and lasting that opens the door to expanded opportunities for current and future generations of UTS students.
Barbara still keeps a special place in her heart for UTS, because of the exceptional education and experience that her daughter Kim enjoyed. “All of the students at UTS were encouraged to study more than what they were assigned to do, and it went well beyond the normal high school curriculum.” While at UTS, Kim made life-long friends, and engaged with challenging, in-depth assignments which prepared her for post-secondary pursuits at Princeton and Stanford universities.
“You do have to support your educational institutions,” says Barbara. “Schools like UTS need a lot of support. It’s up to the alumni and the community to make these contributions.”
Barbara looks forward to future Nocturne concerts in the new Withrow Auditorium with plenty of room to allow for up to 700 enthusiastic music lovers to celebrate the incredible talent at UTS.
You help make sure that music and art students have all the furniture and equipment they need in time for their return to 371 Bloor this November.
