Clearing a Path to CapU

With music in his genes and his enthusiasm driving him forward, Elias de la Vega will dive into the power of soundscapes and film at CapU this fall, thanks to the donor generosity that helped to create the Sarah McLachlan School of Music (SoM) entrance award.

“I was definitely stressed out about the idea of university, with all the fees,” says the second-year CapU student, bound for the School of Motion Picture Arts. “But this award has completely opened a new path that I would have never been able to experience otherwise,” he says.

Launched in partnership with CapU, the award is for a SoM student who combines self-discipline, motivation, curiosity, community-mindedness and collaboration.

Andrea Unrau, the program director at SoM, wasn’t surprised de la Vega won the award.

“Elias was always the helper, always the one who would teach kids to learn their parts. He’s always been kind and attentive, and he has a wisdom that is beyond his years,” Unrau says.

Pursuing an “invisible art”

This fall, de la Vega will apply his background in music to his education at CapU to pursue his dream of working in sound design.

“Sound design is cool because it’s an invisible art; it’s all about making an atmosphere in a soundscape that matches with the picture and makes it more immersive to the viewer.”

De la Vega focused on sciences throughout high school at Templeton Secondary, but always knew he’d follow his heart into the arts.

It didn’t hurt that his mother was a trained pianist; he was bit by the music bug as a kid after his brother received a ukulele for his birthday.

“I started picking it up more often than he did. Eventually, my mom got me my own ukulele. And that’s where it all started.”

He took some YouTube lessons and eventually began attending the SoM. He still performs with a marimba band with friends.

With his decision to use his musical background in a career in film, he says the award provides financial relief and allows him to imagine a brighter future in music and film.

“For people who don’t get as many opportunities as others because of financial reasons, I think awards like this can really make dreams come true. That may sound cliche, but it’s really true,” he says.

“We all lose out when young people don’t get the chance to reach their full potential,” McLachlan says. “With everything happening in the world today, we can’t afford to lose out on future leaders, innovators and changemakers because of financial barriers to higher education.”