The Joy of Giving: Sylvia’s OrKidstra Legacy Donor Story
Vibrant OrKidstra donor and current volunteer Sylvia Gazsi-Gill has been a steadfast supporter of OrKidstra since its very beginning in 2007, when the organization was just starting to take shape.
As a founding Board member, her journey with OrKidstra began with a chance encounter with Artistic Managing Director and Co-Founder, Tina Fedeski. “I had gotten to know Tina through various musical circles,” says Sylvia. “One day, I popped into their print music shop, The Leading Note, to say hi, and Tina announced that she and Gary had been looking into the El Sistema movement and wanted to start a program here,” she recalls. Tina’s passion for music and her vision for bringing music for social development to the Ottawa community ignited Sylvia’s interest. She wasted no time in offering her support. “So, I said, ‘Fantastic! How can I help? Who’s going to be on your board?’” she recounts. “And Tina looked at me and said, ‘Board, do we need a board?’ And I said, ‘Yes, because you want lots of donors!’”
Ever since then, Sylvia’s commitment to OrKidstra has been deeply rooted in her values and experiences. A lifelong musician (percussion), she has always shared OrKidstra’s belief in the transformative power of music education. “I grew up in the prairies in Saskatoon, then Edmonton, and I’ve been involved with music all my life,” she shares. “I started playing snare drum in a marching band in grade seven and did that for quite a few years.”
Her musical journey playing in orchestras shaped her belief in the importance of community-based arts programs. “I went on to play the cymbals with the Saskatoon Symphony because they were all amateurs, like me,” she reminisces. “I did not receive any formal training, but I ended up playing in the Edmonton Symphony Orchestra for some time while I was at university and for many years at the Ottawa Symphony Orchestra.”
Sylvia’s dedication to music education is also influenced by her personal history. She reflects on the legacy of her late husbands, John Gazsi, a founding violinist with the National Arts Centre Orchestra and community advocate, and John Gill, an adventurer and music lover who worked in insurance. “J.G. for both husbands,” she smiles. She honours the legacy of both “J.G.’s” through her philanthropy. “They both believed very much in community, as I did and still do,” she says. “I am passionate about supporting causes that align with my values.”
Her decision to become an OrKidstra Legacy Donor reflects her belief in the organization’s positive and lasting impact on young lives. “We need new Canadian citizens who have strong values and exposure to lots of cultures, and I think music, and OrKidstra specifically, supplies that,” she emphasizes. “I mean, you look at young people like Mateo, one of OrKidstra’s 2023 Graduates. He has shared that, without the support of OrKidstra, his family wouldn’t have been able to achieve everything they have after coming to Canada when he was just four years old.”
Sylvia’s approach to philanthropy extends beyond her lifetime. Through legacy giving, she ensures that her support for OrKidstra will continue to make a difference for years to come. “When OrKidstra was going for a little while, we went to the Ottawa Community Foundation—as I wanted things to be administered well,” she explains, “and bought an insurance policy. The beneficiary, of course, is OrKidstra, but OCF looks after the deposits and the investing and all that. I don’t have to worry: I pay about $1,000 a year and get a tax receipt, which is also the value of doing it through insurance. So, I’m not getting rid of a lot of my own cash flow.”
“There’s just lots of options for legacy giving,” she meditates, “different options out there that are right for different people in different stages of life. The reason I like this method is that it’s not a huge outlay. Legacy giving through an insurance policy is so easy to do, especially for younger people. It’s a small yearly fee, but it will grow. And, you can give to multiple beneficiaries, including your kids. I feel very strongly that it’s important to have a Will.”
Sylvia’s story exemplifies the profound impact of individual philanthropy on community-based organizations like OrKidstra. Her dedication to music education and her commitment to leaving a lasting legacy serve as inspirations for donors of all ages. As she aptly puts it, “I just think I can’t imagine not giving back. Try it, and I promise you will like it!” she laughs. “Anytime you can donate, it just makes you feel good. It is rewarding. I don’t think anything can replace the feeling of satisfaction and joy that you have helped make these things possible. You can help keep worthy organizations like OrKidstra going and improving.”
Through supporters like Sylvia, the OrKidstra family continues to grow, inspiring young musicians and shaping the future of our community. Every gift, every act of support, and every moment of generosity helps us share the transformative power of music with children across Ottawa—creating opportunities, building confidence, and nurturing a lifelong love of music.
As a passionate community champion, OrKidstra is profoundly grateful to Sylvia for her vision, dedication, and generosity, which will continue to inspire and support young people for many years to come. If you would like to learn more about creating a legacy and supporting the next generation of OrKidstra students, we invite you to visit our Will Power website or connect with OrKidstra’s Director of Development & Communications, Rebecca Russell, by email at rebeccarussell@orkidstra.ca or by phone at 613.416.8012.
Photos by Leslie Noxon
