PETITION FOR THE REINSTATEMENT OF JOHN KADZ

John Kadz is a brilliant teacher and mentor and has changed the lives of so many of us, his students. The loss of his talent at the conservatory would be a devastating one.

This is a very puzzling and regrettable action on the part of Mount Royal and one you will surely regret. I know many of the cellists John Kadz has fostered and taught, he is world-class as are his students. He should be reinstated with an apology.

We come across to know John and Johanne through our son's cello lessons. Their warmth and sincere passion for music have been such an inspiration for us. We are shocked of how unethically Mount Royal University handled the situation, and as professional business people, we cannot make a sense at all of the university's 'tighten budget' talk. My son was registered to study with Ms Perron, only found out the morning of the first class that the teacher has been changed to someone else. we withdrew from the class immediately. The educational institution's purpose of existence is to fulfill the students desire to learn, to learn from the best. While we have the huge honor to have masters like John and Johanne devoted to our city, what a shame it is to lose people like them! It is a loss to all of the students, to the city of Calgary, and to our future generations. We demand Mount Royal University to give a proper explanation and reinstall John's position before the end of October. We question how is the university's decision making procedure functions, and who is responsible for the results of terrible decision like this, the reputational damage to the university and potentially the future of the conservatory.

I am a former student of John's, having studied with him thirty years ago. I am proud to say that he was the greatest cello teacher I ever had, and I continue to play to this day, currently with the Ottawa Chamber Orchestra. John is an absolutely outstanding teacher, musician and mentor. I would not have succeeded as a cellist without his teaching, and his guidance made me a better person in general. His dedication to Mount Royal has been a gift of immeasurable value to the institution. It is absolutely astonishing that Mount Royal would do anything other than plead with John to stay on for as long as he wishes. The conservatory simply wouldn't be what it is today without his vision and investment of decades of commitment. Shame on Mount Royal.

I want him back to the conservatory

please listen

I will be forwarding an independent letter as well. Mr. J Kadz has been an integral part of my child, Rylan Gajek's musical education and has provided strong support for his development not only as a musician but as a well rounded person. Sincerely, Trinda Gajek

Breaks my heart to hear about this...

This is absurd. How can something Ike this happen to students?!

The behaviour of the administration towards distinguished faculty members, as well as their students, is inexcusable.They seem unaware of how fortunate Calgary has been to have Mr. Kadz. He would have been welcome here in Toronto, and I am sure that many cellists would have stayed/come here for that privilege, instead of attending MRC! I met him only briefly, when I was adjudicated by him at the Kiwanis Festival in Toronto, but was struck by his warmth and genuine care for the development of the young musicians he came into contact with. It is shocking to see faculty members of Mr Kadz's standing treated as if they were disposable. Rather, they are a rare treasure to come across. Does the administration realize that choosing a teacher is a major life choice for young musicians? This may be difficult for non-musicians to understand, as classroom learning is the standard in most university programs. For me, my teacher was the PRIMARY deciding factor on where I chose to go for my graduate studies, and even the reason that I chose to go in the first place. How dare the administration be so negligent in their communication with the students, and so cavalier in their attitudes towards the life plans and finances of their students? It is far too late for them to make other plans for their year; by informing them that they will not be studying with their teacher of choice at this point in time, the administration has shown utter disregard for an entire year of the lives of their students. I have many colleagues who, over the years, went to Calgary to study with Mr.Kadz. From their point of view, they had no other reason to be there. Suhashini Arulanandam Violinist Hamilton Philharmonic Orchestra Windsor Symphony Orchestra

This is a travesty. I've worked closely with several of John's students and know that he is one of the major draws for students in Canada and abroad. I can't fathom how the MRU will have anywhere close to its presence as an institution for music education without the prestige of John's reputation. Aaron Schwebel Concertmaster, National Ballet of Canada Associate Concertmaster, Canadian Opera Company

A very unethical and unfair way of trying to update what has been a very successful program for years - to say nothing of the way the latest two fine teachers are being trashed.

We have heard about this Academy for sometime but this is our first year and I am very disappointed with how this was missrepresented to us. Everything about this is ethically wrong and it causes me to question whether I want to participate in their "new" program.

Cannot under estimate the huge impact John Kadz has had on the Conservatory and generations of musicians locally, nationally and internationally. Not renewing his contract is a huge loss and so short sited.

John Kadz has the admiration of all cellists and cello teachers in Canada and abroad. I have taught masterclasses for him at the school and I have had several former students study with him. He does a fantastic job and it seems senseless to put an end to his amazing legacy.

Students choose the teacher, not the institution. Mr Kadz's students will follow him wherever he goes. That is a great loss to the conservatory.

Whoever would eliminate Bill van der Sloot from his position would dismiss forever the hugely successful Academy programme. So, if you wish to dismiss him, be aware of the fact, that the internationally known Academy of Music and Mount Royal University will cease to exist. Will you be responsible for that?

There seems to be more in play here than mere cutbacks. The rationale reported in the media is not convincing.

I have had the pleasure to hear some of the students that the above individual has turned out. In my opinion it would be a shame indeed to let such a very valuable individual go.

Mr Kadz, though I only was lucky enough to have the chance to learn from him a few times, was the most brilliant cello instructor i ever have ever met. His comments and suggestions made a tremendous difference in my playing, and I'm very saddened and shocked to hear that he has been cut from the faculty. Please reverse this decision, if at all possible.