SACKVILLE, NB — Mount Allison University is pleased to announce that Dr. Linda Pearse, a distinguished faculty member in the Department of Music, has been invited to join the Royal Society of Canada’s (RSC) College of New Scholars, Artists, and Scientists. This esteemed honour is a testament to Pearse’s outstanding contributions to the field of music and her unwavering commitment to academic excellence.  

The RSC College of New Scholars, Artists, and Scientists recognizes the emerging generation of Canadian intellectual leaders. Members of the College are selected for their exceptional achievements early in their careers and their potential to lead in their respective fields. Pearse’s invitation to join the College reflects her innovative work as both a scholar and an artist. 

Pearse is widely known for her research and performances in early music, particularly her expertise in historical brass instruments. Her work has gained international recognition and she is highly respected for her ability to seamlessly blend scholarly research with creative performance. Through her teaching, research, and performances, Pearse has made significant contributions to the academic and cultural life of Mount Allison University and beyond. 

“Dr. Pearse’s appointment to join the RSC College of New Scholars is a remarkable achievement and a well-deserved recognition of her contributions to the field of music,” says Dr. Ian Sutherland, President and Vice-Chancellor of Mount Allison University. “Her work exemplifies the excellence in research and creative practice that we strive for at Mount Allison and we are incredibly proud of her accomplishments.” 

Pearse joins a distinguished group of Mount Allison research professors who have been recognized by the Royal Society of Canada. The earliest inductee, Dr. Christl Verduyn (Canadian studies), was honoured in 2006, followed by Herménégilde Chiasson (‘72), an alumnus and former artist-in-residence in fine arts in 2011. In 2014, Dr. David Hornidge from physics, was named to the inaugural cohort of the RSC’s College of New Scholars, Artists, and Scientists, Canada’s first national system of multidisciplinary recognition for emerging Canadian intellectual leaders. Thaddeus Holownia (Fine Arts research professor) was inducted into the RSC in 2018. Dr. Fiona Black received the 2022 AAU Anne Marie MacKinnon Educational Leadership Award. Most recently, in 2023, Dr. Susie Andrews (religious studies) and Toni Roberts, director of the Purdy Crawford Teaching Centre, were inducted into the College. 

Reflecting on the honour, Pearse states, "I am honoured to receive this award and to be recognized alongside such distinguished colleagues. Learning and growing alongside the students, faculty, and staff at Mount Allison, as well as with community partners and leaders from the Tantramar region and beyond, is a precious gift. My work is driven by a passion for exploring music’s role in intercultural contact and conflict, in creating tangible applications to educational settings, and in sharing this work with my students. This recognition inspires me to continue exploring new horizons in my research and creative practice, and I look forward to what the future holds."  

As a member of the RSC College of New Scholars, Pearse will have the opportunity to collaborate with other leading scholars, artists, and scientists from across Canada. This collaboration will foster interdisciplinary research and innovation, further enhancing the impact of her work and contributing to the advancement of knowledge in her field. 

Pearse’s induction into the RSC College of New Scholars will take place at a formal ceremony later this year. 

Founded in 1882, the Royal Society of Canada comprises the Academies of Arts, Humanities, and Sciences, and the College of New Scholars, Artists, and Scientists. The RSC recognizes excellence, advises the government and society, and promotes a culture of knowledge and innovation in Canada and internationally. 

For more information about Dr. Linda Pearse and her work, visit mta.ca/directory/linda-pearse or email media@mta.ca.