This award was created in 2025 in memory of Dr. Kristina Szutor (1958–2024) through contributions from family, friends, and colleagues. A renowned pianist, beloved teacher, and generous friend and colleague, Kristina touched everyone who knew her with her compassion, gracefulness, and zest for life. This award will be granted to a full-time student entering the first year of the Bachelor of Music program at Memorial University.

Praised by the American Record Guide for the “brilliance and meticulous sensitivity” of her playing, Kristina had both adventurous tastes in repertoire and an abiding love for the established canon of classical and romantic works for piano. Her two solo recordings Bookends in Time and Apres Scarlatti, unite these interests in presenting contemporary music with strong links to the past. Aside from her solo ventures, Kristina was also an enthusiastic collaborative pianist who enjoyed many rich and fruitful relationships with friends and colleagues on Memorial’s faculty. Kristina held a Master’s degree in performance from the Juilliard School and a doctorate from the University of British Columbia. She was a faculty member at Memorial from 1991 to 2024, served as Associate Dean for the School of Music, and was recipient of both Memorial University’s prestigious President’s Award for Distinguished Teaching and President’s Award for Outstanding Research.