Singer-songwriter Peter Katz inspires student leaders to follow their dreams  

May 20, 2021

“There’s a difference between having a dream and driving a dream. Having a dream is pretty easy. Driving a dream requires us to actually put our hands on the steering wheel and do something about it.”

That was the message that Peter Katz, a JUNO Award & Canadian Screen Award-nominated singer-songwriter, gave student leaders who joined the PVNC virtual Student Leadership Retreat on May 18, 2021.

It was the fourth in a series of virtual retreats hosted this year by the Board’s Student Council Liaison Committee under the theme “Voices that Heal.”

Katz spoke to the students about his 15 years of touring internationally as an artist and the ups and downs of his career. Katz performed several songs and encouraged the students to create their own path, overcome obstacles, and find success in whatever they desire.

“The more we do this vulnerable and uncomfortable thing, the better we get at it,” Katz said, speaking of the vulnerability of writing and performing music for an audience and the rewards that have followed in his career.

“So I want to ask this question to you – if all of that is on the other side of my vulnerability and discomfort…what’s on the other side of yours?”

Senior student trustee Josh Hill thanked the student leaders for participating in the virtual retreats throughout a very challenging year.

“The importance of student voice is greater than ever. It’s incredible that we have been able to come together,” Hill said. “Despite these challenges, we are starting to see the light at the end of the tunnel. Fingers crossed, that at the beginning of next year, we can all get back to normal.”