Barriere Secondary has inducted two more past graduates to the school’s to the Wall of Distinction during this years graduation ceremonies. Len Perry, and Michiko Singh were recognized for their accomplishments, and although Singh was not able to attend the presentation some of her music was played for those attending.
Len Perry
Barriere Secondary School graduate Len Perry is currently Regional Vice-President of Radio and TV Operations, Prairies, for Bell Media.
Perry began his career by attending the Television, Stage and Radio Arts program at S.A.I.T. in 1979. The Flames had just moved to Calgary and the Canadian Sports Network hired Perry as a runner on the hockey broadcasts.
By the time he was 23, he had produced NHL broadcasts on CFAC and ITV.
In 1983, he moved over to CBC Calgary. Over the next nine years he directed news and current affairs, produced news and was promoted to the position of Senior Producer.
In 1992 he accepted the Managing Editor at Calgary 7 Television. He was promoted to News Director in 1997.
In 2000, he crossed the street to become the Director of News and Public Affairs at CTV Calgary.
In January 2008, Perry was promoted to Vice-President and General Manager, overseeing the day-to-day operation of CTV Calgary.
Then in January 2012, Len was asked to oversee all of Bell Media’s Radio and TV operations in the Prairies.
Over the years Perry has received many honours, including five international Edward R. Murrow Awards.
Perry has volunteered for a number of educational committees in Calgary including; Board of Governors for St. Mary’s University/College; member of the advisory committee for the Centre of Communications Studies at Mount Royal College and former chair of the Advisory Committee for Broadcast Studies. He was named Broadcaster of the Year by the Broadcast Educators Association of Canada (BEAC).
Perry lives in Calgary with his wife, Lora Saccomani, and is a proud father of four daughters.
Michiko Singh
Barriere Secondary graduate Michiko Singh attended Little Fort Elementary School and then Barriere Secondary School. She started playing the piano in kindergarten and in grade 8 signed up for the school band. She learned almost all the band instruments, but her favorite was the French Horn, because “Mr. Johnson said it was the hardest one.”
She was the youngest student to get into BC Honor Band (on several instruments) and BC Honor Choir all in the same year.
After leaving Barriere she moved to Vancouver to pursue her music studies. She went on to receive scholarships and grants to attend the Juilliard School in New York. She received Bachelor and Master’s Degrees studying with Jerome Ashby, Associate Principal Horn of the New York Philharmonic.
Notable Symphonies and Orchestra’s she has participated with include:
Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra
Honolulu Symphony for 11 years
Hong Kong Philharmonic
Vancouver, Memphis and Hartford Symphony Orchestras
She previously held titled positions in orchestras all over the world including:
New World Symphony in Miami
Colorado Music Festival Orchestra
Royal Winnipeg Ballet Orchestra
Canadian Broadcasting Corporation Orchestra
Arkansas, Nashville and Canton Symphonies and
Des Moines Metro Opera.
She is currently appearing as a soloist with the Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra.
Michiko juggles her career while being a single mom to a toddler, and resides in Winnipeg with her son and their Jack Russell Terrier.
Michiko Singh sent the following list to the Barriere grads of 2013:
1. Dream
2. Define your own success
3. Make goals and keep your eye on the prize
4. Be prepared to sacrifice
5. Learn from your mistakes
6. Find a hero
7. Be happy with what you have
8. Go with the flow