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Our History

Who is Douglas Kuhl?
John Douglas Kuhl lived in various Southern Manitoba communities (Gnadenthal, Winkler, Morden, Winnipeg) from 1951-1999. While his interests included many of the arts, Doug’s energy and resources were primarily musical, with a particular love for Baroque music. He founded and directed a small string ensemble called String-time in Southern Manitoba. Doug was also involved with regional festivals such as the Red River Festival in Winnipeg. In 2013, some local musicians and educators decided to name a new music school in Doug’s honour, carrying forward his legacy, passion, and energy for music in Southern Manitoba.
The Kuhl Foundation
Doug was not only a gifted musician and event organiser but also a successful businessman. To honour his memory, Doug’s family established The Kuhl Foundation, which offers financial assistance to many arts organisations, including the Douglas Kuhl School of Music. Note that The Kuhl Foundation and Douglas Kuhl School of Music (DKSM) are separate entities.
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The Kuhl Foundation aims to cultivate a love of classical music among musicians and audiences of all ages. Through registered charities, they financially support qualified groups and individuals whose passion for music reflects that of the late John Douglas Kuhl. By doing so, the Foundation hopes to enhance the quality and joy of life for all who experience this music.


Founding Members
Douglas Kuhl School of Music (DKSM) was founded in 2014, with Larry Danielson as Board Chair, Joan Franz as Secretary, Carla Hamm as Treasurer, and Wes Hamm and Rochelle Drudge as Co-directors. This remarkable achievement brought together several already existing musical groups and programs under one organizational roof, including the String Ensemble programs, private cello lessons, the Homeschool Harmony Choir, and Cadenza Summer Music Week. Shortly after, the Winkler Senior’s Choir also joined the DKSM umbrella.