A Manitoba teen who pursues the twin passions of aviation and music is one of four scholarship winners from the U.S.-based Flying Musicians Association. Courtney Taylor, 17, of Thompson, who grew up in a family of flying musicians, will have her flight training costs covered to her first solo.

“Being introduced into music and aviation from a young age my passions for both have only grown stronger with time,” said Taylor, who sings and plays the clarinet. “My father is a pilot and likes to jam on his bass while my mother loves to sing, and play piano and guitar.”

Taylor took a flying lesson for her 16th birthday and intends to pursue it as passionately as her music passion. “It made me realize that aviation is a passion of mine that will never fade!” she said.