Social work student Thu Thao Vu won first prize in the 17e final ofUdeM in show, held on January 15 at the University of Montreal Test Center. His interpretation on the Vietnamese zither of a piece by Sakura Hensokyoku won over the jury. The latter praised the attachment she devotes to her practice as well as the finesse and immersive depth of her performance, accompanied by magnificent projections of cherry blossoms.
The second prize was awarded to singer-songwriter Kaëlla Sylvain-Néron, digital music student, for her composition Blizzard. The jury was touched by the careful approach behind his work and by the heartbreaking passion that ran through his interpretation. His number also won over the audience, who awarded him the Audience Award.
The third prize was awarded to Marion Mignot, linguistics student and singer-songwriter, for her works Lovers et After the war. Visibly moved, the jury admitted to having had chills and praised the amplitude of his voice, deeply touched by the sincerity of his interpretation.
In addition to the three winners, four other finalists offered performances as varied as they were captivating. Lili Malo, medical student and choreographer-performer, offered Jaunea dance creation imbued with sensitivity and mastery. Kevin Vong, law student, charmed the audience with a number combining humor and magic, mixing skill and lightness. Arthur Cardinal-Sirois, psychology student and singer-songwriter, delivered his pieces For what et Everything that’s missing singing and accompanying himself on the guitar, revealing an introspective style and a touching presence. Finally, Étienne Duquette, student in biological sciences and also a singer-songwriter, presented his composition Be twenty years olda work carried by a warm voice and an assertive musical sensitivity.
The jury was chaired by singer-songwriter Nadia Essadiqi, aka La Bronze. Two other people made up the jury, namely Guillaume Faucher, actor, host, author and director of programming at CISM, and Charlotte Gagné-Dumais, director who obtained her doctorate in French-language literature, theater specialization, at UdeM in 2025.
During the deliberation, the public was able to attend a performance by Ketsmy, a Montreal artist who navigates between neo-soul, R&B and afrobeat. He offered sensitive and committed texts exploring resilience, memory and the quest for light.
The evening’s entertainment was entrusted to two UdeM students: Adunni Garber (psychology) and Ariane Gobeil (teaching physical and health education). They ensured its progress with dynamism and complicity. The evening was orchestrated by the Cultural Activities of UdeM Student Life Services.
A competition to promote the performing arts in French
Over the years, more than a hundred performing arts acts have been presented at UdeM in show by very talented students. Several of these finalists then achieved notoriety in Quebec, such as Lydia Képinski, crowned champion in 2015, Tite-Laine, who won second prize in 2018, or J. A. M Khalil, who won the national final in 2019.
For Josiane Robert, associate vice-rector for student affairs and success, “UdeM in show is a unifying cultural event that clearly shows all the richness and possibilities of student experiences at the University of Montreal. This evening is a celebration of creativity, innovation, commitment and French-speaking artistic expression at UdeM.
On behalf of the Interuniversity Student Life Regroupment, the University of Quebec at Trois-Rivières will be the organizer of the national final ofU on show. On March 28, it will welcome finalists from 10 Quebec universities, including Thu Thao Vu, proud representative of the University of Montreal.