Mission-Abbotsford tenor honoured with invitation to King Charles III speech
MISSION — A Mission-Abbotsford native has been bestowed with a recent invitation to His Majesty King Charles III’s Speech from the Throne.
On May 27, Dustin Lee Hiles joined the list of 500 distinguished Canadians to attend the first Speech since Queen Elizabeth II in 1978.
“This rare honor underscores Hiles’ profound impact on Canada’s cultural landscape, his dedication to global humanitarian efforts, and his commitment to proudly representing his hometown on the world stage,” read a release on Monday. “As he continues to inspire through music and mentorship, Hiles remains a proud ambassador for Canadian arts and culture.”
The tenor’s long career started from a debut with the Vancouver Symphony at 15, moving on to a tenure as a special assistant to a Speaker of the House of Commons, and finally, returning to music as a mentor to emerging talent in Vancouver’s West End.
