As is the tradition with our Graduates of Distinction and Athletics Hall of Fame inductees, our honorees will be recognized at Homecoming. The arts are an integral part of our community and we want to celebrate the recipients accordingly.

2025 Induction Class

 

Keiran Hanlon, Class of 2008 - Musician, Professor

Kieran Hanlon, a 2008 graduate of Canandaigua Academy, studied violin and bass in the Canandaigua City School District’s Orchestra and Jazz programs. He went on to earn a Bachelor of Music in Double Bass Performance and a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Jazz Studies (Bass) from the University of Michigan School of Music. He later received a Master of Music in Double Bass Performance from the Eastman School of Music. Kieran is currently an Associate Professor of Double Bass and Jazz at the State University of New York at Fredonia and continues to perform across the country on both acoustic and electric bass.

Fred Johnson - Academy Teacher, Artist, Muralist

Fred Johnson taught art in the Canandaigua City School District for over 30 years, inspiring thousands of students with his gentle and patient approach. He was the chairman of the Art Department and the advisor to the Academian yearbook club. Remembered for his dedication to teaching mastery-level painting techniques, Johnson left a lasting impact not only through his instruction but also through his own artwork, especially his murals and landscape paintings of Canandaigua and its lake. One of his most notable murals can be seen outside the auditorium at Canandaigua Academy on East Street. Bi

Jim & Trish Kelley - Dedicated Volunteers, Steadfast Contributors, Supporters

Jim and Trish Kelley have been devoted supporters and contributors to the Canandaigua Academy drama program and Academy Players for over a quarter century. Jim expertly designed and built sets for more than 50 productions, while Trish served as house manager and manager of the costume shop, attending to every detail to ensure each performance ran smoothly and professionally. Together, they played a vital role in the success of Canandaigua’s musicals and plays, creating a well-organized, welcoming, and family-like environment for students and staff alike. Jim and Trish organized and curated decades worth of supplies, sets, props, and costumes such that future productions could run efficiently and with fiscal responsibility for the sake of sustainability. 

Bill Mehls - Canandaigua Primary & Elementary Teacher, Musician

Bill Mehls was a dedicated general music teacher at the Canandaigua Primary-Elementary School, serving the Canandaigua City School District for nearly 30 years. He encouraged and facilitated classroom plays and composed many songs, including “Our School Community,” which remains the school song and is performed at all school-wide assemblies. A strong advocate for using the arts to celebrate events and traditions, Bill expanded the beloved Holiday Sing-Along and Flag Day celebrations—traditions that continue to be an important part of the UPK–5 school community. Beyond his teaching career, Bill has remained an active and committed member of the Canandaigua community, serving as a church music director, performing with the Finger Lakes Community Band, and serving on the Canandaigua Tree Advisory Board.

Hayley Miller - Class of 2013 - Acclaimed Flutist, Educator

Hayley Miller, a 2013 graduate of Canandaigua Academy, has performed as a flutist with the Dallas Symphony Orchestra, the Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra, and the Chattanooga Symphony & Opera. Her passion for the flute began during her time as a student in the Canandaigua City School District and continued to flourish as she graduated valedictorian and summa cum laude from Boston University’s College of Fine Arts. She completed a Master’s at the University of Texas at Austin. In addition to her performance career, Hayley has taught and led master classes across the United States and has made many guest appearances as principal flutist and piccolo performer. She has received many awards for flute performance and is nationally recognized with top honors in both contemporary and classical repertoire. 

Michael Steck - Class of 1991 - Performer, Writer, Comedian

Michael Steck, a 1991 graduate of Canandaigua Academy, was an active member of the drama club and performed in several school productions, widely regarded as one of the most talented actors in our school history. His creative work was also featured in the CA Literacy Magazine. During his time at the Academy, he received multiple drama club awards, including Best Actor for Damn Yankees. Today, Michael is a writer, recording artist, comedian, actor, and internationally recognized drag performer. He was a repeat contestant on the Emmy-winning show RuPaul’s Drag Race. He has been featured on shows for NBC, Netflix, Bravo, MTV, VH1, and OutTV.

The Canandaigua City School District will host this induction of the Visual and Performing Arts Hall of Fame class in partnership with the Fort Hill Performing Arts Center. The Fort Hill Performing Arts Center is located in the former Canandaigua Academy and Canandaigua Junior Academy on the corner of Main Street and Fort Hill Avenue. The theater functioned as the main stage and performance center for the Canandaigua City School District from 1928 until the closing of the school in 1992. A group of local residents worked tirelessly to renovate the auditorium, which reopened in January 2020 and now hosts a variety of community performances throughout the year.

Reservations to the induction ceremony on September 25, 2025 will be on sale in August/September at the District Office or by contacting Debbie Sundlov at 585-396-3710.

The Homecoming Football Game will be held on Friday, September 26, 2025 at 7:00 PM at the CA Stadium at Canandaigua Academy against Churchville-Chili.

 

2022 Inaugural Induction Class