Named in the Distinguished Londoner category, which recognizes outstanding contributions to community collaboration or acts of goodwill by giving back to our city.

This award was announced on January 1, 2026 and presented on January 20, 2026 at the City of London Council Meeting.
This is the citation presented at the time of the award.

Charlotte Cleland is a retired teacher who continues to teach piano in London and has been the Festival Administrator of the Kiwanis Music Festival since 1979. For 46 years, Charlotte has played an important role in growing and ensuring the successful continuation of the Kiwanis Music Festival. This festival is an opportunity for individuals and groups to enter classes for church organ, piano, vocal, harp, guitar, speech arts, string, percussion and wind instruments, trios, quartets and church choirs, glee clubs and school bands and orchestras to share their talents and compete. Charlotte's hard work and dedication has helped to provide an opportunity for artistic expression and personal growth in an encouraging and supportive environment. In addition to providing a performance experience and a learning experience critique of the performance, entrants may be identified by the adjudicators for monetary awards. The festival returns about $45,000 per year to the community through awards to individuals and schools. Charlotte has continued to serve her community with a commitment to local music over a six-decade career and the Kiwanis Music Festival for a total of 46 years. For these reasons, and many more, Charlotte Cleland is named to the 2026 Mayor’s New Year’s Honour List, in the category of Distinguished Londoner.

Submitted by
Jim Scott & Toni Swart