Nelly Furtado will get an honorary fellowship to the Royal Conservatory Of Music, the Toronto instutition's highest honour, at its May 28 Royal Occasion gala.

The gala takes place at the Royal Ontario Museum, right next door to the TELUS Centre for Performance and Learning -- the Conservatory's new home which will open this fall.

"I am so grateful and humbled by this honour. Music has been both my saviour and statement since I was 3 years old," said Furtado in a statement. "The Royal Conservatory is a cathedral where one can worship music and recognize it as humanity's divine expression. The renovation will only enhance this experience"!

Following the presentation, Furtado will perform a short acoustic set with guitarist James Bryan.

Since it was first held in 1996, the Royal Occasion has honoured some of Canada's greatest artists, including rock bands The Tragically Hip and Blue Rodeo, pop group Barenaked Ladies, singer/songwriter Bruce Cockburn, producer/songwriter David Foster and jazz pianist Oscar Peterson.

"Each year, the Conservatory honours artists who have made a lasting contribution to Canadian music and the arts," said Dr. Peter Simon, President of The Royal Conservatory of Music, in a statement. "This year, we're proud to recognize the remarkable achievements of Nelly Furtado, one of Canada's most celebrated young artists. Nelly embodies the artistic potential that The Royal Conservatory of Music is committed to developing."