Month: October 2011
D’Addario Guitar Scholarship Winner—— Joel Chorell
Joel Chorell with Guitar Program Director, Jude Gold
Talented guitarist Joel Chorell has been named as winner of the fall 2011 D’Addario Guitar Scholarship. Coming to Musicians Institute from Sweden, he brings an extremely versatile array of playing experiences in Rock, Blues, Fusion, Slick “West Coast” Jazz, and Progressive Rock/Pop styles.
Joel decided to attend MI’s Guitar Program in order to “gain more real world stage experience, practical skills/approaches for working with other musicians, reading, and becoming the best player I can be.” Joel sees these skills as an important key to achieving his dream of one day being able to “make a living as a guitarist, as a composer, session player or sideman, and still having the freedom and creativity that is music.”
Everyone at MI welcomes Joel to the Guitar Program (GIT) at MI, and congratulates him on winning this very prestigious award!
Special thanks to our longtime industry partner, D’Addario Strings and The D’Addario Music Foundation for generously sponsoring this scholarship, which helps to provide talented students like Joel with the support, tools and recognition they need to launch successful and creative careers in the music industry.
To learn more about the full line of D’Addario Products click here: http://www.daddario.com
D’Addario Bass Scholarship Winner— Connor Coram
Connor Coram with Bass Program Director, Stuart Hamm
The winner of the fall 2011 D’Addario Bass Scholarship is Connor Coram, who comes to Musicians Institute from Grand Rapids, Michigan armed with serious dedication for the bass and a love for “everything Metal.”
Upon learning about his award, Connor states “I am honored as a musician to accept this award, Musicians Institute is my dream and I thank you all for giving me the opportunity to shine!”
Connor explains that he chose to study at MI because “I love learning all styles of music, and I will strive to grasp everything that MI has to offer! Everything from familiar styles like Metal, to something that’s completely new to me like Brazilian bass or upright bass. You’ll see me practically living at MI the next two years!”
Everyone at MI congratulates Connor on this achievement, which marks a great beginning to his studies. We look forward to seeing him reach his full potential while at MI.
Special thanks to our longtime industry partner, D’Addario Strings and The D’Addario Music Foundation for generously sponsoring this scholarship, which helps to provide talented students like Connor with the support, tools and recognition they need to launch successful and creative careers in the music industry.
To learn more about the full line of D’Addario Products click here: http://www.daddario.com
Fall 2011 ESP Guitar Scholarship Award Winner: Seo Hyun Park
Seo Hyun Park with Guitar Program Director, Jude Gold
The 24-year-old winner of the ESP Guitar Scholarship, is Seo Hyun Park who comes to Musicians Institute from South Korea. While his guitar playing usually falls somewhere in the Fusion-Jazz genre, Seo also possesses a very significant rock arsenal with the technique and musicality to take home this fall’s ESP Guitar award.
Seo has chosen to study at MI “to learn a lot of different styles of music, and my goals are to make my own original album and become a good player.”
We congratulate Seo on this achievement, which marks a great beginning to his studies, and we look forward to seeing him reach his full potential while at MI!
Special thanks to our longtime industry partner, ESP Guitars for generously sponsoring this scholarship, which helps to provide talented students like Seo with the support, tools and recognition they need to launch successful careers in the music industry.
To learn more about ESP Guitars and products, visit: http://www.espguitars.com/home.html
Fall 2011 ESP Acoustic Guitar Scholarship awarded to Sergio Duarte
Sergio Duarte shown with Guitar Dept. Director, Jude Gold
MI is proud to announce that Sergio Andres Duarte is the first-ever recipient of the new ESP Acoustic Guitar Scholarship. The 22-year old Sergio comes to MI’s Guitar Program from Colombia specializing in Flamenco, Latin, and Rock styles. While studying at MI, he plans to “gain the skills that will make me more competitive in the music industry, meet great musicians and be able to tour with great artists around the world.”
Winners of the ESP Acoustic Guitar Scholarship are chosen based on outstanding musicianship as an acoustic guitarist in any genre (see MI’s website for details on how to apply for upcoming scholarships). Everyone at MI congratulates Sergio on winning this prestigious scholarship award, and we welcome him as he begins his studies and the many great experiences ahead at MI!
Special thanks to our longtime industry partner, ESP Guitars for generously sponsoring this scholarship, which helps to provide talented students like Sergio with the support, tools and recognition they need to launch successful careers in the music industry.
To learn more about ESP Acoustic and Electric Guitars, and their full line of guitar products, visit http://www.espguitars.com/guitars.html
Mitch Faber Memorial Guitar Scholarship awarded to Nicholas Hines
Nicky V with Guitar Program Director, Jude Gold
The Mitch Faber Memorial Guitar Scholarship, created to honor the memory, talent and artistic career of GIT grad Mitch Faber (class of 1981), has been awarded to Nicholas Hines (aka Nicky V). The 18-year old Nicky V hails from Cape Girardeau, Missouri and is entering the Associate of Arts in Performance (Guitar) program having demonstrated outstanding musicianship and the potential for developing a unique voice in the blues style.
While attending Musicians Institute, Nicky will focus on expanding his knowledge of other styles and apply them to blues and country in order to further develop his own unique style. Future career goals include work as a session musician for recording and film projects.
Everyone at MI congratulates Nicky on winning this prestigious award that honors both the legacy and career of a Guitar Program alumnus (Mitch Faber) and supports the education and growth of a talented, evolving, and very deserving blues guitarist!
Mitch Faber
Marky Ramone Drum Scholarship Winner: Seth Aldridge
Seth Aldridge with Drum Program Director/Sr. VP at MI Tim Pedersen
Talented North Carolina native, Seth Aldridge is the winner of the first ever Marky Ramone Drum Scholarship at Musicians Institute.
Named for the Punk legend, Grammy winner, and member of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Marky Ramone; the award recognizes outstanding musicianship and stylistic ability in the Punk and/or Rock genres.
Asked why he chose to study at MI, Seth states: “I’m excited about joining the drum program and to learn from different teachers who are the best at what they do.”
Seth starts his studies at MI with several years of experience playing in cover bands (since he was 14), fronting his own original band (which has shared the stage with Mother’s Finest, Dokken, Blackfoot, Candlebox, Leon Russell et al), and a passion for Rock, Funk, Motown and Jazz.
Everyone at MI welcomes Seth to the Drum Program at MI, and congratulates him on winning this very prestigious award. We look forward to seeing him reach his full potential while at MI.
Special thanks to Marky Ramone (and everyone who participated in an all-star fund-raising concert event on October 8, 2010) for generously sponsoring this scholarship, which helps to provide talented students like Seth with the support and recognition they need to launch successful and creative careers in the music industry.
To learn more about Marky Ramone click here: http://www.markyramone.com/
ESP Bass Scholarship at MI Awarded to Morgan Ghisetti
Bass Program Director Stuart Hamm with Morgan Ghisetti
Congratulations to ESP Bass Scholarship winner Morgan J Ghisetti, who comes to Musicians Institute from Eureka, Ca. armed with serious chops in Funk, Reggae, Ska, Psychedelic.
His musical interests also span multiple genres and techiniques, “I like “nuclear rabbit-esque” tapping on the bass, some Fusion Jazz, Trip Hop, and minimalistic kind of stuff.”
Asked why he chose to study in the Bass Program at MI, Morgan states: “I hope to learn everything about music that I can, including music business, IAD, audio engineering, really EVERYTHING. Music is my life, and as long as I am working in music, I am happy! Musicians Institute is the place for me.”
We couldn’t agree more! Everyone at MI congratulates Morgan on this achievement, which marks a great beginning to his studies. We look forward to seeing him reach his full potential while at MI.
Special thanks to our longtime industry partner, ESP Guitars for generously sponsoring this scholarship, which helps to provide talented students like Morgan with the support, tools and recognition they need to launch successful careers in the music industry.
To learn more about ESP Basses and their full line of products, visit: http://www.espguitars.com/basses.html
Mojave Audio Vocal Scholarship Winner: Amanda Thompson
Amanda Thompson with Vocal Program Director Jon Clayden
The winner of the first ever Mojave Audio Vocal Scholarship at Musicians Institute is talented LA native, Amanda Thompson. Amanda comes to MI with outstanding vocal skills and current experience as a Disneyland performer. She previously studied musical theater, pop musical styles and dance at the LA County High School for the Arts.
Amanda says that she while has “always gravitated towards Rock, she has recently become interested in Blues and Jazz.” Some of her influences include John Mayer, Carney, The Pretty Reckless, Adele, Paramore, et al.
While at MI, Amanda will focus on “meeting new people with the same expectations as myself and hopefully learn everything I need to survive in the music business. In the future I hope to start a band, record an album, and perform as much as possible!”
Everyone at MI congratulates Amanda on winning this prestigious scholarship award, and we welcome her as she begins her studies in the Vocal Program and enjoys the many great experiences ahead at MI.
Special thanks to our new industry partner, Mojave Audio for generously sponsoring this scholarship, which helps to provide talented students like Amanda with the support, tools and recognition they need to launch successful careers in the music industry.
To learn more about Mojave Audio products, visit www.mojaveaudio.com/
Songwriter Hal David receives his star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame on Friday, October 14, at 11:30 a.m. in front of MI
Songwriter Hal David receives his star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame on Friday, October 14, at 11:30 a.m. in front of Musicians Institute at 6752 Hollywood Boulevard.
Hal David’s work has garnered 20 gold records, several Grammys, an Academy Award, and other major industry awards. He is a member of The Songwriter’s Hall of Fame and Grammy Hall of Fame. Hal David is widely considered to be one of the greatest songwriters of the 20th Century.
Songwriting partners Hal David and Burt Bacharach frequently had their hits recorded by Dionne Warwick, and many others.
Major hits include:
• “What The World Needs Now is Love”
• “Raindrops Keep Fallin’ on my Head”
• “This Guy’s in Love With You”
• “I’ll Never Fall in Love Again”
• “Close to You”
• “Walk on By”
• “What’s New Pussycat”
• “Alfie”
• “The Look of Love”
• “Do You Know the Way to San Jose”
• “I Say a Little Prayer”
The Musicians Foundation Blog 