2012 Stanley Clarke Scholarship Winners Announced!

 

Congratulations to all five finalists who performed on April 26^th for a cheering, near-capacity crowd and celebrity judges in the Musicians Institute Concert Hall for the prestigious 11th annual Stanley Clarke Scholarship at Musicians Institute!  When the final votes were tallied, the top scholarship prizes (a total of $24,000 in Musicians Institute tuition discounts and cash) were awarded to:

First place winner:

Henry McDaniel

Sharing the prize for second place (tied) Phillip Humberg and Jeremy Sauer:

Phillip Humberg

Jeremy Sauer

4th place-Kyung Hyun Cho:

Kyung Hyun Cho

5^th place-Kyungmin Do:

KyungMin Do

Following incredible and inspiring short sets performed by the Ruslan Sirota trio–Charles Altura(g), Munyungo Jackson(p.), Greg Swiller(b)…

Munyungo (l.) and Ruslan (r.)

The Stanley Clarke Duo (with percussionist Munyungo Jackson)…

Stanley (l.) and Munyungo (r.)

The Stanley Clarke Band (Stanley Clarke(b), Ruslan Sirota(p), Ronald Bruner Jr.(d), and Charles Altura(g)…

l. to r.- Charles Altura, Ronald Bruner Jr., Stanley Clarke, Ruslan Sirota

Each scholarship finalist (all are current MI students) took the stage to perform two songs of their choice, and showed tremendous talent and passion playing a range of styles with each performer consistently impressing the audience and A-list judges alike.

Celebrity judges for the evening, music legends: George Duke, Stewart Copeland, Taylor Dayne, Sunnie Paxson, and Kennard Ramsey.

(l. to r.)- Phillip Humberg, Taylor Dayne, Jeremy Sauer, Beth Marlis, Stanley Clarke, Henry McDaniel, Kennard Ramsey, George Duke, Charles Altura, Ronald Bruner, Jr., Sunnie Paxson, Munyungo Jackson

On behalf of Stanley Clarke and his wife Sofia (and their continued generous support for this scholarship and music education); all of us at Musicians Institute want to congratulate the five finalists on their exceptional performances and to thank all of the families, friends and band mates for their invaluable support.

To make a tax-deductible contribution to support the Stanley Clarke Scholarship Foundation please visit http://stanleyclarke.org/

To make a tax-deductible contribution to support student scholarships at Musicians Institute please visit our non-profit: www.themusiciansfoundation.org

Sennheiser Vocal Scholarship Winner Emily Friedenberg

Vocal Dept. Chair Andrea Calderwood with Emily Friedenberg

The first-ever Sennheiser Vocal Scholarship at MI has been awarded to Emily Friedenberg.  Emily hails from Columbia, Maryland and is entering the Associate of Arts in Performance (Vocal) Program having demonstrated outstanding musicianship and the potential for developing a unique voice.  Her stylistic specialites include both classic rock and alternative rock genres.

While attending Musicians Institute, Emily will focus on expanding her knowledge of contemporary styles and her overall musicianship skills in order to further develop her own unique style. 

Her primary future career goal is to make original music as a solo artist.  Emily also states “I want to learn how to be professional and get work in the real industry. I’m interested in working as a teacher, doing cover gigs, and studio work.”

Everyone at MI congratulates Emily on winning this prestigious award that supports the education and growth of a talented, evolving, and very deserving vocalist!

The scholarship is generously sponsored by new MI scholarship partner, Sennheiser USA as a part of it’s sustaining commitment to support music education. 

To learn more about the full range of exciting Sennheiser products, artists and news click here

 

(See MI’s website for details on how to apply for this and other scholarships.)

D’Addario Guitar Scholarship Winner — John Holloway

John Holloway, 2012 D’Addario Guitar Scholarship Winner

The winner of the spring 2012 D’Addario Guitar Scholarship is Los Angeles native John Holloway, who comes to Musicians Institute armed with serious dedication and guitar chops in the Metal/Rock genre.

Upon learning about his award, John explains that he chose to study at MI because “Because it’s just right for anyone who loves and wants to study music, utilize their talents, and be a successful musician.”

Everyone at MI congratulates John 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 John 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

 

 

  (See MI’s website for details on how to apply for this and other scholarships.)

 

 

Steve Vai Guitar Scholarship at Musicians Institute Announced!

“A formal music education can completely change an aspiring musician’s creative overview. Understanding the language of music can expand their musical vocabulary and offer the ability to “dimensionalize” their vision. Surrounding yourself with other musicians and sharing the experience of creating music in a complete artistic environment is perhaps the most valuable education for any young musician.”    –Steve Vai

The Musicians Foundation and Musicians Institute College of Contemporary Music is proud to announce the first-ever Steve Vai Guitar Scholarship at MI.

The Steve Vai Guitar Scholarship at Musicians Institute was created thru the generous support of the Steve Vai Make a Noise Foundation to provide opportunities for talented, emerging musicians to further their education and realize their own creative vision, and to honor Grammy® award-winning, innovative guitar legend Steve Vai.

The $5,000 scholarship (tuition credit) will be awarded in Fall 2012 to a newly enrolling intermediate or advanced student (US or non-US citizens) in the Associate of Arts in Performance (Guitar) program who demonstrates overall outstanding musicianship, and the potential for developing their own individual sound or unique voice on the instrument in any style or genre.

The deadline for the scholarship application is August 24, 2012.

Please click here for detailed scholarship information and application.

To learn more about the extraordinary artistry and career of guitar virtuoso Steve Vai click here.

W. Crane Guy Memorial Vocal Scholarship Winner Jamice Jefferson

Jamice Jefferson with Vocal Program Chair, Andrea Calderwood

The Vocal Program at Musicians Institute is pleased to announce talented, multi-stylistic vocalist Jamice Jefferson as the winner of the first-ever W. Crane Guy Memorial Vocal Scholarship.  In winning this prestigious award Jamice, (who hails from Compton, CA) demonstrated her overall outstanding musicianship, strong vocal skills and the potential for developing her own unique voice.

Asked why she chose to study in the Vocal Program at MI,  Jamice states “I feel that MI really pushes people to better themselves not only musically, but as a professional. I hope to learn everything I can from this school.” 

During her studies at MI, she wants to focus on “strengthening my voice, and how to use it properly, feeling comfortable on stage as a performer, learning more about the music business side and networking.”  She added, “going to this school is literally a dream come true for me and I am blessed to have this opportunity.”

As she pursues her future professional dreams of eventually becoming an internationally known performer and music mogul, Jamice also expresses her conviction that she is “an avid believer that education and music saves lives and I want to promote that message.”

Everyone at MI congratulates Jamice on winning this prestigious award that honors the memory and multiple talents of Musicians Institute alumnus W. Crane Guy (class of 2010); and supports the education of a talented vocal student.

Special heartfelt thanks to the family of W. Crane Guy for generously sponsoring this scholarship, which will help to provide students like Jamice with the support, tools and recognition they need to launch successful and creative careers in the music industry.

  

(See MI’s website for details on how to apply for this and other scholarships.)

 

The 2012 Stanley Clarke Scholarship Finals Concert April 26, 2012

OPEN TO THE PUBLIC, free!!

NO RESERVATIONS NEEDED

The finalists have been chosen, the Stanley Clarke Band will perform, and the celebrity judges will be in the house as FIVE talented Musicians Institute students will take the stage to perform two songs each for the prestigious Stanley Clarke Scholarship Finals Concert at the MI Concert Hall on Thursday April 26^th at 8pm. This annual event is co-sponsored by The Stanley Clarke Scholarship Foundation and Musicians Institute and managed by The Musicians Foundation.

Stanley Clarke, (and his band featuring Ruslan Sirota, Ronald Bruner Jr., and Charles Altura) will perform and an A-list panel of music industry celebrity judges (George Duke, Stewart Copeland, Taylor Dayne, Sunnie Paxson, and Kennard Ramsey) will choose TWO talented winners who will receive a scholarship prize of $9,000 each from Stanley and MI, on the basis of musical talent, performing ability, stage presence, musicianship and charisma during the Final Performance Event.  Three runners-up will receive a scholarship (tuition discount) award of $2,000 each.

Stanley Clarke at the 2011 Scholarship Concert

Stanley Clarke

Bassist, composer, producer Clarke, whose prodigious talent, 40+ albums and 60 film scores, multiple Grammys, Emmys, critics’ and readers’ polls, and gold and platinum records have made him one of the most recognized and respected names in the annals of contemporary music, has recently earned two 2011 Grammy nominations for The Stanley Clarke Band album (Best Pop Instrumental Performance and Best Contemporary Jazz Album.

He has selflessly and generously created opportunities for talented, emerging musicians to further their education and realize their own creative vision. The Stanley Clarke Scholarship at MI, continues to provide generous financial assistance to outstanding student performers since it was created by Stanley in 2003.  Stanley holds an honorary Doctor of Music degree from MI.

The Stanley Clarke Band:

Stanley with Ruslan Sirota

Ronald Bruner Jr.

Chalres Altura with Stanley

Judges:

George Duke

Stewart Copeland

Taylor Dayne

Kennard Ramsey

Sunnie Paxson

Evans Drumhead Scholarship Winner Matthew Henke

MI Drum Instructor Stewart Jean (l.) with Matthew Henke

The Drum Program at Musicians Institute is pleased to announce that versatile rock drummer Matthew Henke from Houston, Texas has been named the spring 2012 winner of the prestigious Evans Drumhead Scholarship.

During his studies at MI, Matthew plans to “expand my vocabulary and groove on the drum set. I’ll also be able to learn new styles and hone in my technique/style, while meeting fantastic musicians and dedicated people that hopefully I’ll be playing with for years to come. My dream for the future is to be involved with an original band making albums that I’m proud of.”

Everyone at MI congratulates Matthew 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, Evans Drumheads and The D’Addario Music Foundation for generously sponsoring this scholarship, which helps to provide talented students like Matthew with the support, tools and recognition they need to launch successful and creative careers in the music industry. 

Evans has been a pioneer in drumhead design for over 50 years and is a committed supporter and advocate of music education.

To learn more about the full line of Evans Drumhead products click here.

 

(See MI’s website for details on how to apply for this and other scholarships.)

Musicians Institute Vintage Slideshow — Part Two

Just for fun.

This is the second installment of the MI 1977-1994 Alumni/Staff Reunion Slideshow as shown on March 23, 2012.

Since originally posting these slideshows in 2012, the end of each video has somehow been cut short by a few seconds – our apologies.

Musicians Institute Vintage Slideshow

(As shown on March 23, 2012 at the MI 1977-1994 Alumni/Staff Reunion)

This format should allow for unrestricted international viewing, however the image/text resolution suffers when you switch to fullscreen viewing.

Since originally posting this in 2012, the end has somehow been cut short by a few seconds – our apologies.

Hollywood Chamber of Commerce Community Foundation Vocal Scholarship Winner Emily Friedenberg

The spring 2012 Hollywood Chamber of Commerce Community Foundation Vocal Scholarship has been awarded to Emily Friedenberg. 

The Maryland native is entering the Associate of Arts in Performance (Vocal) program at MI having clearly articulated her career goals as an original solo artist in the written essay for the HCCCF scholarship award.

While attending Musicians Institute, Emily will continue to focus on expanding her knowledge of contemporary styles and her overall musicianship skills in order to further develop her own unique style. 

Emily will receive a complete MI Vocal Program equipment package award:

• Sennheiser e835 Microphone

• Sennheiser HD201 Headphones

• 20 Ft. Male to Female XLR Cable with Adapter

Everyone at MI congratulates Emily on winning this prestigious award that supports the education and growth of a talented, evolving, and very deserving vocalist!

The HCCCF Vocal Scholarships are generously sponsored by The Hollywood Chamber of Commerce Community Foundation, as a part of it’s sustaining commitment to support music education opportunities for youth and the growth of the Hollywood community.

To learn more about the exciting work of the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce and the latest news click HERE

(See MI’s website for details on how to apply for this and other scholarships.)