Announcing the Grammy U Professional Development Scholarships at Musicians Institute

Grammy U™ Professional Development Scholarships at MI

We’re proud to announce of “first-of-its-kind” new scholarship opportunity at Musicians Institute that supports the professional development of ten currently enrolled students (Certificate, AA or Bachelor’s Program) at M by awarding ten memberships to GRAMMY U™!  We will be offering this opportunity every quarter (that’s 4x/annually) thru out 2015-2016.

(GRAMMY U™) — Is a program for college students pursuing music industry careers, created by the music community’s leading membership organization The Recording Academy®.  You get access to top industry pros, backstage/soundchecks, “Off the Record” conversations with A-list Grammy winners, industry mixers, and even the chance to attend the Grammy Awards as a “seat-filler”.

One scholarship per person (ten total) will be awarded in the form of a paid membership in The Recording Academy® GRAMMY U™ program.  Each membership will be valid for FOUR years. GRAMMY U™ gives students the opportunity to attend events and special programs in all areas of the music industry. As entry-level members of The Recording Academy®, you will have access to the industry and its high level artists, songwriters, musicians, producers, remixers, art directors and executives, as well as fellow students from other LA area colleges.

This is the entry level way to join The Recording Academy®, (“The Grammys”), and membership is good for four years; even after graduation!   

• Deadline: Friday May 8^th, 2015 – no later than 5pm

• Applicants must submit a 250 word essay and application form (see complete information and instructions on link below):

CLICK HERE (or the following link) for application form:  http://mi.edu/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/GU-PRO-DEV-for-ALL-PROGRAMS-CURRENT-STUDENTS-SP2015.pdf

The Grammy U™ Professional Development Scholarships are generously sponsored by The Hollywood Chamber of Commerce Community Foundation, and are provided to encourage the professional growth of currently enrolled students enrolled in any Certificate, AA or Bachelor’s Program at MI.

Ten Grammy U™ Professional Development Scholarships will be awarded in Spring 2015, and Summer 2015 to students (US or non-US citizens) in any Certificate, AA or Bachelor’s Program who can clearly articulate their goals in the music industry as well as why they should be considered to become a member of GRAMMY U™.

Executive Director Marlis Recently Appointed as Chair of Hollywood Chamber of Commerce– Japanese TV Interview

We’d like to share this clip from Japanese language TV of our Executive Director, (and VP at MI) Beth Marlis. Congratulations, and “Hooray for Hollywood”!

 

 

 

Announcing the Takamine Acoustic Guitar Scholarship at Musicians Institute!

The Musicians Foundation is pleased to announce the first-ever Takamine Acoustic Guitar Scholarship at Musicians Institute! The Takamine Acoustic Guitar Scholarship was created by ESP Guitars as a result of an exciting newly-formed partnership between ESP and Takamine Guitars.   The scholarship is designed to assist acoustic guitarists who demonstrate outstanding musicianship with their educational development, and are newly enrolling Guitar Program students at MI for fall 2015 quarter.

The scholarship details and criteria are as follows:

• The scholarship will be awarded in fall 2015 to a new student (US or non-US citizen) enrolling in the Guitar Program at MI who demonstrates overall outstanding musicianship on an acoustic guitar in any genre.

• The scholarship award of $1,500 will be applied as a tuition discount for the fall 2015 quarter, in addition to the award of a new Takamine guitar.

• Deadline to apply is August 28, 2015.

• For complete scholarship details, and scholarship application, click HERE

 

 

 

 

 

SPRING 2015 HARD ROCK CAFE/HARD ROCK GUITAR SCHOLARSHIP WINNER: I-Fan Chiu

Guitar Program Chair Stig Mathisen with I-Fan Chiu

The Musicians Foundation is pleased to announce the first-ever Hard Rock Cafe/Hard Rock Guitar Scholarship has been awarded to MI Guitar Program student: I-Fan Chiu. The Taiwan native enters Musicians Institute with several years of experience playing and performing in the Rock genre.

Everyone at MI welcomes I-Fan to the Guitar Program at MI, and congratulates him on winning this very prestigious award!

Special thanks to our longtime industry partner, The Hard Rock Cafe Hollywood for generously sponsoring this scholarship, which helps to provide talented students like I-Fan with the support, tools and recognition they need to launch successful and creative careers in the music industry.

To learn more about the great philanthropic work of the Hard Rock click HERE.

SPRING 2015 D’ADDARIO GUITAR SCHOLARSHIP WINNER: Janvi Anand

Guitar Program Chair Stig Mathisen with Janvi Anand

Talented guitarist Janvi Anand has been named as winner of the spring 2015 D’Addario Guitar Scholarship. Coming to Musicians Institute from New Delhi, India, she possesses an array of guitar playing skills with a focus on popular music styles.

Janvi decided to attend MI’s Guitar Program because “MI seems to be a great package full of resources and opportunities. I would really want to grab them all. MI gives me the options and the flexibility to learn anything and everything required to be a good contemporary musician.”

She sees her education as an important key to achieving her career goals.  She shared “I wish to be an independent artist. I have tried to work on being a multi instrumentalist and have been working much on my vocals and songwriting to help form a complete package. Who doesn’t want to make it big as an artist? Also, I run a small music school back home. I wish to take it to greater heights and improve the quality of music education.”

Everyone at MI welcomes Janvi to the Guitar Program at MI, and congratulates her 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 Janvi 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

SPRING 2015 EVANS DRUM SCHOLARSHIP WINNER: Avinash Ramachandra

Drum Program Chair Stewart Jean with Avinash Ramachandra

The Drum Program at Musicians Institute and The Musicians Foundation are pleased to announce that Avinash Ramachandra, progressive metal  drummer from Bangalore, India has been named the winner of the prestigious Evans Drumhead Scholarship for spring 2015.

Avinash will focus on “learning how to play  different forms of music and most importantly be a literate musician which is going to help me be a very versatile drummer” during his studies at MI. 

Upon receiving his scholarship award, Avinash acknowledged that he chose to study at MI because “of the quality of insanely talented teachers and most importantly; MI is in the heart of the music industry, this is where everything goes down…what better place to be!?”

His future professional goals are “to play for bands, go on tour and travel the world.  I want to record my own music and put out albums, and share my knowledge by teaching music in the future.”

Everyone at MI congratulates Avinash 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 Avinash 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.

 

 

 

SPRING 2015 FRANK GAMBALE GUITAR SCHOLARSHIP WINNER: Kaiwen (Kai) Zhang

Guitar Program chair Stig Mathisen with Kaiwen (Kai) Zhang

The first-ever Frank Gambale Guitar Scholarship (named in honor of the world-class guitarist, successful independent artist and MI alumnus), has been awarded to MI Guitar Program student: Kaiwen (Kai) Zhang. The Singapore native enters Musicians Institute with 9 years of experience playing and performing in Blues and contemporary Jazz styles.

Describing his reasons for coming to MI, Kai states, “I hope to learn as much as I can from all the world-class instructors here and be proficient as a guitarist in all kinds of music settings. I chose MI because it’s every guitarist’s dream to come here! I get to learn from the best and soak in the excellent music environment!”

He sees his education as an important key to achieving his career goals of being able to “be a session and touring musician playing for great acts in many kinds of settings. Eventually, I want to write and produce my own music and for other artists as well.”

Everyone at MI welcomes Kai to the Guitar Program at MI, and congratulates him on winning this very prestigious award!

Special thanks to MI’s Alumni community and our longtime industry partner, Carvin Guitars for generously sponsoring this scholarship, which helps to provide talented students like Kai with the support, tools and recognition they need to launch successful and creative careers in the music industry.

To learn more about Carvin Guitars and their full line of  amps, basses and audio gear click HERE.

 

SPRING 2015 W. CRANE GUY MEMORIAL VOCAL SCHOLARSHIP WINNER: Oriana Andrea Lucas

Oriana Andrea Lucas with Vocal Program Chair Debra Byrd

The Vocal Program at Musicians Institute is pleased to announce Oriana Andrea Lucas as the winner of the W. Crane Guy Memorial Vocal Scholarship for spring 2015.  In winning this prestigious award, the Venezuela native demonstrated overall outstanding musicianship, strong vocal skills and the potential for developing her own unique voice.  She describes her musical interest as being in the “pop music or soul music genres.”

Asked why she chose to study in the Vocal Program at MI,  Oriana states “ I chose MI because my brother-in-law studied here (and his girlfriend too).  They both recommended MI, said it was awesome, that they learned a lot, and that it was an unique experience for them.”

She also shared that while at MI, she will focus on  “how to become a professional singer, to improve my weaknesses, to improve all my musical knowledge. I want to enjoy all the advantages not only from teachers, also from students and all the things the institute provides us.”

She adds “My dream, goals and aspirations in this career is become a professional singer, and be an integral musician who can work in the music industry. After MI, I want to become a recognized singer not only for singing but also for the things I create, be an inspirational person for others (like a lot of people are for me).”

Everyone at MI congratulates Oriana 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 Oriana with the support, tools and recognition they need to launch successful and creative careers in the music industry.

W. Crane Guy

 

SPRING 2015 ESP GUITAR SCHOLARSHIP AT MUSICIANS INSTITUTE WINNER: Roger (Yi-Hsuan) Huang

Guitar Program Chair Stig Mathisen with Roger (Yi-Hsuan) Huang

Musicians Institute is pleased to announce that Roger (Yi-Hsuan) Huang is the recipient of the spring 2015  ESP Guitar Scholarship. Roger comes to MI’s Guitar Program from Taipei, Taiwan with ten years of serious rock guitar skills and experience.

Roger chose to study at MI because “I hope I can learn what it requires to become a great musician, not only techniques or different styles of playing, but also the right attitude and the right approach to making great music”. 

He also shared his future career aspirations, which include: “For the short term, I want to become a professional musician and try to find my own unique sound.  My long term dream is to pursue my career in the US, become an artist and write my own music.”

Everyone at MI congratulates Roger 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 Roger with the support, tools and recognition they need to launch successful careers in the music industry.

Be sure to visit ESP Electric Guitars, and their newly announced partner: Takamine Guitars  to learn more their full line of guitar products. 

 

Alan Calzatti, Founder of Film Program, Program Chair and Longtime Faculty at Musicians Institute

We are terribly saddened to learn that a member of MI’s family, talented film maker, cinematographer and editor Alan Calzatti has recently passed away. A mentor and friend to many at Musicians Institute, Alan served as the Director (Program Chair) of the Film Program from 2004 to 2012, he will be greatly missed for his many talents, wry sense of humor and passion for sharing his art both as a creator and educator.

You can view a sampling of his filmic body of work HERE

Career highlights:

Alan co-founded Sputnik Films (previously known as Calzatti/Clark Productions) with producing partner Jeff Clark in 1990, and what followed was a collaboration that spanned over 250 music videos and commercials for both the US and international markets. His past clients include: Universal Music Group, Sony, Atlantic, EMI, A&M, East West, American, Warner Bros., Jive, Hollywood Records and BMG/RCA to name a few.

In 1996, Alan received the MTV Viewer’s Choice Award for the Backstreet Boys “Get Down.” A year later Alan repeated that success with N’Sync which climbed to the top of the European charts.

More recently, Alan Calzatti shot the critically-acclaimed, feature documentary Heima – a film by Sigur Ros for Dean DeBlois (director of How to Train Your Dragon) and worked together again for a long play, music video DVD for Sigur Ros lead singer Jonsi’s first solo CD.

His professional experience has provided him with the expertise in the creative and technical aspects of directing, shooting, editing, grading and creating VFX.

A partial list of credits can be seen on my IMDB http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0131018/?ref_=fn_al_nm_1
and IMDB resume http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0131018/resume