(l.) Guitar Program Chair Stig Mathisen with George Kester (rt.)
FALL 2016 PRESIDENT’S AWARD GUITAR SCHOLARSHIP WINNER: George Kester
Month: October 2016
FALL 2016 BACHELOR OF MUSIC IN COMPOSITION SCHOLARSHIP WINNER: Ben Levin
Ben Levin with Rachel Yoon, Dean of the Bachelor’s Program
Guitarist Ben Levin is the winner of the second annual Bachelor of Music in Composition Scholarship at Musicians Institute. The newly enrolling Bachelor’s Degree in Composition Program student comes to MI by way of Alma Ata, Kazakhstan (USSR) and Israel having performed and composed music in a wide array of genres including: Rock/Fusion, Pop, Blues/Country, Jazz, Classical, Experimental, and Electronic music. Ben has been composing, editing and recording music for the past 12 years.
Upon learning about his award, Ben explains that he chose to study at MI because “MI is the best and the most practical school in the Los Angeles area, and it’s where I can earn a Bachelor’s Degree in Music Composition. I hope to bring honor and excellence to MI during my time here. ”
During his studies, he plans to focus on “taking my composing, editing, arranging, mixing, mastering , and musical idea implementation skills to the next level. I hope to learn how to be a leader and a unique composer that writes music that stands out from the rest.”
After MI, Ben’s career aspirations are to “compose music until the last day of my life. To be able to support myself financially with music, and write at least one composition that will change the world. I also want to produce and release an album.” He adds, “I want to work at the studio as a Studio Engineer, Producer, and Composer and to be involved at the music process on all levels.”
Everyone at MI congratulates Ben 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 The Musicians Foundation for generously sponsoring this scholarship, which helps to provide talented students like Ben with the support, tools and recognition they need to launch successful and creative careers in the music industry.
FALL 2016 PRESIDENT’S AWARD DRUM SCHOLARSHIP WINNER: Seongchang Jo
Seongchang Jo with Drum Program Chair Stewart Jean
The inaugural President’s Award Drum Scholarship has been awarded to Musicians Institute Drum Program student: Seongchang Jo. The Seoul, South Korea native earned the prestigious award with a strong demonstration of his specialized Latin and versatile, overall musical skills.
Describing his reasons for coming to MI, Seongchang states, “I want to learn more about Latin, Jazz, and difficult rudiments.”
He sees his education as an important key to achieving his career goals and aspirations of “I want to be a musician/artist that can heal people. It is because music has always healed (not only) me; but so many people.”
Everyone at MI would like to congratulate Seongchang on winning this prestigious award.
Special thanks to MI’s longtime owner Histake Shibuya for generously sponsoring this scholarship, which helps to provide talented students like Seongchang with the support, tools and recognition they need to launch successful and creative careers in the music industry.
FALL 2016 SEYMOUR DUNCAN BASS SCHOLARSHIP WINNER: Gilberto Jose Garcia
Gilberto Jose Garcia (l.) with Bass Program Chair Maurice Verloop (rt.)
The winner of the Fall 2016 Seymour Duncan Bass Scholarship is Gilberto Jose Garcia, who comes to Musicians Institute from Miami, Florida armed 14 years of playing experience, a serious dedication for the bass and a passion for groove-oriented Soul/Funk genres.
Gilberto explains that he chose to study in the Bass Program at MI because “My friend, Alex Cora, went there and I was amazed how he transformed. I checked out the program and wanted to be a part of it.” He added “I really feel like I’m missing something on my path to become a professional musician. I think MI will give me that skillset that I require.”
He describes his future goals as “to play bass for a living full-time. My DREAM is to help people with my music.”
Everyone at MI congratulates Gilberto 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 very special industry partner, Seymour Duncan for generously sponsoring this scholarship, which helps to provide talented students like Gilberto with the support, tools and recognition they need to launch successful and creative careers in the music industry. The scholarship was created thru the generous support of Seymour Duncan Pickups and Pedals to honor innovative guitar legend Seymour Duncan.
To learn more about the full line of Seymour Duncan Products click HERE
FALL 2016 SEYMOUR DUNCAN GUITAR SCHOLARSHIP WINNER: Landon Myres
(l.) Stig Mathisen (Guitar Program Chair) with Landon Myres (rt.)
The winner of the fall 2016 Seymour Duncan Guitar Scholarship at Musicians Institute is talented Little Rock, Arkansas native Landon Myres. While proficient in several styles (fusion jazz, classical, rock, bluegrass), the metal guitar specialist explains that he chose to study in MI’s Guitar Program because “of its contemporary “hands on” approach to teaching and the amazing credentials and backgrounds of the teaching staff. I also really like the diversity of musical genres that are taught at MI.”
While at MI, he will focus on “learning more about music theory, improving my sight reading, and working on my performance skills. I want to meet and network with like-minded musicians, learn more about the music industry, and pursue session work and teaching.”
Landon’s longterm goals and aspirations include: “my dream is to be a full time professional musician/guitarist. My goal is to be a touring guitarist, session guitarist, teacher, and composer. I hope that someday my music/guitar playing will inspire other people to play guitar and enjoy it like I do.”
Everyone at MI congratulates Landon 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 very special industry partner, Seymour Duncan for generously sponsoring this scholarship, which helps to provide talented students like Landon with the support, tools and recognition they need to launch successful and creative careers in the music industry. The scholarship was created thru the generous support of Seymour Duncan Pickups and Pedals to honor innovative guitar legend Seymour Duncan.
To learn more about the full line of Seymour Duncan Products click here
FALL 2016 PRESIDENT’S AWARD VOCAL SCHOLARSHIP WINNER: Anna Eglash
Anna Eglash (l.) with Vocal Program Chair Debra Byrd
The inaugural President’s Award Vocal Scholarship has been awarded to Musicians Institute Vocal Program student: Anna Eglash. She comes to MI by way of Washington state, having earned the prestigious award with a strong demonstration of her R&B and Jazz musical skills.
Describing her reasons for coming to MI, Anna states, “I hope to strengthen all of my technical abilities, such as sight reading, knowing the key of a song, and my performance skills.”
She sees her education as an important pathway to achieving her career goals of being able to “have a Grammy by 23 years old. I want to be able to do what I love for a living!”
Everyone at MI would like to congratulate Anna on winning this prestigious award.
Special thanks to MI’s longtime owner Histake Shibuya for generously sponsoring this scholarship, which helps to provide talented students like Anna with the support, tools and recognition they need to launch successful and creative careers in the music industry.
FALL 2016 SCHECTER JERRY HORTON GUITAR SCHOLARSHIP WINNER: Sinan Yildiz
(l.) Guitar Program Chair Stig Mathisen with Sinan Yildiz (rt.)
The Fall 2016 Schecter Jerry Horton Guitar Scholarship, named in honor of the Papa Roach guitarist; has been awarded to Sinan Yildiz.
Sinan comes to Musicians Institute from Istanbul, Turkey and is entering the Associate of Arts in Performance (Guitar) Program with several years of guitar playing experience in rock and blues genres.
While attending MI, he will specifically focus on gaining the skills needed to “learn how to navigate between different styles, and implement this knowledge into building my own style and sound”. He added, “I chose to study at MI because it is the school that focuses on students objectives. For me personally, MI is a place where I can put my whole energy into developing my musical knowledge.”
Sinan described his long term career goals as “I want to compose for films, make my own records and play with artists who represent different styles. My dream as an innovator is to add some Eastern music flavor to rock and blues.”
Everyone at MI congratulates Sinan on winning this prestigious award that supports the education and of a talented, evolving, and very deserving guitarist!
Special thanks to our longtime industry partner, Schecter Guitar Research for generously sponsoring this scholarship, which helps to provide talented students like Sinan 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 Schecter Guitar and Bass products click here
FALL 2016 D’ADDARIO GUITAR SCHOLARSHIP WINNER: Brett Daniels
Guitar Program Director, Stig Mathisen (l.) with Brett Daniels (rt.)
Talented guitarist Brett Daniels has been named as winner of the fall 2016 D’Addario Guitar Scholarship. Coming to Musicians Institute from Reno, Nevada, Brett brings an versatile array of playing skills and experiences in the progressive metal genre.
He decided to attend MI’s Guitar Program in order to “gain the most musical knowledge that I possibly can to improve on my own playing and writing.”
He sees these skills as an important key to achieving his dream of one day being able to “be a composer for films and games, while also getting a good group of musicians from my school together to work with.”
Everyone at MI welcomes Brett to the Guitar Program 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 Brett 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 2016 UNIVERSAL CITYWALK HOLLYWOOD VOCAL SCHOLARSHIP WINNER: Emma Negrete
Emma Negrete (l.) with Vocal Program Chair, Debra Byrd
The first-ever Universal Citywalk Hollywood Vocal Scholarship has been awarded to Musicians Institute Vocal Program student: Emma Negrete. The Des Moines, Iowa native earned the prestigious award with a strong demonstration of her Soul/R&B musical skills.
Describing her reasons for coming to MI, Emma states, “the thing I want to learn from MI is how to fuse my sound with a pop sound. I look forward to learning how to be a better songwriter and become fluent with Logic/Protools. The reason I chose MI is because I am in love with the idea of a place that helps you develop yourself as an artist.”
She sees her education as an important key to achieving her career goals of being able to “win a Grammy and climb the Pop/R&B Charts.”
Everyone at MI would like to congratulate Emma on winning this prestigious award.
Special thanks to our industry partner Universal Citywalk Hollywood, for generously sponsoring this scholarship, which helps to provide talented students like Emma with the support, tools and recognition they need to launch successful and creative careers in the music industry.
To learn more about Universal Citywalk Hollywood, click here.
FALL 2016 MELODIC SOLOING SCHOLARSHIP WINNER: Shubham Chaudhary
Guitar Program Chair Stig Mathisen (l.) with Shubham Chaudhary (rt.)
Musicians Institute and the Musicians Foundation are pleased to announce that Shubham Chaudhary is the recipient of the fall 2016 Melodic Soloing Scholarship.
Shubham comes to MI’s Guitar Program from Delhi, India with ten years of playing experience and in possession of solid melodic soloing skills with a specialization in progressive metal and ambient music styles.
While studying at MI, he plans to focus on “learning a lot of new ways to perceive the instrument that is guitar, and to enhance my skill set as a guitarist.”
When asked why he chose to study at MI he added “I chose MI because it’s known to be one of the best guitar schools in the world and a lot of my favorite musicians have graduated from MI.”
His professional goals and aspirations include “becoming a better musician, to be able to collaborate with other musicians, make a band that I can tour with and make music that can be appreciated. That’s pretty much I what I want to do for the rest of my life; to grow into a sound musician and make music a living.”
Everyone at MI congratulates Shubham on winning this very prestigious scholarship award, and we welcome him as he begins his studies and the many great experiences ahead at MI!
Special thanks to an anonymous MI Guitar Program alumnus (GIT class of 1980) for generously sponsoring this scholarship, which helps to provide talented students like Shubham with the support, tools and recognition they need to launch successful careers in the music industry.
To learn more about the MI Alumni Community click HERE
The Musicians Foundation Blog 