FALL 2018 SEYMOUR DUNCAN GUITAR CRAFT ACADEMY SCHOLARSHIP WINNER: Rebecca Fitting

GCA Director Paul Roberts with Rebecca Fitting

The winner of the fall 2018 Seymour Duncan Guitar Craft Academy Scholarship is Wallingford, Connecticut native Rebecca Fitting.  Upon learning about her award, Rebecca explained that she decided to study at MI’s Guitar Craft Academy (GCA) because “I’ve been interested in building guitars, and reading books on building guitars for 4 years, I’ve been playing rock and metal guitar for 7 years.”

She also added “I chose MI because my favorite guitarist went there, and he’s a HUGE inspiration for me.  There are very few schools that teach guitar craft and Musicians Institute is the best place to go to learn this skill.  I’ve also read that Guitar Craft Academy is connected with Schecter Guitars, and I have a very strong connection with the company.  When I was in high school, I built the body of a guitar and used a neck from Schecter Guitars.”

After her time at Musicians Institute, Rebecca future goals include “being able to build and do custom graphic designs on guitars and to perform live with a custom guitar I’ve built. I hope to work for Schecter someday and give them new design ideas.”

Everyone at MI congratulates Rebecca on this achievement, which marks a great beginning to her studies. We look forward to seeing her reach her 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 Rebecca 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 2018 CHUCK SILVERMAN MEMORIAL DRUM SCHOLARSHIP WINNER: Vedansh Tripathi

Drum Program Chair Stewart Jean (l.) with Vedansh Tripathi (rt.)

The Drum Program at Musicians Institute and The Musicians Foundation are pleased to announce that talented rock drummer Vedansh Tripathi, has been named the winner of the prestigious Chuck Silverman Memorial Drum Scholarship. The scholarship was created to honor the memory, exceptional talent and artistic career of longtime MI Drum faculty member Chuck Silverman.

Vedansh comes to MI from Kanpur City, India, and will focus on “learning about the music business and the industry in general as well as meeting a lot of new people and getting better at my craft” during his studies at MI.   

Upon receiving his scholarship award, Vedansh acknowledged that he chose to study at MI “because contemporary music interests me and MI has a great roster of alumni and faculty that I would benefit from. The infrastructure and facilities provided are an added bonus.”

He describes his future professional goals and aspirations are to be “a working/ performing drummer with amazing musicians and artists from all around the world.”

Everyone at MI congratulates Vedansh 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 family and friends of Chuck Silverman for generously sponsoring this scholarship, which helps to provide talented students like Vedansh with the support, tools and recognition they need to launch successful and creative careers in the music industry. 



 

Chuck Silverman

FALL 2018 MELODIC SOLOING GUITAR SCHOLARSHIP WINNER: Yi Yang (AKA Young Ed)

 Stig Mathisen (Chair of Guitar Program) with Yi Yang (AKA Young Ed)

Musicians Institute and The Musicians Foundation are pleased to announce that Yi Yang (AKA Young Ed) is the recipient of the Fall 2018 Melodic Soloing Guitar Scholarship.

Ed comes to MI’s Guitar Program from China with 7 years of playing experience and in possession of solid melodic soloing skills in multiple styles with a specialization in the blues genre.

When asked why he chose to study at MI, Ed added “I think that MI provides a great opportunity for me to learn everything that I need systematically. I want to complete my playing and learn more styles that I don’t know well yet, such as Jazz. MI is definitely the best place for me to achieve my dream.”

He describes his professional goals and aspirations as follows: “I have a really simple dream, which is that I want to be a guitarist who will keep learning and playing all my life, and try to be better all the time. If things go well, I want to be a guitarist in a great band or work with a great singer making great songs and albums.”

Everyone at MI congratulates Ed 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 Ed 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, and HERE

FALL 2018 LA BREAKFAST CLUB FOUNDATION BACHELOR OF MUSIC PERFORMANCE SCHOLARSHIP WINNER: Caleb Hays

Caleb Hays with Dean of MI Bachelor’s Program, Rachel Yoon

Talented drummer Caleb Hays is the winner of the second annual LA Breakfast Club Foundation Bachelor of Music Performance Scholarship at Musicians Institute.  The newly enrolling Bachelor of Music in Performance (Drum) Program student comes to MI by way of Maple Valley, Washington, having performed music in a wide variety of musical genres from progressive metal to jazz – with an emphasis on funk/fusion styles.

During his studies, he plans to focus on “expanding my horizons and exploring more styles of music, and learning music theory and piano.”

Caleb describes his career and future aspirations as follows: “I want to live and breathe music every day, whether that’s as a studio drummer, touring drummer, etc.”  He added, “I want to inspire people like my idols have inspired me.”

Everyone at MI congratulates Caleb 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 LA Breakfast Club Foundation for generously sponsoring this scholarship, which helps to provide talented students like Caleb with the support, tools and recognition they need to launch successful and creative careers in the music industry.

FALL 2018 TAKAMINE ACOUSTIC GUITAR SCHOLARSHIP AT MUSICIANS INSTITUTE WINNER: Will Carriker

Guitar Program Chair Stig Mathisen w/Will Carriker and his beautiful new Takamine GN90CE-ZE

Musicians Institute and The Musicians Foundation are pleased to announce that Will Carriker is the recipient of the Fall 2018 Takamine Acoustic Guitar Scholarship.  Will comes to MI’s Guitar Program from Kansas City, Missouri with several years of fingerstyle guitar experience, and a preference for “metal/ rock/progressive and blues styles”.

Will shared that he chose to study at MI because “it is the GREATEST music school in the world. Period.”  While at MI, he will focus on “learning everything possible about guitar, building on what I am already good at, and learning as many new styles and techniques as possible”.

He described his future career aspirations as follows: “my goals and aspirations are to be touring, writing my own music (in a band with others) doing studio work, teaching and sharing the knowledge I learn, and anything else I can do that involves music as a career”.

Everyone at MI congratulates Will 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 and Takamine Guitars for generously sponsoring this scholarship, which helps to provide talented students like Will with the support, tools and recognition they need to launch successful careers in the music industry.

Be sure to visit Takamine Guitars  to learn more their full line of guitar products, and their exciting partnership with ESP Electric Guitars

 

 

 

FALL 2018 SEYMOUR DUNCAN BASS SCHOLARSHIP WINNER: Chien-Shen Wang

Bass Program Chair Maurice Verloop with Chien-Shen Wang

The winner of the Fall 2018 Seymour Duncan Bass Scholarship is Chien-Shen Wang, who comes to Musicians Institute from Taiwan armed with seven years of serious dedication for the bass and a passion for playing rock.

Chien-Shen explains that he chose to study in the Bass Program at MI because “there is no better place to learn music, and I want to be a producer.”  While at MI, he plans to focus on developing his “producing, mixing, composing” skills.

He describes his future goals and aspirations as “I want to be a great producer.”

Everyone at MI congratulates Chien-Shen 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 Chien-Shen 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 2018 PAT HICKS MEMORIAL GUITAR SCHOLARSHIP WINNER: Carlos Alberto Gomes de Almeida

Guitar Program Chair, Stig Mathisen with Carlos Alberto Gomes de Almeida

Newly enrolling Musicians Institute Guitar Program student Carlos Alberto Gomes de Almeida is the winner of the prestigious Pat Hicks Memorial Guitar Scholarship.

The versatile guitarist comes to MI by way of Brazil having performed and studied guitar with a specialization in the metal genre and having demonstrated overall outstanding musicianship, passion for the instrument and the potential for developing his own individual sound or unique voice on the instrument.

Carlos explains that he chose to study at Musicians Institute because “MI provides good teachers, a smooth environment and many opportunities in the music industry.”

During his studies, he plans a continued focus on “improving my musical knowledge and learn about how to succeed in the music world, as well as meet new people and do my best to learn!”

After MI, Carlos’s career aspirations are to “play in a successful/major band or play with a solo artist like Bruno Mars.”

Everyone at MI congratulates Carlos on this achievement.   We look forward to seeing him reach his full potential while at MI.

Special thanks to the family, friends and many MI alumni who generously funded this very special scholarship in honor of the tremendous legacy of Musicians Institute’s co-founder Pat Hicks. The scholarship provides talented students like Carlos with the support, tools and recognition they need to launch successful and creative careers in the music industry.

Pat Hicks in 2017

 

 

FALL 2018 HOSA TECHNOLOGY AUDIO ENGINEERING SCHOLARSHIP WINNER: Torin Winsborrow

(l.)Jonathan Newkirk Dean of the School of Industry Studies and Program Chair, Audio Engineering with Torin Winsborrow (center), Hoyt Binder Hosa Technology Sales Manager (rt.)

The Audio Engineering Program at Musicians Institute is pleased to announce Torin Winsborrow as the winner of the sixth annual Hosa Technology Audio Engineering Scholarship at MI.  In winning this award, the Lodi, California native convincingly and clearly articulated his career goals in his scholarship essay submission.  He comes to MI with nearly 10 years experience as an engineer and a strong interest in hip-hop and other genres.

Asked why he chose to study in the Audio Engineering Program at MI, Torin shared that “after an initial walkthrough of the campus, I fell in love with the environment and the energy everyone has”.   While at MI, Torin’s goals as a student will be to focus on “in depth editing, mixing and mastering”.

Regarding his future career goals and aspirations, Torin added, “my two dreams would be to own my record label and engineer for artists, and to go on tour. My primary career aspiration would be to accomplish my life long dream of becoming a professional music/audio engineer”.

Everyone at MI congratulates Torin on winning this prestigious award, and we welcome him as he begins his studies and enjoys the many great experiences ahead at MI!

Special thanks to our industry partner, Hosa Technology for generously sponsoring this scholarship, which helps to provide students like Torin with the support, tools and recognition they need to launch successful and creative careers in the music industry.

 

FALL 2018 D’ADDARIO GUITAR SCHOLARSHIP WINNER: Andy Ferreira

Guitar Program Chair Stig Mathisen (lt) with Andy Ferreira (rt)

Talented guitarist Andy Ferreira has been named as winner of the Fall 2018 D’Addario Guitar Scholarship.  Coming to Musicians Institute’s Guitar Program from Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Andy brings a versatile array of playing skills and 19 years of guitar playing experience in the pop, blues, rock and jazz genres.

Andy decided to attend MI in order to “improve my overall skills as a player and become a better performer, musician and maybe even develop as an artist. I believe MI is the place where I’ll find formidable instructors that can push me and take me to the next level.”

He sees his education and these skills as an important key to achieving his dream of one day being able to “be recognized as an artistic voice, capable of embodying my own style in everything I do.”

Everyone at MI welcomes Andy to the Guitar Program 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 Andy 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

 

 

 

2018 UNIVERSAL CITYWALK HOLLYWOOD MUSIC BUSINESS ENTREPRENEUR SCHOLARSHIP WINNER: Jesse Groce

Jesse Groce with MI Music Business Chair, Stacy Turner

The Fall 2018 Universal Citywalk Hollywood Music Business Entrepreneur Scholarship has been awarded to Musicians Institute Music Business Program student: Jesse Groce.  The Auburn, New Hampshire native earned the prestigious award with a strong articulation of his professional goals and demonstration of outstanding dedication to achieving a position in the music industry as an independent entrepreneur.

Describing his reasons for coming to Musicians Institute, Jesse states, “I chose to study at MI for many reasons.  I like how the focus is on contemporary music, which gives MI an edge compared to other music conservatories and schools.  The location of MI in Hollywood/LA is the best location for an artist.”

While at MI, Jesse will focus on “learning any business aspects that I am currently missing within my brand and scope of knowledge. I’m also looking forward to the hands-on experience, skills, and knowledge I will learn from the internships I will be participating in.”

He sees his education as an important key to achieving his career goals of being able to “live comfortably and support my family while doing something I am passionate about for my career. I also aspire to inspire others to do the same.”

Everyone at MI would like to congratulate Jesse 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 Jesse 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.