D’Addario Women in Guitar Scholarship at Musicians Institute Winner: Hisako Ozawa

Hisako Ozawa with Travis Newlon (Interim Guitar Program Chair)

Talented guitarist Hisako Ozawa has been named as winner of the first-ever D’Addario Women in Guitar Scholarship, sponsored by The D’Addario Music Foundation as a part of its Music Education for Girls Initiative.

Coming to Musicians Institute from Tokyo Japan, Hisako brings a versatile array of playing experiences, and also shared that “I perform various styles of music but I enjoy performing rock music the most. I’m in several rock bands right now and have really come to love the genre.”

Hisako decided to attend MI because “there are many reasons why I chose to study at MI. Everyone knows that MI has a rich history of successful alumni. The professors are all world class musicians, composers and engineers who offer a wealth of knowledge and skill. MI also has a great support system for current students and for past alumni. For example, career counseling, workshops, and audition support.  I feel very lucky to be studying here.”  She added, “my main interest is guitar techniques and music composition, specifically composing for film.  I’m also interested in MI’s audio engineering program because I feel it will complement my film composing skills quite well.”

Hisako sees these skills as an important key to achieving her dream of one day being able to “be a professional guitar player who has the skills to play a wide range of music styles while exhibiting a strong stage presence, and to be a successful film composer (and represent women in the world of film music), and creating my own original music.”

Everyone at MI congratulates Hisako on winning this very prestigious award, and we look forward to her success as she continues to excel in her studies within the Bachelor’s program.

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 Hisako 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

“Music is a universally powerful tool for self-expression and self-empowerment. The D’Addario Foundation hopes to encourage and nurture more female musicians. It is our goal to help promote more music created by women, and foster new opportunities that enable more young women to thrive in the music industry and beyond.”

– Suzanne D’Addario Brouder, Executive Director of the D’Addario Foundation

2019 GuideStar Platinum Seal of Transparency

Fall 2019 JOE BONAMASSA BLUES GUITAR SCHOLARSHIP at MUSICIANS INSTITUTE WINNER: Brendan Cady

Travis Newlon (Interim Guitar Program Chair) with Brendan Cady (rt)

The Musicians Foundation is pleased to announce the Fall 2019 Joe Bonamassa Blues Guitar Scholarship has been awarded to MI Guitar Program student (Bachelor of Music in Performance): Brendan Cady.  The scholarship was awarded based on a demonstration of overall outstanding musicianship, advanced skills, and the potential for developing a unique sound on the guitar. Brendan came to Musicians Institute via Nashville, Charleston SC, and Boston with several years of experience playing and performing in multiple genres with a specialization in rock and blues.  

When asked why he chose to study at MI, Brendan shared: “I’ll be completely blunt: finances. To go to Berklee for 2 years costs as much as the entire program at MI, and it’s close to the central headquarters of a lot of the entertainment industry. The programs offered here are top notch, the work outside of school is top notch, and I’m able to really focus on learning and playing.”

As he continues his studies at MI, Brendan shared some of his motivations and educational goals: “I hope to learn a lot about the reality of the music industry and how to navigate that, and monetize my own intellectual property to make a profit from it. I hope to better my musicality, be challenged in ways I haven’t before, gain lifelong friendships, connections, business partners and relationships. I hope to become an amazing musician with amazing skill and talent, and (most of all) to learn how to express my artistic vision with no boundaries and true creative freedom.

His future goals and professional aspirations are “to be an all around talented musician with any instrument I pick up and play. I’d like to be successful at being a musician and to work in many different fields of the industry: mixing, production, studio work, live work, etc.  I want to work everyday using my talent to make art and a profit from that art, my aspiration is to have a successful career in many different facets of this industry. I want to be an artist in every sense of the word and to make a comfortable living off of that artistry.”

Everyone at MI congratulates him on winning this very prestigious award!

Special thanks to our longtime industry partner, great friend and supporter of music education, blues legend Joe Bonamassa and his non-profit Keeping The Blues Alive Foundation for generously sponsoring this scholarship, which helps to provide talented students like Brendan with the support, tools and recognition they need to launch successful and creative careers in the music industry.

 

Joe Bonamassa in London 2015. Credit: Marty Moffatt

 

2019 GuideStar Platinum Seal of Transparency

Our Co-Sponsored Classes at The Grammy Museum (for LAUSD students) launch their 12th year!

Our 2019-2020 co-sponsored free music class series for LAUSD students recently kicked off with two fantastic classes!

On Nov. 7th, our very own Board Chair @huntergscott did an exceptional job of teaching an inspiring class on Networking/Music Business for high school students.

Hunter Scott

On Nov. 14th- Maria Martinez and Ed Roscetti did an amazing job of teaching their incredible class “World Beat Rhythms” for over 100 elementary school students at the Grammy Museum today!

Ed Roscetti and Maria Martinez

We’re proud to co-sponsor music education that inspires and changes young lives!!

The Musicians Foundation – 2019 GuideStar Platinum