The Audio Engineering Program at Musicians Institute is pleased to announce Kendra Michelle Marquez as the winner of the eighth annual Hosa Technology Audio Engineering Scholarship at MI.
In winning this award, the Miami native convincingly and clearly articulated her career goals in her scholarship essay submission. Kendra comes to MI with a strong interest in engineering Alternative Blues, which she describes as “darker, cinematic instrumentals with alt pop and blues blended in; think Lana Del Rey meets Amy Winehouse.”
Currently, she is enrolled in MI’s Associate of Science in Studio Recording program, after having previously studied in MI’s Vocal program – and when asked why she chose to study in the Audio Engineering Program at MI, Kendra shared that “I’m looking forward to really understanding how to track vocals/instruments, mix and master from the very ground up. I was actually looking into the LA Recording School because I had previously been there for their film program, but they do not offer a Bachelors degree and it’s a personal goal of mine to earn my Associates and Bachelors.”
Regarding her future career goals and aspirations, she added, “I’m an artist first and it’s been my goal to learn how to engineer and maybe even produce myself so that I am not dependent on other engineers and working with their schedules. Originally, I only wanted to work on my own music but job opportunities through MI have been brought to my attention and I think it would be awesome to get hired by a studio or have my own freelance business working with clients.”
Everyone at MI congratulates Kendra on winning this prestigious award, as she pursues her audio engineering 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 Kendra with the support, tools and recognition they need to launch successful and creative careers in the music industry.
The Bachelor’s Degree Program at Musicians Institute is pleased to announce that talented drummer Yulong Huang has been chosen as the winner of the Pajwell Foundation Bachelor of Music in Performance Scholarship at MI.
Upon learning of his scholarship award, he shared “First of all, the scholarship is an affirmation of my playing ability, and it encourages me to keep making progress.”
When asked why he chose to study at MI, Yulong shared that “I chose MI because there are many professional musicians in the school, and I can get valuable experience and opportunities to connect with the industry. Secondly, MI teachers are excellent, and the curriculum is flexible while ensuring the quality. I can learn any skill I want here, without any limitation. It gives me a lot of room for improvement.”
Regarding his future career goals and aspirations, he added, “My dream is to become an excellent drummer and composer. I also want to make more contributions to the music industry, making good music with excellent musicians.”
Everyone at MI congratulates Yulong on winning this prestigious award, as he continues his studies and enjoys the many great experiences ahead at MI!
Special thanks to our charitable partner, the Pajwell Foundation for generously sponsoring this scholarship, which helps to provide students like Yulong with the support, tools and recognition they need to launch successful and creative careers in the music industry.
Talented guitarist Valentina Loaiza Jaramillo has been named as winner of the 2022 D’Addario Women in Guitar Scholarship. She comes to Musicians Institute from Medellín, Colombiawith 12 years of playing experience and a specialization in rock.
As a current MI Guitar Program student, Valentina is focussed on “Developing and finding my sound. I want to learn everything I need to have a successful journey in the music industry. When asked why she chose to study at MI, she added “My guitar instructor told me about MI. When I did my research, I knew it was the right place because of the quality of the instructors and the curriculum. Additionally, I looked through the MI graduates list and I read some familiar names that are very successful thanks to what they learned at MI.”
She added, “This scholarship means a lot to me because it is a recognition for the effort, dedication and passion I have for music. Also, it is a financial help for my family, because for me to develop a musical career at MI represents an important economic effort. I am very happy and thankful for this recognition.”
Valentina sees her MI education as an important key to achieving her goals “to acquire a high level of knowledge, to perform as a session musician or a touring musician and, in the future create my own band.”
Everyone at Musicians Institute congratulates Valentina on winning this very prestigious award!
Special thanks to our longtime industry partner, D’Addario and The D’Addario Music Foundation for generously sponsoring this scholarship as a part of its ongoing Music Education for Girls Initiative, which helps to provide talented students like Valentina with the support, tools and recognition they need to launch successful and creative careers in the music industry.
The winner of the second annual N.W. Dible Foundation Songwriting Scholarship at Musicians Institute is the multi-talentedBachelor’s Degreestudent Hongbin Xu.
The current MI Bachelor of Music in Performance (Keyboard with an Audio Production Emphasis) is a lifelong musician and experienced session musician who comes to MI by way of China. Hongbin has been performing since childhood and has 8 years of songwriting experience.
Upon learning about his scholarship award, he shared “I really appreciate being chosen for this scholarship. It makes me feel good about what I’m doing and encourages me to keep on doing it.”
As he continues his studies, he plans to maintain his focus on “deepening my understanding of music, so that I can enjoy playing/writing more.” He added, “I’ve been studying at MI for over 4 years now and I’m still learning so much every day. MI has a lot of awesome professors who are passionate about teaching and I’m very grateful for that.”
After MI,Hongbin’s primary career aspirations are to:“be able to gig, write songs, and produce for a living.”
Everyone at Musicians Institute congratulatesHongbin on this achievement, and we look forward to seeing him reach his full potential while at MI.
Special thanks to the N.W. Dible Foundation for generously sponsoring this scholarship, which helps to provide talented students likeHongbin with the support, tools and recognition they need to launch successful and creative careers in the music industry.
The N.W. Dible Foundation aims to promote and support communities, organizations, and individuals involved in literary and creative arts activities. Among its guiding principles are education, creative achievement, cultural diversity and inclusion. The Foundation also supports health and the environmental sciences
Originally a native of Guwahati, India, Mandabya comes to MI’s Guitar Program comes to MI with 9 years of playing experience and in possession of solid melodic soloing skills in a variety of genres and a specialization in Rock.
During his studies at MI, he will focus on “Apart from gaining great guitar skills, I hope to learn the real essence of being a musician such as playing with a band and being a team player. MI is also a great place to connect to like-minded people and have great Jam sessions or form bands.”
When asked why he chose to study at MI, Mandabya added “MI has something that the other music schools don’t, which is learning and performing all types of genres. I believe it’s important to be able to play all genres comfortably to be a well-rounded musician. I’ve played a lot of Rock in the past and all throughout my music career. Thanks to MI, it has opened my eyes to many more awesome genres. Now I play everything from R&B to country and everything in between.”
Asked what the winning this scholarship award means to him, Mandabya shared “This scholarship means a huge deal for me and my family. Being able to survive in Hollywood as an international student is difficult and this scholarship helps me a great deal financially to put myself through school and keep studying what I love.”
He describes his professional goals and aspirations as follows: “My dreams are cliche but they’re mostly about touring with my future band or other bands throughout the US and possibly internationally as well. I would also love to do session work for other artists, and I love to teach music as well.”
Everyone at MI congratulates Mandabya 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 Mandabya 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
Mick Collinshas been named as the winner of the fall 2022 Joe Bonamassa Blues Guitar Scholarship at Musicians Institute. The talented guitarist is a native of Manasquan, New Jersey, and comes to MI with 5 years of playing experience specializing in blues and folk genres.
Mick decided to attend MI’s Guitar Program because of “The awesome staff/alumni and the opportunity to learn directly from people who are in the industry.” When asked what winning the Joe Bonamassa Blues scholarship means to him, Mick added “This scholarship is a great honor and will serve as motivation to keep working hard to learn as much as I can to do the genre justice.”
As a current AA Performance Program student, he is focussed on learning “How to best serve the music and deepen my overall knowledge as an aspiring musician.” Mick sees his MI education as an important key to achieving his future dreams of being able to “eventually support myself playing music and make music that makes people feel good.”
Everyone at MI congratulates Mick on winning this very prestigious award!
Special thanks to award-winning blues guitar virtuoso and icon Joe Bonamassa and his Keeping the Blues Alive Foundation for generously sponsoring this scholarship, which helps to provide talented students like Mick with the support, tools and recognition they need to launch successful and creative careers in the music industry.
To learn more about the exciting work of the Keeping the Blues Alive Foundation, (a non-profit initiative to revolutionize and fund music education) click here.
Talented drummer Kritika Malhotra has been named as winner of the 2022 D’Addario Women in Drums Scholarship. Kritika comes to Musicians Institute from New Delhi, India with 8 years of playing, performing and writing experience and a specialization in progressive rock, odd meter time signatures and polyrhythms.
As a current Bachelor’s degree / Drum Program student, she decided to attend MI because “In my opinion, MI has one of the best curriculums relating to the music industry and the sheer amount of talented people present here is absolutely amazing.”
Kritika added that while at MI, “I want to learn all I can about the music industry and its various pathways, I want to grow as a drummer and as a musician, and I want to make connections with other musicians that will surely help me in the future.“
She shared “I believe MI has made me work for the skies and receiving this scholarship has certainly inspired and enthused me exponentially to become a better musician.”
Kritika sees her education as an important key to achieving her dreams, adding “With all the knowledge I gain from my time at MI, I want to first be an inspired musician and impart all this knowledge to people who want to become better musicians.”
Everyone at Musicians Institute congratulates Kritika on winning this very prestigious award!
Special thanks to our longtime industry partner, The D’Addario Music Foundation for generously sponsoring this scholarship as a part of its ongoing Music Education for Girls Initiative, which helps to provide talented students like Kritika with the support, tools and recognition they need to launch successful and creative careers in the music industry.
The 2022 Schecter Nick Johnston Guitar Scholarship, named in honor of the talented and versatile Rock guitarist and Schecter artist, Nick Johnston has been awarded to Sion Kim.
Sion is currently enrolled in Musicians Institute‘s Guitar Performance program, and comes to MI from South Korea with 5 years of guitar playing experience with specialization in R&B, Rock and Pop genres.
When asked what winning the scholarship meant to him, he shared, “This is my personal proof that my playing has definitely gotten better since I came to MI.” He added, “I chose to study at MI because I heard that Musicians Institute is one of the best colleges.”
While attending MI, Sion continues to focus on gaining the skills needed to achieve his goals of “Improving my rhythm and changing the way I solo, I want to make my soloing more melodic.”
He described his long-term career goals as follows, “My dream is to get an Artist Visa, and perform internationally.”
Everyone at MI congratulates Sion 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 Guitars for generously sponsoring this scholarship, which helps to provide talented students like Sion 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
Versatile guitarist Nadir Gueler has been named as the winner of the inaugural Scott Bennett Memorial Guitar Scholarship at Musicians Institute. Nadir comes to MI from Istanbul, Turkey, having played guitar for 12 years and in possession of a strong blues/rock background with an interest in performing jazz/fusion in the future.
As a current MI Bachelor’s Degree student, Nadir decided to attend MI’s Guitar Programbecause “I want to perform jazz and fusion, I’d like to learn about techniques, phrasing, vocabulary and the harmony and theory behind these styles. I’d also like to learn about the networking and the business side of being a musician. All these things considered, I felt like being in the heart of music at Hollywood, CA was the way to go. Also, there is a very clear trend about MI producing guitar icons and that made it clear that MI was the place where I needed to be.”
When asked what winning the scholarship meant to him, he shared that “This scholarship means a ton to me because winning this award shows that all the hard work that I’ve been putting in for years is paying off and that motivates me to continue to work even harder.”
Nadir sees his education as an important key to achieving his career goals, which include “My dream has always been doing what I love full-time and exploring the world of music without any other distractions. I truly enjoy a variety of genres from pop to fusion and I’d love to perform whether it’s on stage or in a studio. As a job, I want to be able to play my original music as well as playing with/for other musicians. At the end of the day, we are all together in this huge world of music.”
Everyone at MI congratulates Nadir on winning this very prestigious award!
Special thanks to the family and friends of MI (GIT) alumnus Scott Bennett for generously sponsoring this memorial scholarship in his honor, which helps to provide talented students like Nadir with the support, tools and recognition they need to launch successful and creative careers in the music industry.
Talented guitarist Gabriel Franzese has been named as the winner of the second annual Steve Fox Memorial Guitar Scholarship at Musicians Institute. Gabriel comes to MI from São Paulo, Brazil, possessing a wide array of guitar playing skills with a specialization in hard rock/metal genres.
As a current MI Bachelor’s Degree student, Gabriel shared that he initially decided to attend MI’s Guitar Program because of its “Location and reputation. Since the very start, I’ve always wanted to live in Los Angeles and pursue a music career. MI was the best of both worlds.” During his studies, he intends to continue his focus on “a wide range of topics from sounding authentic on my instrument in a specific genre, to not signing a questionable contract with a label and gaining a strong understanding of the music industry.”
When asked what winning the scholarship meant to him, Gabriel shared that “It not only makes me feel honored by this achievement, but it also means that I am able to invest more financially into marketing for my upcoming debut album.”
He sees his education as an important key to achieving his career goals, which include “Being able to tour the world playing my music. Always was the dream, and always will be.”
Everyone at MI congratulates Gabriel on winning this very prestigious award!
Special thanks to the family and friends of MI (GIT) alumnus Steve Fox for generously sponsoring this memorial scholarship in his honor, which helps to provide talented students like Gabriel with the support, tools and recognition they need to launch successful and creative careers in the music industry.
The Musicians Foundation Blog 