MF NEWS

2020 President’s Award Vocal Scholarship at Musicians Institute Winner: Stephanie Howie

Stephanie Howie

The 2020 President’s Award Vocal Scholarship has been awarded to Musicians Institute Vocal Program student: Stephanie Howie.  She comes to MI by way of Chennai, India, having earned the prestigious award with a strong demonstration of her many years of singing and performance experience with a specialization in Soul/Neo Soul/ Rhythm & Blues genres.

Describing her reasons for coming to MI, Stephanie states: “after months of research I found that MI was the only school that could offer me exactly what I was looking for which was to work on my vocal skills and ability as well as my performance skills. I was particularly drawn towards the live performance workshops. Also, being located in the epicenter of the entertainment industry I felt like it would be an ideal stepping stone to a career in the field of music and entertainment.”

While at MI, she hopes to focus on: “improving my vocal ability and training, I hope to learn as much as I can from MI to improve my technique, work on my tone and my stage presence and also gain all the confidence I need to be a performer.”

She sees her education as an important pathway to achieving her career goals to: “first and foremost, be able to penetrate the industry using the skills that I adopt from my time at MI to become an active performer and an established recording artist in the entertainment industry. My second career goal is to combine my what I’ve learned at MI along with my past degrees in Psychology and find avenues in the field of Music Therapy.”

Stephanie shared her feelings about winning the scholarship as follows: “I consider myself extremely lucky and thankful for my mum who having raised me single handedly has always taught me that if I work hard enough towards something that I want that I’ll get what I deserve. She has been the most supportive of my decision to pursue music (it did take some convincing) and is now financially supporting this move as well. This scholarship not only helps me in my first steps at repaying her and making her proud(er) but also gives me the confidence boost I need knowing that there are others in the industry who believe in me and my talent and in turn pushing me to work even harder than before.”

Everyone at MI would like to congratulate Stephanie 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 Stephanie with the support, tools and recognition they need to launch successful and creative careers in the music industry.

2019-2020 GuideStar Platinum Seal of Transparency

2020 President’s Award Music Business Scholarship at Musicians Institute Winner: Devin Birden

Devin Birden

The 2020 President’s Award Music Business Scholarship at Musicians Institute has been awarded to newly enrolling Associate of Science in Music Business Program student: Devin Birden.  He comes to MI by way of Lancaster and Long Beach CA, earning the prestigious scholarship award after clearly articulating his vision and career goals within the music industry.

Describing his reasons for coming to MI, Devin states, “a friend of mine attends MI currently and is in the music production program. He has had nothing but positive reports about his experience. Also, the information I received at the MI Open House, and my frequent dialogue with my Admissions counselor have all been determining factors that lead me to wanting to enroll at MI.”

In giving a bit more background about his motivations to enroll at MI and to excel in the music industry, Devin stated: “in addition to being an independent Hip Hop artist and songwriter, I am a business owner myself. I run a full spectrum entertainment studio where we offer recording and production services, in addition to graphic design, photography and videography. I hope to be able to learn all the current business practices in the music industry while also learning how to navigate more efficiently all the pitfalls and road blocks that I have had to traverse throughout my career. In addition, I am interested in music supervision for film & tv, as I have landed a couple big placements in the past, I want to continue to pursue my career in that arena as well.”

Devin sees his education as an important pathway to achieving his career goals as an artist, multi-genre songwriter and multi-dimensional music industry executive: “I want to remain independent and achieve global success doing so. The more I know how to do myself the less I have to depend on anyone else’s expertise. As an executive, I’d like to operate my own entertainment company, develop artists underneath my imprint and put them in position to do great things in music as well. I also feel I have a future in music supervision in film & tv, so I want to land more placements both nationally and internationally. One of my current specific short term goals is to be a part of Disney’s The Proud Family reboot, as it is of one of my favorite childhood shows.”

He shared his feelings about winning the scholarship as follows: “this scholarship means everything to me. At this juncture in my life I am choosing to make a major change and sacrifice in order to attend MI.  This scholarship will be a tremendous help to me in pursuing my career goals in a myriad of ways and I am thankful you all saw something in me that proved deserving of it.“

Everyone at MI would like to congratulate Devin 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 Devin with the support, tools and recognition they need to launch successful and creative careers in the music industry.

Giving Tuesday is Dec. 3, donate today to support MUSIC EDUCATION!!

#Givingtuesday is a global generosity movement that will happen on 12/3/19, unleashing the power of people & organizations to transform their communities & their world.

SUPPORT THE FUTURE OF MUSIC by donating (100% tax-deductible) to our music college scholarship fund today!

Go to www.themusiciansfoundation.org and click “donate”.

#raiseyourmusic

#musicscholarships

#dogood

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 

FALL 2019 PRESIDENT’S AWARD BACHELOR of MUSIC in SONGWRITING AND PRODUCTION SCHOLARSHIP WINNER: Julian Lee

MI faculty member Chris Buzea (l.) with Julian Lee

Julian Lee is the winner of the President’s Award Bachelor of Music in Songwriting and Production Scholarship at Musicians Institute.  

The newly enrolling Bachelor’s Degree in Songwriting and Production Program (guitar) student comes to MI by way of Yakima, Washington, having composed original music primarily in the singer-songwriter, and acoustic genres.  

Upon learning about his award, Julian explained that he chose to study at MI because “it seemed to be one of the best contemporary music schools around and it was affordable. I also like the variety of classes I can take.”

During his studies, he plans to focus on “refining my skills, learning new aspects of songwriting and music, and somehow combining everything into making a voice for myself. I want to eventually find my voice and my style of music to write upon graduation from MI.”

After MI, Julian’s primary career aspirations are to: “become a singer/songwriter! I would love to be able to be a creator as a job, and standing on stage would make me so happy. I want to make music, and then sing that music for people across the world, and show people my honest self – I hope someday I can do this and that people would appreciate and become inspired by it.”  

Everyone at Musicians Institute congratulates Julian 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 MI’s Executive President, Histake Shibuya for generously sponsoring this scholarship, which helps to provide talented students like Julian with the support, tools and recognition they need to launch successful and creative careers in the music industry.

2019 GuideStar Platinum Seal of Transparency

Fall 2019 President’s Award Vocal Scholarship Winner: Saasha Small

MI faculty member Brian “Hacksaw” Williams with Saasha Small

The 2019 President’s Award Vocal Scholarship has been awarded to Musicians Institute Vocal Program student: Saasha Small.  She comes to MI by way of New Iberia, Louisiana, having earned the prestigious award with a strong demonstration of her musical skills and specialization in singing R&B and Neo-soul genres.

Describing her reasons for coming to MI, Saasha states, “MI came highly recommended. The connections and teachers and info. that you learn is incredible.”  While at MI she plans to focus on “learning more Harmony and Theory, learn why things sound the way they sound. I want to develop my musicianship and learn why things sound good, or bad.”

She sees her education as an important pathway to achieving her career goals of being able to “be an entertainer, make a good living and provide for myself doing what I love.”

Everyone at MI would like to congratulate Saasha 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 Saasha with the support, tools and recognition they need to launch successful and creative careers in the music industry.

2019 GuideStar Platinum Seal of Transparency

2019 LA Breakfast Club Foundation Bachelor of Music Performance Scholarship at Musicians Institute WINNER: Joseph Caster

MI Faculty Member Chris Buzea (l.) with Joseph Caster

Talented guitarist Joseph Caster is the winner of the third annual LA Breakfast Club Foundation Bachelor of Music Performance Scholarship at Musicians Institute.  The newly enrolling Bachelor of Music in Performance Program (Guitar/Audio Production Emphasis) student comes to MI by way of Rogers, Arkansas having performed and composed music in a wide variety of musical genres including rhythm and blues, funk, reggae, and jazz.

Joseph has been playing guitar and bass for 11 years and writing music for 10 years, and shared that during his studies at MI, he plans to focus on “perfecting my craft as a songwriter and as a performerI I think of music as an extension of myself and I believe studying at MI will help my playing and writing become more second nature.”

He chose to study at Musicians Institute because “I know I will be able to start my life as a musician as soon as I begin school through people I meet and friends that I make. I’m beyond excited to begin performing in LA and I plan on booking and playing gigs as many nights as possible a week.”

Joseph describes his career and future aspirations as follows: “my dream simply is to be able to financially support myself as a songwriter, performer, and audio engineer. ”  He added, “my biggest goal is to write music and to inspire other people to write and perform music.”

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

2019 GuideStar Platinum Seal of Transparency