JEN’s scholarship program has been in existence since the organization’s first year and remains an important benefit to the members and students we serve.
Each year, we proudly recognize talented, hardworking, aspiring students with a passion for jazz. We also offer a number of additional programs that help fund and support jazz education.
JEN Member students and teachers of students are encouraged to self-nominate or nominate a candidate for a particular scholarship. The committee will consider the student in all areas that are applicable.
Scroll through the scholarships below. One might be right for you!
available scholarships
Check out our new scholarships in 2023!
*NEW in 2023!*
Chick Corea Scholarship for Composition
Presented in coordination with Jazz Education Abroad-iJazzMusic.com
$1000
award for new compositions honoring the inventive and style-blending spirit of Chick Corea
+
•Non-exclusive publishing contract of the work through iJazzMusic.com
•1-year JEN Full Individual membership
for graduate student composers
In honor of the incredible life and artistry of Chick Corea, the Jazz Education Network (JEN) and Jazz Education Abroad (JEA) – iJazzMusic have partnered to establish The Chick Corea Scholarship for Composition. This annual award will encourage a younger generation of composers and arrangers to expand their ideas and creativity for large ensembles, awarding efforts for new compositions that push the boundaries of instrumentation, fusions of style, and original merit. This scholarship program intends to further the professional potential of its participants with mentorship, financial awards, and publishing opportunities. Winning scholarship award recipients will bear the distinction of furthering Chick’s indelible spirit – forging new ground in the jazz artform and its expanded reach.
In regards to this exciting opportunity, a few words from Gene Aitken, founder of Jazz Education Abroad and iJazzMusic.com:
“Chick Corea was an American jazz composer, pianist, keyboardist and bandleader. Many of his compositions – Spain, 500 Miles High, LaFiesta, Windows – and others are now considered jazz standards.
Throughout his life and career, Chick Corea relished in the freedom and the fun to be had in creating something new. Through his numerous compositions, and the decades he spent touring the world, he touched and inspired the lives of millions.
Through the sponsorship of the annual Chick Corea Composition Award by JEA-iJazzMusic.com, his legacy will continue to reach the hearts of our next generations of jazz musicians…and keep the creative doors open for the future of jazz music.”
*NEW in 2023!*
Deborah Landon Memorial Scholarship
Two
$1500
awards for graduation high schoolers matriculating to college programs demonstrable financial need
+
•1 year of periodic success coaching
•1-year JEN Full Individual membership
In honor of the life and legacy of Deborah Leona Landon, JEN has partnered with the funders to establish the Deborah Landon Memorial Scholarship. This annual award will help bridge the financial gaps of first-year university or college students who have the passion, but not the full means, to study jazz performance. This scholarship program intends to further the success of its participants with direct mentorship aimed at counseling the crucial period of transition for a graduating high school student in a first-year setting in higher education.
*NEW in 2023!*
Dr. Dee Daniels Vocal Jazz Scholarship
$1000
award for a vocalist with professional performance aspirations
+
•Three 2-hour sessions with Dr. Daniels, either digitally or in person (Vancouver, Canada)
•Dedicated mentorship at an upcoming JEN conference
•1-year JEN Full Individual membership
The Dr. Dee Daniels Vocal Jazz Scholarship has been established by Dr. Daniels to provide young aspiring jazz vocalists with the opportunity to be mentored by renowned professional jazz artists, and to hone the craft of jazz singing, performance, and music industry business. The annual award will offer each recipient the opportunity to be inspired, and to inspire others while attending JEN Conferences.
*NEW in 2023!*
Stanley Kay Scholarship for Drummers
Presented in coordination with the DIVA Jazz Orchestra
$1000
award to a drummer honoring the legacy of Stanley Kay and swing music
+
•1-year JEN Full Individual membership
The DIVA Jazz Orchestra and JEN have partnered to provide young aspiring jazz drummers with the opportunity to be recognized and awarded for their dedication to the craft of big band playing. The Stanley Kay Jazz Drummer Scholarship honors the musical legacy, integrity, creativity, and excellence of DIVA’s founder, advancing a next generation of performers and large jazz ensemble repertoire. It takes on the eleven-plus year legacy of this same award fro the DIVA Jazz Orchestra.
Dave Brubeck Composer & Pianist Scholarship
The Dave Brubeck Composer & Pianist Scholarship
$1,000
+
Conference Award Package ($3,500 value)
The winner of this prestigious scholarship will receive the following:
- $1000 financial scholarship
- The book, “Dave Brubeck: A Life in Time,” by Philip Clark
- A collection of Dave Brubeck recordings.
- Registration for the next Jazz Education Network (JEN) conference in January.
- Designated mentor throughout the January conference.
- $250 per diem for meals throughout the conference.
- 4 nights hotel lodging during the conference reserved by the Jazz Education Network.
- Roundtrip flight + taxi/car pickup to/from airport arranged by the Jazz Education Network.
- One-year full individual Jazz Education Network membership.,
YAMAHA JIM WIDNER SCHOLARSHIP
$1,000
Presented in coordination with Yamaha
The Yamaha Jim Widner Scholarship honors the memory of JEN Founding member and legendary jazz educator, Jim Widner. This distinguished scholarship is awarded to a university/college student. The winner of this award will also receive a 1-year full individual JEN membership.
DAVID BAKER SCHOLARSHIP
$3,000
Established in 2010 by Jamey Aebersold to honor the contributions of NEA Jazz Master/Educator and JEN LeJENd of Jazz Education, David Baker, this award recognizes a university student who demonstrates talent, spirit, and commitment to the field of jazz studies. The winner of this award will also receive a 1-year JEN membership.
*JEN membership required to apply.
Click to see Past Recipients
- 2021 – Domi Edson, Central Washington University
- 2020 – Solomon Abang, University of Louisiana Monroe
- 2019 – Rashaad Greene, University of Massachusets Amherst
- 2018 – Kyle Schardt, Indiana University
- 2017 – Crystal Rebone, University of Illinois
- 2016 – Chang Su, University of Northern Colorado
- 2015 – Tyler Lindsay, Loyola University
- 2014 – Brian Claxton, University of Northern Colorado
- 2013 – Josh Roberts, Indiana University
- 2012 – Alex Liu Macias & Jamaal Baptiste, Indiana University
- 2011 – Daniel Lorrain, University of New Orleans
- 2010 – Justin Young, University of Missouri St. Louis
Hal Leonard Collegiate Scholarship
HAL LEONARD COLLEGIATE SCHOLARSHIP
$1,000
Established in 2011 in partnership with the Hal Leonard Corporation, a JEN Founding Corporate Partner, this award supports a deserving university student entering or continuing their collegiate jazz studies. The winner of this award will also receive a 1-year JEN membership.
*JEN membership required to apply.
Click to see Past Recipients
- 2021 -Naomi Nakanishi, Eastman School of Music
- 2019 – Takumi Kakimoto, Berklee College of Music
- 2018 – Maya Stepansky, Brubeck Institute Fellow
- 2017 – Tanner Guss, Indiana University, Bloomington, IN
- 2016 – Allison Philips, University of Amsterdam, Holland
- 2015 – Matt Rigger, Indiana University, Bloomington, IN
- 2014 – Gibran Khan, University of Northern Colorado , Greeley, CO
- 2013 – Kelly Garner, University of Miami, Coral Gables, FL
- 2012 – Kathleen Hollingsworth, University of Miami, COral Gables, FL
- 2011 – Billy Wolfe, DePaul University, Chicago, IL
JAMEY AEBERSOLD ENDOWED SCHOLARSHIP
$1,000
Established in 2019 to honor the contributions of NEA Jazz Master/Educator and JEN LeJENd of Jazz Education, Jamey Aebersold, this award recognizes a university student who demonstrates a passion for jazz education. The winner of this award will also receive a 1-year JEN membership.
*JEN membership required to apply.
Click to see Past Recipients
- 2021 – Anabella Johnson, Philadelphia, PA
- 2020 – Marc Schwartz, University of Northern Colorado
- 2019 – Chris Glassman, Michigan State University
DR. LOU FISCHER JEN CO-FOUNDER SCHOLARSHIP
$1,000
Established in 2012 by the JEN Board, funded through the JEN Education Fund, and named after JEN Co-Founder Dr. Lou Fischer, this award honors a high school jazz student who is positively contributing to the jazz industry. The winner of this award will also receive a 1-year JEN membership.
*JEN membership required to apply.
Click to see Past Recipients
- 2021 – Brook Lambert, Roosevelt High School Seattle, WA
- 2020 – Gabriel Severn, Loyalsock Township High School, Williamsport, PA
- 2019 – Juliette Gardiner, Grayslake North High School
- 2018 – Joshua Catania, KM School for Arts & Performance
- 2017 – Gabi Basile, Brownell Talbot Prep, Omaha, NE
- 2016 – Tyler Webb, UT
- 2015 – Max Holm, Park City High School, Park City, UT
- 2014 – Christopher Parker, Bloomington High School North, Bloomington, IN
- 2013 – Laila Smith, San Jose, CA
- 2012 – Price McGuffey, Youth Performing Arts School, DuPont Manual High School, Louisville, KY
- 2011 – Jordan Egland Smith, Oldham County High School, Buckner, KY
MARY JO PAPICH JEN CO-FOUNDER WOMEN IN JAZZ SCHOLARSHIP
$1,000
Established and funded in 2010 by JEN Co-Founder Mary Jo Papich to honor Women in Jazz at the university level, and currently funded by the JEN Education Fund, this award honors a female jazz university student who is positively contributing to the jazz industry.
The winner of this award will also receive a 1-year JEN membership.
*JEN membership required to apply.
Click to see Past Recipients
- 2021 – Yvonne Rogers, University of Rochester
- 2020 – Cami Mennitte Pereyra, Indiana University
- 2019 – Lauryn Gould, Texas State University
- 2018 – Alexandria DeWalt, University of Miami
- 2017 – Amanda Ekery, New England Conservatory
- 2016 – Amaya Bickmore, Brigham Young University
- 2015 – Kristin Sponcia, University of Illinois, Champagne-Urbana
- 2014 – Alexa Tarantino, Eastman School of Music
- 2013 – Caitlin Bryant, Grove City College
- 2012 – Erika Matson, DePauw University
- 2011 – Megan Tengel, University of New Orleans
- 2010 – Kim Aubuchon, University of Missouri St. Louis
MARY ANN FISCHER SCHOLARSHIP
$1,000
Established in 2016 by Dr. Lou Fischer to honor the contributions of Mary Ann Fischer, this award will be presented to a deserving high school student bassist entering their collegiate jazz studies the following year. The winner of this award will also receive a 1-year JEN membership.
*JEN membership required to apply.
Click to see Past Recipients
- 2021 – Joaquín Eaton Sharon, Idyllwild Arts Academy
- 2020 – Vivian Shanley, George Washington High School, Cedar Rapids, IA
- 2019 – Priscilla Corpus, MacArthur High School
- 2018 – Hannah Shoemaker, Christopher Newport University
- 2017 – David Bredthauer, Brownell Talbot Prep, Omaha, NE
