2026 Scholarship Recipients
JAZZ EDUCATION NETWORK
JAZZ EDUCATION NETWORK
Pianist, composer, arranger, and bandleader José André embarked on his musical journey at age four, teaching himself piano and finding an immediate passion for jazz. What began as an instinctive connection to sound has evolved into a profound artistic voice—one defined by remarkable virtuosity, a warm and resonant tonal palette, and a compositional style that blends sophistication with emotional depth. His performances create an intimate dialogue with audiences, shaped by both technical mastery and an innate sense of storytelling through music.
José has brought his artistry to some of the world’s most esteemed venues, including the White House, Carnegie Hall, Royal Albert Hall, the Library of Congress, and the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, among others. Renowned for his improvisational fluency, he has held piano chair positions in several jazz orchestras/big bands, such as the Juilliard Jazz Orchestra, National Youth Orchestra Jazz, Blues Alley Youth Orchestra, among many others. He is further refining his craft at New York’s Juilliard School during his junior year. Also, he is under the mentorship of pianists Cyrus Chestnut and Ted Rosenthal, who are two great leaders and composers in their own right.
José also studied Jazz Theory, composition and arranging with Professor Michael Mossman. He brings musical maturity beyond his years. His distinctions include recognition as one of the Kennedy Center’s NEXT 50 leaders, the 2019 VSA International Young Soloist Award, and becoming a finalist in the Jacksonville Jazz Piano Competition.
His newly released album “Jazz Journey” highlights his developing artistic vision—merging jazz tradition with contemporary influences and personal narrative. This project consists of an exploration of identity, resilience, and joy through sound. Whether performing in solo, trio, or larger ensemble formats, José André offers programs that are both artistically rich and highly audience friendly. He loves performing in all settings for distinct audiences that would like to hear something new. José André reminds all of us: “We always have to see life with a great smile every day.”
John Schroeder is a New York based Jazz bassist. His musical journey began in school at 8 years old. From that point, music became the focus of his life. Being influenced by an eclectic variety of music, John points to Paul Chambers and Jaco Pastorius as favorites.
Growing up on Long Island, New York, John credits the advantage of a strong school music program and accomplished private teachers, including Keenan Zack, Dave Lobenstein, and Bakithi Kumalo, with refining his talent. Shaped by this guidance, he has performed with the Metropolitan Youth Orchestra at Carnegie Hall, in the rhythm section of the New York All State Vocal and Instrumental Jazz ensembles, and was accepted into many honor ensembles including the New York All State String Orchestra. Still hungry for more, he performed in the pit of musical productions, organized his own Rock, Blues and Jazz groups and played in performance spaces all over Long Island.
Today John continues to hone his craft, studying Jazz performance at Purchase Conservatory under the guidance of Ugonna Okegwo. John is a member of the Big Band, Symphony Orchestra, several Jazz combos, many student groups and recently was in the pit for a production of Stephen Sondheim’s “Merrily We Roll Along”.
Tommy X. Wu is a Boston-based drummer and composer currently pursuing studies at the Berklee College of Music Jazz Composition Department and the Institute of Jazz and Gender Justice. Born in Shanghai, China, Tommy demonstrated a passion for drumming at a young age. At age 14, he met and studied with Winard Harper, who became—and remains—a major influence on his playing. After moving to Melbourne, Australia, Tommy pursued specialist music studies at the Victorian College of the Arts Secondary School. During this time, he became active in the local jazz scene and started his own group to further explore his artistic voice as a composer and performer. In 2023, Tommy moved to Boston to attend Berklee College of Music, where he received the World Tour Scholarship and the Quincy Jones Scholarship. Tommy has studied with drummers Neal Smith, Francisco Mela, and Billy Kilson, and has had the opportunity to perform alongside acclaimed artists including John Fedchock, Miguel Zenón, Christine Jensen, Vicente Archer, Gray Sargent, and Marshall Wood.
Camron Johnson is a vocalist from Memphis, Tennessee, whose musical journey has been shaped by a lifelong love of diverse musical traditions. Raised on a soundtrack of pop, R&B, gospel, and classic soul, he developed an early appreciation for the power of music to connect people and tell stories. Inspired by his family’s musical roots—including grandparents who loved to sing—Camron discovered a passion for performance that has continued to grow throughout his life.
A graduate of Overton High School’s renowned performing arts program, Camron honed both his vocal artistry and musicianship while performing with the school’s choir. His experiences there deepened his commitment to music and led him to pursue his craft further in college.
Jazz has become a defining influence in Camron’s artistic development. Drawn to the genre’s freedom, creativity, and rich traditions, he continues to explore its many styles while developing his own unique voice. His musical inspirations include Sarah Vaughan, Samara Joy, Nat King Cole, Aretha Franklin, and many other legendary artists whose artistry continues to shape his musical path.
Beyond music, Camron enjoys reading and writing, with a particular appreciation for poetry and historical fiction. He believes that literature and music share the power to inspire, challenge, and bring people together through storytelling.
MJ Santos is an award-winning jazz pianist, composer, and educator-in-training from the San Francisco Bay Area. Raised in a deeply musical family, he developed an early appreciation for a wide range of musical traditions through the influence of his father, acclaimed Latin jazz percussionist John Santos. Surrounded by world-class musicians from an early age, MJ cultivated a passion for jazz that has shaped his artistic path.
A graduating senior at Oakland School for the Arts, MJ will attend The New School in the fall of 2026 to study Jazz Piano after also earning admission to several of the nation’s leading conservatories. Throughout his musical development, he has studied with an extraordinary roster of artists, including Taylor Eigsti, Sullivan Fortner, George Cables, Omar Sosa, Jovino Santos Neto, Allison Miller, and many other distinguished educators and performers.
MJ has earned numerous honors throughout his young career, including eight Outstanding Musician awards at regional jazz festivals, recognition as a National Youth Orchestra jazz piano alternate while still a sophomore in high school, and merit scholarships from several leading jazz organizations. His artistry has also been recognized by Grammy Award-winning pianist Arturo O’Farrill, who praised his “technical facility rare in young musicians” and his “sophisticated sense of harmony.”
An active performer and bandleader, MJ has appeared with the John Santos Sextet at major venues, including SFJAZZ, served as musical director for multiple student ensembles, and composed original music for several Scholastic Audio productions. His experiences as both a performer and teacher’s aide have also inspired a passion for music education.
As he begins the next chapter of his musical journey, MJ hopes to continue exploring composition, arranging, recording, and ensemble leadership while pursuing a career that combines performance with teaching. Through his music, he strives to inspire others, honor the rich traditions of jazz, and use the arts to make a positive impact on his community and beyond.
Athena Zapantis is a 20-year-old jazz saxophonist, clarinetist, and bass clarinetist from Walnut Creek, California, studying with local greats Greg Brown, Diane Maltester, and Mary Fettig. She is currently pursuing the dual degree in Jazz Saxophone and Civil Engineering at the Peabody Conservatory and Johns Hopkins University, and studies under the pedagogy of modern legends Tedd Baker and Tim Green, with a minor in classical clarinet under David Drosinos.
She has performed live at Yoshi’s Oakland, Keystone Korner Baltimore, An Die Musik, the Eubie Blake Center, Joseph Meyerhoff Symphony Hall, the Dean Lesher Center, and the Emerging Artist Showcase at the Washington DC Women in Jazz Festival. She has shared the stage with Mike Rodriguez, Gene Perla, Leigh Pilzer, Amanda Gardier, and Dave Eshelman, from playing in Latin jazz bands to symphonic orchestras like the Berkeley Symphony under the baton of Joseph Young and the Baltimore Symphony under Jonathan Rush. Her studio projects include an Eric Dolphy tribute and John Coltrane’s India on bass clarinet, as well as playing lead tenor with her high school big band on Spotify, earning her two Downbeat awards (High School Big Band). She has recorded with Gene Perla for his 2026 album Twin Peaks, as well as Todd Marcus, Hugh Kline, Griffin Woodard, and Gus Hurteau, in addition to various projects at Peabody, including with the Nasar Abadey combo. In addition to performance, she is deeply involved with music education, having been a Teaching Artist at the Hayward La Honda Music Camp, instructing a saxophone chamber septet and teaching classical clarinet and jazz band. She also performed and recorded her original music at this camp.
She has been involved in organizations such as Key of She Jazz and the Baltimore Jazz Alliance, and wrote an article entitled The Cost of Competitive Jazz for the latest issue of the Turnaround Magazine, a magazine aimed at women in jazz. She is continually exploring new ways to make her mark in the jazz community coast-to-coast.
Maria Sanderson is an 18 year old British-Ukrainian jazz trumpet player, singer and multi-instrumentalist.
Maria’s musical journey started at Chetham’s School of Music in Manchester, UK (trumpet, voice, violin) where she studied with Gary Farr and Iain Dixon. Her interest in jazz was nurtured by attending summer schools such as the ‘Berlin Jazz Workshop’, the ‘British National Youth Jazz Collective’, Amsterdam Conservatoire’s ‘Keep An Eye Summer Workshop’ and Berklee ‘Aspire’ Summer programme where she was awarded a full ‘Jazz Workshop’ scholarship. These experiences included masterclasses and lessons with Philip Dizack, Alex Ridout, Simon Moullier, Kendrick Scott, Lage Lund and Terri Lyne Carrington. She has performed at venues such as ‘Bimhuis’ Jazz Club (Amsterdam), ‘Zigzag’ Jazz Club (Berlin), the ‘Budapest’ Jazz club, ‘Wally’s’ Jazz Club (Boston), and ‘Club Gustav’ (Oslo) as well as many venues across the UK.
This year she has received a full tuition merit-based scholarship to study at Berklee College of Music in Boston, USA and will be commencing her studies there in August 2026. As a young British-Ukrainian woman, she wants a ‘female narrative’ to become integral to the story of jazz in the 21st century. Berklee’s commitment to promote opportunities for women’s voices in jazz inspires her and she will contribute her passion and creativity towards this goal.
Instagram: @mariassanderson
Lane discovered his passion for jazz through a lifelong love of music rooted in gospel, salsa, and classic rock. Although music was always a part of his upbringing, attending a big band jazz concert in southern Arizona became the defining moment that inspired him to pursue jazz and explore its limitless opportunities for creativity, expression, and connection.
Growing up in a community with limited opportunities to study and perform jazz, Lane sought out every chance to learn, perform, and immerse himself in the music. His artistic journey expanded through the influence of his uncle, Bobby Contreras, a respected local salsa musician. After Bobby was diagnosed with cancer and could no longer perform, Lane dedicated himself to learning the music his uncle loved, preserving both his legacy and the rich traditions of Latin music that had shaped his own musical identity.
Lane has since performed with a local salsa band, led a community jazz ensemble, and collaborated with musicians throughout his hometown on multiple instruments. His musical interests continue to grow through the study of Afro-Cuban, Brazilian, Latin, and American jazz traditions, and he is committed to sharing the joy and cultural significance of these musical styles with future audiences.
This fall, Lane will attend Berklee College of Music, where he looks forward to studying with renowned faculty, including percussionist Mark Walker, and joining a community of passionate artists dedicated to musical excellence. Through his studies and future career, Lane hopes to honor the traditions that have inspired him while using music to connect, inspire, and enrich communities around the world.
Andrew Kim is a Korean-American jazz trombonist who grew up in Okemos, Michigan. After picking up the trombone at age eleven, he developed a more serious interest in jazz in high school when he studied with Altin Sencalar, Chris Glassman, and Michael Dease, with whom he completed his undergraduate degree in jazz studies at Michigan State University with a 4.0 GPA. His debut album, “Lineage,” featuring Rodney Whitaker, Xavier Davis, and Ulysses Owens Jr., and Sharel Cassity, is releasing on the Origin label on July 24, 2026.
Andrew was one of twelve students chosen for the 2021 Vail Jazz Workshop before going on to become the winner of the 2021 UNT/Conn Selmer International Jazz Trombone Competition (18-and-Under Category), the 2023 American Trombone Workshop National Jazz Solo Competition (Division 1), and the 2025 Yamaha Young Performing Artist Competition. He has also achieved recognition in the International Trombone Association’s Carl Fontana, JJ Johnson, and Melba Liston Jazz Trombone Competitions, as well as for the United States Air Force Band Diversity Fellowship. Andrew has performed with the Ulysses Owens Jr. Big Band at Dizzy’s Club Coca-Cola and with Rodney Whitaker’s Gathering Orchestra; he is also featured on Randy Napoleon’s 2024 release “The Door Is Open,” and Michael Dease’s 2026 release “Spartan Strong.”
Through his studies at MSU, he performed in the Detroit Jazz Festival and toured Japan and across Michigan alongside various notable guest artists. In 2023, he founded and led an AAPI-centric (Asian American and Pacific Islander) jazz ensemble at the school, where he organized workshops and performances for various middle and high school music programs in Michigan. Andrew offered these educational events free of charge by winning $4.6k in funds from local grant competitions. He is continuing his education by pursuing his graduate studies at the Eastman School of Music under Marshall Gilkes and hopes to carry on the jazz tradition of mentorship by passing on the inspiration and knowledge he has gained to the next generation of students.
Born in Japan, Haruta began studying music at the age of 5, and by 13 years old was giving concerts in Sapporo. She went on to win multiple grand prizes at significant summer music programs during her high school years, and with a move to Tokyo in 2020 and quickly began making an impact on the Japanese jazz scene. Her artistic activities expanded to involve significant jazz collaborations, performances, and recordings (her first solo album II was released in 2022). She is currently a music student at Michigan State University’s Jazz Studies program studying with Grammy award-winning trombonist and professor Michael Dease. Haruta was recently selected to the 2024 Sisters in Jazz Collegiate Jazz Combo which performed at the Annual Jazz Educators Conference this past January in New Orleans. Haruta is also the winner of the 2024 Carl Fontana Jazz Trombone Competition.
Samuel Caiola is a jazz pianist who has been involved in many different programs and camps. He has been involved in a Milwaukee Jazz Institute ensemble, his high school band, Beloit Memorial Jazz Orchestra, Birch Creek Jazz Ambassadors, as well as Summer Jazz Workshop. Additionally, Samuel performs with his trio, the Samuel Caiola Trio, and have played at many well known venues.
Recent awards received include Charles Mingus Festival Finalist and Outstanding Soloist, Downbeat Performance award with Milwaukee Jazz Institute, Outstanding Soloist at Rolling Meadows Jazz Festival, Essentially Ellington Outstanding Piano award, and 2026 NYO Jazz Member.
Samuel will be pursuing Jazz Studies and Performance at Northern Illinois University.
Teresa (Naphatraphee) Um, an award-winning jazz composer, arranger, and guitarist, is passionate about traditional large ensemble composing and arranging. While rooted in tradition, her music continually expands her artistic abilities by exploring new sounds beyond the conventional.
Her work has been recognized by some of the most respected institutions in jazz. Her hybrid work for classical string quartet and jazz quartet, Wheel of Chronicles, received the 2026 ASCAP Foundation Herb Alpert Young Jazz Composer Award and the David Baker Prize at the 2025 Ravinia Steans Music Institute Bridges Composition Competition. She is also a recipient of the 2026 ISJAC Fundamental Freedoms Commission from the International Society of Jazz Arrangers & Composers, with the world premiere scheduled for May 2027. Her big band composition Phonophobia won the IAWM Search for New Music — Portland Jazz Composers Ensemble Prize and was recorded by the UNT One O’Clock Lab Band on Lab 2025. At the 49th DownBeat Student Music Awards (2026), Teresa received three College/Graduate awards: winner in Original Composition (Large Ensemble) for Phonophobia and Original Composition (Small Ensemble/Combo) for Wheel of Chronicles, and Outstanding Arrangement Big Band for Airegin. She also received a 2025 DownBeat Student Music Award for Outstanding Arrangement Big Band (College/Graduate) for her arrangement of Aung San Suu Kyi.
Originally recognized as a dedicated jazz guitarist in Thailand, Teresa earned her Bachelor’s degree from Mahidol University on a Merit Scholarship, winning first place in the solo division at the 2023 Thailand International Jazz Conference (TIJC). She went on to pursue her Master of Music in Jazz Composition and Arranging at the University of North Texas, studying under Professor Richard DeRosa and holding the Composition and Arranging Graduate Scholarship, graduating Spring 2026.
Teresa is currently a DMA candidate in Jazz Composition at the Frost School of Music, University of Miami, where she holds a full tuition waiver, Graduate Teaching Assistantship, and the Henry Mancini Institute (HMI) Fellowship.
Griffin Kelleher started playing guitar at age six at the South Shore Conservatory in Hingham, Massachusetts and has not put it down since, although he has also picked up the drum sticks and learned how to play drums over the last few years. He’s a three-time consecutive winner (2022–2024) of the Downbeat Magazine Student Music Award, earning top honors as both a Soloist and as a founding member of the Derby Organ Trio from Derby Academy in Hingham. Griffin is a member of the New England Conservatory (NEC) Youth Jazz Orchestra, selected as guitarist in 2023 performing advanced repertoire alongside the region’s top pre-professional talent.
As a rising senior at Milton Academy, Griffin is part of the jazz program guided by Dr. Jared Sims, Boston Magazine’s 2026 Jazz Artist of the Year, with prior mentorship by Bob Sinicrope, founder of the Milton Academy Jazz program and member of the Downbeat Hall of Fame. Griffin has attended a variety of jazz intensives including, Stanford Jazz Institute, Litchfield Jazz Camp, Berklee Guitar Sessions, and the NEC Jazz Lab.
In his 5th year of study at the NEC Preparatory School, Griffin plays in a variety of ensembles as well as the YJO, facilitated by his study under guitarist and mentor Jamie Stewardson. Griffin is fortunate to have the opportunity to gig in the Boston and Cambridge area at notable venues such as the Square Root, The Beehive, and Mad Monkfish. He also regularly plays concerts as part of community outreach with an ensemble he organized from Milton Academy and NEC students. His jazz guitar heroes include Pat Martino, George Benson, Grant Green and Joe Pass, along with his current role models of Kurt Rosenwinkle, Peter Burnstein and Dan Wilson.
Griffin’s passion for music extends well beyond his own love for music; much of his determination is rooted in giving this wonderful gift of jazz to others. He plans to pursue music in college.
June McMahon began gigging in the Bay Area in her freshman year of high school, and has since established herself on the scene as a combo member, bandleader, pit orchestra, worship, and orchestral player. Playing bass allows June to support and lift up the players around her both musically and personally. She plans to double major in Jazz Studies and Biology at University of Michigan in the fall and continue gigging throughout undergrad and beyond while consistently advocating for greater representation of women in jazz.
Rinat Fishman is a clarinetist, multi-woodwind instrumentalist, composer, arranger, and bandleader based in New York City. She is currently pursuing a Master’s degree at The New School for Jazz and Contemporary Music, where she studies with artists including Reggie Workman, Joel Ross, James Francies, Immanuel Wilkins, and Godwin Louis. She possesses a distinct and warm clarinet tone, as well as a unique approach to playing and improvisation.
Rinat earned a Bachelor of Music in Performance from Berklee College of Music on a full-tuition scholarship. While at Berklee, she studied with Walter Smith III, George Garzone, and Kenny Werner, and participated in the Berklee Institute of Jazz and Gender Justice under the direction of Terri Lyne Carrington.
She has performed with Grammy Award-winning artists including Miguel Zenón and Dee Dee Bridgewater and has shared the stage with musicians such as Joe Lovano, Kris Davis, and Chris Cheek.
Rinat has appeared at venues and festivals including Lincoln Center, Flushing Town Hall, the Berklee Performance Center, and the Regattabar. Recently, she performed at the Bern Jazz Festival in Switzerland as a bandleader and has been selected for the Ravinia Steans Music Institute Jazz Program.
She currently leads the Rinat Fishman Quintet, performing original compositions and arrangements, and is working on her debut album.
