Scholarships

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.

Photo by René Huemer

who can apply

JEN Members

Nominate yourself or a peer for a scholarship or award!

JEN Chapter & Society Members

Applications Open March 15 – September 15

JEN Individual Members

Applications Open April 1 – September 15

 

1

JOIN/RENEW JEN 

2

Student Scholarship Application

 

Photo by Rene Huemer

JOIN JEN Click to Apply
Application Timeline
Eligibility Criteria for Nominees
Submission Criteria
Required Conference Attendance for Recipient
  • Application Forms and Criteria are available online until closed for the various scholarships and awards.
  • Scholarships will be presented during the Annual JEN Conference at the JENeral Session.
  • Submit ONE application for all applicable scholarships.
  • DEADLINE – SEPTEMBER 15 – Application and additional support materials to all programs. 
  • October 25 – Notification to recipients as applicable by October 25.
  • Outstanding high school or university students, ages 14 and UP, who in the opinion of his/her peers and instructors, displays an exceptional talent and potential in jazz performance and/or education or industry
  • Demonstrates potential for growth, artistic accomplishments and leadership skills
  • University students should demonstrate financial need related to college tuition and/or school related expenses
  • High School students should use the scholarship award as tuition to attend either a summer jazz camp or college tuition and/or school related expenses
  • Must participate in a jazz class or ensemble during the school year after the scholarship is granted
  • Must volunteer at the Annual JEN Conference in the year of nomination (students age 18 and UP only)

NOTE: Please have all information needed prepared prior to submitting an application.

  • Self-Nomination and/or recommendation by a current JEN member may be submitted online with required support materials.
  • Narrative describing how the nominee meets the eligibility criteria.
  • The nominee’s address, phone number(s) and email address are required data.
  • Three to five letters of support and a short biography may be uploaded as a unit to JEN at a later date, including one support letter from your Jazz Program/Ensemble.

The Scholarship Recipient must attend the JEN Conference.

  • A complimentary conference pass will be given to the selected recipient as a conference Volunteer, a requirement to receive this award (See Eligibility Criteria above).
  • Travel expense (if any) will be the responsibility of the recipient.

Student Scholarships

Application Deadline September 15th

JEN offers a variety of scholarships for full-time high school and college students.

Submit one application

Only one application is needed to be considered for any of the awards applicable to a candidate’s qualifications.

Scholarships will be presented during the annual JEN conference.

JEN Member Students and JEN Member teachers of students are encouraged to click the appropriate tab to self-nominate or nominate a candidate for a particular scholarship. The committee will consider the student in all areas that are applicable.

scholarships

$3,000 - University Student - The David Baker Scholarship

The David Baker Scholarship

Established 2010 by Jamey Aebersold to honor the contributions of NEA Jazz Master/Educator and LeJENd of Jazz Education, David Baker, this award recognizes a university student who demonstrates talent, spirit, and commitment to the field of jazz studies.

Award

$3,000 scholarship + 1 year eJEN membership + Certificate

JEN Conference registration

JEN Conference Travel/Lodging stipend up to $1500

Application Deadline September 15th

Past Award Recipients

  • 2020 – Solomon Abang, University of Louisiana (Monroe)
  • 2019 – Rashaad Greene, University of Masschusetts (Amherst)
  • 2018 – Kyle Schardt, Indiana University
  • 2017 – Crystal Rebone, University of Illinois School of Music
  • 2016 – Chang Su – University of Northern Colorado, Greeley, CO
  • 2015 – Tyler Lindsay, Loyola University, New Orleans, LA
  • 2014 – Brian Claxton, University of Northern Colorado, Greeley, CO
  • 2013 – Josh Roberts, Indiana University, Bloomington, IN
  • 2012 – Alex Liu Macias & Jamaal Baptiste, Indiana University, Bloomington, IN
  • 2011 – Daniel Lorrain, University of New Orleans, New Orleans, LA
  • 2010 – Justin Young, University of Missouri-St. Louis, MO

$1000 - University Student - The Jamey Aebersold Endowed Scholarship

The Jamey Aebersold Endowed Scholarship

Established in 2019 to honor the contributions of NEA Jazz Master/Educator and LeJENd of Jazz Education, Jamey Aebersold, this award recognizes a university student who demonstrates a passion for jazz education.

Award

$1,000 scholarship + 1 year eJEN membership + Certificate

JEN Conference registration

JEN Conference Travel/Lodging stipend up to $1500

Application Deadline September 15th

Award Recipients

  • 2020 – Marc Schwartz, University of Northern Colorado
  • 2019 – Chris Glassman, Michigan State University

$1,000 - University Student - The Hal Leonard Collegiate Scholarship

The Hal Leonard Collegiate Scholarship

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.

Award

$1,000 scholarship + 1 year eJEN membership + Certificate

JEN Conference registration

JEN Conference Travel/Lodging stipend up to $1500

Application deadline September 15th

$1,000 annual award /1 year eJEN membership/Certificate in support to a deserving university student entering or continuing their collegiate jazz studies.

  • 2020 – 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

$1,000 - University Student Female - The Mary Jo Papich JEN Co-Founder Women in Jazz Scholarship

The Mary Jo Papich JEN Co-Founder Women in Jazz Scholarship

Established and funded in 2010 by 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 student who is positively contributing to the jazz industry.

Award

$1,000 scholarship + 1 year eJEN membership + Certificate

JEN Conference registration

JEN Conference Travel/Lodging stipend up to $1500

Application deadline September 15th

Past Award Recipients

  • 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, UT
  • 2015 – Kristin Sponcia, University of Illinois, Champagne-Urbana, IL
  • 2014 – Alexa Tarantino, Eastman School of Music, NY
  • 2013 – Caitlin Bryant, Grove City College, PA
  • 2012 – Erika Matson, DePauw University, IN
  • 2011 – Megan Tengel, University of New Orleans, LA
  • 2010 – Kim Aubuchon, University of Missouri-St. Louis, MO

$1,000 - High School Student - The Dr. Lou Fischer JEN Co-Founder Scholarship

The Dr. Lou Fischer JEN Co-Founder Scholarship

Established in 2012 by the JEN Board and funded through the JEN Education Fund, this award honors a high school jazz student who is positively contributing to the jazz industry.

Award

$1,000 scholarship + 1 year eJEN membership + Certificate

JEN Conference registration

JEN Conference Travel/Lodging stipend up to $1500

Application deadline September 15th

Past Award Recipients

  • 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
  • 2012 – Jordan Egland Smith, Oldham County High School, Buckner, KY

$1,000 - High School Student Bassist - The Mary Ann Fischer Scholarship Award

The Mary Ann Fischer Scholarship Award

Established in 2016 by Dr. Lou Fischer to honor the contributions of Mary Ann Fischer who has volunteered her spirit, talent, and continuous commitment to JEN since inception.

This award will be presented to a deserving high school student bassist entering their collegiate jazz studies the following year.

Award

$1,000 scholarship + 1 year eJEN membership + Certificate

JEN Conference registration

JEN Conference Travel/Lodging stipend up to $1500

Application deadline September 15th

Past Award Recipients

  • 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

Grants

JAZZ2U Grant

Thanks to a generous donation by the Herb Alpert Foundation, this popular re-grant program helps members pay for the services of performers or clinicians in local events.

Learn more

EFCF/JEN Research Fellowship

The Ella Fitzgerald Charitable Foundation/JEN Research Fellowship is intended to provide opportunities for a serious educator/student/music historian (such as senior researchers, postdoctoral fellows, and graduate students) to conduct a directed research Project associated with the archival collections at the Smithsonian Institution’s National Museum of American History in Washington, D.C.

Application deadline September 15th

Learn More

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