Scholarships & Awards

JEN’s scholarship and award 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 the talented and hardworking students and educators who have made an impact on jazz. We also offer a number of additional programs that help fund and support jazz education.

Photo by Tom Schwarz

who can apply

JEN Members

Nominate yourself or a peer for a scholarship or award!

JEN Chapter & Society Members

Applications Open March 1 – September 15

JEN Individual Members

Applications Open April 1 – September 15

 

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JOIN/RENEW JEN 

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Student Scholarship Application

 

Photo by René Huemer

JOIN JEN Scholarship Applications
CLOSED
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 15 – Notification to recipients as applicable by October 15.
  • 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)

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.
  • Up 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

  • 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

2019 – To be awarded at the 2019 JEN Conference in Reno, NV

$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.

  • 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

  • 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

  • 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

  • 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

Awards

JEN LeJENds of Jazz Education Award

Established in 2012 by the JEN Board of Directors, the JEN LeJENds of Jazz Education Award honors true legends in jazz education. This award is bestowed upon a jazz educator who has distinguished themselves by living up to the JEN Mission.

The following criteria are some of the qualities used for the selection of this award. These criteria should have been demonstrated over several decades of work.

  • Demonstration of being an outstanding educator.
  • Promoting Jazz in all formats (performance and audiences).
  • Encouraging and inspiring musicians, teachers and aficionados of all ages.
  • Recognition at a national and/or international level.
  • Demonstration of a true passion for the art.

Past honorees:

2018 – Dr. John Edward Hasse
2017 – Ellis Marsalis
2016 – Phil Mattson
2015 – Herbie Hancock, Bobby Shew
2014 – Paris Rutherford, Ed Soph
2013 – Rufus Reid, Dave Liebman
2012 – Jamey Aebersold, David Baker, Jerry Coker & Dan Haerle

JEN LeJENds of Latin Jazz Award

Established in 2014 by the JEN Board of Directors, the JEN LeJENds of Latin Jazz Award honors true legends of Latin Jazz. This award is bestowed upon a musician who has distinguished themselves by living up to the JEN Mission.

The following criteria are some of the qualities used for the selection of this award. These criteria should have been demonstrated over several decades of work.

  • Demonstration of being an outstanding performer/educator
  • Promoting Jazz in all formats (performance and audiences)
  • Encouraging and inspiring musicians, teachers and aficionados of all ages
  • Recognition at a national and/or international level
  • Demonstration of a true passion for the art
  • Sharing and expanding the art of Latin Jazz in all areas listed above

Past honorees:

2018 – Bobby Sanabria
2017 – Eddie Palmieri
2016 – Paquito D’Rivera
2015 – Poncho Sanchez
2014 – Candido Camero

Meade Legacy Jazz Griot Award

To Recognize and Celebrate those whose Unique Voices make the story of jazz music more complete.

Founded by the African American Jazz Caucus (AAJC), The Donald Meade Legacy Foundation has been founded upon the premise that the “story” is an essential part of Jazz education and that the storyteller or Griot creates a vital link between the music and life stories. Donald Meade’s first voice stories embrace the social, political and cultural realities that shaped and created jazz truths.  He has inspired and encouraged numerous jazz artists, and he was a steadfast advocate for jazz education, particularly for young people.  The AAJC foundation, presented in tandem with JEN, continues his legacy through recognizing other jazz griots with the Meade Legacy Jazz Griot, in addition to creating platforms in which their stories can heard around the world. Learn more…

Past honorees:

2018 – Nobuko “Cobi” Narita
2017 – Willie Pickens
2016 – Larry Reni Thomas
2015 – Congressman John Conyers, Jr.
2014 – Dr. Larry Ridley
2013 – Dr. Willis Kirk
2012 – Donald Meade

President's Service Award

The President’s Service Award is awarded annually by the President in consultation with the President-Elect, Vice President, Immediate Past President, and additional members of the Advisory Council of Past Presidents to an individual that has satisfied the following criteria:

  1. Two years of continuing service to the organization
  2. Given tirelessly of their efforts, resources, expertise, and time
  3. Demonstration of commitment to the organization’s mission
  4. True example of altruism

President’s Service Award Recipients

The John LaPorta Jazz Educator of the Year Award

The Jazz Education Network and Berklee College of Music collaborate to present the John LaPorta Jazz Educator of the Year award.

The award is named after legendary jazz educator John LaPorta who served as a distinguished professor at Berklee for more than three decades prior to his passing in 2004 and played a pivotal role in the earliest stage of formalized jazz education.

The award will recognize an outstanding elementary, middle, or high school educator with a focus on jazz education, who represents the highest standards of teaching and whose results in the classroom have brought distinction to their institution and their students.

Past Recipients

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Award Recipients prior to JEN

Nomination Criteria - John LaPorta Jazz Educator of the Year

Eligibility Criteria for John LaPorta Educator of the Year Nominee

  • A practicing music educator — currently advancing the artistic lives of students in the classroom
  • Minimum of 5 years teaching experience (jazz context; elementary, middle, or high school setting)
  • Demonstration of student-centered engagement
  • Nominee represents the highest standards of jazz teaching, and results in the classroom have brought distinction to nominee’s institution and students

All information and letters of support are required to complete the application. Partially completed applications not accepted.

Deadline October 31, 5:00 p.m. (EST)

The John LaPorta Jazz Educator of the Year

Berklee College of Music is seeking nominations for the 2019 John LaPorta Jazz Educator of the Year.  With this award, Berklee is pleased to collaborate with the Jazz Education Network to recognize an outstanding jazz educator who represents the highest standards of teaching and whose results in the classroom have brought distinction to an institution and to students with the John LaPorta Jazz Educator of the Year Award.

This award is named after a legendary jazz educator who served as a distinguished professor at Berklee College of Music for more than 3 decades. LaPorta was an impressive teacher, colleague, and musician.  He played a pivotal role in the earliest stage of formalized American jazz education—shaping the unique Berklee curriculum and influencing the artistic lives of thousands of students.

Nominations Open thru October 31st

Applications are due by 5pm (EST) Wednesday, October 31, 2018, and the recipient will be notified by Wednesday, November 14, 2018.

Award Presentation

This national recognition is presented to the recipient at the Jazz Education Network conference (January 9-12, 2019) and re-presented at the Berklee High School Jazz Festival in Boston, MA (January 26, 2019).  The recipient must be present to receive this honor.

The recipient of the John LaPorta Jazz Educator of the Year Award receives

  • Berklee $1,500 Cash Prize
  • Berklee $500 Travel Stipend to Attend the JEN Conference (January 9-12, 2019 in Reno, NV)
  • Complementary JEN Conference Registration
  • Complementary JEN Conference Hotel Room
  • Berklee Online Course
  • Berklee High School Jazz Festival Package (Boston, MA)

Deadline October 31, 5:00 p.m. (EST)

Click to Apply

2018 Award Recipients

JEN LeJENds of Jazz Education

Dr. John Hasse

 

JOIN JEN MEMBER LOG IN CLOSED Application

JEN LeJENds of

Latin Jazz

Bobby Sanabria

John LaPorta Jazz Educator

of the Year Award

Diane Downs

Donald Meade Legacy Griot Award (in partnership with the African American Jazz Caucus)

Nobuko “Cobi” Narita

JEN President’s Service Award

Mary Ann Fischer