JAZZ EDUCATION NETWORK

SCHOLARSHIPS

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.

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!

APPLICATIONS OPEN JANUARY 1

available scholarships

Dave Brubeck Composer & Pianist Scholarship

NEW! The Dave Brubeck Living Legacy Scholarship 

$1,000

+

Conference Award Package ($3,500 value)

Presented in coordination with the Brubeck Living Legacy (BLL) Foundation
 
The Dave Brubeck Composer and Pianist Scholarship will be awarded to a collegiate-level student in the field of jazz, with a focus on composition and/or piano.
 

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.,
Read Joey's Bio
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Yamaha / Jim Widner Scholarship

NEW! 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.

Read Daniel's Bio
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David Baker Scholarship

David Baker helped make formal jazz education a growing part of the music's history and evolution.

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 eJEN membership.

Read Alyssa's Bio
  • 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
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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 eJEN membership.

Read Alexandra's Bio
  • 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
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Jamey Aebersold Endowed Scholarship

crop2 Jamey Aebersold-Photo by Michael G. Stewart 600x764px

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 eJEN membership.

Read Trista's Bio
  • 2021 – Anabella Johnson, Philadelphia, PA
  • 2020 – Marc Schwartz, University of Northern Colorado
  • 2019 – Chris Glassman, Michigan State University
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Dr. Lou Fischer JEN Co-Founder Scholarship

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 eJEN membership.

Read Nathaniel's Bio
  • 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
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Mary Jo Papich JEN Co-Founder Women in Jazz Scholarship

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.

Read Olivia's Bio
  • 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
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Mary Ann Fischer Scholarship

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 eJEN membership.

Read Spencer's Bio
  • 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
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APPLICATIONS OPEN JANUARY 1

ADVANCING EDUCATION. PROMOTING PERFORMANCE. DEVELOPING AUDIENCES.

JEN is committed to representing and cultivating diversity, equity, inclusion, and access in all areas of its operation including staff, board members, volunteers, presenters, clinicians, performers and audiences. This commitment is present in all programs and decision making.

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joey curreri

Joey Curreri is a jazz trumpeter and composer from Marina del Rey, California. He is currently a senior at the University of Miami Frost School of Music, studying with Brian Lynch and Stephen Guerra. As shared by his instructor,  “His compositions and arrangement show maturity and complexity beyond his experience level. Joey has developed a personal compositional voice and is prolific in his output.”

 

Joey’s instrument is the trumpet. In 2021, Joey won 2nd place at the Carmine Caruso International Jazz Trumpet Solo Competition. Joey has been selected as a semifinalist in the National Trumpet Competition’s jazz division in both his first and second years of college. In high school, Joey was selected as the jazz trumpet finalist in the National YoungArts competition, a member of the the 2017 and 2018 Grammy Camp Jazz Session Big Band, a member of the 2017 and 2018 Thelonious Monk Peer-to-Peer All-Star Sextet (touring Dallas [2017] and San Diego [2018] and performing with Delfeayo Marsalis, Bobby Broom, and Lisa Henry), and toured Japan as a member of the 2018 Next Generation Jazz Orchestra.

 

Joey formed the Joey Curreri Quintet in 2019. It includes Dylan Mcchan on Tenor Sax, Connor Rohrer on piano, Patrick Leavy and Mike Ramos on bass, and Marcello Carelli on drums.

daniel cohen

Daniel Cohen, a student at The Julliard School in New York City, is a 21-year old Israeli tenor saxophonist, composer, educator and woodwind doubler. He started playing the alto saxophone at the Kfar Saba Conservatory at the age of 11. Daniel graduated with honors in 2019 from the prestigious Thelma Yellin School of the Arts and the Tel Aviv Conservatory. In 2020, he won first place at both the Carinthia Jazz International Competition, and the Kfar Saba Wind Instrument Competition. In 2018 Daniel won the Young Jazz Ensemble Competition and performed with his ensemble at the summer and winter Red Sea Jazz festivals. In 2014, at age 13 Daniel won first place for all ages 16-21 at the International Competition for Jazz in Rostov, Russia, headed by Igor Butman. In 2017, he won second place for ages 21-30. Each summer Daniel has been awarded full scholarships for summer workshops around the world with renowned musicians. Last summer, Daniel was chosen to participate in the Jazz Aspen Snowmass Academy for a second time with his ensemble “Ingenuity”.

alyssa allgood

Alyssa Allgood is a Chicago-based jazz vocalist, bandleader, educator, and composer described as “assured and daring” by DownBeat Magazine and a “model of sophisticated song interpretation” by the Chicago Tribune. She brings a modern flair to the jazz tradition with her engaging arrangements, infectious swing feel, and lyrical focus of self-love and human connection.

Allgood has performed at such distinguished venues as the Jazz at Lincoln Center Club in Shanghai, Birdland Jazz Club, the Chicago Jazz Festival, the Green Mill, and the Jazz Showcase. She was named first-place winner of the inaugural Ella Fitzgerald Jazz Vocal Competition, Best Jazz Entertainer in the Chicago Music Awards, and a Semifinalist in the Montreux Jazz Voice Competition, where she performed for a jury presided by jazz legend Al Jarreau.

A passionate student and educator, Allgood is a graduate assistant at DePaul University pursuing a Master’s of Music in Jazz Studies. She teaches private lessons through her own studio and has taught at Elmhurst University, the Chicago Academy for the Arts and Merit School of Music. Additionally, she has served as a clinician at Drake University, the University of Chicago, and the Illinois Music Educators Association District and Virtual All-State Festivals.

alexandra biancoviso

Allie Biancoviso is a trombonist, composer, and educator from Staten Island, New York. Her original compositions and songs have been performed on many occasions. Most recently, Allie’s composition, “Up” for trombone choir was selected to be performed in Penn State’s Empow(h)er concert. Performing at venues such as Carnegie Hall, Rockwood Music Hall, The Jazz Standard, and The Bitter End, Allie can be found playing trombone in a variety of settings.

An advocate for women in music, Allie conducted a research study about ways to make jazz classrooms more inclusive for female students entitled, “Creating Inclusive Environments for Women in Jazz.” She was invited to present her findings at both the New York State School Music Association and Pennsylvania State Music Educators Association Conferences in 2021 and 2022, respectively. Allie is the co-founder of Penn State’s Women in Music Organization which provides personal and professional development opportunities for female-identifying and non-binary individuals pursuing music.

Allie is currently finishing her degree in Music Education and studying trombone with Mark Lusk at the Penn State School of Music where she is also a Schreyer Honors Scholar. She also participated in the WIJO Mentorship Program where she studied with Jennifer Wharton and Kalia Vandever.

trista casanas ford

Trista Ford is a tenor saxophonist and woodwind doubler from Connecticut. She is a sophomore at New York University, studying jazz performance under Timo Vollbrecht. She is also pursuing her master’s in music education at NYU.

Trista has performed with the New York Youth Symphony at Birdland Jazz Club, Dizzy’s at Jazz at Lincoln Center, and will be performing with the band at The Times Center in May. She has been selected for the NYYS Vargas-Vetter Ukena Fellowship for the last two years, through which she is mentored by Alexa Tarantino.

At Playbook, a platform for joyful jazz learning the virtual world, Trista has created her own jazz education talk show and podcast: Playin’ Around With Playbook. She has interviewed several Grammy nominated educators and performers: Todd Stoll, Walter Smith III, Bethany Robinson, Mickey Smith Jr., Matt Wilson, and many more. Trista is responsible for Playbook marketing, building education content, and has attended the JEN festival and NJMEA as a team member.

Trista has amassed a close-knit community online, playing on her love for practice and progress as a rising woman in the jazz scene.

nathaniel wray

Nathaniel Wray’s passion is music, and it’s something he intends to continue with life at the highest level. Music is what keeps him going. Nathaniel’s community has been blessed by the mentorship of Danny Kolke, who started a non-profit organization called Jazz Clubs NW. Without all his support, Nathaniel would be nowhere near where he is today. Nathaniel was honored to enter Mount Si High School’s Jazz Band 1 his freshman year and has been playing with the band ever since. During his freshman year, he was honored to perform at the Paramount for Starbuck’s Hot Java Cool Jazz, as well as at Rose Hall for Essentially Ellington. Both experiences inspired and motivated Nathaniel to keep pursuing music to his highest ability.

olivia hughart

Olivia Hughart is a jazz saxophonist/woodwind doubler, composer, and advocate, and junior at NYU majoring in Saxophone Performance/Jazz Studies. She plays and records with bands in New York City, Philadelphia, and beyond. She gigs regularly with the NYChillHarmonic, Aberdeen the Band, and is a part of the Grace Fox Big Band. She also writes and performs original music with her own quartet. Olivia has been studying saxophone for 12 years and has studied with a long list of master teachers and currently studies with Dave Pietro and Patricia Brennan. She was a feature on the WRTI/NPR Music Live Sessions and was a winner of the 2021 Bruce Montgomery Foundation Springboard Grant. Olivia is a member of the Women in Jazz Organization (WIJO) and is the Program Assistant for Jazz Philadelphia.

As a middle school student, Olivia founded Key of She Jazz, which has grown from a small ensemble into an organization that supports and encourages girls in jazz from middle school through college and beyond. As a high school senior, she organized a first-ever Key of She Jazz Conference (attended by over 200 people) and has since hosted four innovative virtual events for the organization, reaching global networks.

spencer paulsen

Spencer Paulsen is an Iowa-based jazz bassist and current senior at Waukee Northwest High School. Recently, he was recognized as the sole bassist for the 2022 Iowa 4A All-State Jazz Band, comprised of the best students from high schools across the state. Performing with his high school’s Northwest Jazz Orchestra, Spencer has received an Outstanding Performer or Outstanding Soloist recognition at the Tall Corn, Jack Oatts, Hoover, and Simpson Jazz Festivals, and has helped lead the band to a performance at the 2022 Iowa Jazz Championships in its inaugural year.

Outside of school, Spencer has received many other recognitions and performs with a variety of groups. In 2021, he was given the Community Jazz Center’s Bobby Dawson Youth Award. He was chosen as the bassist for the first edition of the Des Moines Youth Symphony Jazz Orchestra, and has been asked to sit in or perform with many Des Moines area artists, as well as the CJC Big Band and locally-renowned NOLA Jazz Band.

Spencer enjoys sharing his love of music through lessons and clinics with younger students in his school district, and plans on pursuing a degree in jazz performance starting in the fall of 2022.