2022 Black Violin Youth
Award Winners Not Pictured
Audie Syzmanski - James Miles Musical Innovation Grant
Caleb Graupera - James Miles Musical Innovation Grant
Faith Meshida - Dreamer Diversity Equity & Inclusion Grant
Gia Bush - James Miles Musical Innovation Grant
Jake Davenport - Dreamer Diversity Equity & Inclusion grant
Julian Recio - James Miles Musical Innovation Grant
Kailie Holliday - James Miles Musical Innovation Grant
Laila Dunagan - New Violin
Sophia Alvini Moore - James Miles Musical Innovation Grant
William Merrit - James Miles Musical Innovation Grant
2021 Black Violin Youth
Ava Cosse
Age: 14
Award Received: Dreamer Diversity Equity & Inclusion Grant
Instrument: Violin
Program Attending: The International Music School, Medea Guldedava Violin Studio
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Nayati Ates
Age: 15
Award Received: James Miles Musical Innovation Grant for Continuing Education
Instrument: Violin, Double Base, Electric Base & Saxophone
Program Attending: Sewanee Summer Music Festival & Berklee's Summer Workshop
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Namiah Miller
Age: 18
Award Received: Dreamer Instrument Access Program
Instrument: Violin
Program Attending: Bob Cole Conservatory of Music at California State University, Long Beach
Enrique Morales Barrades
Age: 13
Award Received: James Miles Musical Innovation Grant for Continuing Education
Instrument: Piano & Clarinet
Program Attending: The Music Academy of North Carolina
Sydney Li-Jenkins
Age: 10
Award Received: Dreamer Instrument Access & Dreamer Diversity Equity & Inclusion Grant
Instrument: Violin
Program Attending: San Francisco Conservatory of Music, Pre College Program
Marie Dillard
Age: 15
Award Received: Diversity Equity & Inclusion Grant
Instrument: Violin & Viola
Program Attending: Private lessons with Frederick Geiersbach
Aidyn Ellis-Otovo
Age: 10
Award Received: Dreamer Instrument Access
Instrument: Violin
Program Attending: Peabody Preparatory & Young Artists Orchestra
Andrew Callaway
Age: 10
Award Received: Dreamer Instrument Access
Instrument: Viola
Program Attending: Vanderbilt Youth Orchestra, Blair + Nashville Symphony
Nathan Callaway
Age: 8
Award Received: Dreamer Instrument Access
Instrument: Violin
Program Attending: Vanderbilt Youth Orchestra, Blair + Nashville Symphony
Shayna Singer
Age: 19
Award Received: James Miles Musical Innovation Grant for Continuing Education
Instrument: Voice & Piano
Program Attending: Florida State University College of Music
Teresa Mejias
Age: 19
Award Received: James Miles Musical Innovation Grant for Continuing Education
Instrument: Viola, Violin & Piano
Program Attending: The Julliard School
Kindall Benjamin
Age: 16
Award Received: Dreamer Diversity Equity & Inclusion Grant
Instrument: Double Bass
Program Attending: Wyoming Fine Arts Center
Sophia Alvini-Moore
Age: 17
Award Received: James Miles Musical Innovation Grant for Continuing Education
Instrument: Cello
Program Attending: Shenandoah Conservatory at Shenandoah University
Award Winners Not Pictured
Zachary Feur
Dreamer Instrument Access - Suzuki Music School
Josiah Osula
James Miles Musical Innovation Grant for Continuing Education -Matt Burke Music Studios
Jair Luke Zamudio
Dreamer Instrument Access Program - Anthony Kitai's Cello Studio
2020 James Miles MIG Award Recipients
Peirce Ellis
Age: 17
Julliard Pre-College
"I'm excited for my journey with the Black Violin foundation. I am happy and fortunate to have a group of people behind me supporting me and pushing me to be a better musician. I wouldn't be able to continue my studies at Juilliard Pre-College without the foundation, and I am grateful to be a new member of this community."
Gabrielle Stanbeck
Age: 20
Green Chamber Music Festival
"Receiving this grant from the Black Violin Foundation is a tremendous honor without this grant I would be unable to fund lessons with high impact professors with whom I am interested in studying for my masters degree program. I am so thankful for this opportunity and this community that comes with Black Violin."
Isabelle Scott
Age: 21
Masterworks Festival
"As a very active student musician, any opportunity to gain experience is a good one. Whether it be summer music programs, lessons, masterclasses, etc., everything can help a young musician grow. Having a scholarship from BVF makes this possible for me. I am so grateful for the people involved who make this possible for me and for countless others. Being a BVF Youth makes me feel like I am a part of something that will continue to help and grow young musicians everywhere."
Blake Collins
Age: 18
Brevard Music Center Summer Institute & Festival
"Receiving this grant means so much to me! Black Violin has been such an inspiration to me and I've been so fortunate to have played alongside them in 3 concerts through our local Urban Strings Orchestra. This grant will allow me to purchase a violin that will help me hone my skills throughout my conservatory experience as a Violin Performance Major."
Braden Ellis
Age: 18
Julliard Pre-College
"I am extremely grateful that the Black Violin Foundation recognized me and believes in my future. As someone whose dream has always been to go into the music industry, the support I've received from Black Violin will springboard me towards that goal, and for that, I am thankful. Thank you so much!"
Nayati Ates
Age: 14
Sewanee Summer Music Festival
“Being chosen as a scholarship recipient validates my identity as a musician. I can’t imaging being anything else. Music is life to me. Wow – to have Black Violin recognize my hard work and believe in me, means everything.”
Emma Stamper
Age: 17
Orlando Choral Society Summer Camp
"I am extremely grateful and honored to receive this scholarship from the BVF inc. Unfortunately, the original camp I applied for was canceled due to COVID-19, but I was also accepted into the Washington National Opera Institute and my spot will be kept for the Summer of 2021. This highly prestigious audition-based institute only accepts 30 students across the country. This grant will significantly help the funding I need to attend this program. I intend to grow and improve my craft as a vocalist and performer in the awe-inspiring world of opera."