Scholarships

Our scholarship auditions take place each March for the following school year. For Arts+ music students, Merit Scholarship applications are due to the Director of Music Programs in February. The application will be available starting in December or January and will be updated here as well as emailed to all current lessons families.

The audition is one selection of the student's choice and should not exceed five minutes. An accompanist is provided if needed with a 20-minute rehearsal time allotted for the week leading up to the audition. Students will need to provide an unmarked copy of the sheet music for the judges. Please see your instructor for more details, or reach out to Wes Smith, Director of Music Programs, at wsmith@artsplus.org.

Mary H. (Lib) McNeely Scholarship — Ella Joy Higham, harp, from the studio of Christine Van Arsdale

The Mary H. (Lib) McNeely Scholarship was established by the McNeely family as a celebration of the late Lib McNeely and her love of music. This scholarship is awarded to a deserving music student in voice, piano, or harp based on three criteria: (1) the student’s audition, (2) the student’s demonstrated love of music and understanding of music’s power to transform lives, and (3) the student’s character and willingness to share the gift of music with others. The recipient receives a full scholarship for music study for one calendar year (one-hour lessons including fall, spring, and summer semesters).

David J. Heath Memorial Scholarship — Constantine Rybak, cello, from the studio of Victoria McLaughlin

The David J. Heath Memorial Scholarship was established by Heather Heath Ryan in memory of her father, David, who had a passion for all types of music, from Beethoven to Miles Davis to the Beatles. Heather credits her father for her love of music and vocal successes, for he always supported her musical ambitions and was present for each and every one of her performances. This scholarship is awarded to a student who demonstrates exceptional musical ability and/or potential through the audition process. The recipient will be selected solely on the basis of audition and will receive a full scholarship for music study for one calendar year (one-hour lessons including fall, spring, and summer semesters).

Southminster Scholarship — Adam Refaey, cello, from the studio of Victoria McLaughlin

The Southminster Scholarship is awarded to a student who demonstrates exceptional musical ability and/or potential through the audition process. The recipient will be selected solely on the basis of audition and will receive a full scholarship for music study for one calendar year (one-hour lessons including fall, spring, and summer semesters).

The Willie Hudson Memorial Scholarship — Lucia Delgado Rojas, voice, from the studio of Lechetze Lewis

The Willie Hudson Memorial Scholarship was established in 2020 to celebrate the life and legacy of Willie Hudson and his 25 years teaching music for Arts+. Willie was an integral member of the Arts+ faculty, teaching guitar, bass, keyboard, percussion, and preschool music programs from 1995 to 2020. Willie was passionate about music, loved teaching students of all ages, and had an ability to put a smile on the face of every person who interacted with him. This scholarship is awarded to any deserving music student, with special consideration given to students in the Arts+ Rock ‘n’ Blues program performing commercial music genres. This student will demonstrate exceptional musical ability, potential, and dedication through the audition process and will receive a full scholarship for music study for one calendar year (any lesson length including fall, spring, and summer semesters).

Click here to contribute to the Willie Hudson Memorial Scholarship.

Arts+ Exemplary Musician Scholarship

Saiya Larsen, violin, from the studio of Nora Smilovici
Kris Wilkerson, piano, from the studio of Nancy Tabb
Walter McCann, violin, from the studio of Marissa Keener

The Arts+ Exemplary Musician Scholarships are funded by generous donors, supporters, and stakeholders of the Arts+ initiatives for excellent arts education. We established these scholarships as part of our commitment to high-quality education for Charlotte youth, in celebration of our long legacy of music education since 1969. Based on audition, Arts+ will award a $500 scholarship(s) to a talented student(s) of any age and instrument.

The Charlotte Music Club Outstanding Young Musician Scholarship — Adakish Thakkar, violin, from the studio of Angela Stanciauskas

The Charlotte Music Club Scholarship recognizes exceptional musical ability in a musician Grade 5 or below based solely on audition. The recipient will receive a one-time grant of $750 toward music lessons and will perform with fellow Charlotte Music Club Scholarship winners from across the region in a spring 2022 recital.

Sylvia Newman Memorial Scholarship — Brandon Lauren, piano, from the studio of Dzidra Reimanis

The Sylvia Newman Memorial Scholarship was recently established by her family in honor of her musical talents and generous personality. This scholarship is awarded to a string or piano student who demonstrates exceptional musical ability and/or potential through the audition process. The recipient will be selected solely on the basis of audition and will receive a full scholarship for music study for one calendar year (one-hour lessons including fall, spring, and summer semesters).

Click here to contribute to the Sylvia Newman Memorial Scholarship.

If you would like to provide a scholarship for an outstanding student through either a multi-year annual contribution or a permanent endowment, please contact Associate Executive Director Stephanie Stenglein at sstenglein@artsplus.org or 704.887.0298.