Scholarships

SCHOLARSHIPS

SCHOLARSHIPS

Musicians Making A Difference Scholarship
2025 Applications TBA

 

About the Scholarship

Pearl is proud to announce the "Musicians Making A Difference" college scholarship initiative that will award $10,000 annually in the amount of two $5,000 scholarships to high school musicians who have demonstrated the ability to change themselves, their community, and those around them. A diverse panel of Pearl staff and artists will select recipients based on the student's contributions to their community, and not their playing or vocal ability. Our objective is to reward and inspire the youth that will shape tomorrow. We look forward to the engagement and interaction with all who share our goals.

 


 

2024-2025 Eligibility

Please note, this Scholarship is intended to reward high school seniors who have made significant impacts to their community. While one's musical or vocal ability is commended, that alone will not be considered for application review.  

- Applicants must have completed high school graduation requirements in the Spring of 2024

- Applicants should be an active member of at least (1) academic or community performing ensemble in the 2023-2024 academic school year, and/or perform as an active soloist

- The scholarship opportunity is limited to United States students, only.

Proof of Enrollment

Proof of college/university enrollment should be for the Fall of 2024. This may be found at your Records or Registrar’s office. Contact your school to see what documentation they have available as document names and forms may vary between institutions.

Graduating high school seniors may send a copy of their university acceptance letter if they will not have enrolled for fall courses prior to the scholarship application deadline.

Application Checklist

☑ (1) Letter of Recommendation from a teacher, band director, or mentor

☑ Proof of GPA

☑ Personal Essay

☑ Submit Application by April 12, 2024

Share with us your personal story. Describe specific ways in which you have positively impacted your community and why you believe you should be chosen for the Pearl "Musicians Making A Difference" scholarship.

If selected, how will this scholarship aid in your post-graduation plans? Please include your career goals, the level of impact you have had on the community, and any challenges faced. Essays should be no more than 600 words.

 


 

Past Scholarship Recipients:

2024

Charles Pitner
Charles Pitner
Texas A&M University

Charles Pitner (Lubbock, TX ) is an accomplished musician who possesses a strong desire to help others and give to the community. Since he was six years old, Charlie has worked hard to help provide coats to those in need through his organization Charlie’s Kids-4-Kids Coat Drive. Since its formation, the organization has donated over 9,000 coats throughout Pitner’s hometown of Lubbock, TX and nearby areas. Pitner will attend Texas A&M University to major in Agribusiness and perform with the University’s concert bands. "I am so honored to be chosen as a recipient of the Pear Musicians Making A Difference Scholarship. This scholarship has blessed my family and I and is allowing me to pursue my education career and further my passion for music!"

Courtney Forman
Courtney Forman
George Mason University

Courtney Forman (Elkton, MD) has a passion for reading and wishes every child could experience the same joy as her when flipping through a book. This inspired Forman to establish Courtney’s Book Drive, an organization which, since 2015, has donated over 14,000 books to the population of Elkton, MD, and nearby areas. Forman will be attending George Mason University and plans to take up a job as a crime scene investigator. She hopes to expand her book drive beyond Elkton and its surrounding cities. “Receiving this scholarship is such an honor and I'm tremendously grateful. The Pearl Scholarship really gave me the support to pursue my college education and it means a lot!”

2023

Wendo Kimori
Wendo Kimori
Washburn University

Driven by a passion for encouraging minority students to think big and engage creativity specifically in leadership roles, Wendo Kimori started an NAACP (National Association for the Advancement of Colored People) Youth Council in her hometown of Lawrence, KA. Providing an organized forum for Lawrence youth to promote civic engagement specifically with race relations, the NAACP Youth Council provides civil rights education to elementary and middle school-age children. In addition to serving as the NAACP Youth Council President, Kimori also serves as President of her school’s Pre-Med Club and Tri-M Music Honor Society. Kimori will be attending Washburn University, studying Communications with an emphasis in Public Relations.

 

“I feel exceptionally honored to be selected as a recipient of the Pearl Musicians Making a Difference Scholarship,” says Kimori. “I am looking forward to continuing my community work as well as playing the violin in college! Thank you to Pearl Drums for celebrating musicians who are giving back to their community!”

Sam Bestge
Sam Bestge
University of North Dakota

Sam Bestge is a dedicated musician and trombonist passionate about serving his community in Lake Park, MN. Sam has spent the last seven years giving back to his community through Sam’s Meals for Many, a service project that benefits food insecurity during the holidays. Sam’s Meals for Many has fed over 1250 people over the last seven years and has raised over $143,000 to combat food insecurity in his community. Bestge will be attending the University of North Dakota, where he plans to study Information Systems.

 

“I am honored and grateful to be a recipient of the Musicians Making a Difference Scholarship,” says Sam. “This scholarship will help me further my playing abilities with the University of North Dakota’s University Band and grow as a musician and a scholar.”

2022

Amy Hwang
Amy Hwang
Harvard University

Driven to share her music with others, Amy Hwang (West Friendship, MD) founded Do Re Mi Project, an international non-profit organization that strives to make music education more accessible to communities by connecting high school students with pupils in elementary and middle schools. Since its founding, Do Re Mi has amassed over 1,000 members; providing 10,000 online music lessons and $4,000 in music scholarships to kids from 37 states and ten countries. Hwang has been accepted to Harvard University and hopes to enroll in the dual degree program where she will major in Business and Music.

 

"I am beyond grateful to be a recipient of the 2022 Musicians Making a Difference Scholarship,” says Amy. “The scholarship will be invaluable in paying for my college and conservatory education and allow me to focus on becoming a better musician and person. Thank you so much to Pearl Drums for supporting musicians who are passionate about giving back to their community!"

Larissa Yee
Larissa Yee
University of California, Berkeley

As a high school junior, Larissa Yee (Sacramento, CA) created Students in Harmony, a student-run organization that performs seasonally for patients in local hospitals. For Larissa, the organization is a way to return the love and generosity her family received when they immigrated to the United States. Larissa will be attending the University of California, Berkeley where she plans to major in Cognitive Science.

 

“I am honored and beyond grateful to be selected as a recipient of the Musicians Making a Difference Scholarship,” says Larissa. “Music has been an important part of my life since I began learning the violin in first grade, and as I begin college at the University of California, Berkeley this Fall, I plan on staying involved in musical ensembles and student organizations.”

2021

Isabel Michaelides
Isabel Michaelides
University of California Irvine

Isabel Michaelides (Valencia, CA) has spent much of the past year volunteering at Oakmont of Valencia Senior Center, where every Sunday she could be found performing an arrangement of 50/60s music for a full room of senior citizens. Oakmont specializes in seniors with Alzheimer’s and Dementia, a personal impact to Isabel as both her grandparents suffer from memory loss. Having been accepted into the University of California Irvine’s Biomedical Engineering program this Fall, Isabel looks forward to participating in further research related to Alzheimer’s and Dementia, while volunteering in the local community and providing support to individuals and their families who are affected by these diseases.

Emmanuel Wade
Emmanuel Wade
Alabama A&M University

Since age 14, Emmanuel Wade (Clarksville, TN) has dedicated many years to the non-profit organization, I Am Invisible Bullying and Suicide. As an active musician, songwriter, and rapper, Emmanuel wrote a song titled, “I’m Invisible,” which is used by the organization and the community to spread encouragement and positivity to at-risk youth. To date, I Am Invisible has reached over 3,500 students ages 8-17 in middle Tennessee. In 2021, Emmanuel was awarded the City of Clarksville Mayor’s Certificate of Recognition, as well as Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Clarksville Alumnae Chapter’s Academic Excellence Award. Emmanuel looks forward to attending Alabama A&M University where he plans to continue his work helping those affected by bullying and suicide.