Springboard Grant Winners

2024 Grant Recipients

Cyrano Jett Rosenstrater – Violinist

Philadelphia, PA

Recipient of BMFA’s special Peter Benoliel & Willo Carey 2024 Springboard Grant
Cyrano Jett Rosentrater, age 16, is a Philadelphia based violinist-composer pursuing the creation of authentic musical experiences. Cyrano attends the J.R. Masterman HS and is a Primavera artist, first violinist of the Philadelphia Youth Orchestra, recipient of the SPHINX MPower Grant in 2022, and the Marian Anderson Grant for Young Artists in 2018. Cyrano studies violin with principal violinist Kimberly Fisher, of the Philadelphia Orchestra. He began violin studies at age 4 with Scott Wagner, and piano at 5 with Dr. Ariane Alexander, who also taught him composition. Cyrano currently studies composition with Dr. Thomas Weaver at the Curtis Institute. His first composition teacher was Ms. Nina Wilkinson, with whom he wrote for his elementary school orchestra. He studies voice with Dr. Timothy Renner; Cyrano serves as music director and arranger for the J.R. Masterman “Sweet Sixteen” SSAATTBB a cappella ensemble. He has had violin masterclasses with Hilary Hahn, David Kim, Domenic Salerni, and Curtis Stewart, and composition masterclasses with Jessie Montgomery, Ketty Nez, James M. Stephenson, and Thomas Whitman. Also, Cyrano serves as a substitute for the DePue Brothers Band bluegrass ensemble on their “Christmas Grassical” tours. Cyrano, the 2023-24 MTNA PA State Senior Performance String Division winner, has served as concertmaster for various youth orchestras, including Philadelphia All-City (HS/middle school). He won first prize in the International JW Pepper My Score Student Composition Competition; work will be showcased at the 36th ISME World Conference in Helsinki. Cyrano won the National Young Composers Challenge; composition will be performed in Orlando. Cyrano also secured third place in the MTNA National Senior Composition Competition, won the Tanglewood Brass Fanfare Call for Scores and the ACF call for scores (Philadelphia Chapter). Cyrano enjoys studying poetry, and playing pretend. Last year, he received a Scholastic Silver Key for his poem “So Classical Music is Dead”. Cyrano always wishes to be curious, never stop learning, and to inspire emotion in his audiences.

Isabella Amada – Bassist & Composer

Philadelphia, PA

Isabella Amada is an upright and electric bass doubler located in Philadelphia. Currently a senior Instrumental Performance major at The University of the Arts, Isabella has worked tirelessly in the past four years to hone her craft, studying under many of Philadelphia’s most renowned jazz musicians such as Ron Kerber, Don Glanden, Micah Jones, Steve Beskrone, and Madison Rast. She has played in countless ensembles throughout the city, including the UArts “Z” Big Band, The No Name Pops, and the Olivia Hughart Quartet. She is a recipient of the Jazz Bridge Emerging Artist Award and the Presser Award, honoring her excellence and dedication to music and academics alike. Isabella finds herself most fulfilled in settings where she has the opportunity to lead. She is an experienced bandleader and songwriter/arranger in many different genres including jazz, fusion, rock, pop, and R&B, which she incorporates into her musical projects, gloss and The Carraways. Isabella will continue her studies at UArts for the Masters of Arts in Teaching degree, which will certify her to teach music from grades K-12 in Pennsylvania. She is excited to share her knowledge and connect with her future students!

Julio Martín-Navas – Cellist

Abington, PA

Julio Martín-Navas is currently an 11th grade student at Abington Senior High School in Abington, PA. He started developing his love for music attending Philadelphia Orchestra’s family concerts with his parents. He began to study cello at age 7 with Christine Danoff, at Settlement Music School, and later started piano and music theory lessons, which he continues. During the summer of 2022, Julio joined the studio of Gloria dePasquale, a longtime member of the Philadelphia Orchestra. He has regularly performed in solo recitals and as part of Settlement Music School’s Chamber Music Program. Julio has performed in masterclasses for artists such as Sheku Kanneh-Mason, Raman Ramakrishnan, and will perform in an upcoming masterclass for Amit Peled. Julio has attended many summer festivals including Center Stage String at the University of Michigan, and Sphinx Performance Academy at the Cleveland Institute of Music. While at summer festivals Julio has performed a wide variety of chamber music repertoire ranging from Bach to Ginastera. In addition, Julio has held the principal cello position in both the Philharmonia Orchestra of the Youth Orchestra of Bucks County and the Philadelphia Young Artist Orchestra. Currently, Julio is a member of the Philadelphia Youth Orchestra.

Sophia Nam – Violist

Fort Lee, NJ

Sophia Nam is a 17-year old violist from Fort Lee, NJ. She is currently studying at the Juilliard Pre-College with Ms. Sophie Arbuckle as a viola major and attending Bergen County Academies. She started playing the violin at the age of 4 and later started the viola at 12. She spent her two summers at the Perlman Music Program in Shelter Island, NY (2022, 2023), their 2023 winter residency in Sarasota, FL, and will be returning this summer. As the 2023 Youth Concerto Competition Winner, Sophia has made her viola solo debut with the Delaware County Symphony and has recently performed with the Seattle Symphony at the Benaroya Hall as the 2024 Seattle Symphony Young Artist. She has also recently won 1st prize and the Scott Sullivan prize (best performance of a piece written post-1950) at the Ronald Sachs International Music Competition. Other awards include 2023 Winner of the National Youngarts Competition, 2022 Grand Prize Winner of New York Laureate International Music Competition, and 2021 New Jersey State Winner of the Music Teachers National Association (MTNA). She has taken the stage at venues including the Stern Auditorium/Perelman Stage of Carnegie Hall, Lincoln Center’s Alice Tully Hall, Weill Recital Hall of Carnegie Hall, Sarasota Opera House, and John Philip Sousa US Band Hall. Sophia is also an avid chamber musician. She is currently the violist of the Solare quartet, and her quartet was a 2024 finalist of the Coltman Chamber Competition. She has also recently performed in a viola quintet and sextet with Jeunes Virtuoses de New York in the Ridotto concert series. Previously, she was an original member of the Moa String Quartet, performing at benefit concerts with the Show Me Your Hearts Foundation, and the Iris Piano Quintet through the chamber program of the New York Youth Symphony.

Miro Raj – Violinist

Philadelphia, PA

Eleventh grade violinist Miro Raj has been playing for ten years, beginning at the age of six. Currently, he studies with Mr. Lee Snyder at Settlement Music School, and has also taken lessons with Ms. Andrea Levine. He is a member of the Braverman String Quartet and is Associate Concertmaster of the Philadelphia Youth Orchestra. Miro was awarded first prize in the Main Line Symphony, Philadelphia Young Artists Orchestra, and Philadelphia International Music Festival concerto competitions. Additionally, he has performed as soloist with the Virginia Beach Symphony, Main Line Symphony, and the Philadelphia Young Artists Orchestra. In masterclasses, he has played for award-winning violinists such as Randall Goosby, David Kim, Julliette Kang, Rachel Barton-Pine, and Paul Kantor.

2023 Grant Recipients

Kai Freeman – Violinist

Wilmington, DE

Kai Freeman is a 9th grader at Haddonfield Memorial High School. He is currently a member of the Philadelphia Youth Orchestra and is part of the Braverman String Quartet as a scholarship recipient in the Settlement Music School’s Advanced Study Program. In the 2021-22 season, Kai was the concertmaster of the Philadelphia Young Artists Orchestra and won the ensemble’s Eighth Annual Young Artists Solo Competition with his performance of Mendelssohn’s Violin Concerto. This season, he will appear as soloist with the Ambler Symphony and Warminster Symphony. In November 2022 Kai was the first-place winner in the Junior division of New Jersey Music Teachers Association’s Young Musicians Competition. In previous seasons, he has participated in a number of ensembles including PRYSM and PRYSM Young Artists, the Chamber Players Orchestra at Temple University’s Center for Gifted Young Musicians, the All-South Jersey String Ensemble, and the Settlement Music School Pre-Advanced Study Program’s Trimingham Piano Trio.

This summer, Kai has been invited to join the Verbier Festival Junior Orchestra in Switzerland and will return to the Violin Workshop at Boston University’s Tanglewood Institute. In past summers Kai has attended Carnegie Hall’s NYO2 program, the Violin Workshop at Boston University’s Tanglewood Institute, Heifetz Program for Exceptionally Gifted, the Mann Center’s All City Orchestra Summer Academy, Point Counterpoint, the Philadelphia International Music Festival, and the inaugural Suzuki Conventions of the Americas in Cancun, Mexico. Kai began playing the violin at the age of four under Gerry Rice and currently studies with Amy Oshiro-Morales of The Philadelphia Orchestra. He has also studied with J Freivogel of the Jasper String Quartet and Francesca de Pasquale. Aside from playing the violin, Kai plays trumpet and enjoys reading and watching movies.

Kamani Abu – Dancer

New Castle, DE

Kamani Abu is originally from New Castle, Delaware, first began exploring movement during his first year of high school in 2017 as a member of the dance team at his school. He first began learning the styles of hip hop as well as majorette. After his first year on the team, Kamani found his passion for dance and began his formal training in the fall of 2018 as a scholarship student at Pieces of a Dream, a modern-based studio, under the direction of Ashley SK. Davis in Wilmington, Delaware. He continued his training there throughout his high school career and became the 2020 scholarship recipient for Wilmington Ballet Academy of the Dance in Wilmington, Delaware under the direction of Benjamin Sterling Cannon and Christopher Davis.

After graduating from high school Kamani was accepted into and is currently pursuing his Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) in dance at the Alvin Ailey/Fordham University BFA program in New York City. Kamani also has created original works for Wilmington Ballet, was named “Delaware’s Teen Idol” for the year 2021, and was selected as a participant in the Camille A. Brown and Dancer’s mentorship program this past summer. After graduating from college he hopes to join a dance company where he can continue to strengthen his artistry as well as continue to choreograph works to be shown. After performing, he hopes to become a dance teacher and pass along the knowledge he learns from his experiences onto the next generation of dancers. He aspires to allow his gift and love for dance to guide him, leaving an impact on himself and those around him.

Luke Christopher Baron – Pianist/Composer

Narberth, PA

Luke Christopher Baron, age 17, is a composer and pianist currently attending Juilliard Pre-college for composition. There he studies with Dr. Manuel Sosa and attends the Advanced Seminar for Musical Analysis. He also participates in the NY Youth Symphony Composition program through which he has had works read by the DeCoda and the Grammy-award-winning New York Youth Symphony orchestras and performed by the NYYS Traumerei Clarinet quintet and organist Jae Lee. Luke will be attending the Young Artist Program for Composition at BU Tanglewood Institute in summer 2023.

A winner of the 2022 Sound Symphony Concerto Competition he made his solo debut playing Mozart Concerto No. 13, for which wrote and performed original cadenzas. An avid collaborative pianist, Luke spent the past two summers at Kinhaven Music School where he performed works spanning Quantz to Hindemith and debuted two original chamber

Amelia Moss – Mezzo/Alto

Philadelphia, PA

Amelia Moss is a senior honors student at Cab Calloway School of the Arts in Wilmington Delaware, where she is a vocal and musical theatre major, also studying acting. Her passion for theatre started in 2015, when just for fun she tagged along to one of her older brother’s auditions. Without meaning to, she landed the featured role of Young Cosette in Les Miserables, and she hasn’t stopped performing since. Amelia has performed in over 30 productions, including performances at Longwood Gardens with The Brandywiners, and a holiday performance at Radio City Music Hall. Amelia has been a vocal student of Betsy Connor and Marian Healy for eight years and has studied dance at DelArts Conservatory. She’s won first place awards in both the Greater Philadelphia and the Eastern Region NATS competitions, and was recently named one of CS Music’s All State Singers in their 2023 national competition.

Other national credits include a commercial campaign for Lutron Electronics and an original musical podcast series for children by Donamar Productions. Amelia was a merit scholarship participant in Broadway Dreams Summer Intensives in 2021 and 2022 and was twice awarded the Cab Calloway Fund Scholarship for summer arts training. Amelia frequently lends her talents to her local community, performing in fundraisers for arts and service organizations, and as a mentor and performer for “Art Works for Everyone” (formerly VSA), a non-profit which provides educational experiences in the arts for children and adults with disabilities. Most recently she had the opportunity to teach and direct students at a high-needs elementary school in their first theatrical production.

Amelia plans to earn a BFA in Musical Theater in college and pursue a performing arts career. She intends to use the springboard grant funding for additional training and quality recording equipment for future self-tape auditions.

Irina Rostomashvili – Violinist

Tbilisi, GA

Irina Rostomashvili was born and raised in Tbilisi, Georgia. She was accepted to Tbilisi’s Zakaria Paliashvili Central Music School for Gifted Children in 2006. As a student, she participated in multiple music festivals and competitions including the 2015 Future Stars festival, where she was awarded the Diploma for Best Performance, and the 2017 National Music Competition of Georgia, where she won the First Prize. Irina has performed multiple times with the Tbilisi Opera and Ballet Theatre Orchestra, Georgian Philharmonic Orchestra, and Tbilisi Symphony Orchestra as a soloist. In addition, she participated in the Telavi International Music Festival as an orchestra member in the 2017-2018 season. In 2018, Irina was accepted into the Tbilisi State Conservatoire for Bachelor Music Performance, and by early 2019 was the Associate Concertmaster in the Tbilisi Youth Orchestra. She was selected as a concertmaster of the Tbilisi state conservatory’s student orchestra during her freshman year. In 2019, Irina participated in the International Summer Academy in Castelnuovo Di Garfagnana, Italy, where she won 1st Prize in the International String Competition, Senior division. Additionally, she was accepted to the Artist Diploma Program in Dr. Schmieder’s studio at the Boyer College of Music and Dance at Temple University. In 2021, Irina was selected by the Temple instrumental department to be the recipient of The Helen Kwalwasser Prize and Garrigues foundation scholarship. Also, she was the winner of the Temple University Concerto Competition in 2021 and performed Shostakovich Violin Concerto No.1 with Temple University Orchestra. During the summer of 2021, she was invited to perform solo and chamber concerts in San Diego and Los Angeles at the iPalpiti festival. In 2022, Irina made her solo debut with Ambler Symphony Orchestra and Old York Symphony Orchestra. She participated in the Curtis Institute internship and worked in the Curtis Symphony Orchestra. Irina is a violinist in the Vox Amadeus Orchestra, Philadelphia String Quartet, and violin instructor at the Nelly Berman School of Music.

2022 Grant Recipients

Gabriella Salvador-Riera – Violinist

Wilmington, DE

Gabriela is a 10th grader at Cab Calloway School of the Arts in Wilmington where she performs as a soprano in the vocal program, concertmaster of the select High School Chamber Orchestra, and a member of the Con Fuego steel drum ensemble. She began playing violin at age six in Valencia, Spain, and has been studying with Julianne Murphy Ruiz at the Music School of Delaware since 2015, where she plays in the Honors and Certificate Programs. Gabriela is an alumna of the Sphinx Performance Academy at the Curtis Institute, of the Cleveland Institute of Music, and of the Heifetz Program for the Exceptionally Gifted. In 2021, Gabriela was selected as one of ten participants of the inaugural national cohort of Fortissima, a virtual six-month artistic and leadership development program culminating at the Colburn School in Los Angeles. She was mentored by Karla Donehew-Perez of the Catalyst Quartet. Gabriela is a 1st violinist in the Philadelphia Youth Orchestra (PYO) and a PMAY artist. Recently she won the NSO Betsy L. Kent Youth Concerto Competition, and the 2022 Delaware Concerto Competition for Young Musicians. She played as a soloist with both the Newark Symphony Orchestra and Wilmington Community Orchestra in May 2022. This coming summer, Gabriela will be attending the Heifetz Institute for a 6-week intensive, where she will study solo performance and chamber music with Desirée Ruhstrat and Francesca dePascuale. Gabriela volunteers with MELODY (Music Enriches Lives of Delaware Youth), an after-school music program for 5-7-year-old children from the city of Wilmington. She also enjoys reading and participating in musical theater productions. Accepting for Gabriella was her mother, MariaJosé. Gabriela’s grant will help to subsidize her Heifetz Institute intensive this summer.

Kimberly Alexandra Adam – Soprano

Chesterbrook, PA

Kimmi is a 17-year-old soprano born in the Philippines. She attends Villa Maria Academy High School in Malvern, PA and is also a Voice student at The Juilliard School in their Precollege program, where she is being mentored by Ms. Lorraine Nubar. Kimmi has always dreamed of becoming an opera singer and an actress on Broadway. She has been training classically since she was twelve. She is the youngest member of OperaJuan and the Philippine Opera Company’s Young Artists Series. She won first place and Most Promising Sophomore in the 2022 Schmidt Vocal Competition held on March 12, 2022, at Temple University in Philadelphia. She was awarded the George London Foundation grant for Juilliard Precollege students in 2021 and 2019. She won first place in the Elite International Music Competition for voice last December 2021 with a rating of 30/30; she performed in the Winner’s recital concert to be held in Menkin Recital Hall at the Kauffman Center in New York in April 2022. She performed at Carnegie Hall on February 14, 2022, in the winner’s recital of the 2021 Crescendo International Music Competition, where she won first place. She was the first prize winner of the Warminster Symphony Orchestra Young Artists Competition, Youth Division, and performed with the Warminster Symphony Orchestra during their Holiday Traditions Concert. She won Grand Prix in the Music Fest Rising Talents Competition in 2021. She was also the winner of the 2021 Tri-County Youth Festival for Voice, Senior Division. She hopes to pursue further studies in Music either in New York or Philadelphia, hopefully fulfilling her aspirations of becoming a great opera singer. She would like to follow in the footsteps of her idols Maria Callas, Victoria de los Angeles, Montserrat Caballe, Anna Moffo, and others. She will use her Springboard Grant to produce a Professional Audition Video that can help her to reach the next step toward achieving her artistic goals.

Alonzo “Lonnie” Davis – Composer/Instrumentalist

Narberth, PA

Lonnie is a composer and multi-instrumentalist originally from Narberth, PA. His primary focuus is percussion, which he studies at Temple University with Angela Zator Nelson (Associate Principal Percussion, Philadelphia Orchestra) and Rolando Morales-Matos (Percussionist and Assistant Conductor for The Lion King on Broadway). Beyond percussion, Lonnie plays piano, guitar, and bass, among others, all of which assist him in his composition work. His composition style spans from singer/songwriter acoustic to jazz fusion and contemporary classical.

At Temple University, Lonnie is the principal percussionist for the Temple University Wind Symphony, the top wind band at the university. He also frequently performs with the Temple University Percussion Ensemble and was featured on their last album “No Strings Attached.” This project is a collaboration with the Philadelphia Percussion + Piano Project and accomplished American composer Marc Mellits. The Temple University Percussion Ensemble has also performed Lonnie’s works for percussion.

Also notable is Lonnie’s work in media composition. He has composed music for several prominent YouTube Channels. Examples include Gatekeeper Media (102k subscribers), Simon Lizotte (150k subscribers), and the Disc Golf Pro Tour (102k subscribers). His work for the Disc Golf Pro Tour will also be featured on ESPN2 in summer 2022. Apart from media composition, Lonnie enjoys writing and producing pop, rock, jazz, and classical music. Lonnie’s new rock album “Making Rainbows” is now available for streaming and purchase. You can find his music on all streaming platforms under his name, Lonnie Davis.

Gabrielle Greene – Actress/Singer/Poet

Oreland, PA

Gabrielle Greene is a Philadelphia Native and a junior at Springfield Township High School. At the age of seventeen, Gabrielle is a published poet, songstress, songwriter, and actress. Gabrielle has two poems published by The American Library of Poetry, entitled “Beautiful Browns” in the 2014 Book of Accolades and “Where I am From” in the 2016 Book of Accolades.

Nurturing and developing her passion for music, she began singing in her local church choir. At the age of 13, she auditioned for Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Broadway musical “School of Rock” where she played the roles of Shonelle and Tomika from 2017-2018. During this time, Gabrielle performed the National Anthem at Madison Square Garden twice, and participated in many Broadway advocacy events for those in need. Gabrielle then returned to her Philadelphia roots, performing the National Anthem at several Philadelphia 76ers games, and again at the New York Knicks Game at Madison Square Garden for the third time.

Aside from the arts, Gabrielle is incredibly active in politics and activism within her local community. She is a founding member of the local NAACP Youth Leadership Committee, through which she created a video on Racial Disparities with over 500 views played at multiple advocacy associations and local executive meetings. She currently strives to strengthen community-police relations and has been leading conversations with her local Chief of Police. Gabrielle is an honors student and hopes to continue her academic career in college, double majoring in Political Science/Government and Performing Arts. Gabrielle strives to use her voice for change and to help others.

2020 Grant Recipients

Myles Bell – Violinist

West Chester, PA

Myles Bell is a violinist and rising sophomore at Duke University. Originally from Chicago, IL, he began his studies at the Merit School of Music in the West Loop with Brian Beach. At age 11, he was accepted into Merit’s Tuition Free Conservatory, where he participated in orchestra, chamber music, as well as music theory courses. At 14, Myles moved to the Philadelphia area, where he immediately involved himself with music. He served as a first violinist in Temple University’s Youth Chamber Orchestra from 2019 – 2021, as well as Assistant Concertmaster of the Philadelphia Youth Orchestra in 2021. Currently, Myles is a member of the Duke Symphony Orchestra and the Duke University Chamber Music Program. When he isn’t playing the violin, Myles enjoys writing and watching 80s movies.

Avery Scarlett Hirsch – Composer/Keyboard/Vocalist

Ambler, PA

Avery, a graduate of Wissahickon High School in Montgomery County, PA, Hirsch is a Freshman in the Honors College at the University of Delaware, while maintaining a busy schedule as a singer/songwriter, marketing herself to an ever-growing fan base at several local restaurants and theaters.

During the pandemic, she entertained at several outdoor charity events to raise money to help sustain many of these venues. She used her BMFA Springboard Grant to produce an CD of original songs, entitled Writing Novels. Over the 2021 holidays, Avery performed live from Byers’ Choice Ltd. on FOX-29’s Good Day Philadelphia Christmas show. She is excited to announce the released of her first EP of her own original songs, which she has been working on since her freshman year in high school. She hopes you will love it as much as she enjoyed producing it. Happy listening!

J.P. Redmond – Classical Composer/Pianist

NYC

Composer and keyboard player John Peter (“J.P.”) Redmond was born in California in 1999 and grew up in Yonkers, New York. He is currently pursuing a Master of Music degree at The Juilliard School, where he graduated in 2021, studying with Matthias Pintscher and formerly with Christopher Rouse. Currently, J.P.’s musical pursuits include composing and producing for contemporary, film, and multimedia works, collaborating with other artists as an arranger, and performing on keyboard in a variety of genres.

J.P. has been recognized with a number of honors, including a Davidson Fellowship, Bruce Montgomery Foundation Springboard Grant, four ASCAP Foundation Morton Gould Young Composer Awards, and a BMI Student Composer Award, and he was a National YoungArts Foundation Finalist. Summer festivals J.P. has participated in include Chamber Music Northwest, National Youth Orchestra of the USA, Chelsea Music Festival, Boston University Tanglewood Institute, Curtis Institute of Music’s Young Artist Summer Program, and NYU/ASCAP Foundation Film Scoring Workshop.

Recent projects include an orchestra piece for the Juilliard Orchestra, which was premiered in February 2020 with Maestro Jeffrey Milarsky, a choral work for The New York Virtuoso Singers and conductor Harold Rosenbaum, an opera scene with playwright Matthew Capodicasa for Juilliard’s OperaComp program, a wind nonet for Imani Winds and the Kenari Saxophone Quartet commissioned by and premiered at Chamber Music Northwest, and several chamber and solo works for friends and colleagues.

Olivia Hughart – Saxophonist

Merion, PA

Some of our long-time supporters may recognize this 2020 winner. Olivia Hughart was the spokesman for the Settlement Music School when they won a Springboard Grant for a pilot program called “Trading Fours” in 2015. This was an opportunity for a young ensemble of jazz musicians to travel to New York city for an interactive jazz workshop at Lincoln Center. Olivia was the saxophonist in the group and attended Lower Merion High School at the time. She continues playing and is now a junior at NYU, majoring in saxophone performance. She is the Founder and Artistic Director of Key of She Jazz, which unites and educates female jazz musicians, and has been receiving a lot of attention in the press. We are thrilled to witness Olivia’s growth as a musician and a leader. Her 2020 grant helped her to fund her first virtual Key of She Jazz Conference during the pandemic, and she has done subsequent virtual conferences since, attracting several hundred female jazz musicians from around the world. Olivia made her headlining debut at South Restaurant & Jazz Club in Philadelphia, and recently played saxophone with Grace Fox Big Band at Birdland in New York City. She will also be playing at the Rochester Jazz Festival this summer with the NYChill Harmonic.

2019 Grant Recipients

Juliana Castillo – Violist

Wilmington, DE

This sixteen-year-old home-schooled violist from Wilmington, Delaware began as a violinist, and has only been playing the viola for two years. As a violist she is a member of the Philadelphia Youth Orchestra, a Music School of Delaware merit scholar, and violist in the Gail W. Snitzer String Quartet (part of the Settlement School of Music’s Advanced Study Program). She has recently been accepted into The Juilliard School Pre-College Division. Recently, she was selected by Toby and Itzhak Perlman to participate in the 2020 Perlman Music Program and was featured in an impressive Zoom Gala which raised funds for maintaining the Shelter Island camp where this program typically takes place. Juliana’s BMFA grant helped to pay for individual lessons with a professor, instruction in music theory and ear training, and participating in a string quartet as part of the Juilliard Pre-College Orchestra.

Owen Graham – Cellist

Hopewell, NJ

This talented eighteen-year-old cellist from Hopewell, New Jersey is a Junior at the Solebury School in New Hope, PA. He is working hard to practice the audition repertoire for his upcoming conservatory auditions, while also working 10-20 hours a week as a barista to help pay for his music lessons. Owen plays a high-quality cello for the high school level, but he has been advised that his instrument needs work to bring it up to conservatory level. The master Luthier who made his cello has offered to work with Owen as a senior year project to make some important upgrades to his cello. He will use his Springboard Grant to accomplish this work, to purchase a finer bow, and to purchase a sturdy, lightweight case for his cello.

Owen recently reported that he had purchased “the perfect bow” for his cello with his grant and leaves for England to attend the Royal Academy of Music.

Friends of G. W. Carver High School of Engineering & Science (HSES)

Ted Domers, Principal ~ Philadelphia, PA

This 501 (c) (3) organization was initiated in 2014 by a diverse group of stakeholders to unify support for this nationally recognized “Blue Ribbon” school in North Philadelphia. The organization creates opportunities for college and career readiness for students that are underrepresented in engineering and medical fields. The total minority enrollment is 95%, and 100% of students are economically disadvantaged. In recognition of the importance of the arts in a well-rounded education, Friends of G.W. Carver has helped the school to inaugurate a dance group and a choir, among many other projects. The school’s 2019 Springboard Grant enables them to purchase drums for a newly established 20-member Carver Drumline.

Yende Mangum – Composer; Classical & Jazz Pianist

Philadelphia, PA

A senior at the Julia R. Masterman School in Philadelphia, Yende has been composing music since he was a small child, but he has developed a serious passion for this process over the past four years. He has written scores to perform himself and with other musicians locally, and some of his work has been performed in concert by professional musicians. He is part of the Kimmel Center’s jazz program. Yende is currently experiencing the process of auditioning at colleges to continue studying music, scheduling as many paid “gigs” as he can to manage the high costs associated with the application process. Yende’s current outdated keyboard and very basic, free MuseScore notation software program have made advancing as a composer difficult at best. He will use his Springboard Grant to purchase two important tools for achieving his artistic dreams: a quality, 88-key electronic piano/MIDI/controller, and Sibelius Ultimate notation software. With these new tools, he feels he can finally achieve his dream of composing a cross-genre musical suite of pieces, which he intends to complete by September 2020, before attending Princeton University, as a freshman.

2018 Grant Recipients

The Ellis Brothers

Broomall, PA

Braden Ellis, Double & Electric Bassist
Braden is a 17-year-old double bassist and member of the Youth Chamber Orchestra at Temple University’s Center for Gifted Young Musicians and principal bassist in the University of Pennsylvania’s Symphony Orchestra. He also plays upright and electric bass in the Kimmel Center’s Creative Music Program for Jazz. He is a two-time attendee of Carnegie Hall’s National Youth Orchestra-2 (NYO2) program, and has attended summer programs at Interlochen, BUTI, Brevard, Luzerne Music Center, and Curtis Summerfest. He performed with his quintet and with the house band at the Marian Anderson gala honoring Dionne Warwick. He is a 12th-grade homeschooled student dually enrolled at Drexel University and his local community college. He enjoys science and has been a teacher’s assistant for Science Explorers, interned with local game developers, and participated in WHYY’s Documentary Production program. He has been featured in ads for Adventure Aquarium, Smith Memorial Playground, and the Please Touch Museum. He is a proud PMAY member and Primavera Foundation Artist.

Peirce Ellis, Violist
This 16-year-old home-schooled violist has performed at the White House, in Chicago, New York, and California. Peirce has played the Youth Chamber Orchestra in Temple University’s Center for Gifted Young Musicians and performs nationally with the Perfect Fourth Quartet through the Sphinx Organization. He has attended summer programs at NYO2 (where he performed at Carnegie Hall), Boston University Tanglewood Institute (BUTI), Luzerne Music Center, the Sphinx Performance Academy, and Meadowmount. During the summer of 2016, Peirce was selected to represent the United States at a two-week leadership at the International School of Karuizawa in Japan with middle and high school students from 30 different countries. He is a student of Kerri Ryan, assistant principal violist of the Philadelphia Orchestra. He is a Primavera Foundation Artist and has also participated in the Kimmel Music Center’s Showstoppers musical theater program. An eleventh-grade student, Peirce is dually enrolled in courses at Drexel University and his local community college.

Spring 2020, proved to be an exciting one for Braden. He received offers from many colleges and universities, including 5 offers from Ivy League schools. Ultimately, he decided to attend Harvard University and will continue his pursuit of excellence in the performing arts, playing his double bass. Braden also recently was a featured guest artist on NPR’s “From The Top!” show.

Alyssa Garcia – Composer, Singer

Norristown, PA

Alyssa is a Philadelphia based, award-winning singer-songwriter and pianist with an alternative pop sound. Living by the mantra “Music is the cure”, she strives to use her original music as an outlet of positivity. With inspirations such as Regina Spektor and Sara Bareilles, Garcia pens soulful tunes telling personal stories her audience can often relate to. Garcia has released several EPs and one full length album entitled, “three little words”. Currently, two tracks on her album (“Loved Actually” and “Better Life”) are featured in the film “Getting Grace” directed by Daniel Roebuck. Additionally, Garcia won the Philadelphia Songwriters Project’s Annual contest in 2015 with her song “Better Life”. Her song “Sincerely, Me,” also featured on her newest album, won the 2018 “93.7FM Hometown Heroes: Homey Award” for best Pop song. Garcia continues to perform at various venues and has opened for notable artists such as GRAMMY Nominee Crash Test Dummies, American Idol Finalist Bucky Covington, and the eighth season winner of “the Voice”, Sawyer Fredericks. She has also opened for nationally recognized Philadelphia artists Jim Boggia and Ben Arnold, and for YouTube/Spotify-recognized Nashville artists Rusty Clanton and Riley Moore. Alyssa is a sophomore at Drexel University majoring in music and the recording arts.

Alyssa continues to draw the attention of many famed artists. In the fall of 2019, legendary drummer Palmer (of Emerson, Lake & Palmer fame) sponsored Alyssa to participate in his 3-day Prog Rock Camp for aspiring artists. This spring, she has performed as a featured artist/songwriter on many programs, but most notably on the Recording Academy / GRAMMYs, GRAMMY U, live-stream Masterclass with the legendary Linda Perry!

Eva Rae Martinez – Soprano

Doylestown, PA

Eva is a classical soprano from Central Bucks High School West, now in her freshman year at the Manhattan School of Music, where she majors in opera vocal performance and also sings in the school’s Chamber Choir. She has been studying voice for nine years and her passion for music has grown into a determination to pursue a career in opera. She has shared her love of music with others, whether it be through choral singing, through vocal competitions, or playing flute in her school’s jazz band. She has been a member of the Boheme Opera Company of New Jersey, the Bucks County Gilbert and Sullivan Society, and the choir at St. Paul’s Church in Doylestown. She has also participated in numerous PMEA festivals for both voice and flute. Eva used her Springboard Grant to allay expenses associated with the very costly, but required, college music application process.

Eva has completed her freshman at Manhattan School of Music majoring in vocal performance.

Samuel Nebyu

Soprano ~ Doylestown, PA

Samuel Nebyu has won numerous international and national competitions, including the Grand Prize Winner of the 2015 National American String Teachers Association (ASTA) Solo Competition. He was the select winner of the 2014 Beverly Hills National Auditions, the 2013 “Remember Enescu” International Violin Competition in Romania, and the 2008 Flame International Violin Competition in France. In 2016, he received the prestigious Clifton Emerging Artist Award, gave a recital at the Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts in Philadelphia, and became a prize winner of the Mozarteum Salzburg Festpiel competition – the only one of 291 violinists to be selected as one of the eight prize winners. He was further honored to conclude the winners concert at the Mozarteum Grosse Saal. Born in Hungary of Ethiopian-Jewish descent, Samuel spent most of his early childhood in Asia. He began playing violin at the age of six and at age fifteen was admitted to the Young Talents Program at the Brussels Royal Conservatory. Celebrated musicians such as world-renowned violinist Igor Oistrakh, instructed Samuel during his time at the conservatory. Samuel was violinist-in-residence for several years at the prestigious Queen Elisabeth Music Chapel in Belgium. Currently, he is pursuing his Doctor of Music & Arts degree at Boyer College of Music and Dance at Temple University under the tutelage of Dr. Eduard Schmieder. Samuel has performed at important international music festivals and venues such as the Centre of Performing Arts in Brussels (BOZAR), Peles Castle in Romania, the Wiener Saal in Salzburg, Alice Tully Hall in New York, the Wallis Annenberg Center in Beverly Hills, and the Walt Disney Concert Hall in Los Angeles. He has also been a soloist with the Brussels Philharmonic and the iPalpiti orchestra. His CD “Music by Composers of African Descent,” released on BCM+D label in 2017, was selected for Grammy nomination, and named Best Album of the Year by numerous classic radio stations across the nation, including KUSC-FM.

In Spring, 2019, Samuel was a featured soloist at Kimmel Center Verizon Hall in Philadelphia, performing Concerto for Violin with Choir and Orchestra by Jennifer Higdon and a recital with Professor Lambert Orkis, long-time piano partner of violinist Anne-Sophie Mutter. Samuel toured with Anne-Sophie Mutter’s Virtuosi with the exclusive soloist ensemble of the Anne-Sophie Mutter Foundation, performing throughout South America, and is currently engaged in the doctoral program at Temple University’s Boyer College of Music.

2017 Grant Recipients

Aryssa Leigh Burrs

Glenside, PA

Vocalist Aryssa Leigh Burrs, Mezzo-Soprano, used her Springboard Grant to fund the auditioning process for conservatory acceptance. She is hailed for her “rich sound and thoughtful musical ideas” while “transcending vocal styles and genres with flexibility and ease.” Aryssa spent the Summer ’21 season as an Apprentice Artist with Central City Opera where she performed a solo Al Fresco Concert, Sorceress (cover), Dido and Aeneas, and featured ensemble in Carousel. She will return this year as a Resident Artist with Opera Columbus-Capital University, where she performed as Zerlina in Don Giovanni. Other recent engagements include Elvis Costello’s The Juliette Letters (UrbanArias), Mame Dennis in Mame (The Seagle Festival). Aryssa obtained a Masters of Music in Voice and Opera Performance from Northwestern University where she was seen as Orlofski (Die Fledermaus), Captain (Dog Days), Baba the Turk (The Rake’s Progress), as well as a soloist with various choral orchestral ensembles (Am I born, David T. Little; Terra Nostra, Stacy Garrop; The Branch Will Not Break, Christopher Cerrone). Aryssa was a 2022 American Traditions Competition Quarterfinalist and is a choral artist at the National Shrine, with The Thirteen, and with the Crossing. Being committed to music for social justice Aryssa’s most cherished performances include her performing a set of operatic favorites for the incomparable Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg. She is the founder of ALB produces and holds both a B.Music in Voice performance and a B. Music Education in Choral/General Music from the University of Maryland, College Park.

William Mason Fredendall

Doylestown, PA

Will Fredendall is a junior at Central Bucks High School West and has studied the flute for five years. He would like to thank the Bruce Montgomery Foundation for the Arts for this generous offer. He is currently playing in the Philadelphia Youth Orchestra, in addition to his school jazz band. In the past, he has been a member of the PEMA Orchestra and Band and has joined of a non-profit local jazz band, Jazz for Nuthin’. In the summer of 2017, he was part of the Eastman Summer Jazz Studies program. He was also the recipient of the Doylestown Symphonic Winds Scholarship. He wants to thank his family for being here and his great teachers for helping him find his way to the Bruce Montgomery Foundation.

Among Will’s many Junior year accomplishments were his starring role as Rolf in the Central Bucks High School production of “The Sound of Music,” and his stellar performance as first-chair flute and soloist in the Philadelphia Youth Orchestra’s performance of Leonard Bernstein’s “Westside Story Suite” in Verizon Hall at the Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts. William has completed his freshman year at The New England Conservatory of Music and will be returning as a sophomore. Unlike most music conservatories, NEC encourages it’s students to work with two new instrumental instructors each semester. Will is enjoying jazz improvisation of Baroque music.

Emma Murphy

Gloucester City, NJ

Emma Murphy is a Senior at Gloucester Catholic High School and has been a dedicated member of the Philadelphia Girls’ Choir for three years. Within the organization, she has participated in their annual Opera Camp, and regularly takes voice lessons in their vocal conservatory. Ms. Murphy was a participant in the Opera Children’s Chorus with the Crested Butte Music Festival’s Opera in Paradise, as well as a participant in the 2017 OAKE (Organization of American Kodály Educators) National Choir in Philadelphia. Emma is seeking a Bachelor of Music degree in Vocal Performance and will be using her BMFA Springboard Grant to help her in the audition process. Emma would like to thank her teachers, mentors, and her family for all of the time, advice, and support that they have given her.

Emma’s grant enabled her to complete the rigorous audition process for entrance to the finest music schools. She was accepted at all six of the schools to which she applied. She will begin her studies at the University of Indiana in Bloomington as an opera vocal performance major in the fall. When her teacher moved to Oberlin College, Emma moved there too, where she is currently entering her junior year. She has shifted her area of vocal concentration to Mozart and other light lyric soprano repertoire.

Franklin Learning Center Highschool

Michelle Frank, Director ~ Philadelphia, PA

Michelle Frank has been teaching music to students in Philadelphia for nine years. A classical singer and former arts administrator, Mrs. Frank has performed with Opera Philadelphia, Center City Opera Theater, Garden State Opera, Florida State Opera, Curtis Opera Theater, and ConcertOpera Philadelphia. Mrs. Frank has also been featured as a “Voice of the Pops” with Philly Pops. Over the past two years, Mrs. Frank has brought musical theater to the Franklin Learning Center High School’s music department. The class is offered to students as a special program, in which they focus on acting, music, dance, and theater tech in a pre-conservatory setting. This class prepares teens for entrance to a college theater or musical heater program. Over the past two years, 50% of graduates received scholarships to study Musical Theater, or Theater, at universities such as Temple University and DeSales University. (Dylan Stewart, student; Michelle Frank (Director); Stephan Stoeckl, BMFA Board).

The school’s 2018 spring production of “Pippin” under Mrs. Frank’s brilliant direction was nothing short of magnificent. 107 students demonstrated that young people from all economic backgrounds will accomplish great things when they are challenged to do their best. BMFA’s Springboard Grant provided financial support for costumes and clever sets that enhanced the performances of a very talented group of highly motivated students and enriched the lives of their wildly enthusiastic audiences.

2017 Honorable Mention

Full Life Music Association

Richard Ling ~ University of Pennsylvania

The Full Life Music Association (FLMA), founded by Richard Ling (a sophomore at the University of Pennsylvania), is a brand-new nonprofit that strives to connect musicians with unique performance opportunities for children and the elderly. The FLMA gives musicians an outlet to impact their community, practice their performance skills, and touch the lives of children and the elderly. Musicians for the FLMA are volunteers who come from all over Philadelphia, including the University of Pennsylvania, St. Joseph’s University, the Curtis Institute of Music, and Swarthmore University. These musicians perform at select locations around Philadelphia, including the Penn Children’s Center, the Penn Rehab & Care Center, the Philadelphia Nursing Home, and the Ronald McDonald House. FLMA is dedicated to expanding musical altruism one performance at a time. The FLMA is always open to accepting new musicians or venues, so please contact Richard (richling@sas.upenn.edu or (951) 567-6665).

2016 Grant Recipients

Isaiah John Kim – Cellist

Wallingford, PA

Isaiah is a 16-year-old cellist from Wallingford, PA. He debuted with the Philadelphia Orchestra at the age of 11 as a winner of the Children’s Division of the Albert M. Greenfield Student competition. Isaiah has won numerous concerto competitions during his young musical career and has performed as a soloist with the Warminster Symphony, the Bucks County Symphony, the Old York Road Symphony, and the Ambler and Lansdowne Symphony orchestras. Isaiah was the first-place winner in the junior strings division of the Tri-County Youth Festival. In March, 2014 he took top honors as the national winner at the MTNA National competition in Chicago, IL. He has been featured on NPR’s national radio broadcast, From the Top, and has also performed live at the Schwartz Center for Performing Arts at Emory University in Atlanta, GA. Isaiah has been studying the cello for ten years and currently studies with Priscilla Lee, Associate Principal Cello with the Philadelphia Orchestra. He is a member of the Youth Chamber Orchestra at Temple University Music Prep’s Center for Gifted Young Musicians. He has also attended the Meadowmount School of Music, the Heifetz International Music Institute, and the Harpa International Music Festival in Reykjavík, Iceland. He has performed at master classes with Melissa Kraut, Hans Jensen, Lynn Harrell, Peter Stumpf and Timothy Eddy. Isaiah plays a John Juzek cello made in 1939, generously loaned to him by the Carlsen Cello Foundation. He joined the ‘Back to BACH’ outreach project in the winter of 2015 and is the director of the Philadelphia region. He is also the leader of the Strath Haven High School’s Concert Series for the Elderly. As a sophomore, when not playing the cello, Isaiah loves to sing and enjoys playing soccer, basketball, and ping pong.

Isaiah used his Springboard Grant to support tuition and travel expenses associated with his acceptance into the Itzhak Perlman Music Program’s Sarasota Winter Residency from December 22, 12016 – January 7, 2017. In April 2017 he was one of ten high school students selected to participate in the Young Arts New York Regional Program. In June 2017 he began a seven-week summer residency – again with Itzhak Perlman’s PMP program – this time at Shelter Island, NY. And in 2018, Isaiah won first place in the Junior Division of The Philadelphia Orchestra Albert M. Greenfield Student Competition and will appear as a soloist with The Philadelphia Orchestra during the 2018-19 season. He is currently pursuing a double major at Harvard University and The New England Conservatory.

Zhibek Koshakhmetova – Pianist

Temple University, Philadelphia, PA

Pianist Zhibek Kozhakhmetova is a native of Kazakhstan. She studied in Bern, Switzerland with professor Tomasz Herbut and in Kazakh National Conservatory with professor Zhaniya Aubakirova. She is a laureate of numerous national and international piano competitions including: V international piano competition in Almaty, Kazakhstan (2011); VII Stasys Vainiunas International piano competition, Vilnius, Lithuania (2014); Russian season in Ekaterinburg, Russia (2015); International Competition for Piano & Orchestra, Cantu, Italy (2015); and International piano competition in memory of Vera Lotar-Shevchenko, Ekaterinburg, Russia (2016). She won the VI international piano competition in memory of Emil Gilels in Odessa, Ukraine (2015). She regularly gives concerts in Kazakhstan and abroad and is a member of the trio, “Andare.” During the 2016-2017 academic year Zhibek was enrolled in “Professional Studies,” by special invitation, at Temple University’s Boyer College of Music and Dance, Philadelphia, PA.

BMFA’s Springboard Grant enabled Zhibek to perform in a competition in Ferrol, Spain, where she won the bronze medal, and she has also won competitions in 2017.

Play On, Philly!

Stanford Thompson, Founder ~ Philadelphia, PA

Play On, Philly! was founded in 2011 by Curtis graduate Stanford Thompson who traveled to Venezuela to experience the far-reaching El Sistema program, which provides classical music education to all youth, regardless of financial ability, as a means of empowerment and to uplift entire communities. Thompson founded POP with two guiding principles: 1) regardless of economic circumstance, every student deserves access to music education, and 2) music education is a powerful tool to change lives and uplift communities. POP now serves more than 300 students in grades K – 12. POP also offers a no-cost, all day Summer Camp running throughout July so that the program is in operation for 11 months a year. POP strives to engage the entire community through partnerships, community events, and a season with an ambitious “twenty-five-plus” performance schedule.

BMFA’s Springboard Grant assisted this extraordinary program of hope by helping to fund the POP’s 2016-2017 Recital Series, consisting of five student concerts.

Francis William Serianni III, “Butch”

Also known as “OddKidOut” ~ Philadelphia, PA

OddKidOut (‘Butch’ Serianni) is a 21-year-old West Philadelphia-based drummer and producer attending Drexel University. He has been drumming since the age of 6, accumulating renown in the Philadelphia music scene for his prodigious talents. The young virtuoso has also become a famous figure in the international digital media space for his drumming, production, and MPC skills. At the age of 11, Butch joined Philadelphia’s acclaimed School of Rock (five years ahead of the typical age for admission). Two years later he began touring locally as a drummer for rockers John Eddie and Jeffrey Gaines. He has worked with Grammy Award-winning producer David Ivory, soul singer Jaguar Wright, and members of Digable Planets, among others, and in 2016 enjoyed fresh press coverage from Instagram’s official account and music blog (@Instagram and @Music). He also signed deals with Adidas Asia, Chevy, HypeBeast, K-Swiss and an Artist Partnership with Native Instruments. OddKidOut released his autobiographical EP on his own label, OddKidOut Records, LLC, on March 11th, 2016 — a triumphant debut that features past, present, and future Philadelphia legends as vocal guests.

Signed to AWAL/Kobalt, OddKidOut recently released a new EP, Full Circle, now available on all music sites everywhere. According to Butch Serianni, “The Foundation’s grant allowed us to fine tune this project and make it sound the best possible, and to reach the largest number of people possible. I am eternally thankful for their help.”

After his debut release, with his knack for songs that are crafted with a Dilla-like flow and vigor, Butch attracted the attention of several iconic producers in 2018, including Skrillex, who convinced him to move to California to work with him. OddKidOut then released the Solstice EP on OWSLA, which incorporates samples from across the label’s discography and is now partnering with BeatStars which is an on-line marketplace whereby musicians can sell their music.

2015 Grant Recipeints

Fanfare Honor Society of the Penn Band

Giulia Arosteglui, Representative ~ Philadelphia, PA

Fanfare Honor Society of the Penn Band, Giulia Arosteglui, representative

This talented sub-group of the University of Pennsylvania Band is dedicated to promoting its three pillars – Service, Spirit, and Leadership – both within the band and the Philadelphia community. Members are selected for their commitment to the band, for their spirit and integrity, and for their leadership skills and potential. BMFA’s Springboard Grant funded a one-day project dedicated to music education for students from Henry C. Lee Elementary School in West Philadelphia. The band provided several 30-40 minute workshops throughout the day, for 4th and 5th graders, fulfilling a need in this cash-strapped school district where music is currently being treated as an unaffordable luxury.

BMFA applauds this important outreach program and hopes its grant will provide a model for expanded programs in the future.

The Pennsylvania Players

Sarah Zerod, Representative – Philadelphia, PA

The Pennsylvania Players, Sarah Zerod, representative

Since 1936 The Penn Players of the University of Pennsylvania has offered a creative outlet to a wide variety of students, including actors, singers, dancers, musicians, designers (set design, lighting, costumes, properties), producers, stage managers and others. With the guidance of professional artistic and music directors, Penn Players produces two major shows each year: a musical in the fall and a drama in the spring. An unexpected spike in licensing fees for the 2015 fall production of Side Show, put that semester’s annual spring show in jeopardy. BMFA is pleased that its Springboard Grant was able to ensure that the second semester show could go on, keeping alive a rich tradition at Penn that has launched the careers of many icons of theater and cinema, including producers Harold Prince and Marc Platt.

Side Show, performed at the Annenberg Center, was a triumph for the Penn Players. A video of scenes from the show can be seen here.

Settlement Music School

Amelia Schmertz, representative ~ Philadelphia, PA

Settlement Music School, Amelia Schmertz, representative

For 108 years, the mission of Settlement Music School – one of the oldest and largest community music schools in the country – has been to provide superior quality instruction in music and related arts to children and adults, taught by a highly credentialed and dedicated faculty of professional musicians. In the spring of 2016 the school launched a pilot program called “Trading Fours.” This project, funded by a BMFA Springboard Grant, began a connection between talented high school jazz performers in Philadelphia and New York. Lincoln Center jazz musicians and teaching artists, “Sammy Miller and the Congregation,” presented a workshop for 10-15 young artists from each city.

BMFA was delighted to support this innovative program that has broad implications for future collaborations. A short video of the project can be seen here.. The spokesman for the “Trading Fours” project, Olivia Hughart, went on to found “Key of She Jazz” which promotes women in jazz, and presented their first organized conference for 200 female artists in 2019. This year, she developed a Zoom conference featuring special master classes each day.

Cole Redding – Vocalist

Philadelphia, PA

It is a rare thing to witness the launch of a mega-star. BMFA believes it has encountered such a moment with a new singer/songwriter from Philadelphia. When we first met Cole, he had been devoting his life to self-financing the production of his debut album. Having managed to complete most of the work, a final burst of financing was required to finish the project. Cole has had major record distributors interested in promoting his work. Time was of the essence and BMFA’s Springboard Grant provided the “springboard” to ensure that the dream becomes a reality.

Cole completed his album and released a single, “Smile and Say Hello,” which his mentor, Jon Bon Jovi, promoted on his own website, calling Cole “a new emerging artist with a great voice and something to say…”

Following a meeting with Clive Davis, set up for him by his mentor, Cole signed a management contract with Ken Lane at Primary Ways Management. His first professional single, “Father, Father,” was released in May 2018 on the Kelly & Ryan show and gained popularity premiering on Pat Monahan’s “Train Tracks” show, on Sirius XM Radio. Cole was then interviewed and performed on Elvis Duran’s “Live in the Morning” show, which is syndicated to every Top 45 radio station in the country, leading to 250,000 streams on Spotify. Several weeks later, the music video of “Father, Father” debuted on iHeart Radio to universal platforms. Cole continues to evolve, writing and performing. He will be releasing a new EP in the Fall of 2020 and will be moving to Los Angeles, where even more exciting opportunities await him.

2014 Grant Recipients

CAMVA (Creative Arts Morgan Village Academy) Choir

Suzzette Ortiz, Choir Director ~ Camden, NJ

CAMVA is a performing arts magnet school encompassing grades six through twelve. Its mission is to provide compelling experiences and opportunities for the diverse and largely underprivileged Camden City student population. Students must audition to attend CAMVA and there is a strong emphasis on raising the bar high, both academically and artistically. All students choose a major in visual arts, creative writing, dance, drama, vocal music, instrumental music, or costume design. There is a 100% graduation rate and 97% go on to 2-year or 4-year colleges. The choir has won gold medals in competitions in Prague, Puerto Rico and Nashville.

CAMVA used their Springboard Grant to hold a two-day vocal music Master Class in May 2015 given by “We Be 3,” a trio of improvisational teachers who work closely with 10-time Grammy winner, Bobby McFerrin. BMFA’s grant enabled them to work and grow with these high-caliber performers, and the choir has won several subsequent competitions under Suzette Ortiz’ successor, Benita Farmer.

Amber Emerson – Singer/Actress

Lewisberry, PA

Amber graduated Summa Cum Laude from Moravian College in May 2018. A vocal performance major, focusing on classical, jazz and musical theater, she was the lead singer for Moravian’s Big Band, as well as its Jazz Combo. Her dream is to become a leading actress in musical theater on Broadway. While in high school she played leads in several regional productions, winning the Best Actress Under 25 Award: 2013 Broadway World Central PA Awards, and a nomination for Outstanding Actress in a Musical: Hershey Theater Apollo Awards. She also interned as the ingénue lead in the summer of 2014 at the popular Gretna Theater in Mt. Gretna, PA. She is enchanting on the stage, and if fortune goes her way, we believe she has what it takes to become a star. Her Springboard Grant funded private acting and dance instruction during college breaks and two workshops in the summer of 2015: Broadway Dreams Foundation Intensive, and The Barrow Group acting intensive. In the summer of 2016, she made her professional mainstage debut at the Totem Pole Playhouse in Fayetteville, Pennsylvania, starring as Philia in “A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum.” She was the featured vocalist with internationally acclaimed jazz pianist Skip Wilkins at Delaware Water Gap’s iconic Deerhead Inn – the oldest continuously-running jazz club in the country – and again on tour in the Czech Republic in July 2018. After the tour Amber moved to New York City, auditioning vigorously to achieve her dreams and in 2019 she starred to rave reviews as Marian the Librarian in the Servant Stage Production of “The Music Man” in Lancaster, PA. Then the pandemic hit and all theaters went dark. That makes 2022 even more exciting. Currently Amber has been cast in “The Sound of Music” at the iconic Fulton Theater in Lancaster, PA – a longtime dream fulfilled. She is also appearing at Fulton in their TYA (Theater for Young Audiences) musical, “Sherlock Holmes.”

Penn Glee Club Band

Teddy Guinin, Manager; Alex Sacone, Business Manager; Tom Peterson, Student Director ~ Philadelphia, PA

The Penn Glee Club Band is a talented eleven-piece instrumental ensemble within the University of Pennsylvania Glee Club that blends rock, ska and swing into its own unique sound. The band includes three guitars, drums, three vocalists and an impressive horn section. When not providing substantial backing to the full Glee Club during the fall and spring shows, the PGC Band has played independently at such Philadelphia venues as the Hard Rock Café, The Legendary Dobbs, Kung Fu Necktie, and at numerous parties on campus, including Spring Fling’s quad stage. The band used its grant to invest in much-needed, high-quality microphones to produce their first CD in house, in lieu of recording in a costly commercial studio. This equipment enhances the sound of the drums, horns and other acoustic instruments in live settings during shows. The microphones are also used as a backing track for the Penn Glee Club and to record the full club as well. Acknowledging that recording studio time is temporal and only benefits the band one time, the Glee Club and the Glee Club Band believe that the versatility of these microphones will be a major asset for the foreseeable future.

The Penn Glee Club has now successfully recorded its first CD album in-house, using the high-tech equipment funded by BMFA, and saving the cost of recording studios for years to come.

University of Pennsylvania Sirens

Emily Eck, Music Director, Sonja Breda, Business Manager ~ Philadelphia, PA

Penn Sirens, a women’s vocal ensemble, performs a vast array of engaging music repertoire that consists of styles ranging from classical, choral, jazz and Broadway, to contemporary pop and rock. This student-run group of seventeen young women was founded in 2011 with the encouragement of the Penn Women’s Center and Harnwell College House Dean, Dr. Suhnne Ahn. Its mission is to advocate the empowerment of women through the practice and performance of music, and to give women the same opportunities for artistic expression, performance excellence, leadership and sense of community currently afforded to the men of the Penn Glee Club.

Lacking a paid director, the Sirens used their Springboard Grant to (1) engage a professional vocal coach to work with them once a month on musicality and style; (2) to purchase uniform performance attire to ensure a more compelling brand identity; and (3) to help with travel expenses to NYC for a planned joint concert with the Columbia University Glee Club, their first out-of-town concert. Their hard work led to increased stature on campus and several performances at the Obama White House.