Scholarship Recipients
This year we awarded 7 scholarships of $2,500 each:
OMHOF 2024 General College Scholarships
Jessica Homer: Oboe/Drum Line
Sherwood HS, OR to Brigham Young University, Provo, UT
Morgan Osburn: Violin
South Eugene HS, OR to University of Oregon
Douglas Howard: Viola
McNary HS, Keizer, OR to Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN
Kalina Rencher: Flute/Piccolo/French Horn
Mountainside HS, Beaverton, OR to Brigham Young University, Provo, UT
Ryan Jun: Violin
Mountainside HS, Beaverton, OR to Cornell University, Ithaca, NY
Teacher Scholarship:
Keegan Kellison: Percussion/Piano
Hermiston HS, OR to University of Oregon
Women in Music Scholarship
(Gloria Johnson):
Amy Weyand: Percussion/Marimba/Vibes
Willamette HS, Eugene, OR to Boston Conservatory at Berklee
2022 Recipients
Maxwell Friedman
Piano/B3
Bend Sr. High
Columbia U. Music Major
Nathaniel Strothkamp
Violin
Portland Episcopal HS
Yale Music Major
Kira Wong
Cello
Catlin Gabel
Yale Music Major
Amelia Kotamari (OMHOF Music Teacher Scholarship)
Flute
Grant HS
Oregon State University
Adrian Hsieh
Cello
Corvallis HS
Julliard Music Major
2021 Recipients
Ashley Yoon
Grace Sterns
Kathleen Taylor
Thomas Green
2020 Recipients
Taylor Youn
Cello
Lakeridge HS in Lake Oswego
Nicholas Weathers
Clarinet
McNary HS in Keizer
Avery Hsieh
Violin
Corvallis HS in Corvallis
Isabella Morill
Piano/French Horn/Composition
Warrenton HS in Warrenton
2019 Recipients
2017 Recipients
- Fumiko Mizuno Violinist Tualatin High School Princeton in the Fall [ more ]
- Jonathan Wolotira Vocalist/Guitar Pendleton High School Blue Mt. Community College then to Whitworth University [ more ]
- Koby Haigerty Percussionist U.S. Grant High School Whitman College [ more ]
- Savanah Campbell French Horn Sam Barlow High School University of Oregon [ more ]
- Wesley Shin Clarinet Lincoln High School Harvard University [ more ]
2016 Recipients
Elizabeth Soper
Sprague HS, Salem, OR
Attending University of Oregon 2014
Elizabeth Soper graduated this spring from Sprague High School in Salem and is currently deciding between St. Olaf College and University of Oregon to continue her education. Several of the contributing people to Elizabeth’s musical career and passion include Ms. Janet Romine, who introduced Elizabeth to choir in the first grade; Mr. Matt Polacek, who taught her both jazz and concert band in middle school; and her two high school directors, Dr. David Brown and Dr. Richard Greenwood, who taught her the valuable lesson of performing to inspiring, not impress, the audience. This scholarship will aid Elizabeth in deferring the expense of majoring in both Music Education and Flute Performance.
Lauren Kim
Cello
Wellesley College in Massachusetts
As a young girl, Lauren watched a video of Yo-Yo Ma performing Elgar’s Cello Concerto, inspiring her to play the cello. She is also one of recipients of the full scholarship to attend National Symphony Orchestra Summer Music Institute in Washington DC from June 27th until July 25th. Lauren hopes to use the OMHOF College Scholarship to help her further refine her playing and support her music education. Lauren will be attending Wellesley College in Massachusetts.
Christian George
Bass Guitar
2014 Graduate of Bend HS, Oregon
University of Miami?
Kaitlyn Clawson
Piano
Keizer HS
Attending St. Olaf College
Kaitlyn has been inspired to pursue music by the intensely enriching music programs of Salem-Keizer, where she has shared music with both great teachers and great friends. She will be attending St. Olaf College (1520 St. Olaf Avenue, Northfield, MN 55057, 507-786-2222) next year. The OMHOF College Scholarship will help lower the costs of pursuing a high quality college experience and education at St. Olaf for Kaitlyn.
2015 Recipients
Emily Wu
Westview High School, Beaverton, OR
“Emily began playing the violin at the age of seven, when her mother enrolled her in a group violin class held at a nearby elementary school. From then on, she has performed solos in venues such as Carnegie Hall and The Kennedy Center and attended prestigious music camps such as the Interlochen Arts Camp with the help of her private instructors Suzanne Gaye and Clarisse Atcherson. Her participation in the Portland Youth Philharmonic under the direction of David Hattner for the past eight years has also greatly contributed to her leadership skills and helped her grow as an orchestral musician. In the fall, she will attend Stanford University and is extremely grateful for being awarded Oregon Music Hall of Fame scholarship as it will help her afford the high cost of college tuition.”
Juan Valdez
West Salem High School, Salem, Oregon
Juan started playing the tuba at age of 11, when his band need a tuba player he stepped up and took the job. Juan has been very successful over the years, he has performed at OSAA State Solo Competition for four consecutive years, he placed 2nd place as a junior in high school last year. Unfortunately, Juan’s parents had to go back to Mexico in 2011, and he decided to stay in Oregon to pursue his education and his passion for music. He thanks the Salem-Keizer School District for providing such wonderful teachers at West Salem High School. Jaimie Hall, Todd Zimbelman, and James Nowikas. “These 3 men are my teachers, and they have always tried to help me achieve my best. Last, but not least, the Hendrick Family for letting me stay in their home in a time of need. Thank you all.”
“I will be attending University of Oregon and I will be majoring in Tuba Performance with a minor in Ethnic Studies. Being an only child and being off without my parents within the last four years, has been really tough. I am honored that I have received this scholarship, because every little bit helps. Thank you OMHOF from the bottom of my heart!”
Madison Booth
Ontario High School, Ontario, Oregon
Madison Booth has studied the flute with Dr. Nicole Molumby, Associate Professor of Music at Boise State University, for six years. She has participated in her high school band and served as Drum Major, the Boise State Honor Flute Choir, the 2014 All-State Orchestra, the 2014 National Flute Association High School Flute Choir, the 2015 All-Northwest Orchestra as Principal Flutist, and also has competed as a soloist in various state and regional competitions. She will attend Boise State University this fall and will double major in Music Education and Flute Performance. “Thank you Oregon Music Hall of Fame for supporting me financially at the university level!” -Madison
Trevor Johnson
West Salem High School, Salem, Oregon
Trevor plays the trumpet because it is what my dad, my grandfather and my great grandfather played. He chose to play trumpet because he wanted to be like his brother who started the year before him.
The most influential music teacher that he had was Mr. Phil Rundquist, his middle school band teacher for three years. He was the first to spot my potential in music and encouraged him to take lessons with Mr. Jamie Hall which continued for 6 years! Without both these teachers support, he may not have chosen to pursue trumpet performance. He will be attending Biola University in Southern California with the major of trumpet performance and a minor in Business.
“The scholarship being given to me by Oregon Music Hall of Fame will help me by contributing the financial aid I need to attend Biola University’s conservatory of music. A portion of the money will go toward buying a computer that for school and the remainder will go towards on campus housing.”
2014 Recipients
Gabriel (Gabe) Young | Ashland High School, Ashland, OR
Gabe began playing the oboe at age 10. He had played the saxophone since he was two, but wished to branch out in order to be able to play in a symphony. As fate would have it, his cousin loaned him a student model oboe right around that same time. A musical highlight of Gabe’s was performing at the Royal Albert Hall in London as part of the BBC Proms, with the National Youth Orchestra of the USA, conducted by Valery Gergiev and with guest soloist Joshua Bell.
“I am honored to receive the OMHOF scholarship, as it is important for me, an aspiring musician, to graduate from college debt-free, and every scholarship helps in that endeavor. I will be attending the Indiana University Jacobs School of Music in the fall as a Wells Scholar. I will be studying Oboe Performance and Environmental Management.” -Gabe
Kristin Qian | Catlin Gabel School, Portland, OR
Kristin’s earliest musical memories begin with her playing the violin at the age of three. Since then, she has performed at venues across the United States, China, France and Argentina, as a violinist, pianist, and composer. In the fall, she will attend Princeton University
“I am so thrilled and honored to be a 2014 Oregon Music Hall of Fame scholarship recipient. This award offers me a future of challenge and achievement. I look forward to continuing to create and share music with others, as well as pursuing my interests in various subjects.” -Kristin
Kyle Zimmerman | Portland Adventist Academy, Portland, OR
Kyle chose to play his instrument during the summer before my sixth grade year. His parents took him to a music store and he chose the saxophone because it looked the most shiny and complicated. The person who really started his love for jazz and music was his middle school jazz and concert band director, Ms. Foley. She got him excited about jazz during his eighth grade year and, five years later, he still loves it.
“I am very honored to receive this scholarship because the Oregon Music Hall of Fame is a prestigious institution for music and music is very important to me. This will help me a lot financially because I plan to study at Berklee College of Music this coming school year as a performance major.” –Kyle
Molly Burke | Summit High School, Bend, OR
Ever since Molly asked her parents for a flute when she was seven years old, her passion has been playing music. She continues to play the flute, but her big ah-ha! moment came when she gave the bassoon –the “clown of the orchestra”– a try during her freshman year, and there was simply no going back. It was an odd, love-at-first-play sort of experience.
“I am so honored and grateful to be receiving the OMHOF scholarship because it will greatly help me in pursuing my love of music in college.” –Molly
2013 Recipients
Aaron Reihs
I was drawn to playing the saxophone in 5th grade band class, primarily because of my attraction to some CDs I had gotten from the library, including recordings by Dexter Gordon, Illinois Jacquet, and John Coltrane. I became dedicated to studying jazz at the end of 9th grade, when I began working with great Portland teachers such as Thara Memory, Alan Jones, and Scott Hall, as well as playing in multiple local ensembles with which I received the opportunity to play in festivals in New York City, Monterey, and Atlanta. I am honored to have received the OMHOF scholarship, as it represents my dedication and enthusiasm to being a student of this music. I hope to attend one of the east coast music schools I have applied to as a jazz studies major this fall, and the scholarship will help me with affording the high cost of tuition.
Evan Carlson
I started playing trumpet in fifth grade after listening to my older brother play, and I haven’t wanted to set it down since. My most memorable musical experience so far was performing “America the Beautiful” as part of a 500 member ensemble during the Music in May festival at Pacific University where I will enroll in the fall; however, my upcoming European tour as an Oregon Ambassador of Music is sure to be memorable as well. I’m very proud to have been acknowledged by the Oregon Music Hall of Fame, and the scholarship award will help pay for tuition and music lessons as I continue my musical career.
Miya Saito-Beckman
I have been playing the violin since the age of three and began fiddle at the age of 5 because I wanted to play a variety of different music styles. I love teaching my twelve violin/fiddle students, and am so excited to have been awarded the Oregon Music Hall of Fame College Scholarship! It will help me attend college this fall as a violin performance major, but I am still deciding between University of Oregon and University of Puget Sound.
Tatiana Hargreaves
I have always been attracted to the sound of the fiddle and I love the way it can connect people from all different backgrounds. I am excited about receiving the OMHOF scholarship for it will help me attend college where I plan on studying ethnomusicology. I will be attending Hampshire College in Amherst Massachusetts in the fall.
2012 Recipients
Emily Potter
Eight years ago, I began to play the flute, having chosen the instrument after hearing the instrument played in Tchaikovsky’s Nutcracker. Since then, I have competed in and won several competitions, including the Del Milne Memorial Competition and the Salem Youth Symphony Concerto Competition, as well as been principal of the Salem Youth Symphony and Jefferson High School Concert Band. I am extremely excited that the OMHOF College Scholarship will aid in furthering my music career in flute performance at Boston University.
Jasmine Terry-Shindelman
I always loved the violin and started playing when I was seven years old. I have had the opportunity to study music with two amazing teachers here in Ashland, Faina Podolnaya, and Cynthia Hutton, both of whom I would like to thank for their support and inspiration. I am going to be attending Bowdoin College in Brunswick, Maine next year, and I know that the OMHOF scholarship will be a huge help to me and my family in paying for tuition. Thank you!
Jean Choi
I first fell in love with the cello when I heard its dark, resonant sound. The OMHOF college scholarship will help me pay for my college tuition at Amherst and for the transportation of my cello while flying back and forth from college to home, here in Portland.
Alex McDougall
Alex McDougall will be attending the University of North Texas as a jazz studies major this coming fall. He is both excited and grateful for the OMHOF scholarship as it will be used to purchase professional level percussion equipment needed for college, and pay for his first year practice room rental and music departmental fees. Already a piano student for 7 years, Alex chose percussion in the 6th grade out of extreme curiosity and now enjoys the many textural layers of rhythm and tone percussion instruments can produce.
Emma Davis
After spending years studying the flute, I decided to start classical voice lessons in eight grade because I had always had a passion for singing. Singing has given me many wonderful opportunities, and this past year, it brought me all the way to the Grammy Awards where I performed with Esperanza Spalding. I am thrilled and honored to be an OMHOF college scholarship recipient and am looking forward to using that scholarship at Emerson College in Boston this fall.
The scholarships were presented at the Portland Rose Festival on the concert stage and each one of the recipients got to perform a number.
2012 Recipients
Duncan Tuomi [ video ] Duncan Tuomi has enjoyed singing since the age of ten, is currently singing with six choirs; he also composes and conducts choirs. He is excited to receive an Oregon Music Hall of Fame Scholarship because of the affirmation of his achievement, and also that it symbolizes the importance of music and its relevance in contemporary society; he hopes that it will help to distinguish him in college as someone with the perseverance to achieve. He will attend St. Olaf College in the coming fall.
Emma Milward [ video ] When I was in elementary school, I found the word “oboe” to have an amusing sound and spelling, inspiring me to begin studying oboe years later. My fondest experiences playing the oboe are moments in orchestra where I feel empowered and in harmony with the group as we create a musical work of art, and I am thrilled to receive the OMHOF scholarship because it is a reflection of my passion for music that has encouraged me to push my limits and grow. I will be attending Brown University and I plan on incorporating music into my studies at a four-year university; regardless of precisely what role music will have in my life, music has undoubtedly shaped who I am, and I believe that it will shape my future.
Sean Gabriel (Gabe) Petegorsky [ video ] Gabe Petegorsky joined the Pacific Youth Choir in 2008 and has since developed as a solo and choral performer, singing with the Stangeland Family Youth Choral Academy at the Oregon Bach Festival for three consecutive summers, joining the Pacific Youth Choir’s Chamber Choir in performance and in the recording studio with the band Pink Martini, and placing second for Bass Voice in the 2011 OSAA State Solo Contest. Finalizing a college decision between Stanford University and Yale University, he plans to study computer science and music with continued classical study of voice in preparation for graduate study or high-level performance. He is greatly honored to be a recipient of the 2012 Oregon Music Hall of Fame Scholarship, and feels empowered to continue pursuing his passion for music, appreciating this vote of confidence from the Oregon music community.
Lake Jiroudek [ video ] I began playing guitar because of my brother’s punk rock group in Middle School. Their musical collaboration inspired me to begin playing an instrument myself. The lead instrument in their group was guitar which attracted me to it. I’m very honored to gain this award and be recognized in the state I have grown up in. This scholarship will help me pay for my dorm/apartment this coming year.
2011 Recipients
Emily Potter
Eight years ago, I began to play the flute, having chosen the instrument after hearing the instrument played in Tchaikovsky’s Nutcracker. Since then, I have competed in and won several competitions, including the Del Milne Memorial Competition and the Salem Youth Symphony Concerto Competition, as well as been principal of the Salem Youth Symphony and Jefferson High School Concert Band. I am extremely excited that the OMHOF College Scholarship will aid in furthering my music career in flute performance at Boston University.
Jasmine Terry-Shindelman
I always loved the violin and started playing when I was seven years old. I have had the opportunity to study music with two amazing teachers here in Ashland, Faina Podolnaya, and Cynthia Hutton, both of whom I would like to thank for their support and inspiration. I am going to be attending Bowdoin College in Brunswick, Maine next year, and I know that the OMHOF scholarship will be a huge help to me and my family in paying for tuition. Thank you!
Jean Choi
I first fell in love with the cello when I heard its dark, resonant sound. The OMHOF college scholarship will help me pay for my college tuition at Amherst and for the transportation of my cello while flying back and forth from college to home, here in Portland.
Alex McDougall
Alex McDougall will be attending the University of North Texas as a jazz studies major this coming fall. He is both excited and grateful for the OMHOF scholarship as it will be used to purchase professional level percussion equipment needed for college, and pay for his first year practice room rental and music departmental fees. Already a piano student for 7 years, Alex chose percussion in the 6th grade out of extreme curiosity and now enjoys the many textural layers of rhythm and tone percussion instruments can produce.
Emma Davis
After spending years studying the flute, I decided to start classical voice lessons in eight grade because I had always had a passion for singing. Singing has given me many wonderful opportunities, and this past year, it brought me all the way to the Grammy Awards where I performed with Esperanza Spalding. I am thrilled and honored to be an OMHOF college scholarship recipient and am looking forward to using that scholarship at Emerson College in Boston this fall.
The scholarships were presented at the Portland Rose Festival on the concert stage and each one of the recipients got to perform a number.
2010 Recipients
Cara Gabrielson
Beaverton High School (Voice )
Julie Asparro
Lake Oswego High School (Viola)
Jenny Asparro
Lake Oswego High School (Violin and Piano)
Rebecca Lomnicky
Corvallis High School (Scottish Fiddle, Piano, Voice)
Read the review from Buko Magazine: http://www.buko.net/news/2010/may/omhof_awards.html
2009 Recipients
2009 OMHOF SCHOLARSHIP AWARD PRESENTATION at JIMMY MAK’S:
Watch out Portland, and the world!
By Ty Hitzemann
May 6th- What a great evening the OMHOF Scholarship Awards were! Another stellar collection of exceptionally gifted high school musicians from around Oregon were awarded money for continuing education in their various musical endeavors. Exceptional skills were showcased one by one as they came forward, took the stage and performed during an evening filled to the brim with creativity, passion and grace.
The Oregon Music Hall Of Fame strives each year to set up funding methods for such awards, and continually seeks to recognize the best , brightest and most influential musicians that Oregon has to offer. It’s a scrutinizing task, as this year OMHOF’s board selected four exceptionally gifted Oregon High School Seniors, out of 120 applicants, to accept monetary gifts toward scholarship in their various endeavors. Ultimately, the goal is not only to increase the dollar amount to future selected winners, but to also increase the monetary amounts each and every year through different means.
First up was intermediate, soon-to-be absolute pro: percussionist Mattew Keown from Springfield High School, who has already won in several categories and medals in Oregon at both District and State levels. He lives for the next one coming later this year. Matt’s record is stunning in that he has worked with other noteworthy percussionists from NY, Detroit and LA Philharmonic as well as the Metropolitan Opera…wow!!
Matt’s performance on Marimba to start the evening ceremony was what I’d call extremely powerful and energetic. He accomplished 2 movements for ‘Solo Dancer‘ by Ekhart Kopetzki. The audience was captivated as he effortlessly made his way throughout these songs with meticulous calculation and purpose. His concentration was at once mesmerizing and tactile. The pause between movements was somewhere between a miniature eternity and breathless crescendo…worth the wait indeed!
Kate Davis from West Linn High School gave an invigorating performance which included both Bass and Vocals, showcasing both exceptional talent and sense of humor. Kate has a great personality and a particular affinity for entertaining her audience. She performed the songs: “Whisper Not, Little Girl and Lonely Town. Tom Grant saw fit to back her up on piano along with Ron Steen playing drums. One can only imagine the privilege of peaking interest in such legendary musicians. Yet who could be surprised by them taking interest in these youths? These young people are a testament to exceptional talent and drive to master their craft, as well as what the power of music can inspire. The winning combination of dedication, practice and will to succeed is bound to attract the attention of Portland’s own musical masters to accompany.
Kate’s vocals were riveting to say the least…full of passion, grace and vibrato. Well done!
Maya Dair Rothfuss from Portland attends the Portland Waldorf School. She freights an impressive record of Master Class in playing viola, as well as bass. She is a member of the Portland Youth Philharmonic, winning 3 Orchestral All-State honors over a four year period, as well as first place for both of her well-practiced musical talents. Her other achievements are too numerous to mention, but could not over-shadow her great performance on the stage.
She performed “Der Schwanenendrehet (1st movement)”, by Hindemith on viola, and carrying the piece up to the heavens with one of her instructors accompanying her on piano. She topped her performance off with 2 vocal movements: Silent Noon by Vaughn Williams, and “voi Che Sapete“, by Mozart.
Maya carefully strode the stage along with her muse while expressing an ease of a consummate professional, which in many ways she already is. Her Scholarship Award came from Audix Microphones of Wilsonville, Oregon, who manufacture some of the best performance microphones anywhere.
Florence, Oregon Siuslaw High School student Kai Sandoval has an incredible affinity for playing jazz well beyond his young years. It seems worthy to mention that a good number of contemporary jazz pioneers started playing at very young ages, some produced legendary classics while still in their teens. Charley Parker created innovative approaches to melody, rhythm, and harmony while in his teens. Kai exercises an enormous ability to inject a new influence upon potential contemporaries who may strive to innovate new jazz. He exhibited good tempo, virtuosic technique and improvisation based on harmonic structure.
He clocked in a couple classic jazz standards. First was Parker’s, “Billy’s Bounce“, a complex yet airy song…nice pick.
OMHOF Board member Kevin Rankin accompanied on drums to Benny Golson’s “I Remember Clifford“, a melancholy blues number written for a young man cut-off tragically in his prime. Miles Davis‘ ode to “Donna Lee” Russell was his finale. One can only figure such talented individuals such as Kai are destined to create some pregnant ripples throughout the local jazz community and beyond. His trumpet playing showed an acute edge for originality.
OMHOF President Terry Currier provided introductions and descriptions for the Awards in front of the very proud teachers, friends and family. All of the recipients posed proudly with their Scholarship awards of One Thousand Dollars each along side the entire OMHOF Board and supporting musicians.
2008 Recipients
- Ryan Andersen of Rex Putman H.S. – drums & percussion
- Rob Elmer of Benson H.S. – trombone & voice
- Rick Vranish of Sunset H.S. – clarinet, saxophone, percussion, conducting
- Michelle Leipzig of Valley Catholic – Piano & Cello
2007: Adrienne Hoarfrost, Wilson High School
Adrienne was the elated recipient of the highly sought-after OMHOF Music Education Scholarship for 2007 which she accepted with the support of her Wilson High School Principal, Sue Brent.
In 3rd grade, Adrienne was complemented on her vibrato while singing along to a piano accompaniment to which she questioned, “What’s vibrato?”
Her singing rang true in her 8 year experience with the Oregon Children’s Choir and Youth Chorale, directed by Sandra Miller, and private voice lessons from Theresa Koon. She considers these two inspirational women as magnificent musical role models that prepared her for many opportunities in Wilson High School musicals and a lead in “Kiss Me Kate” that were directed by the WHS chorale teacher, Mr. Steve Peter.
If you were to ask Adrienne what singing meant to her, her reply would be, “Music is a deeply rooted part of my personality and it allows me to express myself in a way that I couldn’t otherwise. This expression has given me a strong sense of self that has made me more in tune with the world around me and more prepared for the life ahead of me. I feel so fortunate to have it in my life!”
Adrienne will be studying Music and Pre-Med at Dartmouth this fall, where she plans to audition for an a cappella group called the Rockapellas and a musical theater group, Far Off Broadway Productions.
The Oregon Music Hall of Fame, her Principal, and her musical educators wish her great success with her studies and to keep music in her life.