Eleven students received music scholarships totaling 94,500 pesos following auditions held August 15 at the Gonzalez Gallo Cultural Center in Chapala. Nineteen applicants auditioned for the monetary awards.
The one-year music scholarships are given by Viva la Musica and the Northern Lights Music Festival to students who demonstrate talent and the desire to become professional musicians.
The adjudicating committee included Suzanne Forrest, Ina Gieysztor, John and Rosemary Keeling, Dan and Paula McTavish and Christopher Wilshere.Students receiving Viva la Musica scholarships totaling 47,500 pesos were:
Cesar Becerro Zendejas, 21, of Guadalajara: (voice) 10,000 pesos toward study at the National Conservatory in Mexico City.
Lauro Samuel Novoa Solano, 11, of Guadalajara: (flute) 5,000 pesos for lessons and travel expenses.
Azael Medeles Medina, 20, of Ajijic: (piano) 5,000 pesos for study at the University of Guadalajara and private lessons.
Dany Medeles, 22, of Ajijic: (viola) 5,000 pesos for musical pedagogy studies.
Brayan Oliver Reyes Lopez, 10, of Chapala: (violin) 1,500 pesos for a new instrument.
In addition, three Viva scholarship renewals went to Areli Mendeles (5,000 pesos), Rodrigo Leal (10,000 pesos) and Juan Pablo Medeles (6,000 pesos).
This year, the Northern Lights Music Festival awarded the first Thomas Gladney Music Scholarship to Luis Felipe de Jesus Rodriguez Gomez (violin) and Sergio Emilio Parra Aguilera (piano), both from Guadalajara, who each received 10,000 pesos toward their continuing studies.
Within the next year these musicians will have opportunities to perform at musical events at Lakeside and in Guadalajara.
Other Northern Lights Music Festival grants went to:
Joshua Nayat Chavez Marquez, 20, of Guadalajara: (double bass) 10,000 pesos for a new instrument and lessons.
Ernesto Carrasco Fragoso, 20, of Guadalajara: (guitar) 10,000 pesos for study at the University of Guadalajara and private lessons.
Nancy Parra Avila, 20, of Guadalajara: (violin) 5,000 pesos for study at the University of Guadalajara and private lessons.
Joaquin Rodrigo Garzon Arendano, 14, of Guadalajara: (violin) 2,000 pesos toward a trip to Rome to play for the Pope.
Anyone wishing to make a donation for a music scholarship or to become involved in either organization should contact Rosemary Keeling for Viva la Musica at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or Christopher Wilshere for the Northern Lights Music Festival at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..