2006: OR: Andrea Johnson was a 16 year old pianist studying with Elizabeth Stern of Milwaukie Oregon when she received the Jack Kent Cooke Young Artist Award in the amount of $10,000 and had the opportunity to perform on From the Top. Andrea attended Portland State University and will receive a Bachelor of Music degree in June 2010.

2006: VA: 13 year old Kevin Lu of Newport News was chosen as a Jack Kent Cooke Young Scholar, receiving ongoing support from 7th -12th grade to pursue his musical and academic studies. He was a student of Theresa Compos Falk of Yorktown. The award has provided Kevin ongoing financial support for academic and musical training.

2007: CA: Stephanie Duong, 12 year old pianist and violinist from Riverside was chosen as a Jack Kent Cooke Young Scholar. She was a piano student of Nancy Buck and violin student of Laura Balisky. MusicLink provided Stephanie and her sister violins to assist in their lessons. The award provided her with financial support for her musical training and secondary schooling Her sister, Emily, received the Young Scholar Award in 2007.

Emily Duong ... Text to follow...

2008: WA: Vanessa Woodard, a 12-year-old MusicLink student of Brandy Pancoast of Colville, Washington, is our second recipient of this year's Jack Kent Cooke Young Scholar Award. In her own words: After weeks gathering and compiling information to complete the Jack Kent Cooke Young Scholars application, the foundation scheduled a phone interview. "I was so nervous, I fumbled for answers and thought for sure I bombed the interview and any chance of being chosen." Months later, she received a large large, stuffed envelope. "My mom opened the parcel and read the enclosed letter to me. My mom started screaming, 'You got the scholarship; you were chosen as a Young Scholar!' I couldn't believe I had actually been chosen out of all those applicants," Vanessa immediately e-mailed her friends and posted it on Facebook. She found herself wondering "...what opportunities were awaiting me?" Vanessa has studied piano with Brandy Pancoast for 5 years. "I love the piano. I play whenever I get the chance; it is so relaxing and peaceful. There are so many, many, many pieces I am longing to learn. Brandy Pancoast said, "I am thrilled for Vanessa. She is the type of student who works extremely hard and you are excited when that effort is recognized and rewarded. This scholarship will open up many possibilities for her that would not have been possible without the extra financial help. This is a wonderful gift for her."

2006: Juan Peralta (Tucson, AZ). The 2006 award was sponsored by Schmitt Music Co. Percussion has been Juan’s passion ever since he can remember. He participated in school concert band and jazz band and is very active as a church musician He and his sisters have a group called Gethsemane that performs at weddings, family gatherings, and holiday events throughout southern Arizona. After graduation, he attended Pima Community College focusing on music and pastoral studies. Juan Peralta is also giving back to those in need through a full time job with The Gospel Rescue Mission in Tucson. His current projects include coordinating food boxes and the Mission Market where families can obtain fresh produce and clothing. Juan is active as a worship percussionist and has helped establish a program for teens that provides music tutoring and mentoring in developing the discipline to practice well. He is grateful for all the support given to him through MusicLink.

2009: Alyssa Spooner (Crestline CA). The 2009 award was sponsored by the Arline and Russell Bridge Endowment Fund. Alyssa has taken MusicLink piano lessons with Noelle Tinturin for 10 years and recently began lessons with Jim McCormick. She received the MusicLink Alfred Talent Search Camp Scholarship in 2006, enjoying a summer at the Idyllwild Arts Academy. Alyssa’s interests serve the community by teaching piano lessons and playing worship music at local churches. Upon graduation, she continued her piano studies at California State University, Fullerton, majoring in Pre-Med/Pre-Nursing.

2007: Alain Ramirez (Mount Vernon VA), a student of Pat Houston of Arlington, was born in Bolivia and attended Gar-Field High School. In three years of lessons, he progress from beginning pieces to playing Chopin and many Latin American compositions. Upon graduation, Alain attended Northern Virginia Community College.

2008: Khand Sukhee (Arlington VA), a student of René Johnson, excelled in her lessons, presenting a solo recital after only 1 ½ years of study. She enjoyed playing Mongolian music of her heritage along with the classics. After graduation, Khand attended Brigham Young University majoring in nursing.

2008: Diana Fang (Centreville VA) studied with Martha Smith through MusicLink for nine years, winning the Student Excellence award of NVMTA twice and excelling in advanced piano repertoire before graduating from the Thomas Jefferson Highs school for Science and Technology. Upon graduation, Diana attended the University of Virginia majoring in architecture.

2009: Dulguun Khaltar (Arlington VA) was a student of Jeanne Lowe in piano, and violin for four years. She also exceled in voice at Wakefield High School, chosen as the lead in several school musicals. She was selected to be in the Arlington County Arts Apprentice program. Upon graduation, Dulguun attended Northern Virginia Community College majoring in music.

Vladislav Boguinia (CO) has studied piano, violin, and viola through MusicLink for the past three years. He was winner of the Boulder Arts Academy Merit Scholarship Award in 2007 and has performed in the Boulder Youth Symphony, and Novous Amadeus String Quartet. MusicLink awarded him the Alfred Talent Search Camp Scholarship in 2007 as well as providing a violin and viola for his musical studies. Multiply talented, Vladislav’s dream is “to become a concert pianist to share the joy of classical music to people around the world.”

Yuri Boguinia (CO) has studied piano, violin, and composition through MusicLink for the past three years. He won the prestigious ASCAP Morton Gould Composition Competition in 2008, one of nine national winners in the category from ages 6-18. He also won first place in the Pike Peak Composition Competition, which featured performance of his Ukranian Dance with the Colorado Spring Philharmonic Orchestra. MusicLink awarded Yuri the Alfred Talent Search Camp Scholarship in 2007. “My goal is to become a professional musician and composer. I simply want to pursue a career that I am passionate about, and it is music.”

Tram Bui (OR) began music lessons in Viet Nam as a 6 year old, immigrating to America in 2004. Now in eighth grade, Tram has studied with Barbara Parker through MusicLink for five years, with a piano loaned for study through the Piano Santa Foundation. She has won numerous awards in OMTA’s festivals and competitions. “Playing piano has been one of the things I love doing since I was young. I wish to share my love with other people to be enjoyed by everyone.”

Diana Fang (VA) began piano lessons with Martha Smith at age nine. “It was the best decision I could ever have made and my parents were thrilled that I was given this opportunity.” Diana received a piano for study through MusicLink and was awarded the Harry D. Kirkpatrick Award for outstanding achievement as a graduating senior in 2008. She is currently pursuing a career in architectural engineering at the University of Virginia. “I try to incorporate music into the lives of all my friends and I think they have grown to feel the same way about it as I do.”

Ik Hoon Jung (OR) was born in Seoul Korea and has studied the piano since he was five years old. He is a student of Linda Barker and was winner of OMTA’s Romantic Festival in 2007 and Classical Festival in 2008. By his own admission, “I like to play fast pieces.”

Kevin Lu (VA) is a student of Theresa Compos Falk and was chosen as a Jack Kent Cooke Foundation Young Scholar in 2006. This prestigious award provides thousands of dollars annually to support his talent throughout his secondary school training. He received MusicLink camp scholarships to assist in attending the International Institute for Young Musicians for three years. When he was 11, he was chosen to play on From the Top, an nationally syndicated radio broadcast. “From my MusicLink lessons I have learned a variety of things about expression – how to paint music with shapes and colors. I can share this with friends and impress them! The most important thing is to get better at my music and to have fun!”

Dasha Poroshina (OR) was born in Russia and moved to the United States in 2001. She started studying with Elizabeth Stern at the age of eight. She has been a winner nine times in the Oregon Piano Festival and has multiple interests in music through classical piano and composition. Her goals in life are to “pursue a career in the medical field specializing in plastic surgery as well as becoming a pianist.”

Araxi Sayadian (IL) is a student of Laura Knight and, by her own request, has studied the classical guitar for 13 years. She has played the cello in advanced orchestra in her high school for three years. She received a camp scholarship from MusicLink to attend the Ann Arbor Suzuki Guitar Institute in the summer of 2008. “This camp really inspires me to become the best that I can be. When I meet other guitarists around the same age as me that are more advanced they make me want to get to reach that level.” She is currently looking into colleges with music programs.

Kai Talim (OR) started studying piano at the age of 6 and has been studying with Kelli Stephens since 2005. He received a grand piano through the Piano Santa Foundation. MusicLink awarded him camp scholarships to attend the Texas Music Festival for several years. He has won first place in the Suzanne Raines Young Pianist Competition in 2008 and the OMTA Junior Piano Competition in 2007. Kai also studies trumpet with Micah Wilkinson of the Oregon Symphony and plays in the Portland Youth Philharmonic Conservatory Orchestra. Kai realizes the value his performances bring at Sunday services at church. “I think I am special because I am able to express my feelings on the keyboard and put life into music.”

Alastair Witherspoon (MN) has studied the violin and viola through MusicLink since 2004. He began lessons with Lucia May in 2007 and attended Bravo Summer Strings Institute for several years through camp scholarships provided by MusicLink. Alastair performed at the MusicLink National Summit in 2007 where he received a new viola for his musical studies. He has performed in numerous master classes as a sololist and in chamber music performing with his siblings. “Some day I would like to be the principal violist in an orchestra. I would also like to be in my own quartet and, most of all make people happy with my music.”

Imala Witherspoon (MN) has been studying violin with Lucia May through MusicLink since 2007. She received a MusicLink camp scholarship to attend Bravo Summer Strings Institute in 2008. She enjoys performing chamber music with her brothers. “I like getting better on my violin. At camp I learn more in chamber music and get to play with other kids. It’s fun to play in recitals at Bravo and seeing other kids play their instruments. I love being able to play the violin.”

Nygel Witherspoon (MN) is a cello student of David Holmes. He is involved in music on a daily basis, playing trios with his siblings. Last year Nygel received a cello from MusicLink to further his musical studies through our business partnership with Eastman Strings. When asked how he feels about playing his cello with his brother and sister, he replies “It’s a lot of fun.”

Washington DC: MusicLink urban programs bring music lessons to students at safe sites in their neighborhoods in inner city areas. Students receive group and private lessons on their choice of instruments with teachers traveling to sites and working with schools and youth organizations to provide ongoing instruction.

Texas/Mexico: Every month, Diane Dawson Delk of Conroe TX crosses the Mexican border with music in hand to teach a group of young children in a village near Guanajuato. They run to meet her as she drives up, assisted by Miguel, a promising MusicLink teenage student. These young musicians are eager to learn, receiving assistance with music and grass roots grants from MusicLink. Miguel enjoyed his first trip to the US and Washington DC, performing at the MusicLink National Summit at the Center for the Arts in Fairfax, VA. Diane: "It almost brings tears to my eyes to see what these children do with so little and how they treasure each of the opportunities they have."

Florida: Sam Velasquez teaches 14 students in an after-school Steel Pan Band at the Indiantown Boys and Girls Club in Boynton Beach. The band members enjoy mastering the traditional Caribbean instruments.

Louisiana: Hilda Beth and John Dupaquier have been volunteering to teach an after school keyboard program at an inner-city school in Baton Rouge for over six years through MusicLink. They have seen students in their classes go on to continue musical studies in their secondary schools, thanks to this early training. Their dedication to bring music lessons to at-risk students who would normally not be able to receive this instruction lies at the heart of the MusicLink philosophy.

Minnesota: This state leads the country in reaching over 700 students through the years, taught by over 230 teachers working with these students in private studios and music school organizations. Camden Music School in north Minneapolis has 20 active MusicLink students studying with 5 different teachers in piano, voice, guitar, drums, strings, and early childhood classes. This program has been active since 2007 and MusicLink was able to place a grand piano into their studio for lessons. Sr. Virginia Houske and Sr. Dominica Gerszewski run an active MusicLink program with over 23 students at Mount St. Benedicts in Crookston MN. The Minnesota Music Teachers Association, working with Schmitt Music, have raised a total of over $10,000 in several Playathons at the Mall of America.

New York: The The Dutchess Community College Music School in Poughkeepsie offers MusicLink scholarships to a number of students each year who are nominated from by music teachers in area schools near the college. The school maintains an ongoing relationship with a number of music dealers who support the program through free rental of instruments and discounts on music.

North Dakota: The Valley City State University Community School of the Arts uses the MusicLink nomination process with area schools for their scholarship program. The school has established a long-term partnership with MusicLink, training dozens of students in many different instruments throughout their school years. MusicLink has assisted with instrument donations from our business partners.

Oregon: The Oregon Music Teachers Association was one of the pioneer organizations to embrace MusicLink as a worthwhile program throughout their state. They have attracted business partners to assist with pianos and music and recently released a CD of their “Oregon MusicLink Student Stars.” Many of these performances are also on our MusicLink Shining Stars CD.

Virginia: MusicLink began as a statewide scholarship program in Virginia in 1992. Teachers throughout the state have continuously supported the program, with 200 teachers reaching a total of almost 400 students. The VMTA state organization actively supports the program through funding for student music and camp scholarships. The Northern Virginia Music Teachers Association provides funding for moving pianos and senior scholarships as well as Playathon and Promise to Practice fund-raising.

Wisconsin: The Piano Pioneers Program in Madison has 20 active MusicLInk students taught by 6 student teachers from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. The program is coordinated by Paolo Savvidou with Jess Johnson as UW-Madison faculty. Jo Simons embraces MusicLink at the Community Music School in Madison, stating that “There is nothing more exciting than teaching a kid that’s talented. And we can all afford to take at least one MusicLink student.”

CA: Noelle Tinturin (teacher): “I decided to take on a MusicLink student in 1999. I conducted interviews with six families of children who were interested in piano lessons, but could not afford a good teacher. After considering each one carefully, I chose 8-year-old Alyssa Spooner because of her strong desire, her apparent level of maturity, and her stable and supportive family structure. I have never felt more confident about having made the right decision. Alyssa has been a joy to teach and has consistently proven herself worthy of this scholarship. I taught Alyssa for ten years, until she graduated at the age of 18. During her studies with me, she completed the Advanced Level in the MTAC Certificate of Merit program, and was invited to perform at the MTAC Convention and Honors Recitals several times. She participated and was a winner in many competitions including the Bach Festival, Inland Empire Piano Festival, Cypress College Piano Competition, Steinway Piano Competition, Redlands Bowl Competition, Rotary Club Competition, and local talent shows. She is a very creative musician, and has composed several excellent original compositions, which I taught her to write out, and which she has recorded on CD. She won an award in the MTAC “Composers Today” competition for one of these compositions. During her high school career, she performed three complete and different solo recitals. In 2009, Alyssa won the Music Link Foundation Senior Award of Excellence, a national scholarship honoring students who have attained an advanced level of performance, show commitment in lessons and in their personal goals and will continue musical training in college. While attending college, Alyssa is now also teaching piano students of her own, playing for Sunday services in church, and performing for weddings and fund raising events. What a rewarding experience this has been to have had the opportunity to direct this outstanding student’s life in music!”

MD: Carol Gauthier NCTM (teacher): I feel that every child should be given the gift of music. In 1998 I began teaching Music Link students. Since then, I have taught five MusicLink students who have come from the same family of seven children. I have known their parents for many years. These parents have been very musically active, sharing their time and talent within our community. Teaching their children piano just felt like the right thing to do. The two oldest children are now in college. Two others, twins, are seniors in high school. The youngest is home school in the fourth grade. These students have been highly motivated in their musical preparation for lessons and are a joy to teach.” Carole Gauthier, a nationally certified teacher of music, has maintained an independent piano studio in Eldersburg, Md for thirty one years. In addition, she is organist, choir and hand bell choir director. She has received the permanent professional certified teacher of music certificate in piano and organ from MTNA. She is a member of the National Guild Hall of Fame and the American Guild of Organist. She has been past president and treasurer of Carroll County Music Teachers Association.

MN: Solveig Englund (teacher/Coordinator): "The reason I enjoy teaching through MusicLink is that it makes music lessons available to everyone. I have taught four MusicLink students over the years and have learned a lot from them -- everything from finding time in a challenging schedule to practice to practicing on an instrument that had challenges of its own. My students and their parents have been so appreciative of what they are receiving and that has kept me motivated. It's a wonderful program."

MN: Sr. Virginia Houske NCTM: MusicLink is a wonderful idea and I am happy to be a part of it. I am very glad that other teachers are joining because I believe that music education is a ministry, not a business. As a Benedictine Sister, I have always taken a few qualified students for reduced fees because I believe that music lessons are for everyone who really wants lessons. I am also proud to call myself a Suzuki teacher because Suzuki philosophy (“talent is not inborn but every child acquires musical ability through experience and repetition”) is in harmony with MusicLInk.

MN: Sue Krebsbach NCTM (teacher): I have been teaching MusicLink students for many years. Our State MusicLink Chair, Sue Wege, has been instrumental in making me aware of this wonderful program. I co-own a music studio in Woodbury, MN, K&S Conservatory of Music. Several of my instrumental and piano teachers have also offered MusicLink lessons to needy students. I like the accountability that MusicLink offers because the parents have to verify that they are in need of financial help through the forms that they fill out. My students have performed in the MusicLink Playathon at the Mall of America last year to help raise money through pledges and are looking forward to doing so again this May. It has been exciting to see Minnesota Music Teachers Association and MusicLink work together on projects, including the Playathon and offering reduced registration and materials fees to MusicLink teachers and students. Thanks to MusicLink for the wonderful important job you are doing for music students across America.

MN: Marion Soule (teacher): My first Music Link student is now a young adult, married, and she just announced to me recently they are expecting their first baby! This student has become proficient in piano and enjoys sharing it, which would not have been possible without Music Link! My current Music Link student is in first grade.

MN: Sue Wege NCTM (teacher/coordinator): I have been involved with the MusicLink Program for 11 years now as teacher, state and regional coordinator. I am currently the Minnesota State MusicLink Coordinator and the Midwest & South Central Regional Coordinator. Over the years it has been my great joy to teach 6 MusicLink students. My coordinating efforts have covered many states and I've made many new friends this way. I'm always impressed with how amazingly generous music teachers are in opening their hearts and their studios to children you would not otherwise have the opportunity to learn music. Though I've coordinated many after-school and Community School projects, my heart continues to lie with the one-on-one link between one teacher and one student. It's been my joy to facilitate these links and I'm grateful to the MusicLink Foundation for giving me this opportunity.

NY: Tamara Slobodkin (teacher): “I have been part of the MusicLink program for over ten years now. It started with a single child who I had been observing at Long Island Philharmonic concerts since the time she was four! I learned of the MusicLink program and decided to make Eva my first Link student with its concurrent advantages. Within a year, a family transferred to my studio-- first two students, then three with two in the wings! They were wonderful, industrious, highly intelligent, focused and very talented. Watching these youngsters develop personally and musically has been one of my greatest joys ever. I wake up every morning looking forward to teaching all of my students, knowing that I have made a difference in their lives.”

NY: Julie Wegener (coordinator): “I am committed to MusicLink because of a life-long belief in equality. The idea that one might lose out for economic reasons is entirely unacceptable. We all should be eligible for the deep sense of joy and wonder that comes with expressing ourselves through music. This is my belief even when considering a student of only average ability. Financial well-being should have no bearing on an individual’s opportunity to study music. I have had four MusicLink students: an adult who thought she would never have the opportunity to learn to play the piano, a legally blind boy with considerable talent from a family with economic hardship and two college students: one from Haiti and one from Kenya, both possessing great musicality. The greatest reward for me has been to observe the excitement and engagement of my students. As coordinator of a MusicLink program at a large community music school, I have also had the pleasure of watching many young people who, without MusicLink, would never have had the opportunity to study and enjoy music."

OR: Eileen Knox NCTM (teacher/coordinator): Eileen Knox lives in the beautiful city of Portland, Oregon where she is surrounded by a community of music educators actively supporting students in need through MusicLink. As a child, Eileen wanted to play the piano, but her family could not afford it. So, her musical education began at the age of 30. Her first lessons were with Velma Schludermann, a gifted piano teacher and founding member of Oregon’s MusicLink State Board. Eileen went on to receive her B.A in Music Education, and after 25 years of professional teaching, her Permanent Professional Certification from MTNA. She understands, on all levels, the value of MusicLink and the profound effect it has on the children, their families and our shared future. She is currently serving as a MusicLink teacher, Oregon MusicLink board member and Northwest & Southwest regional coordinator. She finds a great deal of joy in working and playing with teachers committed to the mentorship and development of our young. Given a perfect world, everyone would be as generous of heart and as gracious in nature as our MusicLink community.

OR: Helen Libonati NCTM (teacher/Coordinator): I have been teaching MusicLink students on and off since the program began. It has been a rewarding experience for the most part. Only 1 or 2 students left because they didn’t enjoy it. I have also been on the Portland MusicLink Committee under Mary Hulme since it began and have been in charge of helping find teachers for students in the east Portland and Multnomah County areas.

TX: Sherry Penkert Frush NCTM (teacher): Sherry has been an independent music teacher in Abilene, Texas for over 40 years and currently maintains a studio with over 120 students. Frush is a Past President of Texas Music Teachers Association and TMTA 2005 Teacher of the Year. She has been a member of Music Teachers National Association since 1970, national certified since 1975 and awarded professional Lifetime Certification in 1995. She has held a state position in TMTA for over 30 years, is currently a TMTEF Trustee and writes all of the state theory tests. A frequent adjudicator, clinician, and accompanist, Mrs. Frush is a member of the National Guild Hall of Fame, National Music Link Hall of Fame, is a state and local officer of Federated Music Clubs, an officer of Abilene MTA, and was named Abilene MTA Teacher of the Year in 1988 and 2004. Frush Music students have won local, district, state, and national competitions in performance and composition; many former students are music educators. Frush strives to give her students a life-long love and enjoyment of music rather than a few years of tedious work with no long-term enrichment or gratification. Motto: Live with passion, joy and style.

VA: Peggy Newhall NCTM (teacher/coordinator): “When I was a little child, I wanted to take piano lessons, but we did not have a piano. My parents could not afford lessons anyway. When I was about 11, my aunt passed away and left me her piano. Somehow my parents found a way to give me lessons. Playing the piano has brought joy into my life. I am a MusicLink teacher because I want to pass that joy on to someone else. My life has been greatly enriched by working with MusicLink students for the last ten years It has been rewarding to see their dedication and commitment as they grow musically.”

VA: Diane Perett NCTM (teacher): “Throughout my life, I have been blessed with teachers who have given freely of their time and talent far beyond what was required or expected, and their example has provided much inspiration for me in my teaching. The most rewarding part of being a MusicLink teacher is undoubtedly the joy evident in the students’ faces and even their posture as they play the piano! Another great reward has been the cultural exchange, learning about Ethiopia and Bolivia, two countries I have never visited.”

VA: Martha Smith NCTM (teacher/coordinator, board member): “Teaching MusicLink students enables me to convey the musical heritage I received growing up to a new generation of eager learners. Accepting less than half my usual rate for MusicLink students reminds me of all the teachers who were generous with me. I love seeing students discover the joy of making music. As they learn skills and pieces and perform in public, their confidence in other areas grows significantly. Among my former MusicLink students are an epidemiologist, an architecture student and a nurse—all of whom still play the piano. As local instrument coordinator for MusicLink, it has been my privilege to place almost forty donated pianos into the homes of MusicLink students.

WA: Marcia Wilke (teacher/coordinator): Reasons I am a MusicLink teacher: To help spread the love of music to those who are talented but can’t afford to take private lessons; to see the determination to learn a new concept or physical movement; to see the joy on a child’s face when they hear the beauty of music as it reaches his/her soul. I am delighted when I receive a registration form for a new ML student, knowing that another child will have the joy of making music!”