Stanley Kay Scholarship
DIVA honors the musical legacy, integrity, creativity and excellence of our founder Stanley Kay through a scholarship, offering an opportunity for a seriously swingin’ drummer between the ages of 12—22 to attend COTA CampJazz from June 24-June 30, 2018.
COTA Camp Jazz embraces all instrumental and vocal learners age 12 and up. Applicants can apply at the beginner, intermediate, or advanced level. Every day, campers will receive focused instruction as they rehearse in combos and study improvisation, theory, ear-training, history and more. Campers also have the option to participate in jam sessions, take private lessons, and choose from a variety of special electives such as composition, arranging, technology, and music business.Throughout the week, our world-class faculty and special guests will be presenting master classes and offering in-depth Q & A’s on “all things jazz.” Camp Jazz Culminates on Saturday with each combo recording at the renowned Red Rock Recording Studio, followed on Sunday by our “COTA Camp Jazz Presents” performance, featuring all camp combos and special guests.
Scholarship award covers tuition, room and board. Transportation and any other additional expenses are the responsibility of the scholarship recipient.
donate to the stanley kay scholarship fund
Help us continue to honor Stanley Kay's legacy each year in helping a talented young drummer go a little bit further.
HOW TO Apply
To apply, please send us the following. Applicants must be between the ages of 12 and 22 on June 24, 2018.
A cover letter expressing WHY this opportunity would make a difference in the applicant’s musical life. Be sure to include up-do-date contact information in the form of postal and email addresses.
A CD, DVD, mp3, or link to video of the applicant’s drumming. Preferred if tracks are edited to include only the melody/head, any shout-type choruses, and solos/trading. If full-length tracks are submitted, applicant should include time cues indicating where on each track the shout chorus and soloing can be found. Three tracks are required, one selection in each of these styles:
a) Medium or up-tempo swing
b) Ballad or slow swing
c) Either Afro-Cuban (mambo, songo, cha-cha, etc.) or Brazilian (samba, bossa-nova, baiao, etc.)
A letter of recommendation from a music teacher (private teacher, band director, regional ensemble conductor, etc.).
Important Notes
Cover letter, recording/links, and recommendation letter must be submitted together. Applications can be emailed to Sherrie Maricle at smarticle@ptd.net with “SK Scholarship” in the subject line. Hard-copy packets may be sent to The DIVA Jazz Orchestra, 1 River Place, Suite 817, New York, NY 10036, with “SK Scholarship” written on the envelope flap.
CDs, DVDs, and other application materials cannot be returned.
Applications for 2018 will be accepted starting March 5, 2018 and must be postmarked no later than May 18, 2018.
PAST Winners
Some of the young drummers who have won in past years.
Maria Marmarou (2017)
Nick Kepron (2015, 2016)
Maya Stepansky (2015)
Liuba Miranosava (2014)
Merlin Joseph, Jr. (2013)
Fred Griggs (2012)
Isabelle DeLeon (2011)
Maybe you'll be next?