Jazz in the Valley isn't just a music festival.
Our board of directors and volunteer list is filled with individuals who have been touched by the experience of music, whether that's through a high school band or choir program, a music camp, or through attending a JIV-similar music festival. To that end, we don't just host a 3 day annual music festival. We also have a large education focus built into our mission. We give a special thank you to the City of Ellensburg Arts Commission, who typically sponsors Jazz in the Valley scholarship opportunities for CWU Jazz Camp students. This amazing experience would not be possible without the assistance of City of Ellensburg and its Arts Commission.
CWU Jazz Camp SponsorCentral Washington University hosts an annual summer jazz camp that occurs the week of our music festival. The camp culminates in a free main stage performance on Saturday morning before the main Jazz in the Valley events kick off.
Every year, Jazz in the Valley sponsors a select number of students via a camp scholarship program. We aim to assist students with tuition costs who may not otherwise be able to attend the camp. |
CWU ScholarshipsJazz in the Valley has established a monetary scholarship for the benefit of graduating high school student and transfer students wishing to pursue music studies at Central Washington University, with an emphasis in jazz performance and study.
|
Jazz in the Valley has for many years fostered interest in jazz music through programs like Paint to Jazz and early morning jazz clinics. Collaboration with Central Washington University’s Jazz Studies Program has enabled students in the Kittitas County schools to listen to and learn from talented, cutting edge musicians. In 2010, the JIV Board established the Jazz in the Valley Young Musician Scholarship. Learn about our prior student scholarship awardees:
2017-18 | $1000 New student Scholarship: Nathan Fisher
Starting in middle school and the encouragement of his parents, Nathan Fisher exposure to jazz began at Moses Lake Washington Chief Moses Middle School where he was introduced to the different jazz styles and moods. Coupled with listening to old jazz compilations, attending music festivals and live performances including those of Dmitri Matheny and Arturo Sandoval, Nathan further solidified his love for jazz. “I have grown into a musician (primarily focused on jazz) who greatly appreciates the bewildering complexities and beautiful simplicities of the art form and wants to master it”. Nathan Fisher is this year’s recipient of Jazz in the Valley’s Young Musician $1000 Scholarship Award. He is a freshman attending at Central Washington University as a Music Performance Major with an emphasis in jazz. Congratulations Nathan!
2017-18 | $500 returning student Scholarship: Domi Edson (Interlake High School)
Domi Edson is an Interlake High School graduate from Bellevue WA. Her journey as a musician has encompassed many different musical experiences that have provided the template for the excellent musician that she has become. She started playing classical piano at age four stating this “helped me develop a strong sense of rhythm and harmony early on”. As a music major at Central Washington University, Domi has continued to challenge herself, and, in this her senior year, she has achieved her goal of being a part of Jazz 1. In addition to being president of CWU’s Jazz Education Network club(JEN), She is also arranging music, teaching students, and is co-director of the Morgan Middle School jazz band. “I love how involved I am in jazz at CWU and Ellensburg, and I can’t wait to see where this year brings me on my musical journey.” This year, Domi, was awarded the 2018 Jazz in the Valley Music Scholarship, Returning Student. It is another wonderful achievement for this remarkable and dedicated student. Congratulations, Domi!
2016-17 | $1000 New student Scholarship: Kyle Brooks
2016-17 | $500 returning student Scholarship: Owen Evan
2015-16 | $1000 New student Scholarship: Daniel Hendrick (West Salem High School)
Daniel is a trumpet player from Salem OR. He was an integral part of the concert, jazz, symphony orchestra and marching band programs at West Salem High School in Salem, OR. He was selected for membership in the All Northwest Jazz Band in 2015. In addition to being an outstanding musician, Daniel was an excellent student and maintained a 3.86 GPA during his high school years. He is currently attending CWU as a Music Education and Trumpet Performance Major.!
2015-16 | $500 returning student Scholarship: Austin Hass
Austin Haas is currently a junior percussion major and plans a career as a jazz musician and educator. Hass has been part of Jazz Band II as well as Jazz Band I. He had the honor of being a part of Jazz Band One's winning performance at the 2015 Next Generation Jazz Festival in Monterey CA. In addition to performing in many jazz combos, he has been staff member at the CWU Jazz Camp working with students and faculty.
2014-15| $1000 New student Scholarship: Jameson Scriver
Scriver knew he would love studying jazz at CWU, after Professor Singh said, "Welcome to Central, we really love jazz here." Scriver, a drummer, has put his education in jazz as his top priority. He actively participates in jazz ensembles and jazz combos at CWU. He also takes every opportunity to soak in jazz in other ways. He attends jazz jam sessions, jazz concerts, and is a member of the Jazz Education Network, a student club dedicated to learning and teaching jazz. Scriver states, "Jazz is what I want to do with the rest of my life," and is excited to be a part of CWU's amazing jazz program!
2014-15 | $500 returning student Scholarship: Joshua Supkoff
Josh Supkoff, a Washington State native, started playing music in the fifth grade. Music became a serious hobby in middle school when he learned to play the saxophone. His interest in jazz continued as he became involved in several jazz groups. While at CWU he has performed in jazz ensembles, and states it is a priority of his to continue involvement and advancement with as a jazz musician. He plans to become as music educator and share his passion for jazz with his future students.
2013-2014 | $1000 New student Scholarship: Taylor Griffin (Montlake Terrace High School)
2013-2014 | $500 returning student Scholarship: Brian Lawrence
2012-13 | Brian Lawrence (Bellevue High School)
Brian Lawrence comes to Central from Bellevue High School where he was a stand-out instrumentalist, playing both saxophone and piano in the jazz bands there. He entered Central this fall as a freshman and immediatley auditioned for (and won) a position into both the Vocal Jazz 1 (piano) and Jazz Band 1 (saxophone)....so he's having an impact already! Recently he's been exploring the department's Hammond B-3, so who's know what he'll be playing next!
2011-12 | Taryn Zickefoose (Transfer Student)
Originally from Edmonds, WA, Taryn is currently a transfer student to Central Washington Universities Jazz Studies program. Having studied jazz since the seventh grade, she has participated in the top jazz choir and band at Point Loma University in San Diego, CA. and at Mount Hood Community College in Portland, Ore. As a member of the jazz choirs, she has traveled to the Monterey Jazz Festival and the Jazz Education Network Conference in New Orleans. Taryn Zickefoose is a percussion performance and special education major, maintaining a 3.7 GP A and hoping to pursue a Masters in Music Therapy. As a music therapist, she will be using her jazz musician skills as a way to help special needs students. She enjoys teaching younger players and wishes to provide them with the tools to continue pursuing their passion for music. Taryn says, "Not only has jazz taught me how to look outside the normal structure of music and to be creative in how I express myself, but it has also taught me how to work with other people." She is currently playing in Vocal Jazz One with Professor Vijay Singh, and states that it has "already been an eye-opening experience." The level of musicianship that is required of students is challenging, and she looks forward to continuing to study with the students and professors at CWU. Taryn will be a great addition to CWU's Jazz studies program!
2010-11 | Kathryn Chavez (Kennewick High School)
We are delighted to congratulate Kathryn Chavez of Kennewick High School as the first recipient of the 2010 Jazz in the Valley Young Musician Scholarship. As an outstanding pianist with a strong jazz and classical background, Kathryn has won numerous awards. Kathryn says she had applied to other schools, but after listening to CWU’s jazz band, she realized that CWU was the place for her. Kathryn already has enjoyed working with Chris Bruya, CWU's Director of Jazz Studies, in her high school band program, saying that it was a great experience and that she admires Bruya's intensity and quick-paced methods of teaching ensembles. She says she is truly honored and grateful to receive the first Jazz in the Valley Young Musician Scholarship. We wish her continued success in her studies at CWU.
2017-18 | $1000 New student Scholarship: Nathan Fisher
Starting in middle school and the encouragement of his parents, Nathan Fisher exposure to jazz began at Moses Lake Washington Chief Moses Middle School where he was introduced to the different jazz styles and moods. Coupled with listening to old jazz compilations, attending music festivals and live performances including those of Dmitri Matheny and Arturo Sandoval, Nathan further solidified his love for jazz. “I have grown into a musician (primarily focused on jazz) who greatly appreciates the bewildering complexities and beautiful simplicities of the art form and wants to master it”. Nathan Fisher is this year’s recipient of Jazz in the Valley’s Young Musician $1000 Scholarship Award. He is a freshman attending at Central Washington University as a Music Performance Major with an emphasis in jazz. Congratulations Nathan!
2017-18 | $500 returning student Scholarship: Domi Edson (Interlake High School)
Domi Edson is an Interlake High School graduate from Bellevue WA. Her journey as a musician has encompassed many different musical experiences that have provided the template for the excellent musician that she has become. She started playing classical piano at age four stating this “helped me develop a strong sense of rhythm and harmony early on”. As a music major at Central Washington University, Domi has continued to challenge herself, and, in this her senior year, she has achieved her goal of being a part of Jazz 1. In addition to being president of CWU’s Jazz Education Network club(JEN), She is also arranging music, teaching students, and is co-director of the Morgan Middle School jazz band. “I love how involved I am in jazz at CWU and Ellensburg, and I can’t wait to see where this year brings me on my musical journey.” This year, Domi, was awarded the 2018 Jazz in the Valley Music Scholarship, Returning Student. It is another wonderful achievement for this remarkable and dedicated student. Congratulations, Domi!
2016-17 | $1000 New student Scholarship: Kyle Brooks
2016-17 | $500 returning student Scholarship: Owen Evan
2015-16 | $1000 New student Scholarship: Daniel Hendrick (West Salem High School)
Daniel is a trumpet player from Salem OR. He was an integral part of the concert, jazz, symphony orchestra and marching band programs at West Salem High School in Salem, OR. He was selected for membership in the All Northwest Jazz Band in 2015. In addition to being an outstanding musician, Daniel was an excellent student and maintained a 3.86 GPA during his high school years. He is currently attending CWU as a Music Education and Trumpet Performance Major.!
2015-16 | $500 returning student Scholarship: Austin Hass
Austin Haas is currently a junior percussion major and plans a career as a jazz musician and educator. Hass has been part of Jazz Band II as well as Jazz Band I. He had the honor of being a part of Jazz Band One's winning performance at the 2015 Next Generation Jazz Festival in Monterey CA. In addition to performing in many jazz combos, he has been staff member at the CWU Jazz Camp working with students and faculty.
2014-15| $1000 New student Scholarship: Jameson Scriver
Scriver knew he would love studying jazz at CWU, after Professor Singh said, "Welcome to Central, we really love jazz here." Scriver, a drummer, has put his education in jazz as his top priority. He actively participates in jazz ensembles and jazz combos at CWU. He also takes every opportunity to soak in jazz in other ways. He attends jazz jam sessions, jazz concerts, and is a member of the Jazz Education Network, a student club dedicated to learning and teaching jazz. Scriver states, "Jazz is what I want to do with the rest of my life," and is excited to be a part of CWU's amazing jazz program!
2014-15 | $500 returning student Scholarship: Joshua Supkoff
Josh Supkoff, a Washington State native, started playing music in the fifth grade. Music became a serious hobby in middle school when he learned to play the saxophone. His interest in jazz continued as he became involved in several jazz groups. While at CWU he has performed in jazz ensembles, and states it is a priority of his to continue involvement and advancement with as a jazz musician. He plans to become as music educator and share his passion for jazz with his future students.
2013-2014 | $1000 New student Scholarship: Taylor Griffin (Montlake Terrace High School)
2013-2014 | $500 returning student Scholarship: Brian Lawrence
2012-13 | Brian Lawrence (Bellevue High School)
Brian Lawrence comes to Central from Bellevue High School where he was a stand-out instrumentalist, playing both saxophone and piano in the jazz bands there. He entered Central this fall as a freshman and immediatley auditioned for (and won) a position into both the Vocal Jazz 1 (piano) and Jazz Band 1 (saxophone)....so he's having an impact already! Recently he's been exploring the department's Hammond B-3, so who's know what he'll be playing next!
2011-12 | Taryn Zickefoose (Transfer Student)
Originally from Edmonds, WA, Taryn is currently a transfer student to Central Washington Universities Jazz Studies program. Having studied jazz since the seventh grade, she has participated in the top jazz choir and band at Point Loma University in San Diego, CA. and at Mount Hood Community College in Portland, Ore. As a member of the jazz choirs, she has traveled to the Monterey Jazz Festival and the Jazz Education Network Conference in New Orleans. Taryn Zickefoose is a percussion performance and special education major, maintaining a 3.7 GP A and hoping to pursue a Masters in Music Therapy. As a music therapist, she will be using her jazz musician skills as a way to help special needs students. She enjoys teaching younger players and wishes to provide them with the tools to continue pursuing their passion for music. Taryn says, "Not only has jazz taught me how to look outside the normal structure of music and to be creative in how I express myself, but it has also taught me how to work with other people." She is currently playing in Vocal Jazz One with Professor Vijay Singh, and states that it has "already been an eye-opening experience." The level of musicianship that is required of students is challenging, and she looks forward to continuing to study with the students and professors at CWU. Taryn will be a great addition to CWU's Jazz studies program!
2010-11 | Kathryn Chavez (Kennewick High School)
We are delighted to congratulate Kathryn Chavez of Kennewick High School as the first recipient of the 2010 Jazz in the Valley Young Musician Scholarship. As an outstanding pianist with a strong jazz and classical background, Kathryn has won numerous awards. Kathryn says she had applied to other schools, but after listening to CWU’s jazz band, she realized that CWU was the place for her. Kathryn already has enjoyed working with Chris Bruya, CWU's Director of Jazz Studies, in her high school band program, saying that it was a great experience and that she admires Bruya's intensity and quick-paced methods of teaching ensembles. She says she is truly honored and grateful to receive the first Jazz in the Valley Young Musician Scholarship. We wish her continued success in her studies at CWU.