2023 Scholarship Application Deadline: April 30
ONLINE APPLICATIONS FOR DOWNLOAD…
For Teacher Training/Continuing Education:
Information and Form for Teachers
For Jazz Camp:
Jazz Camp Scholarship Application
Information and Form for Jazz Camp
For College Scholarship:
Information and Form for College Scholarship
For Ian Simensen Memorial Scholarship:
Information and Form for Ian Simensen Scholarship
Winners of the 2020 Manieri Scholarships:
Geoffrey Dylan – $1,000
Geoffrey plans to attend Western Washington University
Geoffrey Hamilton – Ian Simensen Scholarship – $2,000
Geoffrey plans to attend Edmonds College
Garrett Kennedy – $1,000
Garrett plans to attend Montana State University
Ava Martin – $1,000
Ava plans to attend Western Washington University
Winners of the 2019 Manieri Scholarships:
Ava Martin – Ian Simensen Scholarship – $2,000.00
Ava Martin is this year’s Ian Simensen Memorial Scholarship winner. Ava is a senior at Anacortes High School and is planning on attending Western Washington University in the fall. She plans on becoming a music teacher and will use her musical talents to inspire and encourage students. Ava is a great lover of jazz having early inspiration from Ella Fitzgerald, Diane Schurr, and Nina Simone and continuing that love through the Anacortes High School Jazz Choir and the Nina Simone Gospel Choir in Seattle. Not only a singer, Ava is also part of the Anacortes High School percussion ensemble and was a lead in the high school musical Avenue Q. Ava embodies the work, dedication, and love of music, that Ian Simensen also had, and with her continued studies in music education will have the same opportunity to touch student lives with the joy of music.
Blake Clawson- $1000
Blake is last year’s recipient of the Ian Simensen Memorial Scholarship and he continues to grow in his music at Whitworth College as a composition major. Blake is both a jazz vocalist and jazz pianist and continues these pursuits along with a full class load and work schedule in college. Beyond playing and listening to jazz music, Blake is beginning to focus his music career into becoming a college professor in either composition and theory or choral conducting.
Allison Schuh – $1000
Alli plans to attend the University of Utah where she will double major in modern dance and social work. She has been involved in the Anacortes schools’ choirs since eighth grade. For the last three years, she has sung with the AHS Jazz choir. As a dancer, Alli spends 15 hours a week practicing, split between the Opus Performing Arts company in Bellingham and the Hannah Anderson Dance company. On top of a busy academic and volunteer schedule, Alli is also a top rate visual artist, chosen as the 20128 Emerging Artist at last summer’s Anacortes Arts Festival.
Cali Swain- $500 Camp Scholarship
The 2019 Dominic Manieri Jazz Camp Scholarship is awarded to Cali Swain for $500 to attend the MPulse Summer Performing Art Institute at the University of Michigan. Cali has been studying voice with Carole Leander at the school and privately through Lisa Grace. She is featured in this year’s WMEA’s All-State choir. She has produced an evening of jazz as a benefit held at a local church. In Seattle, she studies with Kelley Johnson, one of the NW’s top jazz vocalists. Cali’s goal is to attend a 4 year university and minor in jazz.
Winners of the 2018 Manieri Scholarships:
Blake Clawson – Ian Simensen Scholarship – $2,000.00
The inaugural Ian Simensen Memorial Scholarship recipient is Blake Clawson, an Anacortes High School and Edmonds Community College graduate. The $2000 award is to honor former Anacortes School District band director Ian Simensen who passed away last year. Blake is applying to Whitworth University expecting to major in music composition. At E.C.C., Blake sang and played piano with the Soundsation vocal jazz ensemble, one of the premier vocal groups in the Northwest. At Anacortes H.S., Blake received several jazz band awards from the school, and in 2016 was selected to the WMEA All State Jazz Choir and the All-Northwest Honor Jazz Choir. Blake embodies the devotion to music, and jazz in particular, that Ian Simensen inspired in his students, and he intends to make music teaching and composition his life’s work.
Anja Shjarback – $2,000.00
Anja is a trumpet player, vocalist, pianist and swing dancer involved in many jazz and musical experiences through the Anacortes schools, the Fidalgo Youth Symphony and her church. She has been the high school representative on the Manieri Jazz and Swing Committee for the last two years and has been a vital link between the high school and the jazz committee. She has chosen to attend the University of Portland, and while she is undecided about her major, she intends to minor in music. The scholarship committee will honor her service, talent and commitment with a $2000 scholarship.
Ava Ross – $1,000.00
Ava Ross is a senior at Mt. Vernon High School. Upon graduation she will attend University of Washington where she may pursue a degree in radio programming, journalism, or another major that uses one of her many talents. A trombonist, Ava started playing jazz with the LaVenture Middle School jazz band. She continues to play jazz trombone with a number of groups including, the Mt. Vernon High School Jazz Band and the Skagit Swing Allstars. When not playing music, Ava enjoys editing the Mt. Vernon High School newspaper, The Bulldog, acting as the public relations officer for the MVHS Science Club, and volunteering at the Lincoln Theatre. This exemplary jazz musician will be honored with a $1000 scholarship.
Jordan Anderson – $1,000.00
Jordan Anderson is a senior at Mt. Vernon High School. Jordan is a cellist who has sought out ways to improve his playing. An admitted “music theory nerd”, he taught himself walking bass lines on the bass, so he could participate with the middle school jazz band. As a high school student, he plays bass with the Jazz 1 Band and JANE’s combo. Beyond jazz, Jordan is also the principal cellist for the Mt. Vernon High School Chamber Orchestra and the Fidalgo Youth Symphony. When not playing he is teaching youth to play cello through private lessons and Summer Sounds Music Camp. Jordan plans to pursue medicine and will attend the University of Puget Sound in the fall. This multi-talented musician will be honored with a $1000 scholarship.
Winners of the 2017 Manieri Scholarships:
$1000.00 Lydia Weddle
Lydia is 4.0 student at Anacortes H.S. and has been involved in the Anacortes choir program for the last six years. She has been part of the A,H.S. jazz choir for the last two years and won the Outstanding Jazz Musicianship award at last year’s Pasco Jazz Festival. She is also a school cheerleader and an advanced member of the Fidalgo Danceworks. Her post secondary plan is to attend a four year university and study mechanical engineering.
$1000.00 Sabrina Poor
Sabrina is a committed musician whose educational goal is to attend McNally Smith College of Music and earn a Bachelor’s Degree in Music Business and then pursue a career in music. She’s been training as a jazz vocalist since 2013. In addition, she plays piano, cello, and composes her own songs on the guitar. Her school counselor regards her as “intelligent, musically gifted, courageous and committed.” Sabrina has already released a single, “Stronghold,” that she wrote, produced and released on iTunes, Spotify and Amazon Play.
$1000.00 Paige Mooney
Paige Mooney intends to major in music at Edmonds Community College and plans to audition for Edmond’s music group Soundsation. She has been involved with Anacortes High School’s Jazz and Concert choirs and was selected to sing in the All State Jazz Choir in 2016 and the All Northwest Jazz Choir in 2017. Paige has also been involved in the drama program and has been in several plays and musicals including as the lead in this year’s musical Avenue Q. She hopes to pursue music as a career.
$500.00 Elizabeth Harrison
Elizabeth Harrison is a senior at Anacortes High School who hopes to major in Biochemistry and minor in vocal music at Pepperdine University in California. As an alto, Elizabeth has performed with Anacortes High School’s Choir and Jazz Choir and qualified for All State Choir and State Solo in 2017. A gifted vocalist and academic, Elizabeth hopes to pursue a career as a dermatologist.
$500.00 Danielle Olson
Danielle Olson is a senior at Anacortes High School who hopes to major in Biochemistry at the University of Boston in the fall. Danielle has been involved in music for a long time, starting her love for jazz as an alto saxophonist with the middle school jazz band and continuing it today as a vocalist with the Anacortes Choir and Jazz Choir. Both vocally and academically gifted, Danielle hopes to attend medical school to become a heart surgeon.
Winners of the 2016 Manieri Scholarships:
$1000.00 Blake Clawson
Blake has been pursuing his interest in music throughout high school. He was in the Jazz Band and Wind Ensemble for five years, took AP Music Theory, and has participated in the Jazz Choir and Concert Choir for the past 2 years. In addition, he was accepted by both the WMEA All State Jazz Choir, as well as the ACDA Northwest Honor Jazz Choir. He has been applauded by his instructors for his dedication and performing excellence, interest in opportunities to work and improve his craft, and also with helping is peers with difficult musical challenges. He is especially interested in composing and arranging jazz and classical music, and would like to become a music educator. Blake will be attending Edmonds Community College.
$1000.00 Danielle Long
Danielle has been has been playing trumpet in the high school Jazz Band for the past five years, but has been playing piano for 14 years. She played in the Symphonic Band for several years and has been drum major for her high school pep band. In her senior year she also took Jazz Choir and was accepted for the All State Jazz Choir. She will represent all of SJMEA in Ellensburg on trumpet this year, having won the trumpet division of the region’s Solo and Ensemble contest. Outside of school, she has also performed for swing dances and at the Waterfront Festival. She is praised by her instructors for her leadership and passion for music. Among other subjects, Danielle has also excelled in Chemistry and her goal is to major in Chemistry at the UW.
$500.00 Hannah Swartos
Hannah has been singing in Concert Choir and Jazz Choir since she was a sophomore. She has performed in and directed school plays, and was elected Jazz Choir President in her senior year. She’s active in her church, participating in her church band, and also takes piano lessons. She has maintained a high GPA throughout high school and is praised by her teachers for her hard work and integrity. She is interested in world issues and journalism and plans to attend the University of San Diego, majoring in Interdisciplinary Humanities.
$500.00 Jacob Carver
Jacob has been playing drums for 8 years, which included taking additional private drumming lessons. In high school he has played in the Marching Band, Concert Band, Percussion Ensemble and in his senior year served as Drum Captain. He also was a member of the All State Marching Band in 2016, and was drummer for the Jazz Choir, as well as playing in the pit bands for AHS and ACT shows. He is applauded for his strong work ethic and desire to improve by his instructors. Jacob has been very interested in photo journalism for the past 3 years. His intended major is Visual Journalism at WWU.
$500.00 Graydon Millard
Graydon has participated in Mixed Choir and Concert Choir throughout high school and then added Jazz Choir for the last two years. He has also has been active in the Broadcast club and helped with multiple drama productions, including working sound and technical support backstage. He is recognized by his teachers and peers for his hard work ethic and integrity. He plans to attend WWU with a major in Engineering in mind.
$500.00 Mason Dellutri
Mason plays several instruments including guitar and accordion. He played in the high school Symphonic Band for 2 years and for the past 2 years had been in the Concert Choir and Jazz Choir. He was selected for the WMEA’s All-Northwest Jazz Choir. He also has been very active in the Theater Program for the past several years, with both acting and music. He is highly regarded by his instructors for his enthusiasm, natural performing ability, and strong work ethic. He will be majoring in Computer Science at Gonzaga University.
The Manieri Endowment is very proud to help support all of these outstanding students.
Thank you to all who applied. It was a very competitive year for scholarships and the selection committee had a great challenge selecting the scholarship winners.
Winners of the 2015 Manieri Scholarships:
$500: Jake Farley, Anacortes High School. A percussionist, going to the JP Bouvet 2015 LA Drum Camp
Jake is an AHS senior whose focus is on percussion, but who also plays various mallet instruments, piano, bass and guitar. He takes AP Music Theory and plays with the AHS Jazz Band, Symphonic Band, Percussion Ensemble, Jazz Choir Advanced Jazz Band, Skagit All Stars Band, and often fills in for other groups. Jake has studied with some high level drummers, including Kit Mills, Garey Williams, and JP Bouvet. His letters of recommendation from the AHS Choir and band teachers were glowing with admiration and great enthusiasm that Jake is interested in pursuing higher education and a career in Music. Jake will be attending the JP Bouvet 2015 LA Drum Camp and also plans to attend WWU, majoring in Music Education.
Teachers Continuing Ed:
$1000: Carole Leander, Anacortes High School and Anacortes Middle School Choral Teacher. Going to NY Voices Jazz Camp
Carole is the teacher for the AMS Choir and AHS Mixed Choir, Treble Choir, Concert Choir and Jazz Choir, and also teaches guitar and AP Music Theory. She was the Musical Director for the middle and high school musical theatrical productions this year (Peter Pan and Xanadu), is a board member of the Theatre Arts Guild and has been in productions at ACT. Carole’s letter of recommendation from the ASD Director of Arts & Culture praises her passion, enthusiasm, and focus on her students. Carole hopes to attend NY Voices, a camp for teachers at Bowling Green State University, where she will learn skills and strategies to work with her students, and in the planning and coordination of the development of a summer jazz camp for Anacortes Students.
College:
$1000: Victoria Miller, AHS, choir, jazz choir, drama club. Victoria will be attending Gonzaga University. She is majoring in PR / Advertising
Victoria has been involved in Choir at AHS since her Freshman year and has also been in Mixed Choir, Treble Choir, Concert Choir, and worked to qualify for Jazz Choir after seeing a performance. She finds jazz and swing music thrilling to hear and to sing and really enjoys the tight harmonies. She participated in Jazz Solo Night 2014 and performed “You Make Me Feel so Young” with the Savage Jazz Trio. Victoria is also involved in AHS Drama and was in “Spamalot” and “Xanadu”. She is currently the Drama Club President. She is also involved in D.E.C.A. and Young Life. Victoria has strong letters of recommendation praising her talent & academic ability from her teachers. She plans to go to Gonzaga and major in PR/Advertising or Post Secondary Education
$1000: Jaclyn Lofgren: AHS, jazz choir & piano. Jaclyn will be attending SPU, majoring in Nursing
Jaclyn sings in the AHS Concert, Treble and Jazz Choir, earning the Choral Department Award as a Junior. She sang with the Savage Jazz Trio on Jazz Solo Night 2014. Jaclyn has also studied Dance for 12 years, including jazz dance and has been involved in Swimming. Her letters of recommendation from her choir, drama and Honors World Religion instructors all tell the story of an extremely competent young woman with serious academic goals, excellent writing ability and leadership skills. Jaclyn plans to attend SPU and major in Nursing, specializing in either ER or Oncology.
$1000: Julie Harstad, AHS, jazz choir & piano, going to SPU, majoring in Nursing
Julie plays piano and sings in the AHS Jazz Choir. She also sang with the Savage Jazz Trio on Jazz Solo Night 2014. Julie has also been involved in Honor Society and Tennis. Her letters of recommendation from her choir and Spanish teachers praise her dedication and willingness to channel her leadership & organizational skills to benefit the programs in which she is involved. Julie plans to attend SPU and major in Nursing, specializing in either ER or Pediatric Oncology.
$500: Jake Farley, AHS, percussion. Jake will be attending WWU and is majoring in Music
*See Bio above in Jazz Camp Scholarships.
2014 Scholarship Winners:
Jazz & Swing Scholarship Winners for 2014
Manieri Jazz & Swing Endowment
Anacortes Public Library
1220 Tenth Street
The Manieri Jazz & Swing Endowment of the Anacortes Public Library announces the winners of scholarships to students of the Western Skagit County region who are active in jazz and/or swing music. We are proud to say that the endowment received a number of worthy applications. This year’s winners are:
College Scholarship:
Jackson Burgess: $1000
Jack plays percussion and vibraphone in the Anacortes High School Jazz Band and has written some songs of his own. He is in the AHS Marching Band/Drumline, Percussion Ensemble, and Symphonic Band. Jack also has done guest performances with A-Town Big Band, the Savage Jazz Quartet, and the Skagit All Star Jazz. He has strong letters of recommendation praising his talent and ability from instructors and fellow musicians. He plans to go to the Cornish College of the Arts and “immerse myself in Jazz . . . I want to share it with everyone who will listen.”
Amy Feeney: $1000
Amy is a Mt. Vernon High School senior whose focus is on upright bass, tuba, and also choir. She plays with the MVHS Jazz Band, the Skagit All Star Jazz Band, and has participated in numerous workshops and festivals. Amy won an Emerging Young Artist award for a notable performance at the Lionel Hampton Jazz Festival. She performs in numerous volunteer events. Her enthusiastic recommendations all talk about her dedication and ability, and also her stellar academic record. Amy plans to attend Western Washington University, major in music, and to go on to perform and teach.
Miles Anderson: $500
Miles plays Trumpet in the Anacortes High School Jazz Band, the Skagit All-Star Jazz Band, and the Fidalgo Youth Symphony (on both trumpet and cello). His letters of recommendation from instructors and conductors all speak of his talent and commitment to music which spills over into working with other musicians, young and old, and volunteering to make productions run smoothly. Miles plans to go to Western Washington University with an undetermined major, but says that “music will always be a part of my life.”
Simon Marks-Franks: $500
Simon lives in Rockport and is a full-time Running Start student at Skagit Valley College whose focus is on clarinet, trumpet, and saxophone. He started playing jazz at Concrete High School and now plays with the Skagit Valley College Jazz Ensemble, the SVC Jazz Choir, and the pit band for SVC theatrical productions. Simon’s recommendations all talk about his maturity and motivation, both in music and other studies. Simon plans to complete his transfer degree at Skagit Valley College then transfer to Eastern Washington University as a junior, where he will major in music and possibly music education.
Jazz Camp Scholarship:
Christopher Perry: $500
Christopher plays guitar and bass guitar, stand-up bass, and banjo (which he built himself!) in the Mt. Vernon High School Jazz Band. Christopher’s focus is on jazz and he has strong letters of recommendation praising his outstanding musical ability, diligence in preparation, character, and academic record. He plans to go to the University of Washington Jazz Workshop in June.
Teacher’s Continuing Education:
Ian Simensen: $1000
Ian is the band teacher for all Anacortes schools. He teaches beginning band at the elementary schools, middle school band and jazz band, and all the high school bands, from marching band to bands for theatrical productions, to the jazz ensemble. Ian has organized numerous performances including multi-district performances involving jazz ensembles from seven nearby school districts. His letters of recommendation all praise his tireless work in bringing the band programs in Anacortes up to a very high standard and also his instrumental role in founding A-Town Big Band, in which he plays trumpet. In the coming year, Ian will complete his master’s degree in Instrumental Conducting through the American Band College.
The Manieri Endowment Advisory Board and the Jazz Committee will honor the scholarship winners at their “2nd Sunday Jazz” performance on Sunday, June 8, 2 pm, at the Heart of Anacortes (4th and “O” Avenue). A representative of the Manieri Advisory board will present the awards to the recipients before the performance by Susan Pascal.
For more on the Manieri endowment, please visit www.jazzatthelibrary.com.
Questions? Please call the Library at 360-293-1910, ext. 21, or visit library.cityofanacortes.org. —>
