Finding the Funds to Fuel Your Child’s Passion for the Arts

Finding the Funds to Fuel Your Child’s Passion for the Arts

Paying for music, dance, or art lessons for your children can be difficult or even impossible for many families. Fortunately, there are many organizations in Naples that will help foot the bill. You might be surprised at just how much money is available through both need- and merit- based scholarships.

The Southwest Florida Symphony

Amy Ginsberg, executive director at the Southwest Florida Symphony, recognizes the financial pressure parents are under to provide their budding musicians with opportunities to advance their skills. “As the cost of college, summer programs, lessons, and even instruments have risen rapidly, students are finding it increasingly difficult to keep up with costs associated with pursuing music education,” she explained.

“In many cases, scholarships provide the only music education opportunity for local students as arts programs continue to disappear from schools,” Ginsberg said. “Our scholarship programs help deserving music students enhance their music education experience.”

To apply for a scholarship (of up to $2,000), students submit an application and a recording of a selection (vocal or instrumental), and finalists are selected to perform before a panel of judges.

“While not all of our scholarship winners go on to pursue music as a career, it has provided each one of them with a greatly enhanced, well-rounded overall education. Those who have pursued careers in music have gone on to win other prestigious competitions and even perform with professional orchestras.”

Naples Music Club

The Naples Music Club (NMC) provides a variety of financial- and merit-based awards and scholarships, and has presented more than $650,000 to students in Southwest Florida since 1965. That figure includes more than $42,000 at its 2017 annual scholarship competition, which is open to middle and high school students in Collier, Bonita Springs, and Estero. “Scholarship winners use their awards for private lessons, instruments, music camps, and college expenses,” explained Linda Noel, NMC president.

“Plan to attend our Scholarship Winners Recital in April 2018. You will be amazed at the talent of these young, hardworking student musicians,” she added.

One such talented student is Melissa Leone. She won first place in the senior flute category in 2017, as well as the Turiel Award, NMC’s top honor.

Melissa has been playing the flute since fourth grade, and in ensembles since sixth grade, including school bands, All-State Bands, and chamber ensembles. “I’ve played in the Naples Philharmonic Youth Orchestra for the past three years, and this was a very important part of my life. I have formed wonderful friendships through music, and some of my fondest high school memories are from rehearsals, concerts, and summer festivals. The camaraderie that accompanies a common desire to create music is like no other that I have experienced,” she said.

“Participating in their scholarship program is an excellent way for young musicians like myself to gain experience we might not get elsewhere.”

Luciano Marsalli is another of NMC’s 2017 scholarship recipients. He is a vocalist and plays the violin: he used the $1,500 he received for capturing first place in the senior vocal category to attend a summer violin institute at Northwestern University.

“At a young age, my parents had to keep me on task with both disciplines, but eventually I became self-motivated. The thing I love most about music is the great degree of beauty it holds,” Luciano said.

Naples Concert Band

Naples Concert Band (NCB) also supports music students through scholarship opportunities, and has presented more than $100,000 in awards. “We are trying to encourage young musicians by having them play with the adults in our band,” said NCB Conductor Harris Lanzel. “We hope our scholarship program will make it easier for them to take lessons, attend music camps, or purchase an instrument.” To qualify for scholarships, students audition for the NCB. If accepted, the students must play at least four concerts and participate in related rehearsals to be considered for a scholarship, Lanzel said.

Dance Arts by Maria

Maria Ellis, owner of Dance Arts by Maria, started providing scholarships during a downturn in the economy. “We decided to offer need-based scholarships over 10 years ago when the economy turned, and dancers had to cut back on lessons. When it came down to someone not continuing to dance because they couldn’t afford it or a student not trying something they might love because of cost, we decided to find a way to help families in need. A child should never have to give up the opportunity to pursue their passion because of their financial situation.”

In Ellis’ experience, students seize the opportunity to pursue their passion. “Our need-based dancers will work hard for the chances they are given, and they are appreciative of the opportunity. Scholarship students can help offset the cost of their scholarship by volunteering at studio events and helping with the younger students.” Ellis is always encouraged by her students’ drive to succeed. “Some of the strongest dancers who have graduated from our studio and are pursuing careers in the arts were scholarship students.”

Naples Art Association

The Naples Art Association, located in the heart of downtown Naples, is dedicated to providing access to everyone through need-based scholarships for their programs. “The Naples Art Association provides tuition assistance to help families send their aspiring artists to our youth education classes,” said Laurel Meny, a spokesperson for NAA. “In the 2016-2017 season, the Naples Art Association awarded over $6,000 worth of tuition assistance to needy families.” Scholarships are awarded based upon need and cover from 10% to 80% of program costs.

One Naples mother of six had wanted her children to take classes at NAA, but was deterred by the cost – until she discovered that NAA offers scholarships. “We heard about the wonderful art classes for homeschoolers at Naples Art Association, but we did not apply the first few sessions, as they were beyond our budget,” she said. “We were extremely grateful to receive tuition assistance. My daughters experienced the techniques and [learned the] history of art at the Naples Art Association. My children bring home beautiful art they created and talk about various artists. They so enjoy being instructed in person by an experienced art teacher, having access to quality art materials, and working with the other students.”