SCHOLARSHIP FUNDS
Introducing children to music during one of the most
integral phases of growth and development
UNDERWRITE A SCHOLARSHIP
For nearly 80 years, San Diego Youth Symphony (SDYS) has invested in the future of thousands of young people through the study and performance of music. At SDYS, we serve thousands of student musicians and their families every year, using music as a vehicle to give young people the social, emotional, and academic skills that prepare them to enter a 21st-century workforce.
Many of the donors listed on this page have chosen to permanently underwrite a scholarship in support of a young person’s dreams at SDYS. There are several ways you can choose to endow a scholarship, which can be done for as little as $25,000. For more information, please contact Terry Williams, Individual Giving Officer, at twilliams@keynote-music.org.
ENDOWED NEED-BASED SCHOLARSHIPS
We are grateful that a number of individuals and families have elected to create permanent endowments to guarantee that students needing tuition assistance are able to participate in San Diego Youth Symphony programs. These endowments provide consistent annual support for scholarships across all levels of our program. We are extremely grateful to these donors for envisioning a future where all students have the opportunity to study music no matter their background or family circumstances.
Give to the Annual Scholarship Fund
Learn more about some named Endowed Need-Based Scholarship fund:
In loving memory of Betty Hiller (1925–2016)
With a heavy heart, San Diego Youth Symphony and Conservatory announces the Betty R. Hiller Memorial Scholarship Fund. Betty had a tremendous passion for the arts and supporting young people in the pursuit of artistic excellence. Betty served on the SDYS Board of Directors for ten years. She played a vital role in garnering community support for SDYS and its young musicians over those years. Betty was of great service to many other organizations in San Diego including The San Diego Museum of Art, Mingei International Museum, Malashock Dance, Jewish Family Service of San Diego, Balboa Art Conservation Center and Planned Parenthood. Betty chaired the dining committee at Vi and attended courses at the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute of UCSD.
She made friends wherever she went and she traveled extensively. In 2015, she visited France and the Shaw Theatre Festival in Niagara-on-the-Lake, Canada. She was known for her taste in food, art, wine, clothing and music and for her delightful conversational style and sense of humor. She was a warmly sympathetic, enthusiastic, and engaging hostess, friend, mother and grandmother. A scholarship fund in her memory has been established for need-based students of SDYS. Each year, a student will be selected as a recipient of the Betty R. Hiller Memorial Scholarship.
In the spring of 2007, the San Diego Youth Symphony and Conservatory family lost violinist Carson Kemp. She was a vibrant and social sixteen year-old who excelled in music, academics, and sports. She shared her beautiful smile with everyone and displayed her musical talents as a member of San Diego Youth Symphony and the Philharmonia. Carson also served as the concertmaster for the University City High School orchestra.
Carson believed everyone should have access to musical education. She had hoped that in her adult life she would be able to help provide access to music education for all. To honor that desire, Carson’s mother, Andrea Schwartz, has instituted a Tuition Assistance Scholarship.
You may also give to one of the following named Endowed Need-Based Scholarship fund:
Julie E. Brewer Scholarship Fund
Elaine and Stan Geoff Fund
La Jolla Debutante
Violin Fund
Elenor M. Young Cello Fund
HELP US MAKE A DIFFERENCE
Your gift to the “Kids Learning Through Music” M. Adler Lindberg Fund supports scholarships to SDYS’ early childhood program ChIMES (Childhood Introduction to Music Education, with Smiles).- Any amount helps make a difference and is appreciated! (Note: the cost for one child/caregiver to participate in a full session of ChIMES is $160)
- Funds are also used to pay for supplies, teaching artists, and more.
Thank you for your generosity and caring! We’ll send you updates so you can see the impact your gift has in communities across the region.
ENDOWED SCHOLARSHIPS
At San Diego Youth Symphony we ensure that every student with the desire to participate in our programs is given the opportunity. This season, the Board of Directors has awarded nearly $125,000 in scholarships for students in financial need and for exceptional merit. These scholarships are underwritten by generous donors with a passion for guaranteeing every student can take the path of personal success that comes with the study of music.
We extend our appreciation to these individuals and groups of donors for their generous commitment to student success and invite you to add your support to this essential scholarship effort by contacting Terry Williams, Individual Giving Manager, at twilliams@keynote-music.org or call 619-233-3232 x160.
You may also give to one of the following named Endowed Scholarship funds below:
Dotti and Joel Sollender met in New York City in 1957 and built their life together providing their sons, Jeffrey and Jonathan, with culture, adventure and love. Jeffrey’s tragic passing in December 2002 at the age of 42 left a hole in the world around him. For Dotti and Joel, their mourning became a commitment to carrying on Jeffrey’s legacy of building the future. We are honored that they found in the San Diego Youth Symphony and Conservatory the perfect home for honoring their son.
When they decided to endow the Concertmaster Chair in Jeffrey’s name, Dotti and Joel saw Jeffrey’s legacy alive before them. They recognized the combination of excellence and independence that Jeffrey exemplified throughout his life in this important orchestral position. They also saw in the Youth Symphony the promise for a future that Jeffrey worked to create for the benefit of everyone.
Recipients of the Jeffrey Dan Sollender Concertmaster Chair Scholarship:
| Brianna Baek – 2024 | Jasmine Wang – 2013 |
| Ellie Lee – 2023 | Jarvis Chang – 2012 |
| Ellie Lee – 2022 | Carolyn Lee – 2011 |
| Lea Parseghian – 2021 | Corrie Bunnell – 2010 |
| Susan Lee – 2020 | Corrie Bunnell – 2009 |
| Susan Lee – 2019 | Andy Leu – 2008 |
| Song (Amy) Lee – 2018 | Michael Shen – 2007 |
| Erica Hwang – 2017 | Miren Edelstein – 2006 |
| Erica Hwang & Daniel Rim – 2016 | Michael Viscardi – 2005 |
| Sofia Hashemi-Asasi – 2015 | Lisa Kim – 2004 |
| Flora Li – 2014 | Sophia Arriga -2003 |
Marvin Levine made SDYS and our aspiring musicians his primary community cause immediately upon hearing the Symphony Orchestra perform in 2002. With Reinette, his wife of 58 years by his side, Marvin made every SDYS concert a celebration of talent, hope and future. We are honored by a generous bequest that supports the principal viola chair of our Symphony Orchestra in Marvin’s memory.
Recipients of the Marvin Levine Principal Viola Chair Scholarship:
| Caitlin Wang – 2024 | Seoyon Park – 2020 |
| Ethan Zhou – 2023 | Seoyon Park – 2019 |
| Lawrence Lo – 2022 | Emily Pilkington – 2018 |
| Ellen Lozada – 2021 | Emily Pilkington – 2017 |
| Lea Parseghian – 2021 | Corrie Bunnell – 2010 |
Inge Manes was a wonderful champion of the arts and music education; she has left a lasting impression on the San Diego Youth Symphony and Conservatory with her enthusiasm for our students and her belief in the transformative power of classical music in young musicians’ lives. In the spring of 2010 Inge passed away and we are enormously honored that her husband Peter is memorializing her passion for student music by endowing this scholarship chair in her name. This annual scholarship will be awarded to a leading bassoon student in the San Diego Youth Symphony Orchestra.
Recipients of the Inge Manes Principal Bassoonist Chair Scholarship:
| Elizabeth Kim – 2023 | Max Jiang – 2016 |
| Daniel Torrero – 2022 | Max Jiang – 2015 |
| Unawarded – 2021 | Michael Lamar – 2014 |
| Faith Lee – 2020 | Michael Lamar – 2013 |
| Amanda Musinski – 2019 | Alexander Wells – 2012 |
| Amanda Musinski – 2018 | Alexander Wells – 2011 |
| Max Jiang – 2017 | Amber Crowe – 2010 |
In 2010, the San Diego Youth Symphony and Conservatory family was saddened by the sudden tragic loss of French horn player Chelsea King. To ensure that Chelsea’s love of music and amazing personality will be remembered forever, the SDYS Board of Trustees has established the Chelsea King Scholarship Fund. This fund will provide an annual scholarship to the second chair French horn player who demonstrates the joy for life that Chelsea shared with us all during her time as an SDYS student. Chelsea was a source of positivity and light to everyone that knew her. She was an outstanding musician and individual. Through this scholarship, we hope that her impact will continue to be felt by many for years to come.
Recipients of the Chelsea King French Horn Scholarship:
| Alexia Briana Ciobanu & Yoyo Wu – 2024 | Katherine Perrine – 2016 |
| Hannah Lee – 2023 | Jamie Pfauth – 2015 |
| Neven Bassener – 2022 | Jamie Pfauth – 2014 |
| Irene Staebler – 2021 | Patrick Chesnut – 2013 |
| Irene Staebler – 2020 | Patrick Chesnut – 2012 |
| Unawarded – 2019 | Andie Waterman – 2011 |
| Katherine Perrine – 2018 | David Ryan – 2010 |
| Katherine Perrine – 2017 |
In the spring of 2007, the San Diego Youth Symphony and Conservatory family lost violinist Carson Kemp. She was a vibrant and social sixteen year-old who excelled in music, academics, and sports. She shared her beautiful smile with everyone and displayed her musical talents as a member of San Diego Youth Symphony and the Philharmonia. Carson also served as the concertmaster for the University City High School orchestra.
In Carson’s memory, her mother Andrea Schwartz, established the Carson Kemp Memorial Fund to provide an annual scholarship support to a student in the Youth Symphony who mirrors Carson’s range of interests and outgoing personality. Carson’s mother and San Diego Youth Symphony and Conservatory wish to thank everyone who helped establish this scholarship.
The Carson Kemp Memorial Scholarship was established to provide merit-based support to a student in the Youth Symphony who mirrors Carson’s range of interests and outgoing personality. This fund no longer accepts donations as it is fully funded.
Donate to the Carson Kemp Tuition Assistance Scholarship
Recipients of the Carson Kemp Memorial Scholarship:
| Alvin Wang – 2024 | Jiayue Li – 2015 |
| Kailey Shim – 2023 | Oscar Tapia – 2014 |
| Sam Nelson – 2022 | Rachel Hsieh – 2013 |
| Petunia Rizo – 2021 | Marisa Neinberg – 2012 |
| Naohiro (Nao) Nadahara – 2020 | Jennifer Chang – 2011 |
| Ellen Lozada – 2019 | Julia Schorn – 2010 |
| Amanda Martin – 2018 | Diane Jeon – 2009 |
| Isabel Garcia – 2017 | Lauren Swann – 2008 |
| Christian Gonzales – 2016 | Janet Jeong – 2007 |
Maurice Kawashima established this endowed scholarship to invest in his dual passions of classical music and aspiring talent. Maurice is a native of Japan who came to the United States as a student. He had a prolific career in the New York and Tokyo fashion industry before retiring to San Diego. This annual scholarship is awarded to a leading violin student in the San Diego Youth Symphony Orchestra for their participation in the orchestra and advanced chamber music. We extend our thanks to Maurice for his wonderful generosity.
Donate to the Carson Kemp Tuition Assistance Scholarship
Recipients of the Maurice Kawashima Associate Concertmaster Chair Scholarship:
| Ethan Zhou – 2024 | Allan Huang – 2015 |
| Emily Yu – 2023 | Sofia Hashemi-Asasi – 2014 |
| Dasha Zerboni – 2022 | Flora Li – 2013 |
| Archimedes Lil – 2021 | Jasmine Y. Wang – 2012 |
| Saeji Hong – 2020 | Jarvis Chang – 2011 |
| Esther Jung – 2019 | Carolyn Lee – 2010 |
| Jasmine Quiang – 2018 | Janet Jeong – 2009 |
| Ilana Hirschfeld – 2017 | Corrie Bunnell & John Michael Brooks – 2008 |
| Ilana Hirschfeld – 2016 |
John-Michael Brooks, 27, passed away unexpectedly in February 2018. John-Michael was an active member of the Youth Symphony for nine years (2000 – 2009). He was a 2008 recipient of the Maurice Kawashima Associate Concertmaster Chair scholarship. At the age of 5, John-Michael began his violin studies in both fiddle style and classical music. He attended the San Diego School of Performing and Creative Arts, where for four consecutive years his peers voted him the Ludwig Van Beethoven Award for Musician of the Year. He graduated Summa Cum Laude from the Berklee College of Music in Boston in 2013 and was invited back to the Youth Symphony for its 70th-anniversary celebration trip to China.
John-Michael leaves behind his loving father, Michael R. Brooks and stepdad, Dan M. Gilbreath. In honor of the many contributions that the Youth Symphony has made to John-Michael’s love and accomplished performance of music and to honor their son, taken from us far too soon, Michael and Dan have endowed this scholarship fund which underwrites tuition for the First Assistant Principal of the SDYS Symphony Orchestra, a position that was held by John-Michael.
Recipients of the John-Michael Brooks First Assistant Principal Chair Scholarship:
| Kailey Shim – 2024 | Janice Hu – 2020 |
| Dominic Guevara – 2023 | Esther Jung (Sept-Dec); Mia Redelings (Jan-June) – 2019 |
| Hannah Lee – 2022 | Elizabeth Guanuna – 2018 |
| Dasha Zerboni – 2021 |
Auroraleigh Camillia Klonoff Cohen, 23, was loved and admired by a large extended family on her mother’s (Dr. Hillary Klonoff-Cohen) and father’s side (Dr. Randy Cohen), a huge array of friends residing in California, Illinois, and Vancouver, Canada, and her favorite dog, Felicity. Auroraleigh was an active member of the Youth Symphony, which enriched her life for nine consecutive years in San Diego (2005-2013) and for two additional years in Illinois (2013-2015). At the age of 5, she began her violin studies with Karla Ulrich (Contreras) and later transitioned to Pasha Tseitlin and Michael Tseitlin. Auroraleigh also studied piano with her mother and Lori Bastien. Auroraleigh attended La Jolla Country Day School (from grades 1-10) and Carlsbad Seaside Academy (grades 11 and 12). In 2018, Auroraleigh graduated with a BS (with honors) from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign in Community Health, and a minor in Gender and Women’s Studies. Auroraleigh had a strong sense of social justice and believed that treating mental health was a social justice and human rights issue. Auroraleigh was employed as a mental health counselor and this exemplified another of her passions- to help people. Her patients continuously praised her empathy, warmth, humor, knowledge, and serenity. Auroraleigh celebrated all forms of music throughout her life- classical, rock and roll, heavy metal, rap, and electronic and loved to compose on her clavinova or piano and sing. In honor of the tremendous contribution that the Youth Symphony made to Auroraleigh’s celebration of music in her life, and in tribute of Hillary and Randy’s eternal love for their beautiful daughter, they have endowed a scholarship fund which underwrites tuition to support an outstanding young violinist.
Auroraleigh Cohen Celebration of Music Memorial Scholarship for Principal Second Violin Chair
| Brianna Baek – 2024 | Emily Yu – 2022 |
| Anthony Kim – 2023 | Hannah Lee & Natasha Tavares, Co-Principals – 2021 |
To establish a named Endowed Scholarship, please contact Individual Giving Manager, Terry Williams, at twilliams@keynote-music.org or by calling 619-233-3232 ext. 160.