Music in the Mountains
Scholarship Programs
Music in the Mountains is pleased to offer two scholarship programs for our area youth, both sponsored by Bank of Colorado.
Our 2023 scholarship programs are the 2023 Youth Ambassador Scholarships, and — new this year! — the 2023 Online Music Theory/Ear Training Scholarship offered through Juilliard Extension!
Both scholarship programs are prestigious opportunities for high school students (grades 9-12) to expand and enhance their musical knowledge and talent.
Thank you to our scholarship program sponsor:
Meet Our 2023 Scholarship Recipients!
Youth Ambassador Scholarship Recipients
Katelyn Bowie
Senior | Durango High School
Instrument: Piano, voice, clarinet
“I have been involved in music since I was 8 years old when I
had my first piano lesson. One of my favorite things in the world is singing and being able to carry my voice throughout a room and share it with others. I love how piano is complex and
how I can find community in the instrument and bond over
music because of it.
I want to go into the field of music or performing arts. A
scholarship such as this will prepare me for a more rigorous college experience, and as always, just teach me more never-ending knowledge about music and all of the instruments I create art with.”
Katelyn is also a recipient of the 2023 Juilliard Extension Scholarship Award
AUDREY CUTHBERTSON
Freshman | Durango High School
Instrument: Flute
“Just over a year ago I moved to Durango with my family after many years of traveling around the world. My mom played flute in 7th grade and had kept her flute from when she played. As a child, it was the most fascinating contraption ever to me.
Music gives me confidence, it provides comfort and a sense of place and knowing when my fingers can touch the keys and that they will never change. I believe that this experience will enhance my skills and pick on areas I need to improve. I want to learn the skills, tips, and tricks that can make me a better player so I can have the opportunity to play in college. I want to be able to show people that age has no influence on my skill level and I can do hard things.”
GRACE MCCRADY
Junior | Durango High School
Instrument: Flute
“Music has always been a cornerstone of my life, and I can remember singing and listening to music constantly throughout my childhood. When I got to middle school this curiosity of instruments led me to be interested in the flute.
Music and the music community have shaped me into who I am today: a confident player who isn’t afraid to make mistakes, and
encourages others to do the same. This scholarship will help me improve my abilities greatly and will give me a chance to help other people experience the music community the way I do. I want others to realize how impactful and important playing music is, and I want to encourage them to persist even through the difficult times.”
Grace is also a recipient of the 2023 Juilliard Extension Scholarship Award
PIPER MOREHOUSE
Junior | Durango High School
Instrument: Viola
“The first time I heard classical music, I knew it would be a part of my life forever. Music, like all other arts, is what ties us to our humanity. We created instruments to mimic the human voice to convey what we couldn’t with words. Music has helped me not only find myself but understand the world. I know I will incorporate music throughout my entire life in some shape or form as I continue learning and growing.
With this scholarship, I hope to impart this love of music to others and build the musical community. Musical exposure is crucial to education for all people young and old. Given the chance to be an ambassador for music, I hope to share the privilege of this wonderful world and continue to learn more about it myself.”
DENNY WOODS
Freshman | Durango High School
Instrument: Piano and guitar
“My musical journey began with an acoustic guitar and quickly progressed to include other instruments.
As a multi-instrumentalist, I enjoy channeling my musical knowledge through different instruments, but my primary instruments are the piano and guitar. While I love playing in recitals, I also enjoy composing and have created a new piece each year. Currently, I’m working on a waltz that I hope to complete this year.
I am committed to creating a life full of music. I will use this scholarship to continue my pursuit of musical knowledge, artistic expression, and creativity. Music is an essential part of my life, and I really do love to perform!”
Juilliard Extension Scholarship Recipients
Madelyn Agre
Freshman | Durango High School
Instrument: Piano
“I started playing music when I was seven years old, when I was introduced to the piano. From the start, I knew that music would influence me, and my life in many ways. Music is essentially my life. Music is my best friend that gets me through the day, and music is a piece of me that could never go away. Music is the reason that I get up every morning, and music is the guidance to help me. Music helps me realize my full potential, and music helps me see that music is me.”
Katelyn Bowie
Senior | Durango High School
Instrument: Piano, voice, clarinet
“I am so overjoyed to be able to take music theory and ear training from a college, nonetheless Julliard. I have always been interested in music theory, but I never have truly committed to learning it because life simply gets in the way at times. However, I know that by attending this class to solely focus on the subject of music theory and ear training, I will gain much-needed and wanted knowledge.”
Hannah Kimple
Sophomore | Durango High School
Instrument: Violin
“Music has always been a big part of my life and is a great way for me to express myself. I also love the community developed in orchestra and how they are developed through everyone collaborating playing beautiful, synchronized music, to create an amazing group of people and amazing songs. I love music and would love to be able to become better and learn new techniques to create more beautiful and better music.”
Grace McCrady
Junior | Durango High School
Instrument: Flute
“I’ve realized over the past year how supportive the people in the music community are, and they are great people that have changed my life so much. By receiving this scholarship, I hope to help others to realize this same thing and to open up within their musical abilities because you truly can accomplish so much in such a small amount of time with the right support behind you.”
Savannah Roy
Freshman | Durango High School
Instrument: Piano
“Music has helped me in multiple aspects of my life. From an ease of anxiety to a stronger brain in math, music has been there for me as a tool to utilize and a friend to come back to. In the future I hope it will be a staple I could use to reassure myself that I am on the right path, and remind myself as to what I am accomplishing.”