The Northern Virginia Music Teachers Association offers three financial assistance awards, each of up to $800.00 to qualified students, ages 9-17, of NVMTA teachers. See each award for details.
1. The Healy/Ford Student Excellence Award, open to all instruments and voice, is given in memory of Helen Healy and Helen Parker Ford. Helen Healy was a dedicated and dependable president of the Northern Virginia Music Teachers Association who was much loved for her cheerfulness and positive spirit. Helen Parker Ford was a dynamic member of NVMTA who championed sight reading skills through the one hundredth year of her life.
2. The Judy Leonard Financial Assistance Award, open to all instrumentalists and voice, memorializes an NVMTA teacher known for the nurturing attention she bestowed upon each student. Recipients of this award are required to write a letter to the family of Judy Leonard at the end of the academic year, reporting on their repertoire and progress in their music studies.
3. The Ruthanne Lodato Financial Assistance Award, open to all instrumentalists and voice, is given annually to students who demonstrate a love of music and display skill in performing. Ruthanne was a music teacher for over 40 years, and an accomplished pianist and organist who found happiness in helping children discover the joy of music and in watching her students reach their potential.
Requirements
All required forms must be submitted by the postmark deadline to be considered for awards.
Students may only apply for one award each year.
Students applying for an award for a second consecutive year may receive lower priority for funds, regardless of performance skill.
The Healy/Ford Student Excellence Award is most appropriate for students playing at a competitive level. Students must perform three compositions from memory, representing three different historical periods.
The Judy Leonard and Ruthanne Lodato Financial Assistance Awards are non-competitive. Applicants must perform two contrasting works from memory. Students awarded first or second place in any NVMTA solo event during the preceding 12 months are ineligible to apply for the Judy Leonard and Ruthanne Lodato awards and instead should apply for the Healy/Ford Award.
Students must provide judges with printed scores for all works performed.
Any student/family who feels they need assistance paying for music lessons or related expenses is encouraged to apply.
How to apply:
- Application Postmark Deadline: Thursday, January 30, 2025 (see below for required forms). Send forms to c/o Andrew Horowitz, 4625B 36th Street South, Arlington, VA 22206.
- The Scholarship Committee will meet and determine eligibility for each student. The determination of the committee is final. Applicants will be notified of eligibility no later than Friday, February 14, 2025.
- Eligible students will perform in an audition on Sunday, March 2, 2025. See above for repertoire requirements. Judges will make a final determination of award for each student, under the guidance of the Scholarship Committee.
Audition address: TBD
*All documents are strictly confidential and are used for the sole purpose of establishing financial need.