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 In the late spring of 1994, Arizona Musicfest was still the “new kid” on the music festival block. Thanks to an enthusiastic response from the Desert Foothills community, preparations had begun for an expanded fourth season, with more concerts, more musicians – both guest artists and in the Festival Ensemble – and a larger organizing committee. To coordinate this development, the group’s Executive Board chose its first-ever managing director, Roberta Pappas.
Blessed with a deep love for music, superb organizational skills, a hands-on working mode, and seemingly boundless energy, Roberta led the organization for the ensuing 14 years. Tragically, she died in the early fall of 2007. Her untimely death was deeply felt by all Arizona Musicfest volunteers and friends.
In recognition of Roberta’s particular devotion to young artists, the Board and volunteers created The Roberta K. Pappas Scholarship. These monies will help underwrite the conservatory education of student musicians pursuing a degree in music performance.
While the touch economic conditions that have prevailed since her death delayed our progress, we have made some major advances that will shortly make the scholarship a reality.
Last spring, a Due Diligence Committee researched comparable programs throughout the United States. The response from the conservatories and universities consulted was both encouraging and enlightening. With this information, a Scholarship Committee has been established. Led by the immediate past Vice Chairman, it consists of representatives of the Valley’s most important teachers and organizations dedicated to young musicians.
The best news of all: Arizona Musicfest will award its first scholarship this spring, the first of what we hope will be a generation of talented musicians ho will be able to realize their dreams thanks to the generosity of music lovers in our community.
We welcome your involvement! Please call Managing Director Lynn Bowers at the Arizona Musicfest office, 480.488.0806, to learn how you can participate in this exciting new effort.
Sincerely,
John Terhune
Chairman, Scholarship Committee
Arizona Musicfest announces Roberta K. Pappas Scholarship 2011 Recipient
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Selection committee chairman, John Terhune with 2011 Roberta K. Pappas Scholarship recipient, Karen Nguyen.
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We are pleased to announce that the Roberta K. Pappas Scholarship recipient for 2011 is Karen Nguyen of Chandler, Arizona. Ms. Nguyen graduated from Corona del Sol High School in Tempe and will be attending the Arizona State University School of Music, Bachelor of Music program in Piano Performance.
The scholarship recognizes Roberta K. Pappas, the first Managing Director of Arizona Musicfest who devoted 14 years to building the organization and died, tragically, in October 2007. To honor her devotion to young artists, the Arizona Musicfest Board of Directors and volunteers created the Roberta K. Pappas Scholarship. These monies help underwrite the conservatory education of student musicians pursuing a degree in music performance.
The scholarship selection committee is comprised of leaders in the music education and music performance industries. Led by a former Chairman of the Board, John Terhune, it consists of representatives of the Valley’s most important organizations dedicated to young musicians.
“All of the students applying for the Roberta K. Pappas Scholarship were exceptionally qualified both academically and artistically,” said selection committee chairman John Terhune. “It is striking to witness the exceptional talent that we have from across Arizona.”
“The selection committee spent many hours listening to t he applicants’ music, reading their applications and admiring the honors they have received and the wonderful things they have already accomplished so early in their lives.”
 In addition to receiving the Roberta K. Pappas Scholarship, Karen Nguyen was recognized by the Phoenix Symphony Guild with scholarships two years in a row to Adamant Music School Summer Program in Adamant, Vermont.
She received the Superior Award from the Arizona Study Program; first prize in the East Valley Music Teachers’ Association Competition; and various prizes in the Schimmel Young Artist Piano Competition at Arizona State University. Ms. Nguyen was a finalist in the World Pedagogy Piano Conference sponsored by the Maryland State Music Teachers Association; and winner of the Arizona Musicfest Young Musicians Competition in 2008 and 2011.
Additionally, Ms. Nguyen has been active in the Autism Advocates; Acatecs, which provides tutoring to peers; and “To Haiti, with Music,” a program to promote awareness of the problems in Haiti.
Please join us in applauding the achievements of this fine young musician.
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