Scholarships
The Arts High Foundation is proud to administer and offer a variety of scholarships to LACHSA students each year, mostly awarding them to graduating seniors going off to colleges, universities, or conservatories.
The following is a current listing of scholarships:
The Tom Breslin Foundation Scholarship for Most Improved Student in Music
2011 Winner: Grecia Serrano-Navarro
This scholarship was established by one of the Arts High Foundation’s most beloved donors, Tom Breslin, to honor the graduating senior who has exemplified most improvement in his/her studies in music. This scholarship provides support to a LACHSA music student who continues onto college, and inspires and empowers the student to continue his/her passion with the confidence that his/her hard work and perseverance are necessary to succeed. Mr. Breslin also funds lessons for instrumentalists needing that extra bit of help mastering their challenging repertory.
Dr. Dan Castro Honorary Scholarship in Music
2011 Winner: Isabel Smith
Donated by LACHSA Alumni Parent Ruth Underwood, this scholarship award is in honor of Music Department Chair Dr. Dan Castro for his impact and inspiration on the musical training of Ms. Underwood’s daughter and alumna, Amalia Bandy. This scholarship is awarded to a graduating senior.
The Chung-Kotcheff Family Scholarship Award in Music
2011 Winner: Morgan Little
The Arts High Foundation is pleased to have the support of the Chung-Kotcheff Family in many areas, including scholarships. Laifun Chung and Ted Kotcheff are proud parents of alumnus Thomas Kotcheff, and in honor of his experience at LACHSA, they award this scholarship to two graduating seniors who excel in both music and academia and will continue their musical studies at a college, university or conservatory.
Dara Folsom Memorial Scholarship in Vocal Music
2011 Winner: Joshua Jacobson
Tragically at the age of 17, LACHSA student Dara Folsom, passed away in a car accident. Her mother Beth and brothers celebrate her musical spirit by awarding this scholarship to a graduating senior vocalist who shares Dara’s passion and excellence in music and academics.
Kathy Beth Kantor Memorial Scholarship in Photography
2011 Winners: Hannah Huffman (Senior); Merlin Vinegradova (Junior); and Christina Yang (Sophomore)
In memory of his daughter, Kathy Beth, ear,-nose,-and-throat-doctor-to-the-stars Dr. Edward Kantor and Laurie Kaman, Kathy’s best friend, established this very competitive and unique scholarship for three visual artists with a passion for photography—one senior, one junior, and one sophomore. This award involves a rigorous application and photography portfolio review process, after which the senior winner’s college is given $3,000 and the junior and sophomore receive gift certificates to a camera store to purchase photographic equipment. Both Dr. Kantor and Ms. Kaman are members of the Foundation’s Board of Directors.
Kathy Beth Kantor Memorial Scholarship Application >
Jeffrey J. Mahowald Scholarship Award
After LACHSA Alumna Meghan Mahowald dealt with the strife and sadness of losing her father, Jeffrey J. Mahowald, she pledged to support other LACHSA students who also struggled with major trauma and were able to pull through. As Vice President of Believe in Yourself and You Can Do Anything Foundation (BIYAYCDA) Foundation, Meghan and her mother Lisa, President of the Foundation, generously provide a scholarship to one or two brave graduating seniors that have overcome traumatic experiences.
Henry Mancini Memorial Scholarship in Music Composition
2011 Winner: Aaron Ishibashi
The Arts High Foundation is extremely honored to have a true champion of arts education, Ginny Mancini, provide this unique and prestigious $5K award to LACHSA’s most promising music composer—a graduating senior who will continue his or her studies in music composition at a college, university, or conservatory.
Alan Mautner Honorary Scholarship in Music
2011 Winner: Michelle Chan
LACHSA Alumni Parent Ruth Underwood provides this scholarship in honor of an esteemed educator and mentor—LACHSA teaching artist and orchestra conductor Alan Mautner for his influence on the musical training of Ms. Underwood’s son and alumnus Dorian Bandy.
Sonia Isabel Noriega Memorial Scholarship in Theatre
2011 Winner: Chase Austin Ferreira
Parents Angela Weimer and Cesar Noriega established a fund in memory of their daughter Sonia Isabel Noriega after her tragic death from meningitis while at college. In college, Sonia, a LACHSA alumna in the Theatre program, was a community organizer, working to stop racism and inequalities and to improve the world around her. This scholarship award is granted to a graduating senior in Theatre who shows merit and a strong commitment to social justice.
Sonia Isabel Noriega Memorial Scholarship Application >
Dr. Barry Pohlmann Prize for Excellence in Writing in English
2011 Winner: Laura Lee
Dr. Barry Pohlmann, English teacher, is another revered educator that LACHSA Alumni Parent Ruth Underwood has honored with a scholarship in his name. Even though the Arts High Foundation’s mission is to fund the arts, the Foundation is proud to administer a scholarship in academic success, supporting LACHSA graduates for all of their achievements.
Robert Preston Prize for Stage Performances in Musical Theatre
2011 Winner: Alexandra Fragoso
Professor Dr. Charles Leinenweber, once an instructor at Cal State Los Angeles and an enthusiast for LACHSA musicals, established this scholarship in memory of his uncle, the Tony-award-winning stage and film actor Robert Preston. This prestigious award is granted to one or two graduating seniors who have shown great success as stage performers in the Musical Theatre program.
The Samantha Scholarship from The Joyful Child Foundation
2011 Winner: Andrea Ordaz
LACHSA Alumna Erin Runnion founded The Joyful Child Foundation to protect children from sexual abuse and abduction after her own daughter at the age of 5 was a fatal victim. With her daughter Samantha’s motto of “Be Brave” in mind, Ms. Runnion honors a graduating LACHSA senior with a merit scholarship, who besides continuing his/her education, has the keen vision of using arts to build stronger communities and uplift individuals. Students must submit an application to The Joyful Child Foundation to be considered for the award.
Samantha Scholar Application >
Flora L. Thornton Memorial Scholarship in Opera
2011 Winner: Katherine Colbert
In 2008, beloved philanthropist Flora L. Thornton established this scholarship award for a graduating senior who excels in the Full Circle Opera Project program, directed by Stephanie Vlahos. In May 2010, Mrs. Thornton passed away at the age of 96, yet her legacy lives on throughout the world, including through the recipient of this scholarship who continues in his/her opera training.
John S. Waddell Memorial Scholarship in Music Technology
2011 Winner: Selene Fernandez
John S. Waddell was the legendary founding LACHSA Music Department Chair, laying the groundwork for what is now an award-winning, nationally recognized program. One of his important accomplishments at LACHSA was his creation of the Henry Mancini Electronic Music Lab, where music students can compose and produce original music using industry equipment and technology. In memory of this pioneer, Mr. Waddell’s close friend and mentee Peter Grenader established this scholarship with the support of Mr. Waddell’s family. The award is given to a graduating senior who has most excelled in the Music Technology class, taught by teaching artist Emmanuel Munda.
Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc. REACH Honorship Award
Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc. became a major partner through the participation of one its executives on the Foundation board. This resulted in the significant funding of the LACHSA Film Program including the establishment of a $10,000 scholarship for a graduating senior continuing his/her film studies. This scholarship also involves a highly competitive internship opportunity at the Warner Bros. Studios.
Women in Theatre Scholarship
In line with their mission to educate and empower women in theatre, the organization Women in Theatre (WIT) generously offers a scholarship to a female LACHSA graduating senior in the Theatre program who will continue their studies in Theatre or Musical Theatre. Students must apply for this scholarship by submitting an application, which the President and board members will accept and review for selection.
Women in Theatre Scholarship Application >