First Generation in College Scholarship

Overview

Continuing and strengthening the NFA’s mission of inspiring flutists, enriching lives, and impacting those who need it most, the First Generation in College Scholarship aims to support and develop educational and career opportunities for talented, first generation in college students. First generation in college students are defined as those students whose parents have not completed a bachelor's degree. Offered nationwide, this scholarship provides a transformative experience for college-level students with challenging financial backgrounds.

The First Generation in College Scholarship is made possible by a generous donation from Julie Maisel in memory of John Raphael (Raphy) Doyle.

About the Scholarship

The First Generation in College Scholarship is a merit-based, one-time monetary award granted to a flutist currently enrolled in or accepted to attend an accredited college, university or conservatory in the United States. Applicants must be pursuing an undergraduate music degree with the flute as their primary instrument and comply with the definition of first-generation college students above.

The awardee will receive a monetary award of $2,000 to be applied toward flute tuition, educational fees, or any other related expenses including but not limited to housing, meals, travel, or educational materials. In addition, the awardee will enjoy one-on-one career mentorship sessions with a member of the Career and Artistic Development Committee during the academic year and a one-year membership with the NFA to take advantage of the organization's educational and professional resources.

Questions should be directed to Jammie Phillips, scholarship coordinator, at firstgenerationnfa@gmail.com

Application Requirements

In order to be considered for the First Generation in College Flute Scholarship, applicants must meet the following criteria:

Be a citizen or legal resident of the United States.
Be under the age of 25 years by the application deadline.
Applicants must be enrolled as a full-time undergraduate student majoring in music at an accredited college, university, or conservatory in the United States for the upcoming academic year.
Freshmen, sophomores, juniors, and rising senior students in college will be eligible to apply. Senior students in high school who have completed an audition and application process and have been accepted into a music program at a university, college, or conservatory in the United States are also eligible.
Applicants cannot receive the First Generation in College Scholarship and the Frances Blaisdell Convention Scholarship in the same calendar year.

This application closed on May 1st, 2025.

2024 Scholarship Winner

Cameron McGill

Florida State University

"I am both honored and blessed to be this year's recipient of the First Generation Scholarship. Even though I come from an underprivileged music community and grew up with limited resources, my passion for flute will always be stronger than any obstacle I face. Even so, I still could not have done this without the unwavering assistance from my teachers, Dr. Karen Large and Dr. Mary Matthews. Overall, thanks to the NFA's utmost support and contributions from their generous award, my aspirations of teaching and performing music will soundly forge onward, which I'll always be grateful for."

Applicants must submit the following materials; incomplete applications will not be considered.

Video recording only of the applicant performing one required etude and one solo flute. The program must be recorded not more than 6 months prior to submission. Applicants must play the required etude and choose one work from the solo list. Works should be played without repeats. Contestants can video-record works separately and then combine them into a single video. Only one YouTube video link should be submitted. No acoustic manipulation nor audio filters may be used. The video on YouTube must be unlisted and named with the last and first names of the candidate. For instance, SMITH_Sharon_L. All candidates must paste the YouTube URL short link in the application form.
Required Etude: Ernesto Köhler, Op. 33, Exercises for the Flute Book II - 12 Medium Difficult Exercises, 7. Allegretto.
Choose one work from this list:
- Solo Flute: Choose movements from: CPE Bach, Sonata in A Minor; JS Bach, Partita; Herman Beeftink, Celtic Suite Nr. 2 "Fields of Grace"; Bozza, Image; Ian Clarke, The Great Train Race; Coleman, Danza de la Mariposa; Debussy, Syrinx; Reena Esmail, Zinfandel; Adolphus Hailstork, Flight for Solo Flute; Hailstork, Yuhwa (The Goddess of the Willow Tree); Amanda Harberg, Hall of Ghosts for Solo Piccolo; Heiss, Four Lyric Pieces; Honegger , Danse de la Chevre; Hoover, Kokopeli; Karg-Elert, Sonata Appassionata; Loggins-Hull, Homeland; Smith, Three Brevities; Telemann , Fantasies; Uebayashi, Le Vent a Travers les Ruines; Chen Yi, Memory for Solo Flute.
Two letters of recommendation. Letters of recommendation should address the following: (a) the applicant's present and prospective level of flute musicianship; (b) the applicant’s potential to succeed in a higher education setting; and (c) the financial need of the applicant. Please submit only .pdf files.
An essay by the applicant explaining their financial need and desire to continue their education (500-1000 words). Please submit only .pdf files

Past Scholarship Winners

2023

Sebastian Villanueva,

The University of North Texas

"Being chosen to receive the National Flute Association First Generation Scholarship means the world to me, and I am incredibly grateful for the NFA's generosity and the opportunity it presents. This scholarship not only alleviates a significant financial burden but will assist me with the means to pursue graduate school applications later this year. As a student, I have worked tirelessly to achieve musical excellence, and this scholarship has validated my hard work and dedication. It opens doors to new opportunities, and helps with my constant worry about financial constraints. The value of this scholarship extends beyond its monetary worth and it serves as a testament to the belief that other first generation college students like myself will somehow find the means to seek a college education in the music field. This motivates me to strive for excellence and I am excited and immensely grateful for the chance to pursue my dreams."

2022

Dylan Masariego,
Oberlin College

"I can not begin to express how grateful I am for this amazing opportunity. I want to give a huge shout out to both Alexa Still, my current professor, and Vicky Williamson, my first flute instructor! I wouldn't be the person I am today without these amazing mentors in my life. Through the resources the NFA has provided me with this scholarship, I will get closer to ownership of my own piccolo. I am really thrilled to begin the mentorship program with invaluable guidance towards navigating this rigorous career as a first-generation Latinx student. Huge thank you to everyone who helped make this possible!"

2021

Miguel Rodriguez,
Northwestern University

"As I grew up, my parents always told me that hard work pays off. When I decided to focus on music and take my chances at university auditions, I found that their words were true. Now, with the generosity of the NFA, my college dreams and future aspirations are even more tangible."

2020

Gabriel Cruz-Ruiz,
Oberlin Conservatory

"This scholarship will help me complete the amount of money to purchase a more sophisticated instrument than the one I own now, which is a student model. With this new instrument, I hope to tackle new musical challenges more efficiently. I cannot begin to express how grateful I am for this opportunity and how excited I am to begin the mentorship program."

2020

Fernando Perez,
Boise State University

"I grew up knowing that music is expensive, as my family and I were having trouble paying for expenses. I thank the NFA First Generation in College Scholarship because it will open doors that will allow me to connect with other musicians, whether it’s through music festivals or summer camps. I’m also looking forward to meeting other scholarship recipients who share a similar background."