The Greenville Symphony Orchestra in South Carolina has announced the first four young musicians selected to participate in its new GSO String Academy. The winners—rising sixth-grade students from area elementary schools—are violist Dalton Chipiwalt (age 11, Pelzer, SC), violinists Imari Nicholson (11, Greenville, SC), Jose Zuniga (10, Greenville, SC), and bassist Blake Watson (10, Piedmont, SC). The academy is a program-in-residence at select Title I elementary schools that provides free private lessons with members of the Greenville Symphony, as well as instrument rental, admission to a two-week summer music camp, an adult mentor, and tickets to GSO concerts. The academy selects scholarship recipients based on dedication to music and financial need, as well as artistic potential. Renewal of scholarships requires a 3.0 cumulative GPA or higher, satisfactory progress in private lessons, and participation in the Greenville County Youth Orchestra audition process and in the student’s school string program. The program is made possible by an anonymous donor.
Posted September 11, 2009
