Young Musicians Scholarship: Wisdom from our 2023 Winners
Since the founding of Music in the Somerset Hills in 2010, we have been awarding the Young Musicians Scholarship to outstanding high school seniors that represent our organization’s values, proudly supporting the winners in their musical education. Since then, we have awarded scholarships to 18 young musicians from New Jersey totaling $19k. These exceptional students have gone on to do amazing things in the world of music and beyond, and we could not be more proud of them! We look forward to continuing our support of talented artists from NJ with this current cycle.
Each year, we are delighted to host this search for the aspiring artists in our greater NJ community who share in our passion and firm belief in the power of music. As the applications for 2024 continue to roll in through May 29, the bright recipients from our 2023 cycle have recently completed their first year at college, and already have a great deal of insight and wisdom to impart. We had the pleasure of interviewing and catching up with these musicians at the start of their collegiate journey: Amalia Messick, studying Choral Music Education at the University of Delaware (UD), and Huyan Nguyen, studying Violin at Rutgers’ Mason Gross School of the Arts:
Amalia Messick
Amalia Messick is a vocalist and aspiring conductor from Collingswood, NJ with an extreme passion for choral music and is already ecstatic about all that she is learning at UD.
Can you tell us a little bit about your experience at college so far? Any particular performances you have participated in or are looking forward to? Anything you are especially proud of or excited about?
“The workload is rigorous but I'm excited to be absorbing everything UD has to offer. I am in three ensembles there, Concert Choir, Schola, and UD’s treble choir, University Singers, which performed at the 2024 ACDA conference. I have had so much fun making connections with other future music educators in these groups, paving the path for my future career!”
Over the summer of 2023, you actually started your own choir, The Collab Choir of Collingswood. Would you be able to tell us a little bit about why you started this ensemble and your aspirations for this group in the future?
“I was eager to start directing choirs after working on my skills in conducting and directing during my senior year of high school. I gathered almost 30 participants ranging from middle schoolers to sophomores in college, and we held weekly rehearsals through the month of July. Each rehearsal was a safe place to experiment with learning, teaching, and singing choral music. We worked on three pieces, and recorded the product of 4 weeks of rehearsals. It was a beautiful act of people making music for the sake of growing as musicians together. I couldn’t have asked for a better community of people to have taken my first steps of directing choirs with. In the future, I hope to bring this group together again and continue to cultivate this idea of a completely safe space to experiment with choral music with people who love choir as much as I do.”
What advice would you give to younger students who are just starting their musical journey and may also dream of pursuing music in college?
“The greatest lesson that I have learned in my life, and advice that I would give to any young musician, is to pursue every single opportunity that is available to you to grow in your musicianship. Join every ensemble that you can, use every person around you as a resource, and create opportunities to express your art. Everything and everyone is a resource to help grow your musicianship!”
What role has music played in your life outside of academia? How has it enriched your personal experiences?
“I can't imagine going a day without making music after starting my studies at UD. Being in choir and performing has connected me to some of the most important people in my life. It has allowed me to express myself and has given me a purpose. It has expanded my knowledge in other cultures, and has given me a way to make a positive impact on the world.”
In what ways do you believe your experiences with music will benefit you as you continue your education and beyond?
“My experiences performing in choirs throughout my life has fueled my passion for music education and directing choirs. Through volunteering with youth programs and teaching music through other leadership positions, I have seen the impact that music can make on a young musician and it has made me deeply passionate about helping young musicians find their voice. I can't wait to learn how to become the best music educator that I can be at the University of Delaware to give back to the community that helped me find my voice.”
How do you feel being selected as a recipient of the Music in the Somerset Hills scholarship? What does this recognition mean to you?
I am incredibly honored to have been chosen to be one of the recipients for the Music in the Somerset Hills scholarship. To have years of hard work recognized by this organization that holds the same values in music education, and fostering community through music as I do is heartwarming and deeply appreciated.
Huyan Nguyen
Huyan Nguyen is a violinist from Piscataway, NJ who began his violin studies at the age of six, and is now honing his talents at Rutgers’ Mason Gross School of the Arts.
Can you tell us a little bit about your experience at college so far? Any particular performances you have participated in or are looking forward to? Anything you are especially proud of or excited about?
“My experience at college so far is wonderful. I had a rough start trying to find my classes in such a huge campus, but I’ve been adapting nicely to the academic institution. I have had the opportunity to perform with the Rutgers Symphony Orchestra, in which we performed Claude Debussy’s La Mer, Gabriela Lena Frank’s Three Latin American Dances, and Louis Spohr’s Clarinet Concerto No. 2, op. 57 featuring Yan Yuet Artemis Cheung as the soloist. I’m very proud to be able to collaborate with different people with the same interests. I’m very proud that I have found a place where I can develop and push my foundation of music to the next level.”
What advice would you give to younger students who are just starting their musical journey and may also dream of pursuing music in college?
“Expose yourself to every opportunity to perform. Even if people have a negative opinion of you, don’t let them determine what you want. If you have the love and passion for music, you go for it. It’s ok to be nervous when you’re on the stage, I’ve been there. But at the end of the day, we’ll walk confidently, knowing that we’ve given it our best shot. And there’s nothing more rewarding than that feeling.”
What role has music played in your life outside of academia? How has it enriched your personal experiences?
“I’ve been performing and practicing since my early age. I’ve found opportunities and friends that have aided me in my journey and development as a musician. I’ve enriched my life with an open mind, exploring different aspects of music from an academic perspective. Because as I was instructed by one of my teachers, ‘You can’t learn to be a better musician if you don’t become a better person first”
In what ways do you believe your experiences with music will benefit you as you continue your education and beyond?
“Making a career in music is not the easiest path to take. I’ve had many doubts about myself, wondering if I should continue or if I’m good enough. But my experiences have taught me to become better. Each performance is better than the last and each competition has a higher placement than the last. Eventually, I got what I wanted. I fought and worked hard to become a better musician. And I know, from this point on, I will strive for improvement and look back knowing how far I’ve come.”
How do you feel being selected as a recipient of the Music in the Somerset Hills scholarship? What does this recognition mean to you?
“I’m very happy and grateful to been a recipient of the Music in the Somerset Hills scholarship. Besides the financial support, receiving this scholarship gives me the motivation and tools to continue my journey in music and to build a career.”
We would like to congratulate these past scholarship recipients again and wish them the best of luck on their continued studies and the journey into their music careers. It is inspiring to know that these brilliant minds are setting out to flourish and shape the world around them through their craft. To the person reading this, we hope you will take their wise words of advice with you, no matter what it is you endeavor to accomplish!
Lastly, but certainly not least, we at Music in the Somerset Hills would like to extend heartfelt thanks to our vast community of supporters who have helped make these scholarship offerings a possibility. These contributions go a long way in helping young artists feel supported and encouraged at this stage in their professional development. Visit our donation page today to learn more about how you can join these patrons by making a tax-deductible gift directly to our scholarship fund!
Young Musicians Scholarship Alumni Concert
A virtual showcase of recipients from recent past years. Featuring: Jasmine Meyer, Madelin Morales, Helen Cho, Nicole Streger, Emma Mistele, & Liz Leclerc