Emerging Artist Scholarship Program
The IMA understands that our advocacy efforts for fair pay can come at increased costs for students. This scholarship program aims to address that by welcoming applications from all students who are not able to pay the $80/hr fee for teachers on the Directory of Performing Jazz Educators. This program is made possible by Jazz in the Neighborhood’s Guaranteed Fair Wage Fund.
Finding a Teacher
Contact the teacher you are interested in studying with.
Inform them that you cannot afford the rate, but would be interested in applying for a scholarship to subsidize your lessons.
Arrange a half hour initial session with the teacher who you are interested in studying with.
The teacher will determine the skill level, desire, and your potential as a student and make a recommendation to go forward with a set of lessons (8) or end the process at this time.
Applying for the Scholarship
Once you’re accepted by the teacher, you must then apply for the scholarship.
You or your family/guardian must obtain a letter of recommendation from your public or private school music teacher and send it via email to the IMA, with your name added to the subject line.
In addition, please submit a letter in the same email explaining why you are requesting a scholarship and the teacher you have been accepted by.
The IMA committee will then determine your eligibility and will notify you and the teacher of their decision.
Arranging Lessons and Payment
If accepted for the scholarship, you and your teacher then make arrangements individually.
The scholarship program covers eight lessons over eight weeks.
You pay the teacher directly for an agreed amount equal to at least 25% of the minimum wage. (The maximum amount that can be subsidized is $60, or 75% of the cost, so you must pay at least $20.)
The teacher receives the subsidized balance from the IMA through an agreement with Jazz in the Neighborhood and the Guaranteed Fair Wage Fund for Teachers.
At the end of the eight weeks, your teacher submits an evaluation of your progress and makes a recommendation for either another 8 weeks or an end to the agreement.
The IMA committee will make the final determination based on available funds.