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BJW is dedicated to music education within our community. Each year, we award several scholarships (monetary grants) to music students who demonstrate interest, talent and ongoing participation in our workshops. These monetary awards are typically used to pay for lessons, school tuition, new instruments and equipment, transportation to school, etc. In 2025, our scholarship program was supported in part by a grant from Arts Council of Kern, as well as donations from attendees and participants.

A memorial scholarship is a great way to honor a person's accomplishment, memorialize a loved one who has passed, or publicize a local business/organization. Our current list of named scholarships includes these:

• Lary Totten Award
• Doctora Nora Award
• Kerry Pierce Memorial Award
• Aubrey Stonelake Memorial Award
• Dolores Huerta Recognition Award
• Laura Booker Recognition Award

To sponsor a yearly scholarship, you can insure that your loved one lives on within our local Jazz community. For more information, talk to a Board member or submit an inquiry here:

Each year, BJW holds special Clinic/Concert events, at which a nationally- or internationally-known touring artist or ensemble presents an educational talk followed by a concert performance. These clinic/concerts are well-attended and can help your business or organization gain visibility within the local music and arts community. Your sponsorship may even be tax-deductible. For more information, talk to a Board member or submit an inquiry here:

Each year, we will announce the application period for that year's scholarships. After all applications are received, the BJW Board of Directors reviews each application and selects a number of individuals demonstrating the interest, talent, participation and intentions that best fit with our program. Awards are presented in a special workshop ceremony.

Our 2025 Scholarship application page is now closed. This year, we awarded $5850 in scholarships!

A BIG Thank You to the Arts Council of Kern and all the people/families who sponsored scholarships directly and made weekly donations, making this possible.

In the News:  https://www.bakersfieldcollege.edu/news/2025/0519-bc-jazz-students-receive-scholarships.html 

Our 2026 Scholarship Online Application Form will be available here in Spring 2026!

Mason Heath - Lary Totten Award

Pedro Lozano - Doctora Nora Award

Aidan Scully - Kerry Pierce Award

Peter Swanson - Aubrey Stonelake Award

Sean Balingit - Aubrey Stonelake Award

Robert Longmire - Dolores Huerta Award

Alejandro Andrade - Laura Booker Award

Nate Wye - Discretionary Award

Enrique Orozco Carrillo - Discretionary Award

Victoria Mendez - Discretionary Award

Dan Sharman - Discretionary Award

Joseph Bassilious - Discretionary Award