Lynn Ellen Sullivan Kelly Memorial Scholarship for High School Juniors ($1,000)
Addison Rouse, soprano
Student of Barbara McAlister

Addison Rouse

Addison Rouse is seventeen years old and is a junior at Fort Gibson High School. She is a proud member of the Cherokee Nation and is the 2023–2024 Junior Miss Cherokee. Ms. Rouse is involved in musical theater and in speech and debate. During her senior year, she plans to continue her vocal education and audition for college vocal programs.

Miriam Spindler Lynch Scholarship for High School Juniors ($500)
Esther Chen, piano
Student of Tatyana Lantos

Esther Chen

Esther Chen is a junior at Jenks High School. Piano has been a big part of her life since she was six years old. Growing up in Canada, she played with orchestras and placed in national competitions by age eleven. That same year, she moved to Shanghai and focused on academics rather than piano. Now that she is back in North America, she has revived her piano studies and is so grateful for the opportunity to play again. In school, Ms. Chen is a member of the speech and debate team and the mock trial team, which won a state competition. During her senior year, she plans to continue with debate, mock trial, and piano and to apply to colleges.

Hyechka Vocal Scholarship for High School Seniors ($4,000)
Niran Thomas, soprano
Student of Aaron Beck

Niran Thomas

Niran Thomas is a senior at Epic Charter School in Tulsa and is a member of National Honor Society and the Oklahoma Indian Student Honor Society. She is a member of the Cherokee Nation. In the International Order of the Rainbow for Girls, she is worthy advisor of Owasso Assembly #209 and soloist for the Grand Cross of Color degree team. Ms. Thomas plans to study premedicine in college.

Zula A. Burkhart String Scholarship for High School Seniors ($4,000)
Alexandra Harmon, violin
Student of Karen Naifeh Harmon and Kinga Augustyn

Alexandra Harmon

Alexandra Harmon is a senior at Edison Preparatory High School in Tulsa. She is a violinist and private teacher of violin, viola, and piano based in Tulsa. She also is a teacher for the Debutante Orchestra through Tulsa Honors Orchestra and performs various gigs around the area. Ms. Harmon plans to pursue a degree in violin performance at the University of Tulsa, where she will study with Maureen O’Boyle.

Jane Heard Clinton Scholarship for High School Seniors ($6,000)
Bella Tai, cello
Student of Tess Remy-­‐‑Schumacher

Bella Tai

Bella Tai is a senior at Edmond North High School and has played the cello for eight years. Raised in a musical family, she learned to sing and play the piano before settling on cello. Ms. Tai is principal cellist in the 2024 Oklahoma Music Educators Association All-­‐‑State Orchestra and is a member of Oklahoma Youth Orchestra. She also plays at church and enjoys making music with family and friends. She plans to study psychology at a university.

Laven Sowell Collegiate Vocal Scholarship, second place ($1,000)
Garrett Abel, tenor
Student of William Christensen

Garrett Abel

Garrett Abel is a sophomore at Oklahoma City University studying vocal performance. He is a Cherokee Nation citizen who studied under Barbara McAlister and is a 2022 graduate of Fort Gibson High School. Abel’s most recent performances include Die Zauberflöte and Die lustigen Weiber von Windsor, and he will be in an upcoming performance of L’incoronazione di Poppea. He plans to continue his vocal studies and hopes to book more roles in operas and musicals.

Laven Sowell Collegiate Vocal Scholarship, first place ($1,500)
Abby Sogn, soprano
Student of Judith Pannill Raiford

Abby Sogn

Abby Sogn is a sophomore at the University of Tulsa. She was born in Hanau, Germany, on September 13, 2003, to Jamie and Jeff Sogn. She started to sing at a young age but did not begin voice lessons until her freshman year of college. Ms. Sogn plans to continue her studies and keep improving her voice. She hopes to become an opera singer in touring productions.

Robert Heckman Memorial Collegiate Orchestral Scholarship, second place ($1,000)
Ethan Do, trombone
Student of Paul Compton

Ethan Do

Ethan Do is a junior trombone performance major at Oklahoma State University. He is a member of OSU’s top ensembles and trombone ensembles and has performed in the United States, Chile, and Argentina. Do’s compositions have been premiered in Oklahoma, New York, and Argentina. He plans to complete his degree at OSU and audition for graduate studies.

Robert Heckman Memorial Collegiate Orchestral Scholarship, first place ($1,500)
David Johnston, tenor trombone
Student of Paul Compton

David Johnston

David Johnstoniis a sophomore at Oklahoma State University pursuing a bachelor of music degree in trombone performance. Born and raised in San Diego, California, Johnston began to play trombone in 2018. He has played in various ensembles such as the San Diego Youth Symphony and the Colorado Symphony. He has been fortunate to study under Peter Steiner, Ohtae Kwon, and many others. Johnston plans to return to OSU next year and hopes to become an orchestral player, soloist, and teacher.

Patti Johnson Wilson Collegiate Piano Scholarship, second place ($1,000)
Alayna Hill, piano
Student of Thomas Lanners

Alayna Hill

Alayna Hill is a freshman pianist at Oklahoma State University. She is also an artist and composer and is the oldest of eleven children. Her accolades include being invited to perform at Carnegie Hall twice, playing in the 2021 Juilliard Winter Festival, and receiving first place in several local and international competitions, including the Ad Libitum International Piano Competition and the American Protégé International Music Talent Competition. During the next academic year, Ms. Hill plans to compete in the OSU concerto competition and focus on solo repertoire and chamber music. She plans to continue her studies and teach piano after school.

Patti Johnson Wilson Collegiate Piano Scholarship, first place ($2,000)
Chanel Sun, piano
Student of Valery Kuleshov

Chanel Sun

Chanel Sunis a freshman piano performance major at the University of Central Oklahoma. Always excited for other creative adventures, Ms. Sun aspires to become proficient in many other forms of art in addition to music and is currently most interested in dancing and sound design. She plans to continue her piano studies in the next academic year.