SCHOLARSHIP INFORMATION
The scholarship application deadline for Summer 2026 has passed.
We are no longer accepting applications.
Results for scholarship applications for Summer 2026
were mailed out on May 4, 2026.
All applicants were notified of the results.
If you have additional questions about your scholarship,
please first read the answers to Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs).
Then contact us at arrowbearmusicassociates@gmail.com if needed.
SCHOLARSHIP RECIPIENTS 2026
It’s so difficult to decide who should receive assistance. We agonize, argue passionately for students who touch our hearts in some way, and finally reach a consensus on who gets a scholarship, and who we are unable to help. We walk a delicate line trying to balance merit with need, those who have the advantage of lessons versus those who have potential but whose parents can’t afford private lessons. While enrollment in performing arts classes is growing and music students are progressing, there is still work to be done to achieve the pre-pandemic levels of mastery and participation for many programs. Students are eager for the musical challenge and the camaraderie that a session at camp provides. Your generosity helps make their dream of attending a summer music camp session possible.
We are excited to announce that we awarded $83,188 in scholarships to 64 young musicians
for Summer 2026. Congratulations to them all!
Morey’s Music Store Scholarship
Allison Feinberg violin
Emma Stelzried violin
David L. Schechter Scholarship
Grace Maier alto sax
Jaden Martinez alto sax
Fran Moore Scholarship
Annalysse Sullivan viola
Robert Simmergren Scholarship
Edward Gietzen string bass
Carter Lucas tenor sax
Newton & Elsie Wrench Scholarship
Niamh Adamis cello
Robert Collins Choral Scholarship
Samantha Clarizo mezzo-soprano
Arnold & Judy Hogarth Scholarship
Abel Sandoval violin
Adel Sandoval cello
Jesus Sandoval violin
Ruoling Shi cello
Raye Fairchild Scholarship
Colin Bass violin
Walter & Natalie Norwick Scholarship
Leo Jimenez tenor sax
Vina Mae Sippel Woodland Scholarship
Miles Reusch violin
Loren & June Collins Scholarship
Claire Lloyd alto sax
Arthur & Margery Schwartz Scholarship
David Gietzen trumpet
Sigma Alpha Iota Scholarship
Abigail Shertzer clarinet
Carole Ohlendorf Dockstader Scholarship
Emily Guerra flute
Suzanne & Juliette Fluchere Scholarship
Nora Serena-Valle violin
Bodhi Taiyo Thein violin
B.T. "Ted" Mills Scholarship
Christopher Richter clarinet
Geo. W. & Martha McGhee Waters Scholarship
Emmalee Goldsmith string bass
Ava Martinez bassoon
Julian Negrete French horn
John Ervin Scholarship
Leire Serena-Valle trumpet
Smith String Bass Scholarship
Joseph Canales string bass
Emily Mojica-Esparza string bass
Myrtle Seymour Watilo Scholarship
Adelina Taylor violin
Elizabeth Wittry Family Scholarship
The Sandoval Family
David Anders Nelson Scholarship
James Foster tuba
Tamara Mitrani Shafran percussion
Frances J. Harding Choral Scholarship
Emily Salazar soprano
Russell Miller Scholarship
Hannah Pearce bassoon
Solberg Memorial Scholarship
Matilda Martinez clarinet
Posey Ussery bass clarinet
Elementary Scholarship
Lily Diggle violin
Choral Scholarships
Alivia Castro soprano
Natalie Dulguerov soprano
Joella Muyanja mezzo-soprano
Serenity Ng soprano
Middle School Scholarships
Raelynn Alger violin
Zachary Gerhart cello
Arabella Levitov violin
Imogen Levitov cello
Kinsey Martin cello
Lily May alto sax
Ariana Moreno violin
Connor Wheeler percussion
High School & College Scholarships
Joseph Baldridge violin
Oscar Borrego-Losada violin
Daniel Carballido cello
Andrew Gerhart piano
Celine Hall cello
Colin Hobson trumpet
Axel Logg string bass
Asher Lowery clarinet
Kaydin Lowery trombone
Elin Lu cello
Stephanie Perteet alto sax
Leah Porter clarinet
Timothy Sweeney trumpet
Frederick Toettcher electric bass
Lucas Wheeler trumpet
SPONSOR A SCHOLARSHIP
We currently have twenty-six special scholarships sponsored by individuals and businesses. These special scholarships are awarded in the sponsor's own name, the name of a loved one, or in the name of their business or organization. We are willing to work with you to create a scholarship for a specific age group, instrument, or section such as winds, brass, strings, etc. We will discuss options with you on how to fund the scholarship. Special scholarships should provide at least half of the cost of a session.
Please contact Laura Kusaba at 562-716-4898 or by email at arrowbearmusicassociates@gmail.com if you are interested.
Elementary 1 Recipient 2025
Intro-Intermediate Recipients 2025
Full Intermediate Recipients 2025
Jazz Recipients 2025
Choral Recipients 2025
Advanced Recipients 2025
SCHOLARSHIP PROCESS
Arrowbear Music Associates grants scholarships to any accredited instrumental or choral music camp in the United States. We do not grant scholarships to camps outside the United States. Applications are available beginning February 1 and are due in early April. For Summer 2026, we granted $83,588 in scholarships to 64 recipients. Many scholarships awarded are for one-half to three-fourths of the cost of a session. There are a limited number of full scholarships available. We grant scholarships to both choral and instrumental applicants. Recipients are chosen based on both need and merit. Nearly all of our recipients would not have been able to attend a summer music camp without financial assistance. We notify all applicants by the middle of May. Contact our Scholarship Chairperson, Laura Kusaba, at arrowbearmusicassociates@gmail.com or call her at 562-716-4898, if you still have questions after reading the Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) below.
The process includes:
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a written application
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MP3 format files of a scale and solo with or without accompaniment for instrumental applicants OR
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MP3 format files of two vocal selections (one classical and one popular selection) with or without accompaniment for choral applicants. Do NOT use MP4 video format or send a DVD
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a letter written by the applicant explaining why he or she needs a scholarship
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a recommendation letter from a private or school music teacher
MP3 format files of the scale and solo OR two vocal selections can be sent to us in one of three ways:
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The two files can be placed on a flash drive. The flash drive must be included with the application materials.
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The two files can be emailed to us.
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The two files can be placed in Dropbox and the link can be emailed to us.
All components must be completed as explained in the directions and
postmarked by the due date to be eligible for a scholarship.
Late applications are NOT accepted for any reason.
***Please be sure of your summer plans before you apply for a scholarship. Once awarded, scholarships are NOT transferable to another session, music camp, or person. Scholarship recipients are expected to attend their entire session without arriving late or leaving early unless there is an emergency.
Questions? No problem. Check out our Frequently Asked Questions link.
THANK YOU LETTERS - 2026
I wanted to take a moment to truly thank you, from the bottom of my heart, for providing me with the financial means to attend my favorite place in the world – Arrowbear Music Camp. Without your scholarship, there would’ve been no way for me to attend this year’s camp session, especially after my father lost his job! I am beyond ecstatic for this opportunity and cannot thank you enough for your generosity. It is such a blessing for me and my family.
Thank you so much for this amazing scholarship opportunity. Arrowbear is my favorite place to spend my summer, and this scholarship was probably the only way I’d get to experience it this year. My mom is a teacher for LBUSD, and due to budget cuts, she was not selected to teach summer school this year. Because of that, without some financial assistance, Arrowbear just wasn’t in the cards. But thanks to your generosity, I get to go back to my second home this summer and continue making long lasting memories. Thank you very much.
Thank you for giving my brothers and me this scholarship. This means a lot to us. This experience will help enhance our violin skills. Thank you for being you. Thank you for offering us this opportunity. My parents would not be able to afford a camp like this. Thank you for helping us go. I promise to learn so much and to come back and teach my students everything I have learned. I am going to put in all my effort!!!
I appreciate it so much that you donated to Arrowbear Music Camp for kids who need a scholarship. It means a lot to me and my family. Paying for camp was originally going to be too expensive, but now that you have donated, it makes everything so much easier for my family. Last time I went to this camp, it was so much fun, and the food was amazing. I am going with a friend this time, who I know from school, and because of YOUR donation it is so much easier for me to have fun with him without worrying about money. This camp offers many things at once, fun, learning, food, and much more. Anything that can happen at this camp will be fun. Thank you so much for the scholarship.
I wanted to write a heartfelt thank you letter to you. You are truly amazing, helping young musicians like me and giving them opportunities to connect with music and get better. I really appreciate you giving me a scholarship. Arrowbear Music Camp means a lot to me, and I really enjoy going. I feel like it’s a second home to me, and I always have such a wonderful time there. I’m very grateful to you for giving me the chance to go again and experience the camp. Thank you for being so generous. It was a great help for my parents who have been my number one supporters since I started playing violin when I was nine years old. I really don’t know what else to say. I am just so grateful. Thank you so much for this great opportunity!
They say that the pen is mightier than the sword, but pen and paper cannot express my gratitude for your donation. To be honest, I signed up for the scholarship expecting to get a partial scholarship, and I was completely shocked to receive the full scholarship.
In the last year, music has become an increasingly important part of my life, and now this has happened which will help me write music and express myself through something of my own. Along with this, I realized the importance of Jazz to this goal, and also that I needed a way to learn Jazz. Because of your donation, the way to a proper jazz education has been opened for me.
Your kindness and willingness to support a complete stranger, especially in this economy, is touching and has restored my faith in humanity. No amount of thank yous can express my gratitude, but I’ll still say it: Thank you so much!
Thank you so much for choosing me as a scholarship recipient. I am truly honored and incredibly grateful for your generosity and support. Choir and music have been a huge part of my life for many years and being able to attend Arrowbear again means so much to me. Singing has helped me grow not only as a performer, but as a person. I am especially excited for the experience of being surrounded by both music and nature at camp. Being in the mountains, meeting other people who love choir, and learning more about music is something I’m ecstatic for. Thank you again for making this possible for students like me.
I wanted to write a heartfelt thank you letter to you. You are truly amazing, helping young musicians like me and giving them opportunities to connect with music and get better. I really appreciate you giving me a scholarship. Arrowbear Music Camp means a lot to me, and I really enjoy going. I feel like it’s a second home to me, and I always have such a wonderful time there. I’m very grateful to you for giving me the chance to go again and experience the camp. Thank you for being so generous. It was a great help for my parents who have been my number one supporters since I started playing violin when I was nine years old. I really don’t know what else to say. I am just so grateful. Thank you so much for this great opportunity!
Thank you so much for granting me this scholarship! I am deeply grateful for your help. Going to Arrowbear has been on my mind since the first time I heard of it. It means so much to me that I was chosen as the recipient of this scholarship. So, thank you for giving me the chance to share this experience with peers and to grow as a musician.
THANK YOU LETTERS - 2025
Below are some of the thank you letters we received from our scholarship recipients the last two years. Their appreciation and excitement reveal the impact your generosity has on their lives and their families. They are thrilled to attend a summer music camp and spend time with other young musicians who share their passion for music.
Thank you for granting me this scholarship. I will use this scholarship gratefully and put 100% of my effort into the camp. This helps my mother and me a lot and this will most definitely not go to waste. I also thank you for giving me the opportunity to become a great musician and excel and improve on my instrument. I will forever be grateful for this, and I appreciate all the help I’ve received. I really enjoyed last year, and this year will be even better, especially when I’m able to go without worrying about the cost. I’m happy that I received this scholarship. Once again thank you so much.
You may always get letters like this, but truly there is no greater feeling than having a financial burden lifted off my shoulders. My parents are hardworking people, and to see them sigh with relief, knowing they are no longer having to worry about having to make ends meet is worth everything. Because of this scholarship, they can now focus on rent. They can now focus on groceries. They can now focus on my college fund. Mabe, just maybe, put something in their savings. We all share the same love of music, and I assure you that when I have the means to donate, I will – because no one should have to worry about finances when doing something they love.
I have to take this opportunity to say thank you from the bottom of my heart! As a mother who wants only the best for her child, I am so thrilled and honored that you chose my daughter! My eyes are filled with tears as I write you this note. I am at a loss for words. Thank you! We have never received anything like this, and my heart is just so very grateful!! We are forever grateful and honored. This will shape her and help her in so many ways. You have blessed us beyond measure. I am so excited to hear about all she learns at Arrowbear Music Camp. Sending you much gratitude and a hug from a very grateful mother!
Thank you so much for your generous scholarship. I couldn’t be more excited about attending camp this year! My best friend from camp has also received a scholarship, and we’ve been texting non-stop about it. I’m looking forward to the camp experience so much, with new friends, full orchestra, chamber music, and everything. Again, thanks so much!
Thank you so much for this generous gift and for giving me this opportunity. Receiving the scholarship really means a lot to me. As a musical theater student, your support helps me continue doing what I love – preparing for shows, taking voice lessons, and getting hands-on experience that helps me grow both as a performer and as a person.
This scholarship is more than just financial help – it’s a vote of confidence in my journey. It motivates me to keep pushing forward, especially in a field like musical theater where every bit of training and experience counts. Your support gives me the chance to attend Arrowbear this summer, where I’ll be surrounded by other passionate musicians and have the space to learn, explore, and challenge myself vocally and artistically.
Thanks again for believing in me and helping me take another step forward. I’m excited for what’s ahead, and I’ll carry this experience with me as I continue to chase my passion for performing.
I am writing to express my heartfelt gratitude for the gift of the scholarship. Receiving this was a great weight taken off of my family’s shoulders and knowing I will be able to attend Arrowbear again with your help, fills me with so much excitement and joy. I feel incredibly honored to have been selected.
Music is more than just a hobby for me; it’s a way to express myself and connect with others, and with the opportunity to attend Arrowbear it will allow me to immerse myself in what I love and grow as a musician, with people of the same interest. Your generosity has made a significant impact, and I am deeply thankful for your belief in my potential. Thank you for helping me pursue my passion and be given the chance to create meaningful music and memories with other amazing campers.
From the bottom of my heart, I’d like to thank you for gifting me this scholarship to attend Arrowbear this summer! I have been in choir since 4th grade, and I am currently in 10th grade singing in my school’s Women’s Choir. Choral music means the world to me, and I feel the happiest when I’m singing meaningful music with people! I’ve heard many amazing things about this camp, and I cannot even begin to express my gratitude for helping me to experience the incredible things people have to say about Arrowbear for myself. I truly adore choir and connecting with people, so I am so grateful and cannot wait for this opportunity to further my choral education this summer!!
I promise to approach any experience at Arrowbear with an open mind paired with a willingness to learn. I’ll do everything in my power to improve my technique, make friends, and hopeful create a lasting impact on myself and those around me. Thank you again.
Thank you very much for giving me this scholarship! I feel honored that I got this scholarship. I am very grateful for you giving me this gift. This is my first time going to a sleep-away camp, and I am very excited!
Thank you so much for this incredible opportunity you have given me. I have been playing the clarinet for the past four years since the start of middle school, but without a private teacher, it has been challenging for me to advance my skills as much as I would have liked.
This music camp will give me the chance to improve my technique, learn from experienced instructors and accomplished musicians, and connect with fellow music enthusiasts who share my passion. I am particularly excited to work on Advanced repertoire and performance techniques that will help me thrive in high school next year as I continue my musical journey.
None of this would have been possible without your generous donations, and I am truly grateful for your investment in young musicians like me. I look forward to making the most of this opportunity and hope to one day give back to future students in the same way you have supported me.
Thank you so much for awarding me a scholarship. I’m incredibly grateful for your support. This opportunity means more than I can put into words. Music has always been such an important part of my life, and being able to attend Arrowbear again is truly a dream come true. Knowing I’ll get to spend time learning and growing in a place surrounded by people who are just as passionate about music as I am is beyond exciting. The scholarship lifts a huge financial burden from my family, and I’m so thankful for the generosity that makes this experience possible.
I’m looking forward to everything the camp offers – the rehearsals, the friendships, the time in the mountains, and the chance to challenge myself. It’s not just about improving my skills; it’s also about being part of a community that encourages creativity and supports each other. Thank you again for believing in me and investing in my journey as a musician. I feel lucky and honored to be a part of Arrowbear this summer, and I can’t wait to make the most of every moment.
I want to thank you for the scholarship that was given to me to attend Arrowbear Music Camp. I am very excited to attend camp, and it is possible because of you. Your kindness is an amazing contribution to students pursuing music. I hope to one day make an impact just like you. Once again, thank you!
