While my primary focus is piano technology, I am applying for this scholarship because the trade schools I plan to attend also offer luthier training, and I intend to learn bow rehairing as an additional skill. This is a valuable service that many musicians do not have easy access to, and it would allow me to better serve the music community alongside my piano work. There are also very few scholarships available for musical instrument trades, so opportunities like this are incredibly meaningful in helping me pursue comprehensive training. I did not choose the trades as a backup plan. I chose piano technology because it is the only path that has ever truly made sense to me. Growing up, I was surrounded by music, but what fascinated me most was not just how a piano sounded, but how it worked. In high school, I would watch the piano tuner who came to service our instruments, completely absorbed in the process. That curiosity became a calling when he became my mentor. He showed me that this work is about more than tuning strings. It is about restoring life to an instrument, supporting musicians, and preserving something that can outlast us. He encouraged me to keep learning and to never stop pursuing training, no matter where I was in life. When he passed away during COVID-19, I lost not only a mentor but a sense of direction. In response, I committed myself even more deeply to this path. Through my work with Sing for Hope and my own nonprofit efforts in New Orleans, I have helped refurbish and place pianos in public spaces and underserved communities. Seeing someone play a piano they never thought they would have access to reminds me why this trade matters and why I want to dedicate my life to it. At 32, my career goals are clear. I want to become a highly skilled piano technician who can confidently restore and maintain instruments at the highest level. I want to work in environments where excellence is expected, such as major performance venues, universities, or factories like Steinway & Sons or Mason & Hamlin. I also plan to become a Registered Piano Technician, which requires advanced training and preparation. I will be attending one of the two top piano technology programs, both intensive two-year programs with strong placement rates in institutions and factories. These programs offer the level of mentorship and structure I have been missing and are essential for reaching my goals. The only barrier I face is financial. Living in New Orleans as a piano technician has been challenging, with inconsistent work and times when I have struggled to pay rent and basic expenses. I also carry debt from previous music studies, making it impossible to afford tuition on my own. This scholarship would allow me to pursue training at the exact moment I am ready, build a sustainable career, and continue honoring my mentor’s belief that learning never stops. My condolences to the passing of Amos he would be proud of the continuation of education for instrument builders through his legacy.

From a young age, I have been captivated by music. In high school, I spent most of my time in the band room and choir, fascinated not just by playing music, but by the instruments themselves, especially the pianos. Multiple times a year, a piano tuner would visit our school, arriving early in the morning. Watching him work, seeing the intricate mechanics of the piano, and learning how his craft could transform the way people experience music inspired me to pursue piano technology as a career. Over time, he became more than a mentor; he became family. He showed me that our work in the trades brings joy to people, educates future generations, and preserves instruments that connect communities. My mentor also introduced me to the power of giving back. He ran a nonprofit that refurbished and donated pianos to individuals, schools, churches, and community spaces that otherwise could not afford them. He instilled in me the joy of volunteering and serving the community through one’s craft. After his passing from COVID-19, I carried forward his legacy by starting my own nonprofit public piano program in New Orleans. For the past five years, we have refurbished secondhand pianos, invited local artists to paint them, and installed them in public spaces for community access. After a few weeks, we donate these pianos to schools and underserved communities. Witnessing the joy on children’s faces, seeing music reach those who might never otherwise have access, and giving pianos to people in need has been profoundly rewarding. Now, at 32, I find myself at a pivotal point in my career. The economy in New Orleans has made it difficult for piano technicians like myself to find consistent work, and there have been times I have struggled to cover rent and basic expenses. I know that further training is the key to advancing my career so I can work in a larger city, at a prestigious institution like Steinway & Sons, or for a university. Two trade schools have already offered me enrollment, recognizing my potential, but both programs are expensive. Financial barriers are the only thing standing between me and this opportunity to refine my skills, expand my mentorship network, and continue giving back to the music community at a higher level. Through my career in piano technology, I aim not only to master a trade I love, but also to support people through access to music and education. I provide discounted or free services whenever possible and have given away numerous pianos to New Orleans’ schools and community centers. Pursuing a career in the trades allows me to combine technical skill, creativity, and service, continuing a legacy of mentorship and community impact that has shaped my life. Receiving this scholarship would help me overcome the financial barrier that stands in the way of advancing my skills and continuing to give back in meaningful ways. Receiving this scholarship would mean the world to me. It would allow me to honor my mentor’s legacy in the way I continue to serve my community, and I still tear up when I think about him—his memory drives me to push through challenges and strive to be the best I can. I also want to extend my gratitude for your time and consideration, and offer my condolences for the loss of your son. I know that he would be proud of you all for keeping his memory alive, just as I have honored my mentor by carrying his lessons forward in my work and service