Three Seattle-Area Teens Awarded Summer Scholarships
(from left) Darrah Barth, manager, instructional programs at EMP SFM scholarship winners Austin DeVries, Spencer Doren, and Brogan Woodburn, David Mash, Berklee VP for technology education outreach
Austin DeVries, Spencer Doren, and Brogan Woodburn were awarded full-tuition scholarships to Berklee's Five-Week Summer Performance Program for high school students, which takes place July 12-August 15 in Boston. Berklee, the world's leading college of contemporary music, is collaborating with Experience Music Project|Science Fiction Museum (EMP|SFM) in Seattle-a charter member of Berklee's City Music Network-to identify talented and deserving teens from the after-school music program offered at the institution.
The students accepted their scholarships at a presentation during the EMP|SFM year-end performance and ceremony. This summer they will spend five weeks in Boston, learning how to take their musical talents to new heights. They will take performance, music theory, and music technology classes, and choose from songwriting, music synthesis, and music business as electives.
Austin DeVries, 16, is a drummer currently attending Meadowdale High School in Edmonds, Washington; Spencer Doren, 17, is a bassist currently attending Mercer Island High School in Washington; and Brogan Woodburn, 17, is a guitarist currently attending Westside Christian High School in Lake Oswego, Oregon. Each student is a member of Experience: The Band, the museum's performing ensemble for 7th-to-12th-grade students. The program is part of Berklee's City Music Network, which provides quality music instruction, mentoring, and college scholarships at network member sites.
"These students have practiced every Saturday at the museum since October," said Margie Maynard, director of education at EMP|SFM. "Their commitment and hard work is paying off. It's inspiring to see such talented musicians emerge from this program and go on to the next level."