Chaka Khan Foundation Awards Scholarship to Berklee Five-Week Student

Los Angeles vocalist Azia Cheathum will attend Berklee's summer program for students thanks to Chaka Khan.

June 27, 2018

Vocalist Azia Cheathum will be the recipient of the inaugural Chaka Khan Foundation Scholarship for Berklee's Five-Week Summer Performance Program. Cheathum, a native of Los Angeles who will attend Cal State LA this fall, will participate in the program at Berklee's Boston campus from Saturday, July 7, to Friday, August 10. The scholarship, valued at over $9,000, will cover tuition and housing costs for the program. The Chaka Khan Foundation Scholarship joins a prestigious group of scholarships for Five-Week students, including the Arif Mardin Music Fellowship.

The Berklee Five-Week Summer Performance Program is one of the world's preeminent summer musical performance programs. The program offers students one-on-one instruction from Berklee’s renowned faculty, and a curriculum that offers college credit. It is designed to enhance the playing or singing performance skills of precollege and high school students.

“We are delighted to welcome Azia Cheathum to our campus this summer thanks to the generosity of the Chaka Khan Foundation,” said Tod Olivere, assistant vice president of Student Financial Services. “Five-Week is a tremendous opportunity to grow as a student and artist, and we wish Azia the best of luck as she begins in July.”

The Chaka Khan Foundation was founded in 1999 by legendary artist Chaka Khan with the aim of educating, inspiring, and empowering women and children to achieve their full potential. Khan was awarded an honorary Doctor of Music from Berklee in December 2004 for her tremendous accomplishments in contemporary music, and for her philanthropic spirit.

“It is an honor and a pleasure to present this scholarship to Azia Cheathum for the Berklee Five-Week program,” said Khan, a 10-time Grammy Award winner. “I hope Miss Cheathum emerges from this program a more well-rounded and confident musician who can inspire greatness in others through her talent as a performer.”

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