The Ella Fitzgerald Foundation has generously renewed its endowment to the School of the Arts, Media, Performance & Design (AMPD) with an additional $20,000 for the prestigious Ella Fitzgerald Scholarship.
This scholarship is open to AMPD students who demonstrate exceptional academic achievement, creativity and financial need.
"We deeply appreciate the ongoing support for our students by the Ella Fitzgerald Foundation," says Sarah Bay-Cheng, Dean of AMPD. "This funding plays a crucial role in enabling our talented students to pursue creative careers and achieve their academic goals."
Ella Fitzgerald broke racial barriers with her voice, paving the way for other African American performers. She is an icon of female empowerment, a legendary artist and a global phenomenon.
Established in 1993, The Ella Fitzgerald Charitable Foundation aims to help people of all races, cultures and beliefs. Over the years, the Foundation has supported numerous scholarships, endowments, and programs that embody Fitzgerald's commitment to nurturing the next generation of artists.
To date, twenty AMPD students have benefited from the Ella Fitzgerald Scholarship.
"Receiving the Ella Fitzgerald Award for Jazz Performance was one of the greatest honours of my student life,” says Natasha Roldán, a 2017 recipient of the scholarship. "Ella Fitzgerald has been a major inspiration in my musical journey, being the first jazz singer I encountered. This award validated my dedication as a musician and provided essential financial support, helping cover my education expenses."
The lasting impact of the Ella Fitzgerald Charitable Foundation is evident through the accomplishments of AMPD’s scholarship recipients, who continue to honor Ella's legacy by enriching the world, creating positive change through their art.
"Today, I work in the music industry as an arts and culture manager, singer/songwriter and performer,” Roldán continues. “I recently released my self-produced album 'Ya No Estoy Aquí,' celebrated with a sold-out show at the Small World Music Centre in Toronto and a full-house showcase at RPM Records in Bogotá, Colombia. The album explores themes of migration, revolution, and love, blending Latin American folk and jazz influences."
Interested students can learn more about this scholarship by visiting the Scholarships, Awards & Bursaries webpage and filtering the search by the award name.