We would like to thank everyone that applied for this year’s music scholarship.  We were blown away by the numerous musical performances and personal statements that we received from music majors (and soon to be music majors) from all over the country.

We are proud to announce that the winner of the 2020 Wilshire Quinn Musical Arts Scholarship is Aviana Gedler from Valley High School in West Des Moines, Iowa.  Avianna will be attending Southwest Community College in Creston, Iowa as a music major in the Fall.

Aviana’s passion for music began at the age of five, when she joined a youth choir. Shortly thereafter, she began performing in musicals at the Des Moines Playhouse, including “The Sound of Music,” “Seussical,” and “Fiddler on the Roof.” Throughout high school, she participated in band, orchestra, jazz choir, and the National Association for Music Education’s Tri-M® Music Honor Society.

We were moved by her performance of Charlie Chaplin’s ‘Smile,’ in which she both sang and played the oboe and viola. In listening to her, we were reminded of music’s power to encourage feelings of hope and perseverance, certainly things the world can use more of right now.  Her performance will hopefully serve as an inspiration for all of those whose daily lives have been altered this year.

Congratulations to Aviana and thank you again for all of those who applied for the scholarship.  We look forward to hearing from you next year!

Sincerely,

Christopher M. Garcia
CEO