American Idol Winner Kris Allen And Berklee City Music Host 2012 Scholarship Concert

Scholarships Pave Way to Higher Education through Music for Youth from Underserved Communities

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Aug 09, 2012, 08:45 ET

BOSTON, Aug. 9, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Last night, American Idol winner Kris Allen and 97 talented youth from around the country performed their hearts out during the Berklee City Music Scholarship Concert. An annual event that showcases the accomplishments of Berklee City Music youth in the final week of Berklee College of Music's Five-Week Summer Performance Program and awards students with 2012 City Music College Scholarships to attend Berklee College of Music.

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"My passion is music education and my work with Music Empowers Foundation introduced me to this amazing network connected by Berklee City Music. These kids are beyond talented, but it takes organizations like Berklee City Music to help them turn talent into a tool for success in life," Kris Allen said.

Berklee City Music is a nonprofit program that harnesses the energy of contemporary music to provide music education to 4th through 12th graders in underserved communities at 38 Network sites, educating more than 10,000 students across the country, and bringing as many as 100 of them to Boston each summer. Each year, Berklee City Music awards scholarships to attend Berklee's Five-Week Summer Performance Program as well as four-year scholarships to attend Berklee College of Music.

2012 City Music College Scholarship: Full four-year scholarships for study at Berklee College of Music, beginning fall 2012, were awarded to City Music Summer Scholarship recipients who have been accepted by the college and completed the Berklee College of Music Five-Week Summer Performance Program. The following 2012 students received City Music College Scholarships:

Khari Alamin, Voice, Stax Music Academy, Memphis, TN
Jabril Barnes, Trumpet, The Music Settlement, Cleveland, OH
Brian Benton, Bass, The Music Settlement, Cleveland, OH
Wendy Chung, Voice, Berklee City Music, Boston, MA
John Dandan, Piano, East Bay Center for the Performing Arts, Richmond, CA
Eli Dawson, Guitar, Lincoln Park Performing Arts Center, Pittsburgh, PA
Robert Gould, Voice, Little 5 Points Music School, Atlanta, GA
Danielle John, Voice and Piano, Boston and City Music High School Academy, Boston, MA
Tamina Johnson-Lawson, Voice, A Place Called Home, Los Angeles, CA
Charina Kimes, Voice, Lincoln Park Performing Arts Center, Pittsburgh, PA
Langston Maxwell, Drums and Piano, The Music Settlement, Cleveland, OH
Rachel McLean, Voice and Flute, Berklee City Music, Boston, MA
Matthew Pitts, Bass, Berklee City Music, Boston, MA
Emily Ronna, Voice, Berklee City Music, Boston, MA
Langston Theard, Voice, Tipitina's Foundation, New Orleans, LA
VanDarrel Woods, Trumpet, The Music Settlement, Cleveland, OH

With the ongoing struggle to provide access to music education in the United States, Berklee City Music Network is providing a pathway to higher education by engaging passionate, talented youth in underserved communities in a contemporary music education program.

"Every year, for the last 20 years, I am blown away by the power of music. When these kids develop their talents and skills in music, you can see their confidence grow too and with that, the potential for success is just limitless," J. Curtis Warner, Jr., Executive Director, Berklee City Music, said.

About Berklee City Music
Berklee City Music is a nonprofit program that harnesses the energy of contemporary music to provide music education to 4th through 12th graders in underserved communities at 38 Network sites, educating more than 10,000 students across the country. With year-round instruction, the Berklee PULSE™ Music Method online music education platform, expert faculty, individualized mentoring and a comprehensive curriculum, Berklee City Music combines the breadth of Berklee College of Music resources, facilities and available scholarships with an environment of attention and encouragement. Youth receive the tools and support they need to flourish as students, musicians and, perhaps most important, confident and well-rounded individuals, ready to shape the world. Since its inception, Berklee City Music has awarded scholarships to more than 1000 students to attend the Five-Week Summer Performance program. In 2012, Berklee City Music provided more than 100 summer program scholarships and hopes to award more than 20 full scholarships to attend Berklee College of Music. www.berkleecitymusicnetwork.org

About Kris Allen
Since winning American Idol in 2009, Kris Allen has become a household name. After releasing his self-titled debut album in 2009 on 19 Recordings/Jive Records, Kris toured the U.S. opening for Keith Urban, Maroon 5, the Barenaked Ladies, and Lifehouse, as well as headlining his own club tour. His first single, "Live Like We're Dying" has sold over 1.7 million copies. Kris's second album, "Thank You Camellia" with its hit single, "The Vision of Love" was released in May 2012. For more information go to http://www.krisallenofficial.com

Related Link:
Berklee City Music Network

SOURCE Berklee City Music