Outreach
High School Students
BAYS Brenda Varvoutis Vocal Music Education Scholarship - Christina Colocado
BAC Ralph and Richard Parr High School Vocal Music Excellence Scholarship - Layah C. Brown-Givens
BAC Priscilla Ennis High School Vocal Music Performance Scholarship - Evion Evanson
BAC MaryEllen Oliver High School Vocal Music Education Scholarship - Coleson Dorsett
As part of its mission and goals, the Bay Area Chorus sponsors scholarships for high school seniors at selected schools in the Greater Houston area who plan to major in vocal music at an accredited college or university. Each scholarship is worth $1,500.
For those planning to major in vocal music education or music therapy, we offer two separate scholarships using the same application process.
The Bay Area Chorus MaryEllen Oliver Vocal Education Scholarship is underwritten by Dr. David Nickeson in memory of his first wife, MaryEllen Oliver. Click here to apply.
Recently, BAC joined with the Bay Area Youth Singers (BAYS) to offer The Bay Area Youth Singers Brenda Varvoutis Vocal Music Education Scholarship, which was set up to honor former BAYS Artistic Director Brenda Varvoutis and is funded entirely through BAYS. Please note that a single applicant may win only one of the two scholarships for vocal music education majors. Click here to apply.
Applicants for all three scholarships audition at an annual spring concert competition called “The Voice.” The 2022 audition was held on Sunday, March 6, at Gloria Dei Lutheran Church at Nassau Bay, Houston, Texas.
For more information on scholarships, click here or email info@bayareachorus.org.
Graduate Students
2022 Jennette Chase Scholarship Winner Kaitlin DeSpain
The BAC Jeanette Chase Scholarship winner for 2022, Kaitlin DeSpain, is pursuing a DMA in choral conducting from Moores School of Music, University of Houston. Ms. DeSpain is also a church musician who serves both as a hired vocalist and a choral director. She holds an MM in choral conducting from the University of Kentucky and a BA (magna cum laude) in music education from Marshall University. Ms. DeSpain taught public school music, grades 6-12, for seven years and has performed with many community and symphony choirs.
In 2019, the BAC created a new scholarship honoring long-time Bay Area Chorus member and former president Jeanette Chase, to be awarded to a Houston-area student pursuing a masters or doctoral degree in choral conducting or arts leadership with a choral/music focus at the University of Houston’s Moores School of Music.
Click here for scholarship eligibility and criteria, or contact info@bayareachorus.org.
Chorus Participation for Educators
Music educators who join the Bay Area Chorus will have the opportunity to experience the singer’s perspective, an important benefit for professional development. BAC may reduce or waive dues for active music educators.
Contact us at info@bayareachorus.org or click here for scholarship requirements.