THE BETTY VAN ANDEL SCHOLARSHIP

Click To Download 2012 Scholarship Application
Postmark deadline for 2012 award: March 5, 2012

Named in memory of Betty Van Andel and inspired by her lifelong passion for music and her many contributions to Opera Grand Rapids, both as a board member and benefactor, the Betty Van Andel Scholarship seeks to continue Betty Van Andelís vision of promoting opera in West Michigan by encouraging people who have distinguished themselves as exceptional candidates to pursue continuing education and development in an opera-related field.

Each year the Betty Van Andel Scholarship provides an award of up to $1,000 to an exceptional music student candidate who is either a resident, or a student resident, in West Michigan. The funds are intended to cover expenses directly related to the recipient's course of study, for payment of tuition and fees required for enrollment or attendance at an educational institution, or for books, supplies, or equipment required for his or her course of instruction. To ensure that the award serves this purpose, funds awarded are provided directly to the program or instituition in which the recipient is enrolled.

Following are examples of opera-related areas of study for which this award may be used:
• Music/Theater/Dance training program
• Study abroad program
• Young Artist program
• Arts Administration program
• Opera education and/or outreach program
• Technical Artist program (i.e. lighting design or stage management)
This list is not intended to be exclusive, but rather a guide for the types of requests that have been honored in the past.

Requirements

1. The candidate must be a student dedicated to the pursuit of music or music education in an opera-related field.
   
   
2. The candidate must be a current resident or student residing in West Michigan.
   
   
3. To apply, please submit a letter describing the institution/program(s) for which you are seeking the Scholarship, and what you hope to gain from the experience. This letter should be a minimum of one page, typed and double-spaced. If applicable, please include a list of additional institutions/programs for which you have applied or auditioned.
   
   
4. To apply, please submit a letter describing the institution/program(s) for which you are seeking the Scholarship, and what you hope to gain from the experience. This letter should be a minimum of one page, typed and double-spaced. If applicable, please include a list of additional institutions/programs for which you have applied or auditioned.
   
   
5. Please submit a letter(s) of recommendation which speak to your qualifications at the time of the application. Also submit a resume of your work along with a completed appication to: the Opera Grand Rapids Office by MARCH 5, 2012.
   
   
6. Please be prepared for a personal interview with the Opera Grand Rapids Scholarship Committee if requested.
   
   Details
   • Recipients of this scholarship must meet all eligibility requirements.
   • Awards are made out to an institution in which the recipient is enrolled, not to the individual directly.
   • All decisions of the Scholarship Committee are final, including the decision to give partial awards or no award.
   • The winner are requested to write a summary of his/her use of the scholarship funds and submit it to Opera Grand Rapids.
   • Opera Grand Rapids is an equal opportunity organization and will not discriminate on the basis of race, color, age,
      sexual orientation or religion.
   • The Scholarship must be used by December 31, 2012, or is otherwise forfeited.
   • The winner is requested to be present at the annual Opera Grand Rapids fundraiser (May 17, 2012) to publically accept the award.