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Jude
Biggs Musician Scholarship
The
joy and thrill of BACDS dances depends on inspiring live music provided
by a dedicated and skilled community of musicians. BACDS supports
the development of musical skills in its community dance musicians
in several ways, including sponsorship of the Jude Biggs Musician
Scholarship. This scholarship provides monetary support to help country
dance and display dance musicians make the transition from “promising”
to “experienced” performers by attending a BACDS dance camp. We honor
the memory of Jude Biggs, an early BACDS member who died young, her
promise unfulfilled.
What
does the Jude Biggs Scholarship mean for me?
The scholarship covers the full cost of admission to English Dance
and Music Week at the Mendocino Woodlands for one person, or sometimes
half the cost for two persons who are sharing the award. At camp,
the recipient has the same opportunity as any camper to enjoy classes
taught by outstanding dance musicians on how to play music for dancing,
and is encouraged to participate in at least one dance class. There
are many opportunities for informal jamming with other musicians,
both staff and campers. Past recipients have participated in and helped
coordinate the camper band(s) that play for the Wednesday night dance
at camp. There are no special “work” responsibilities associated with
the scholarship, just a chance to enjoy a wonderful week at camp!
Who
can apply for the Jude Biggs Scholarship?
BACDS encourages applicants who have demonstrated ability and experience
as a dance musician, but who are not yet a plausible candidate for
paid camp staff. Most important is that Jude Biggs Scholars take the
experience and inspiration gained at camp back to their home community
to contribute to their local dances. We welcome applicants from outside
the Bay Area. Past recipients of the Jude Biggs Scholarship are not
eligible to apply.
I’m
interested! How do I apply?
Send in your camper registration by the March 17 lottery deadline,
with the box checked to indicate interest in the Jude Biggs Scholarship.
Enclose with your registration, or e-mail to dthalson@earthlink.net,
a brief biography and a personal statement indicating your music background,
experience, and interest in playing for community dances and attending
camp as a Jude Biggs Scholar. You may include anything that would
help the camp committee evaluate your suitability, such as names of
references. The committee uses this information to choose a candidate
and to gain approval from the BACDS Board. When applying for the Jude
Biggs Scholarship, no registration deposit is required. If you are
not chosen for the scholarship, but still wish to attend camp, we
will ask you to send a deposit right away after we notify you of the
decision. If you send a deposit with your registration and are chosen
for the full Jude Biggs Scholarship, we will refund your deposit.
CDSS
Youth Scholarships
In this
first pilot year, matching scholarships are available for young campers
(age 18-30) to attend Bay Area Country Dance Society (BACDS) English
Dance and Music Week and BACDS American Dance and Music Week. BACDS
camps may accept applicants age 15-17 on a case-by-case basis if a guardian
is available and space permits.
CDSS
will pay half the camper fee, and a local sponsoring group would commit
to the other half.
If you
are a potential camper interested in this scholarship, approach your
local group with the information and application form (the group must
apply on your behalf).
If you
are a group leader/organizer with a young adult in your community
who demonstrates community leadership potential in dance, music or
song, let them know about the camp and the scholarship and help them
with the application process.
To apply
for this scholarship:
- Download the scholarship form.
- The sponsoring group must fill out the top part of the application
form.
- We recommend a letter from the sponsoring group supporting your
applicant.
The individual must:
- Fill out the second half of the application form.
- Download and fill out the BACDS camp
registration form.
- Send both the matching scholarship application (with sponsoring
groupís support letter) and the BACDS camp registration form to
the camp registrar listed on the form.
The camp
lottery deadline (in case of oversubscription) is March 17
(postmarked) so make sure to submit your application in time for
the lottery. We will notify you in April.
As the
CDSS matching scholarship program grows, they will target additional
West Coast dance and music weeks, then hope to expand to non-CDSS
programs across North America. We invite you to help CDSS in this
work with your generous donations.
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