Scottsdale Philharmonic awards scholarships to Rosie's House students

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. - May 31, 2019 - PRLog -- Four Rosie's House students from inner-Phoenix received a $250 scholarship from the Scottsdale Philharmonic.  Salvatore Papandrea, Yuna Kang, Sammara Estrada and Perla Escalante will now be able to attend a local summer music camp complimenting their instruction from Rosie's House. The students were winners of the organization's annual Great Performers Competition.

Violinist Papandrea took first place for string instruments; Kang, who also plays violin, was first place for piano; Estrada was first place for voice; and Escalante, who plays flute, piano and ukulele, was first place for wind instruments.

The most talented students from Rosie's House are nominated by faculty and compete within their department in the annual competition. Judging is based on performance at the student's skill level and for the piece they are performing – not overall who is the best or most advanced. Judges are outside educators, musicians and arts advocates throughout the community.

The first, second and third place students from each department performed at a free showcase concert in April and the first place winners from each department were featured at the Rosie's House Annual Ovation Gala.

"These students are all so talented and deserving of the scholarships," says Joy Partridge, co-founder and president of the Scottsdale Philharmonic. "We are pleased to participate for the second year in this partnership with Rosie's House by donating four scholarships."

About Rosie's House

Rosie's House (https://rosieshouse.org/) was founded in 1996 by Rosie Schurz, a German immigrant. She established Rosie's House in a small home in an impoverished Phoenix neighborhood. Rising above the poverty that plagued the Phoenix Oakland community, Schurz created a safe haven for youth to express their creativity and pursue their dreams.

Over the course of the past 22 years, Rosie's House has grown to a full-fledged community music school with 450 students from economically disadvantaged backgrounds enrolled annually. As one of the largest free music afterschool programs nationwide, Rosie's House offers free music lessons, loaned instruments, mentorship, service-learning opportunities and college-readiness programs. Rosie's House uses achievement in music as a bridge to achievement in life; 97 percent of graduates in the past five years have achieved their college and career goals.

About the Scottsdale Philharmonic

Founded in 2012, the Scottsdale Philharmonic is a non-profit with a mission statement of bringing free classical concerts to the community. The organization is funded by donations from patrons, grants and sponsors.

Over 75 professional musicians continue to volunteer their time and talent for each of the performances. Upcoming concert dates in 2019 are Oct. 13, Nov. 24 and the annual Dec. 15 holiday concert. For more information, visit www.scottsdalephilharmonic.com or call 480-951-6077.