NMTA Thomas Ediger High School Scholarship Winner
Emeline Burton, a viola student of Ruth Meints at Omaha Conservatory of Music
Striking the balance between musical excellence and other pursuits is a difficult achievement, but it’s one that Emeline has been striving towards for many years because the results are so worth it. From spontaneous ‘jam sessions’ with her family to orchestral masterpieces, music has been an integral part of her life.
Emeline Burton is a free-lance senior who has completed her diverse, global education through classes from Millard Public Schools, private instruction through Gold Education, BYU -Idaho concurrent enrollment, two capstone projects in Europe, and online courses. Her years associated with piano, violin, guitar, and viola have been highlighted by studying violin and viola with Grazzia Sagastume and Ruth Meints at the Omaha Conservatory of Music (OCoM). She has achieved the distinction of 4 years in the NMEA Allstate Orchestra, as well as state Alternate for the MTNA Senior Strings division (viola), despite pandemic obstacles.
As she has worked with the OCM String Sprouts and taught her own violin students, Emeline has seen firsthand the far-reaching benefits of introducing young children to classical music and changing beginners into musicians. She plans to harness the powerful and healing effects of music as she begins her music major studies this fall at Utah State University in northern Utah where her late grandfather’s musical influence still resonates. Emeline is eager to follow in the footsteps of Dr. Ediger and her own beloved grandfather, Dr. Warren L. Burton, but draws the line at learning to play the ‘Tartini Balloon’ and ‘nose flute.’ Sorry, Grandpa.
NMTA Thomas Ediger Collegiate Scholarship Winner
Anna Renard, a piano student of Dr. Kristin Taylor at the University of Nebraska Omaha
Anna Renard is a freshman at the University of Nebraska at Omaha. She is a student of Dr. Kristín Jónína Taylor. She is working towards completing a Bachelor of Music in piano performance and a Bachelor of Art in graphic design. She began playing piano at age five and fell in love with creating music. At UNO, Anna is a member of the Jazz Too ensemble and the Brad Thompson Combo. She enjoys playing jazz as well as classical music. After college, Anna hopes to have her own piano studio and teach and impact other students’ lives like her own teachers.
Beginning this academic year, NMTA is honoring Dr. Thomas Ediger by establishing two scholarships to be awarded annually through the funds he so generously left to NMTA.
High School Scholarship:
To be considered for the high school scholarship, applicants:
- Must be the student of a current NMTA member, whose membership dues must be paid by September 1, 2022.
- Must be a Senior in high school planning to graduate in 2023.
Collegiate Scholarship:
To be considered for the Collegiate Scholarship applicants:
- Must be the student of a current NMTA member, whose membership dues must be paid by September 1, 2022.
- Must be currently enrolled in a Nebraska college or university and majoring in music.
Scholarship applicants must submit:
- A summary of your musical training
- A list of all NMTA/MTNA events in which you have participated
- A list of other musical activities in which you have participated
- A list of your musical and non-musical volunteer activities
- A brief description of your future plans, career goals, and aspirations
- An essay describing your musical journey or what music means to you
- Two letters of recommendation: for collegiate applicants–one from your current applied music teacher and one from another faculty member, for high school applicants—one from your current applied music teacher and one from another person of your choice
- An unedited performance video submitted via YouTube. The performance should contain two contrasting pieces from different periods of music and not be longer than 15 minutes. Composition students submit a printed score with an audio recording.
All application materials, including letters of recommendation, must be sent via mail. The postmark deadline appears on the application form.
Materials postmarked after the deadline will not be considered. Applicants will receive confirmation that their applications have been received.