Each year, a jury of CMC faculty and staff auditions students for scholarships for the coming school year’s private lessons. These awards are based on need and merit. This year the jury heard dozens of students perform a wide and varied repertoire.
The jury wishes to thank everyone who helped prepare students for the juries this year, and to all the students who participated.
We are proud to announce the following students who will receive Merit Scholarships for private lessons during the 2026–2027 school year. Be sure to catch some of our Merit Scholars and other CMC students at the Annual All-School Recital on Sunday, June 7. Admission is free.
Charlotte Ackerley Memorial Scholarship
Candy Chen, student of Angie Zheng
Chevron Scholarship
Mimi Bakker, student of Matylda Rotkiewicz
Bella and P.P. Chiu Memorial Scholarships
Alexis Martinez, student of Michael Long
Lindsey Wong, student of Christian Bonvin
Pascal Karkar, student of Matylda Rotkiewicz
Bailin Li, student of Sharon Wayne
Ruth and Martin Elsner Memorial Scholarships
Mike Lopez, student of Omar Ledezma
Ziyan Zhang, Lilia Zheltova
Gertrude Field Memorial Scholarship
Tuilelaith Kennedy, student of Clif Payne
Marian N. Ford Memorial Scholarship in Strings
Nicole Anai Barrera Garcia, student of Larry Dunn
Tyler Guge Memorial Scholarship
Gianna Li, student of Sharon Wayne
Harold Haber Memorial Scholarship
Emily Granina, student of Tatyana Mikhaylenko
Hilda Haber Memorial Scholarship in Piano
Eliana Rodriguez, student of Joshua Saulle
Koret Scholarship
Edison Huang, student of Joshua Saulle
Ross McKee Memorial Scholarships in Piano
Fei Fei Zhang, student of Daniel Magazin
Thompson Nguyen, student of Paul McMath
Luciano Costa, student of Erik Walker
Vincent Liao, student of Paul Dab
Emma Yambao, student of Erick Peralta
Alice Morini Memorial Scholarship
Eunice Zeng, student of Ben Snellings
Maurice, Helen, and Carl Shapiro Memorial Scholarship
Lucas Lan, student of Joshua Saulle
The Shenson Foundation Scholarship
Layla Johnson, student of Nena Aldaz
Shorr Memorial Scholarship in Chamber Music
Peeta Shen, student of Oscar Hasbun
Gioia Taber Piano Scholarship
Maddox Zhang, student of Maria Garcia Plaza
Mrs. Paul L. Wattis Memorial Scholarship
Kevin Jacob Barrera Garcia, student of Julia Grizell
Joan Wild Memorial Scholarships
Matylda Gundlach, student of Nena Aldaz
Jolena Wong, student of Christian Bonvin
James Hunt Scholarship
Maddox Pearson, student of Alex Candelaria
Ruth Lasky Memorial Scholarship
Christopher Yao, student of Paul McMath
Sid and Iris Frank Memorial Scholarship
Andy Velez Esquivel, student of Omar Ledezma
Linda Blacketer Memorial Scholarship for Voice
Eva Uscanga Ochoa, student of Sandy Brassard
Linda Blacketer Memorial Scholarship for Instrumentalists
Dylan Castillo, student of Julia Grizell
Juliet McComas Memorial Scholarship
Mireya Navarro-Herrera, student of Maria Garcia Plaza
The Mae and Libby Scholarship Fund for Voice
Manhattan Liu, student of Erik Pearson
The Mae and Libby Scholarship Fund for Piano
Landon Dalipe, student of Maria Garcia Plaza
The Mae and Libby Scholarship Fund for Piano or Voice
Giuliana Paul, student of Evelyn Davis
The ISOM Scholarship Fund
Kayleigh Lo, student of Daniel Magazin
Felicia and Emily Berger Woodwind Scholarship
Zaink Angeles, student of Ian Rictor
Lydia L Chang Scholarship for Rising Musicians
Elon Huang, student of Joshua Saulle
Peter F. Ostwald, M.D. Memorial Scholarship
Milan Pimentel, student of Omar Ledezma
Reah Sadowsky Memorial Scholarship
Alexander Ou, student of Lilia Zheltova
Rachel Rappaport Memorial Scholarship for Voice
Valentina Landaverde, student of Nicole Lumetta
Patricia Taylor Lee Piano Scholarship
Liam Dalipe, student of Maria Garcia Plaza
You can create a lasting opportunity for CMC students by establishing a named merit scholarship. It’s a meaningful way to support exceptional young musicians and ensure that financial circumstances never stand in the way of their growth. If you’re interested in learning more about how to establish a scholarship, please reach out to Elenka Refsell, Development Director, at erefsell@sfcmc.org.