OVOC Scholarship
2026 Scholarship Awardees
Ava Schmidt and Emma Crofoot
The Okanogan Valley Orchestra and Chorus is pleased to be able to offer two scholarships this year and announce Ava Schmidt and Emma Crofoot as the 2026 recipients of the Okanogan Valley Orchestra and Chorus Scholarship.
Ava is an accomplished trombonist, securing first chair positions in multiple groups including the Cascade High School bands, the Wenatchee Valley Youth Orchestra, and was a member of the 2026 Washington All-State Philharmonic Winds. During a year-long exchange in New Zealand, Ava was elected Arts Prefect, a significant leadership role where they managed the student Arts Council, ran weekly activities, planned the "Arts Week" event, and served as a student representative for community engagements like Anzac Day and Rotary meetings. Ava also brings three years of technical experience as a sound and lighting audiovisual tech for the Cascade High School Drama Club and Bands, managing equipment for performances. Beyond these primary activities, they are studying Mandarin Chinese to a conversational level and participate in various sports. Ava plans to study Music Performance at Central Washington University.
Emma is an exceptionally dedicated and versatile musician, having distinguished herself as a vocalist and trumpet player across numerous high school and community ensembles, including the Okanogan Valley Orchestra and Chorus, Okanogan Valley Big Band, and Brassworks. Emma holds first chair trumpet in the audition-only Omak HS Jazz Band and has served as the vocal soloist for both the community Big Band and the HS Jazz Band. She is also one of only two students selected for the selective adult vocal group Mad About Jazz and has demonstrated leadership as President of the Omak Choir and Band Club. Her commitment has been recognized with multiple honors, including the prestigious Louis Armstrong Jazz Award, Overall Music Student of the Year (2024-2025), and three-time recognition as a DeMiero Jazz Fest Outstanding Musician. Emma plans to study Music Education at Western Washington University.
Please contact OVOC if you are interested in supporting our Scholarship Fund to help us continue supporting education in the performing arts in our community.
Okanogan Valley Orchestra and Chorus Performing Arts Scholarship
The Okanogan Valley Orchestra and Chorus (OVOC) is proud to offer a $1,000 scholarship to support passionate individuals from Okanogan and Chelan Counties. This scholarship aims to assist students who are dedicated to continuing their education in the performing arts, whether as a major or minor.
Scholarship Amount: $1,000
Eligibility: Applicants must be residents of Okanogan or Chelan County, or Bridgeport, and pursuing further education in the performing arts.
The performing arts play an essential role in enriching our cultural landscape, and OVOC is committed to nurturing the talents of young artists and performers. This scholarship represents our dedication to the arts and our belief in the importance of providing educational opportunities to those who seek to further their artistic ambitions.
Application Process:
To apply for the OVOC Performing Arts Scholarship, interested individuals are required to submit a completed application form (button below).
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All application materials must be sent to: scholarships@ovocmusic.org
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Application Deadline: April 10, 2026
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Applications will be reviewed by a panel of OVOC members, and the scholarship recipient will be chosen based on their dedication to the performing arts and potential for future achievement.
Award Details:
The scholarship recipient will be notified directly and announced on the OVOC website. The awarded funds are intended to support tuition, books, and other educational expenses directly related to the recipient's performing arts studies.
For any inquiries regarding the scholarship or application process, please do not hesitate to contact us at scholarships@ovocmusic.org.
We are excited to offer this opportunity and look forward to supporting the educational journey of a talented performing artist from our community. We encourage all eligible students to apply and wish you the best of luck in your artistic endeavors!