Scholarship Grants

Giving back to the community

Each year since 1956 the Neshaminy Valley Music Theatre has produced a full Broadway-type musical stage show. The proceeds of the production contribute to a scholarship fund which is awarded to graduating seniors of the Neshaminy School District who plan to continue their studies in the fine or performing arts.

Our most prestigious grant is the Evelyn McLean Memorial Scholarship, named for the founder of the organization. Additional scholarships are awarded annually, including the Joseph J. McGlade Memorial Scholarship, the George W. Kinsley IV Memorial Scholarship for Students of the Woodwind Instruments and the Dotti Gelenberg Memorial Scholarship as well as other grants, the number and size of which are determined by the financial success of the production.

We are very pleased to have awarded a total of six grants for 2017 and are most proud to announce the following recipients of our 2017 scholarships.

Majoring in Music Education at West Chester University, Alaina O’Neill has always treated music as the support system to help her to achieve her goals. An active volunteer with pediatric cancer organizations, Alaina hopes someday to incorporate her advocacy in this area with music education through music therapy at pediatric hospitals.

Chad Wiatrowski is studying Musical Theatre at Palm Beach Atlantic University in Florida. He has been extremely involved in Neshaminy High School’s drama and musical theatre programs, often holding lead roles, and has served as an officer for the school’s Drama Club.

An outstanding musician and four-year member of the high school Wind Ensemble, Rebecca Raffin was also chosen as Drum Major for the NHS Marching Band. She will minor in music at The College of New Jersey while working toward a degree in Special Education.

Dan Booda is studying Musical Theatre at Rider College and hopes one day to share his love of theatre and dance with others by opening a dance studio or by directing shows. He’s grateful for his teachers and mentors who have instilled in him the sense of hard work and time required to achieve his goals. Dan was in the 2014 NVMT production of ANYTHING GOES.

Jordan Hayes is majoring in Musical Theatre at Temple University. Her dream is to become an accomplished performer, wherever that road may lead, and would gratefully take any opportunity in theatre that may come her way. She’s excited and thrilled that she can do something as enjoyable and exhilarating such as musical theatre! Jordan performed with NVMT in our 2014 production of ANYTHING GOES.

Majoring in Music Education and Horn Performance, Stephen Hopkins will be attending the Temple University Esther Boyer College of Music and Dance. His goals include a Masters or Doctorate degree followed by a music-oriented career at a primary or secondary school.