NAMM Announces William R. Gard Scholarship Winners

NAMM, the trade association of the international music products industry, announced today that Umpei Kurokawa, a student at Carnegie Mellon University in Pittsburgh, Pa., and Samantha Breske, a student at Millikin University in Joliet, Ill., are the recipients of the 2008 William R. Gard Memorial Scholarship.

The scholarship, established in the name of former NAMM Executive Vice President William R. Gard, invests in the education of promising students interested in contributing their talents to the music products industry. The scholarship is renewable for up to three years.

Kurokawa will be graduating with a master’s in electrical and computer engineering in May 2009, and hopes to pursue a career as an audio engineer with skills in computer engineering, signal processing and programming.

“The electrical and computer engineering department offers many high-level courses that will help me achieve this goal,” he said. “I believe that the music industry can benefit greatly from the knowledge I’ll gain. In my career, I hope that I can create new technologies that bring enjoyment and improvement to the lives of musicians and non-musicians alike.”

Breske is currently studying music business and has plans of graduating with a bachelor of music degree in music business and having a career in the music products industry by expanding her role at her current employer, Wood Violins. She also sings and plays the violin and viola.

Upon entering the university as a freshman in fall 2007, Breske was named a Young Artist Award winner, the highest honor the school gives to an incoming freshman.

“The GARD scholarship will allow me to experience opportunities that may be otherwise unattainable, participate in activities outside of Millikin Univerisity, and assist me in making my dreams a reality,” she said.

"It is encouraging to see these young people so eager to pursue careers in the music products industry," said Ken Wilson, NAMM's director of professional development. "NAMM believes strongly in fostering opportunities for young people who are passionate about the trade and can help to bring new and fresh ideas to fruition."

Eligible applicants must be enrolled as a full-time student at an accredited four-year university and work at least 400 hours annually at a NAMM Member company. The award of $2,000 per academic year is renewable for up to three years.