Joan Ruth Tice Scholarship

The PavarOpera Company is pleased to announce on what would have been her 89th birthday, the establishment of the JOAN RUTH TICE MUSIC SCHOLARSHIP FUND in honor of our founder’s grandmother and the musical legacy inherited from this remarkable self-taught, musically gifted woman. This fund will provide $1,000.00 scholarships for music lessons for disadvantaged young singers or classical/jazz trained musicians to continue their studies. 

Joan Ruth Tice was born to a farming family in rural Pennsylvania in 1931. Joining the family band by age 10, Joan, the youngest, played piano by ear and had a singing voice later compared to Patti Page. As her older brothers went off to military service, Joan made her first solo appearance on a local radio station at age 14, singing and playing the Harold Arlen/Ted Koehler classic, "Stormy Weather." Joan continued with a regular 15-minute broadcast for two years while performing for local functions.  At age 19, she was approached by RCA Records and offered a recording contract.  Already a young mother in the 1940's, Joan turned down the offer of a professional career, but went on to hand down her musical gifts to her children, coaching young singers, and for decades, playing hymns and sacred music on piano and organ for her church until the age of 84.  Her musical legacy is a reminder that those lacking resources deserve opportunity to be nurtured, to develop, and to share their gifts with the world, whether by performance or education. We are thrilled to preserve and promote this legacy.

It is our honor to offer this scholarship, which we call the “Joanie Award" the first year of its launch. 

Application instructions and conditions will be announced below.

Application Dates: September 8 2020 - January 8 2021

(Application will be available on Tuesday, January 8 2020.)

Age: 14-20

Submissions require at least two Video recordings and one  Audio. 

For Applicants of :

Opera

-Three arias or art songs in either Italian, French, German, or English

Classical

-One song from the Italian Anthology of 24 Songs  of the 17th/18th Century or an art song in  Italian, French, German, or English

-One sacred song in English

-One art song or aria of choice

Jazz

-Two standards (One ballad and one upbeat tempo)

-One video or 12-bar scat or video recording of applicant playing song standard instrument to prove proficiency.

Other

-If you are not trained with classical opera or jazz, we still encourage you to apply. All are welcome to apply!

Alternate genres include - Sacred/Spiritual music and Broadway.

Please email inquiries@pavaropera.org to request guidelines for consideration.

Those awarded, receive:

-Private lesson with Master Teacher.

-10 lessons provided by highly skilled and experienced Instructor.

-Opportunity to sing paid role with PavarOpera based on the mutual decision of the teachers, mentors and coaches.

-Other perks to be announced!

Scholarship Candidates understand: 

Scheduling of lessons and productions are contingent upon the availability of teachers, artists, and production requirements.

Application will be available Tuesday, September 8 2020.

We encourage you to apply! 

If you would like to refer a candidate for this scholarship, referrals welcome.