Commemorating Four and a Half Decades of Mimi Scholarship Honors
The Mimi Alpert Feldman Scholarship, established in 1977, has been a beacon of inspiration and support for over 100 outstanding music students at the UCLA Herb Alpert School of Music. This scholarship, which has been instrumental in the success of its recipients, provides financial aid to help students complete their degrees and excel in professional music.
One such recipient is Sierra Allen, a DMA student at the school, who, in 2021, made a significant mark in the music industry as the principal clarinet for several major film orchestra recordings. With the aid of the scholarship, Sierra was able to purchase two contrabass clarinets (E-flat and B-flat), one of which was previously owned by the legendary clarinet studio and recording artist, Gary Gray, who passed away in 2021.
The E-flat contrabass clarinet, a crucial instrument for Sierra's work, had been a source of difficulty due to last-minute requests for specific instruments during gigs. However, with the scholarship's support, she was able to secure this instrument, giving her a toehold in the competitive world of gigging with studio orchestras.
Sierra's dissertation focused on E-flat and bass clarinet doubling in chamber and orchestral music, a testament to the scholarship's role in fostering academic excellence and artistic development.
Another beneficiary of the Mimi Alpert Feldman Scholarship is Ji Young An, a DMA graduate in violin performance at UCLA. Ji Young, now a lecturer in violin performance at The UCLA Herb Alpert School of Music, the associate concertmaster of the San Bernardino Symphony, and a regular performer with the Santa Barbara Symphony and Santa Barbara Opera, among others, felt the scholarship was critical for her success.
In 2022, the UCLA Herb Alpert School of Music will celebrate 45 years of Mimi Scholars, a milestone that underscores the scholarship's enduring impact on its recipients. Herb Alpert, the school's namesake, has shown continued support for the scholarship, donating an additional $150,000 to the scholarship endowment in 2022.
As the scholarship continues to support the careers of promising music students, it remains a testament to Mimi Alpert Feldman's commitment to nurturing talent and her generosity in contributing hundreds of thousands of dollars to the scholarship over the years. For those interested in learning more about the impact of the Mimi Alpert Feldman Scholarships on the careers of music students at the UCLA Herb Alpert School of Music, it is recommended to contact the university directly or consult their official resources.
Sierra's academic and artistic development was facilitated by the Mimi Alpert Feldman Scholarship, as she used the funds to purchase essential instruments for her work in online education and learning, specifically the E-flat contrabass clarinet that was previously owned by Gary Gray. Ji Young An, another beneficiary of the scholarship, attributes her success in the music industry to the financial aid, stating it was critical for her pursuits in online education and learning.
