Current MIller Arts Scholars Award Recipients
Class of 2027
Sophia Go, Music
Rising 3rd Year Award
Enhancing the Violin Sound Through an Intentionally Matched Bow
I propose to utilize Miller Arts Award funding to invest in an intentionally matched, higher-quality violin bow that will allow me to elevate my sound on the instrument and my playing as a whole.
Faculty Mentor: Daniel Sender
Department: Music
Faculty Mentor: Daniel Sender
Department: Music
Class of 2026
Henry Boland, Music
Rising 3rd Year Award
Self-Produced Pop E.P.
I will write, record, and produce a pop E.P. (a collection of 4-6 pop songs) and release it on all streaming services in January 2025. The primary focus of this project will be to further develop my skills as a producer, which include curating unique sonic palettes, creating impactful mixes, recording live instrumentation, and optimizing my workflow. Additionally, I want to elevate my songwriting by incorporating jazz vocabulary into my chord progressions and melodies and writing lyrics that present authentic narratives. I am requesting funding for equipment that will enhance my ability to make songs from home.
Faculty Mentor: Michael Rasbury
Department: Drama
Faculty Mentor: Michael Rasbury
Department: Drama
Henry Boland, Music
Rising 4th Year Award
Self-Produced Pop Album
I plan to write, record, and produce a pop album, and release it on all streaming platforms in Spring 2026. Additionally, I’ll be traveling to Nashville, Tennessee, to network and meet with professionals in the music industry. The two main goals of this project are: 1) to refine my songwriting and composition skills, and 2) to gain insight into the realities of pursuing music professionally. I am requesting $3,000 to cover living expenses in Nashville and purchase a new electric guitar.
Faculty Mentor: Ted Coffey
Department: Music
Faculty Mentor: Ted Coffey
Department: Music
Maxwell Mitchell, Music
Rising 4th Year Award
Los Angeles Music Production Studio Internship
"I will go to Los Angeles for two months this summer to complete an internship with the production studio The Monsters & Strangerz."
Faculty Mentor: Ted Coffey
Department: Music
Faculty Mentor: Ted Coffey
Department: Music
Kailash Patel, Music
Rising 3rd Year Award
An Exploration of Musical Styles Through Composition
An opportunity to explore the framework of different types of music from a theory standpoint will be quite beneficial for my growth as a musician. I plan to collaborate with Professor Daniel Sender, employing his guidance and expertise to achieve my desired product. In order to complete my project, I am applying for a grant to allow me to purchase resources such as composition tools, recording and processing equipment, instruments, and services to present my work to the desired audience. I am requesting an arts award of $3000 to meet my goal.
Faculty Mentor: Daniel Sender
Department: Music
Faculty Mentor: Daniel Sender
Department: Music
Class of 2025
Alex Burijon, Music
Rising 3rd Year Award
New York Summer Internships
With the help of the Miller Arts Scholars program, I plan to live in New York City this year from late May through early August to pursue two internships, one in-person within the music industry and one remote in the administrative realm through UVA’s Internship Placement Program. I intend to gain more experience to assist in determining my career path, network among the New York music and theater scenes, work on my vocal proficiency, and earn money.
Faculty Mentor: Noel Lobley
Department: Music
Faculty Mentor: Noel Lobley
Department: Music
Alex Burijon, Music
Rising 4th Year Award
Fourth Year Preparation: MAS DMP Proposal
I humbly request $3,000 for the preparation and execution of my Distinguished Majors Program (DMP) project through the Music Department, set to be completed by May 2025. At present, I am planning to unpack the musical Hadestown using vocal and guitar performance, academic research, and critical analysis to present the relationship between speaking about and speaking to within the arts.
Faculty Mentor: A.D. Carson
Department: Music
Faculty Mentor: A.D. Carson
Department: Music
Hunter Colson, Music
Rising 4th Year Award
Funds Towards Distinguished Major Project
I am applying for a fourth-year award to purchase two instrument libraries and a Zoom Field recorder for use in my upcoming distinguished major project. The distinguished major project is the culmination of my past few years at UVA and will build on my existing composition skills and training by allowing me to focus on a large scale composition. This three part project will involve studying how to write idiomatically for classical guitar, writing a classical inspired multi-movement piece for guitar and piano, and will conclude with a live recital performance of the composition.
Faculty Mentor: Matthew Burtner
Department: Music
Faculty Mentor: Matthew Burtner
Department: Music
Abby Kim, Music
Rising 3rd Year Award
Learning the Viola
My proposal is to learn the viola through both personal study and guidance from Professor Daniel Sender while continuing my studies in violi
Faculty Mentor: Daniel Sender
Department: Music
Faculty Mentor: Daniel Sender
Department: Music
Amanda Yo, Music
Rising 3rd Year Award
Funding for a Piccolo
With my own piccolo, I would be able to practice piccolo pieces/parts on my own time without having to borrow it from the university, which can be difficult to coordinate due to the need of the piccolo in other areas.
Faculty Mentor: Kelly Sulick
Department: Music
Faculty Mentor: Kelly Sulick
Department: Music