Established in 2007, The Emil Mijares Scholarship is a scholarship that honors the late and great Filipino pianist and JazzPhil-USA’s 2006 Lifetime Achievement Awardee, Emil Mijares (1935-2007), whose love for jazz and true spirit resonates within the mission of the organization.
The scholarship is awarded to a Filipino college student intending to advance their college education, preferably to a student majoring in a jazz/music related degree, one who demonstrates promise in his or her future career, and one is committed towards the mission of and is a positive representation of JazzPhil-USA.
The Board of Directors decides eligibility for the scholarship on a yearly basis.
We are now accepting applications for 2010 due via email and airmail postmarked by August 10, 2010.
Congratulations to our 2009 Emil Mijares Scholarship Recipient,
Alexandra Mayugba
Alexandra Mayugba is the first ever recipient of the Emil Mijares Scholarship. She currently is a student at the University of California Santa Barbara majoring in anthropology and minoring in ethnomusicology. Alexandra has studied piano since the age of six and joined her first vocal ensemble during her middle school years. Her love for jazz standards began at a very young age as she became increasingly exposed to the music through her grandparents who had played a tremendous role in raising her as a child. Throughout high school, Alexandra continued to perform piano in the Certificate of Merit program, while also participating in her school’s advanced mixed show choir as well as a number of spring musicals. She eventually earned her acceptance into the American Choral Directors Association’s California All State Women’s Honor Choir and also performed alongside the well-loved Filipino artist Anthony Costello. By the end of high school, Alexandra had received a number of musical awards and recognitions and continues to sing in the UCSB Chamber Choir as well as UCSB’s all female a cappella group, VocalMotion. Besides her interest in a number of musical genres, her enthusiasm for preserving the timeless charm of jazz standards was greatly reflected in her debut celebration, which portrayed jazz and big band themes that guests of all ages had come to enjoy. Her recent involvement in UCSB’s Filipino Awareness Organization, Kapitarang Pilipino, as well as her studies within the Asian American Department, has caused for her to deeply appreciate her heritage and her origins as well as the camaraderie that is naturally felt among young Filipino Americans alike.
