Gibson Gives and Save The Music Foundation Announce 2023 Scholarship Winners

NASHVILLE, TN (May 24, 2023) Gibson, the iconic, leading American instrument brand headquartered in Nashville, TN, is thrilled to announce its annual music scholarship program the Gibson Gives Scholarship--in partnership with the Save The Music Foundation--has chosen nine young students for 2023. The goal of the Gibson Gives and Save The Music Scholarship is to advance equitable opportunities that help musicians and prospective music students nationwide develop careers in the music industry. 

Gibson--through its philanthropic arm Gibson Gives--has awarded nine music scholarships comprised of cash grants, as well as instruments and gear, allowing meaningful giving directly to high school seniors as they prepare to navigate their post graduate education and future careers. 

The Gibson Gives and Save the Music Scholarship program is available to students who are planning to pursue music at a college, university, or music academy. Each recipient receives one acoustic or electric guitar, as well as a $5,000 cash grant to assist in their ​college funding. The Gibson Gives and Save The Music Scholarships alone will result in $67,000.00+ (9 grants of $5,000 and 9 Gibson guitars) in giving to young musicians.

“Music education shaped who I’ve become in life," says, Dendy Jarrett, Executive Director, Gibson Gives. “The leadership and teamwork developed while participating in music programs will serve young adults for the rest of their lives. We are honored to be in a position to provide these scholarships in support of Save The Music and music education.” 

“We are humbled by the continued support from Gibson to promote our shared values of advancing equity in music education and growing opportunities for young creators nationwide," adds Henry Donahue, Executive Director, Save The Music. "The students receiving these scholarships are inspiring and energizing examples of the power of making music."

Gibson Gives Scholarship 2023 Students: Eric Panizales: Graduating High School:

Miami Beach Senior High Miami Dade County Public Schools (Miami Beach, FL)

Attending Secondary Institution: Florida International University (Miami, FL)

Listen to Eric Panizales:

IG: pan.de.adobo  IG: fl_may.project 

“I would like to thank everyone part of the Gibson and STM team for making this happen! Although, if it wasn’t for the tight knit community of students at the M.A.Y. Project, I would have never received this accolade in the first place.” –Eric Panizales 

Born and raised in a low-income neighborhood in Miami Beach, Eric Panizales is an 18-year-old Filipino American and second-generation immigrant who has overcome a difficult background to become a force for good in his community. Eric faced numerous challenges growing up as one of his parents was sent to an immigration detention center. Despite obstacles, Eric was determined to succeed and worked tirelessly to pursue his passion for music. From a young age, Eric was drawn to music. His parents, who worked multiple jobs to make ends meet, couldn't afford to pay for music lessons. Eric taught himself to play the guitar and became a talented guitarist. Eric started a nonprofit organization called "Musicianship for Adolescents & the Youth Project" (M.A.Y. Project), and provides music education, private lessons, instruments, and performance opportunities to underserved youth in his community. His work has had a significant impact on the children of Fienberg-Fisher K-8 Center, where he has fostered a love of music and a sense of community among the young students. Eric has also maintained a 4.5+ GPA throughout high school and is working towards making his community a better place by creating aspiring musicians.

Angel Soto: Graduating High School: Renaissance High School for Musical Theater & the Arts (Bronx, NYC)

Attending College: Queens College (Queens, NY) 

“I'm absolutely shocked and honored to receive this scholarship. Recent events have made things very hard, but this scholarship came at the right time to tell me that no matter what, I shouldn't give up on my goals. Music is my life, and thanks to this opportunity, it seems more possible than ever to pursue it." –Angel Soto 

Angel Soto is  a 17 year-old singer-songwriter, and pianist. He is an upcoming Queens College Freshman in the 2023 Fall Semester, and music is truly his heart and soul. Angel has been playing piano since freshman year of high school and is always trying to learn something new and teach others about music theory. Currently, Angel will pursue a career as a performing musician and music educator so that he can inspire the next generation of kids to love music, and to share their passion and talent with the world.

Meeka Reese: Graduating High School:

Grandview Heights High School, The Fort Hayes Career Center of Columbus City Schools (Columbus OH)

Attending Secondary Institution: Berklee College of Music (Boston, MA)

Listen to Meeka Reese:

IG: floating_to_the_surface; Youtube: floatingtothesurface

SoundCloud: Floating To The Surface 

Meeka Reese is a producer, songwriter, performer, and animator. Meeka grew up in Columbus Ohio and attends the Fort Hayes Career Center for audio production. Meeka will be attending the Berklee College of Music for Music Production in the fall of 2023.

Tyler Trevino:

Graduating High School:

James Madison High School San Diego Unified School District (San Diego, CA)

Attending Secondary Institution: Mesa Community College (San Diego, CA)

Listen to Tyler Trevino: tylertrevino187 

Emerging from a crisis of conscience from years 14-16, 18-year-old Tyler fell in love with music. After playing guitar for over three years and starting a band, music remains Tyler’s central passion and he is determined to pursue it for the rest of his life.

Andrew Levites: Graduating High School: Centennial High School Columbus City Schools

(Columbus, OH)

Attending Secondary Institution: Ohio University (Athens, OH) 

Hailing from Columbus, OH, 18 year-old Andrew Levites, has a strong interest in pursuing a career as a music producer for Film, TV, Video games, and/or working in audio for sports and radio broadcasts.

Araziel Perez Rivera:

Graduating High School:

Somerset Academy Charter High Miami Dade County Public Schools (Princeton, FL)

Attending Secondary Institution: Florida International University (Maidique Campus) 

Hailing from Puerto Rico, Araziel Perez is a multi-instrumentalist who can play the Tuba, Trombone, a bit of Piano and the Sousaphone. A cancer survivor who is deaf in one ear, Araziel is passionate about creating music with MIDI, and loves to learn as he goes. Araziel was given the 2021-22 Quincy Jones Musicianship Award, and is part of the Tri-M Honor Society at Somerset Academy Charter High in Princeton, FL.

Anthony Nieves:

Graduating High School:

Renaissance High School for Musical Theater and the Arts (Bronx, NYC)

Attending Secondary Institution: BMCC Borough of Manhattan Community College (CUNY) 

18 year-old Anthony Nieves is passionate about music and as a multi-instrumentalist he plays guitar, bass, piano and double bass. Anthony believes in trying to perform at his best regardless of the challenge and is a section leader for the electric basses in the symphonic band of his high school’s advanced band ensemble. Anthony has the added distinction of being the only bassist and guitarist in his school’s orchestral band that can perform Broadway level scores.

Samuel Watsham: Graduating High School: Interlochen Arts Academy (Interlochen, MI)

Attending Secondary Institution: Texas State University (Austin, TX) 

Samuel Watsham is a 17 year-old senior at Interlochen Arts Academy in Michigan and he will be attending Texas State University in Austin, TX in the fall. Samuel is currently studying classical guitar and will further his guitar studies in college. Alongside his guitar playing, Samuel enjoys collaborating and music production, and he has made many original tracks over the past year. Music is always on his mind and will be a lifelong pursuit as his hope is to positively impact the world of music. 

Kaiden Bos:

Graduating High School: Ellet CLC (Akron, OH)

Attending Secondary Institution: The University of Akron (Akron, OH) 

Kaiden J. Bos is a first generation college student from a single parent household. Kaiden devotes his time to learning about music and desires to get a musicology degree to teach world or historic music. A major multi-instrumentalist, Kaiden plays over 60 instruments from around the world and studies their history and culture extensively. He also teaches peers and research groups about instruments online and enjoys designing and building his own instruments. 

The leading global guitar brand, Gibson continues to shape the sounds of generations of musicians in every genre across the globe. Gibson supports the global music community through its philanthropic arm, Gibson Gives. The mission of Gibson Gives is to support non-profit organizations worldwide in their efforts to advance musicians, youth-focused education, music, and health and wellness initiatives. 100% of donations to Gibson Gives go towards giving the gift of music. 

At the Save The Music Foundation, our mission is to help students, schools and communities reach their full potential through the power of making music. Save The Music is delivering over 28,000 instruments and technology to over 160 school and community projects nationwide for this school year. Donate now to support our efforts. 

Gibson Gives: 

GIBSON GIVES.ORG 

Save The Music Foundation: 

SAVE THE MUSIC.ORG | FACEBOOK | TWITTER | INSTAGRAM | TIK TOK 

About Save The Music:

Save The Music Foundation is a 501(c)(3) music education nonprofit that helps students, schools, and communities reach their full potential through the power of making music. For 25 years, Save The Music (STM) has addressed systemic inequities in music education by investing in culturally rich communities across the US. Since its inception, STM has donated $70M worth of instruments and technology to over 2,500 schools – impacting millions of students' lives. And we’re just getting started! Learn more at savethemusic.org. 

About Gibson Gives: 

For over 130 years, the iconic, and leading American instrument brand Gibson has been shaping sound across generations and genres. Gibson, and its charitable arm Gibson Gives believe in the power of music, and that getting instruments into the hands of those with a desire to make music is a life-changing event. Gibson Gives--a 501(c)(3) is committed to making the world a better place by developing programs and supporting non-profit organizations in their efforts to advance musicians, youth-focused education, music, health, and wellness initiatives. 100% of all donations to and from Gibson Gives go towards giving the gift of music. In the last three years, Gibson Gives has raised over $4.5 million dollars and enabled $46 million in funding for key organizations through product donations and meaningful giving worldwide. Gibson Gives believes investing in music education will yield better people, better leaders, and a better world. Gibson Gives is changing lives…one guitar at a time. For more information, visit: www.gibsongives.org. 

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For Save The Music, contact:

Zack Flores I Save The Music

210-279-6334 | zack.flores@savethemusic.org 

For Gibson, contact:

Libby Coffey I PRIME PR GROUP, INC.

626-676-4993 I LCoffey@primeprgroup.com