P.O. Box 1685, Saint Augustine, FL 32085
TESTIMONIALS CONTINUED
2023 Elizabeth, Appleton, WI
Elizabeth is a senior high violinist who was able to attend Interlochen Summer Arts Camp with the help of the Ashley Foundation's scholarship. It's a 6 week long camp held in Interlochen, Michigan.
Elizabeth writes: Interlochen was a BLAST!! I experienced opportunities that I wouldn't be able to experience anywhere else. The master classes, weekly performances, chamber music opportunities, professional-level repertoire, friendships, and connections with professional musicians and conductors from the best institutes and orchestras in the nation were one of the many things that Interlochen offered that made my 6 weeks of summer amazing. Interlochen changed my perspective in music and has uplifted me to become a better performer and violinist. It is your assistance that has helped me attend and experience these amazing opportunities. Your assistance has been greatly appreciated.
(The photo is me and our week 5 guest conductor, Gemma New)
2024 Adam, Melbourne, FL
Adam is a 10-year-old cellist who used his scholarship to help purchase his very own cello!
Adam writes: I'm very grateful to everyone at The Ashley Foundation for helping me get a new cello. My old cello didn't sound very good. Thanks to The Ashley Foundation, I have become a better cellist and sound much better because of the higher quality cello.
2024 David, Augusta, GA
David is a young violinist who was able to attend the Augusta Suzuki Workshop.
Davd's mom writes: Dear Ashley Foundation, What a joy it was to watch my 5-year-old son enjoying this year's Augusta Suzuki Workshop. It has taken us a while to get past the Twinkle Twinkle milestone and attending the workshop was just the encouragement that he needed. Being exposed to a variety of teachers, ideas and friends was such a blessing for him. Thank you very much for your generosity that made it possible for him to attend this year's workshop.
Just today as I was sitting down with him to write in his gratitude journal, I was touched to see him specifically mention the joy violin playing brings to him as well as his gratitude for his teacher, Gwen Jenkins. Thank you again for the part that you have played in facilitating him on this journey at such an early stage.
2024 Michael, Saint Johns, FL
Michael is a senior high violinist who attends Douglas Anderson School of the Arts in Jacksonville, FL. With the help of the Ashley Foundation Michael was able to attend the Brevard High School Orchestral Institute at Brevard Music Center, Brevard, NC.
Michael writes: Thank you again for making my trip to Brevard possible. While I was at Brevard, I experienced so many things that have changed my life and I've grown both as a musician and as a person. I got to work with some of the best musicians in the world, such as Ken Lam, Caroline Chin and Keith Lockhart, just to name a few. I made friendships with my roommates and other students that I hope will last a lifetime. Above all, I was able to practice and play music that was exciting, inspiring, and challenging. I would absolutely recommend this institute to anybody, and I'm so grateful that the Ashley Foundation contribution made this experience possible for me!
2024 Kai, Haddonfield, NJ
Kai put his scholarship towards his fees to attend the Boston University Tanglewood Institute Quartet Workshop in Lenox, MA.
Kai writes: Thank you to The Ashley Foundation for making this a truly amazing and unforgettable summer! I met so many wonderful people and learned so much from the program I was able to attend. My experience at Boston University Tanglewood Institute's String Quartet Workshop left me with so many ideas to help me contribute more to the string quartet I am part of during the school year. Thank you so much for generosity and kindness.
2024 Eden, Oxford, FL
Eden is a young violinist who used her scholarship to offset fees to attend The Virginia Suzuki Institute, Emory & Henry College, Emory, VA.
Eden writes: Thank you so much for giving me a scholarship to apply towards the VSI at Emory & Henry College which included a jazz class. I am so grateful that you chose me as one of the scholarship recipients.
I learned in Master Class how to improve my positioning of the instrument and my bowing. In Group we learned how to improve with dynamics and intonation. Orchestra helped me experience playing with others, reading music and hopefully will help me when I try out for the Ocala Junior Symphony. Jazz class was fun, and it was interesting how violins can be incorporated with Jazz.
Eden later wrote that she auditioned for and is now a member of the Ocala Junior Symphony!!
2024 Dylan, Pittsford, NY
Dylan is a violinist and is attending Oberlin Conservatory in Ohio. He applied his scholarship to fees to attend the Green Mountain Chamber Music Festival, St. Michael's College, Colchester, VT.
Dylan writes: I had a really great experience, and I got to study and perform a whole string quartet as well as perform my solo repertoire. Thank you so much for helping make this possible for me!
2024 Samantha, Crown Point, IN
Samantha is a senior high violinist who received scholarship assistance to help offset fees to attend Benefic Chamber Music Camp, Ball State University, Muncie, IN. Samantha's mom sent the Ashley Foundation pics of her time at camp.
2024 Simon & Benedict, Brentwood, TN
Simon & Benedict are violinist brothers who used their scholarships to apply towards fees to attend the American Suzuki Institute, University of Wisconsin, Stevens Point.
Their mom writes: Simon & Benedict enjoyed their week at American Suzuki Institute. We are so grateful for the Ashley Foundation scholarships that helped them attend the oldest Suzuki Institute outside of Japan!!
2024 Isabella, Hernando, MS
Isabella is a senior high violinist who applied her scholarship to help her attend the Virginia Suzuki Institute, Emory & Henry College, Emory, VA.
Isabella writes: Thank you so much for giving me the opportunity to go to VSI this summer. I am very grateful that I was able to go!!
2025 Arabella & Imogen, Baltimore, MD
Twin sisters, Arabella & Imogen, received scholarships to attend Greenwood Music Camp, held in Cummington, MA. Arabella is the violinist, and Imogen is the cellist of this duo.
Arabella writes: Thank you so much for the scholarship that you gave me for Greenwood Music Camp. I had such an amazing time there and became a much better chamber musician. I always remember sitting on the stone wall with friends, watching the sun go down.
Imogen writes: Thank you so much for the scholarship that allowed me to go to Greenwood Music Camp this summer. My time at camp was unforgettable. I was able to improve so much with chamber music, work with great teachers, and make friendships to last a lifetime. I loved every second at Greenwood and I am looking forward to coming back next year!
2025 Zoe, Jacksonville, FL
Zoe is an elementary school violinist who received scholarship assistance to attend Prelude Chamber Music Camp in Jacksonville, FL, this summer.
Zoe & her mom write: Zoe completed the Prelude Chamber Music Camp. This was her first summer to ever go to a camp and it was a fantastic experience! She practiced with her quartet for two hours a day and showcased a beautiful violin part from Handel's Arrival of the Queen of Sheba. She also attended a composition class where she composed (for the first time) a piece for string quartet. At the end of every day, she learned how to play an African drum in percussion class. She learned from excellent instructors and had many "first" experiences at this camp. Her favorite part about camp was playing the first violin part in a string quartet and learning how to play well together. This would not have been possible without your donation, and we are truly thankful!
2025 Mari, Tallahassee, FL
Mari is a violin student at Florida State University in Tallahassee. She used her scholarship to attend Aspen Music Festival in Colorado this summer.
Mari writes: Thank you again for supporting my attendance at the Aspen Music Festival and School this summer. It was a truly transformative eight weeks filled with performances, rehearsals, masterclasses, lessons and the chance to form meaningful friendships, and connections with outstanding musicians from around the world. Aspen challenged me to grow as a violinist and inspired me to continue pursuing my profession goals. I am deeply grateful to the Ashley Foundation for helping make this opportunity possible! Thank you so much again!!
2025 Eden, Oxford, FL
Eden is a middle school violinist who received assistance to defray costs to attend the Virginia Suzuki Institute, which was held at Emory & Henry College, Emory, VA.
Eden writes: My week at the Virginia Suzuki Institute was great! I was able to sit in and practice with the advanced orchestra group. We were given some amazing music to learn. I learned so much from my master class instructor. Especially not to be so hard on myself. The group class instructor (who was also the Orchestra instructor) had me join her in leading the group. I am looking forward to returning next summer and be a part of the Kontras Quartet group. Thank you so much for providing a scholarship to help me attend the Virginia Suzuki Institute!
2025 Jeremiah, Virginia Beach, VA
Jeremiah is a senior high violinist who received assistance to cover his yearly fees for youth orchestra.
Jeremiah writes: This year in Bay Youth Symphony has been off to a great start, and I've already been learning a lot, especially on leading effectively as a concertmaster. I'm even more excited for the next few upcoming concerts as we will be playing side by side with the Virginia Symphony Orchestra. This is an event we do every year and last time I really gained a lot from the experience. Our two groups combined made a huge ensemble and it was incredible to be part of such a large and rich sound!
Another thing I love about Bay Youth Symphony is I always get to discover new music that I've never encountered before. We do so many different styles, different genres, and different composers from different periods. It's great to play music from all across the spectrum. Again, I'm super grateful to the Ashley Foundation for this scholarship, and I hope you can continue building this wonderful legacy!
2025 Joy, Kingsport, TN
Joy is an elementary school violinist who received scholarship assistance to attend the Virginia Suzuki Institute, held at Emory & Henry College, Emory, VA.
Joy writes: Suzuki institute is really fun. I learned to have better posture and violin position and became a better player of both violin and piano. The teachers were kind, helpful, and also fun. I experienced a lot of love and kindness at the camp. I also learned that sometimes there are hardships, but if I just keep going, I'll succeed. For example, in orchestra, I couldn't read the notes, but as I practiced, I got better at it and learned the songs so that I was able to perform with my fellow classmates. Thank you for my scholarship! I really appreciate the scholarship to help me attend the Suzuki Institute this summer. I hope to attend it again next year!!
Joy's mom writes: Joy and I appreciate the opportunity to express our gratitude and for Joy to share some thoughts of her camp experiences at VSI. I'm very proud of her perseverance during camp.
2025 Imani & Naomi, Chesapeake, VA
Violinist sisters, Imani & Naomi, both received scholarships to help them attend the Virginia Suzuki Institute, held at Emory & Henry College, Emory, VA.
Their mom & the girls write: We are so grateful for the help of the Ashley Foundation! Their generous scholarships helped my daughters to attend a Suzuki Institute this past summer. In their words: "We had a great time. We learned new skills and techniques on our violins, and we made tons of new friends. We can't wait to go back!!!!"
2025 Helene, Augusta, GA
Helene is a string teacher who received assistance to attend an online training class at the Southwestern Ontario Suzuki Institute, Guelph, Ontario. She received teacher training in Suzuki Violin Book 1.
Helene writes: Please thank the contributors/members of the Ashley Foundation for the scholarship. The Book 1 class was a very good review. I just finished the class last week and am already putting new concepts in practice in lessons!!!