Rockport Music Scholarship

Founded In Honor of Susan Gray, Alec Dingee, Phil and Eve Cutter

Application Deadline: May 1, 2026

Eligibility

Students must be a graduating high school senior, accepted and with plans to attend an accredited university, college, or conservatory. Eligible applicants will have participated in their high school’s performing arts program in one of the districts that Rockport Music serves (Rockport, Gloucester, Manchester/Essex, Beverly, or Ipswich) OR participated in the Cape Ann Jazz Workshop or Cape Ann Youth Chorus in the previous year.

Essay Requirements

Rockport Music believes in the power of music to inspire, connect, and strengthen individuals and communities. In a 500-word essay, applicants should describe their passion for music and how it has shaped their life, either through a moment of growth or overcoming a challenge. Students should also share how they envision music to be part of their future, and how music connects them to others.

Letter of Recommendation Requirements

Applicants should also submit an accompanying letter of recommendation from a teacher, music ensemble director, mentor, or community leader who knows the student well in a musical environment. Recommenders are encouraged to share the student’s passion for music, their musical commitment and work ethic, and how they have seen the student grow musically over time.

If submitting via email, please have the letter sent directly from the recommender. If submitting via mail, please ask the recommender to seal the letter in its own envelope.

Award

$2,500.00 will be paid directly to the student or legal guardian (if under the age of 18) upon receiving a copy of the acceptance letter and a statement of intent for attending the desired school.

Submissions

Please send via email or mail to:

Elizabeth Stefan, Director of Education and Partnerships
Rockport Music
16 Main Street
Rockport MA 01966
estefan@rockportmusic.org

The Rockport Music Scholarship Fund Story

Created in 2014 by the Board of Trustees to honor four of Rockport Music’s founders, Susan Gray and Alec Dingee, Phil and Eve Cutter, the Rockport Music Scholarship fund has awarded nineteen scholarships over eight years to students from our local community. Susan, Alec, Eve and Phil have donated their time, talent and treasure over their thirty-plus-year engagement with Rockport Music.  All were instrumental in helping to raise the funds and building the Shalin Liu Performance Center and all have served as Rockport Music Trustees throughout our history.  Throughout their engagement with Rockport music, these four individuals have made it a priority to serve our local community by continually donating to the fund.