Performing Arts Scholarship Foundation Annual Music Competition & Scholarships

Performing Arts Scholarship Foundation Annual Music Competition

Organization: Performing Arts Scholarship Foundation (PASF)
Website: pasfsb.org
Contact: Deborah Bertling, Board President
Email: pasfsb@pasfsb.org
Phone: (805) 898-0941
Status: 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization established in 1982
Geographic Scope: Santa Barbara County, California (applicants must live and/or study in the Santa Barbara area)

Mission

Provide financial aid to deserving vocal and instrumental students with professional potential to further their musical performance careers.

Award Categories

• Junior Instrumental Division (younger musicians, typically ages 10-17): Awards range from $1,500-$3,000
• Adult Instrumental Division (ages 18-30): Awards range from $3,000-$6,000
• Vocal Division (Adult, ages 18-30): Awards range from $3,000-$6,000
• Honorable Mention/Encouragement Awards: Available to select applicants who do not place but demonstrate talent

Eligibility

• Age range: Typically 10 to 30 years old
• Geographic requirement: Must live and/or study in Santa Barbara County
• Experience: For final year of eligibility (age 30), extensions may be granted for reapplication
• Professional potential: Demonstrated vocal or instrumental skill with professional performance aspirations
• Selection basis: Primarily based on talent and skill; financial need also considered

Competition Structure

• Auditions held in April (typically April 5-6)
• Final competition concert held in April (typically mid-to-late April)
• Public competition with an audience of music teachers, family, and supporters
• Panel of professional judges selects winners
• Typical finalists: 10-11 musicians compete in final round
• Typical applicants: 20-27 applicants in audition phase

Judging

Competition is judged by esteemed professional musicians and music educators (past judges have included Paul Berkowitz, Ani Aznavoorian, Carol Ann Manzi, David Potter, John Ballerino, Armen Guzelimian, Emily Sommermann, and others).

Awards History

• 2024: $27,000+ in scholarships and $2,000 in Encouragement Awards
• 2022: $27,000+ in scholarships
• 2019: Awards ranged from $1,500 (runners-up) to $6,000 (first place)
• 2018: Competition held with multiple prize divisions

Special Features

• Encouragement Awards: Provided to selected students in audition process who don't advance to finals, offering valuable competition experience and feedback
• Extension policy: Final-year eligible applicants (age 30) may receive extensions for reapplication
• Support for emerging talent: Focus on junior musicians (new category introduced 2019)
• Public events: Competition concerts are free and open to the public

Board & Leadership

Board President: Deborah Bertling Board Vice President: Dr. Marjorie S. Gies Board Treasurer: Rosalind Amorteguy Fendon Board Secretary: Erin Bonski-Evans (2023) Other board members: Peter Bertling, Barbara Burger, Neil DiMaggio, Ronald Fendon, Jill Felber (2024), David McKee, Kristine Pacheco-Bernt, Noel Lucky-Ris

Community Engagement

PASF hosts luncheons and gatherings with music teachers and educators to discuss music education needs and develop support strategies for local music education.