Music Scholarships, Competitions & Youth Programs Directory NAACP Scholarships
Agnes Jones Jackson, Hubertus W. V. Willems, and James Weldon Johnson Scholarships
Contact: NAACP Education & Scholarships Department
Email: scholarships@naacpnet.org
Official link: NAACP scholarships and applications
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NAACP ACT-SO
The Afro-Academic, Cultural, Technological and Scientific Olympics continues to offer students competitions in performing arts, jazz, classical music, and other disciplines.
Current Southern California contacts:
Wilberta Richardson, Altadena ACT-SO Chair – altadenaactso@gmail.com
Joyce Clark, Beverly Hills/Hollywood ACT-SO Chair – jjclark410@yahoo.com
Janice Filer, Long Beach ACT-SO Chair – janicefiler@gmail.com
National contact: actso@naacpnet.org
Official link: ACT-SO program, schedule and local contacts
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The Music Center Spotlight Awards
The 2027 deadline was October 16, 2026. The competition includes jazz instrumental, classical instrumental, and voice categories. The 2027 finale is scheduled for May 22.
Contact person: Jeri Gaile, Fredric Roberts Sr. Director, Spotlight
Email: spotlight@musiccenter.org
Official link: Music Center Spotlight
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Rotary Pageant of the Arts
Instrumental and vocal music are both included. Prizes were $1,000 for first place, $500 for second, and $250 for third.
Contact person: Debbie Wehbe, Pageant of the Arts Chair
Email: debbierotary5280@gmail.com
Telephone: 323-573-1950
Official link: Rotary Pageant of the Arts
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GRAMMY Camp
GRAMMY Camp now offers programs in Los Angeles, Nashville, Miami, New York, and Seattle.
Contact: GRAMMY Museum Education Department
Email: education@grammymuseum.org
Official link: GRAMMY Camp 2027 applications
Need-based financial assistance is available. Students must complete the additional financial assistance application.
This is a music career development program, rather than a direct cash scholarship.
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GRAMMY Museum– Student Showcase
Los Angeles and Southern California • High school musicians, soloists and bands
Students from all music genres can apply for a professional performance, production mentoring, and recorded performance footage.
Unlike GRAMMY Camp, this is a separate showcase opportunity.
Contact: GRAMMY Museum Education, through its application page.
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National YoungArts Foundation
YoungArts continues its national competition for young artists ages 15–18 or in grades 10–12, including jazz, classical music, and voice. Awards range from $250 to $10,000.
Contact: YoungArts Application Department
Email: apply@youngarts.org
Telephone: 800-970-2787
Official link: YoungArts competition and applications
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PianoArts North American Competition
PianoArts continues its competition and professional development program for young classical pianists. The 2026 competition offered a $20,000 first prize.
Contact person: Sue Medford, Founder and Artistic Director
Email: info@pianoarts.org
Telephone: 414-962-3055
Official link: PianoArts competitions and applications
The North American competition currently serves pianists approximately ages 17–22.
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World Championships of Performing Arts (WCOPA)
The 2027 competition is scheduled for July 12–21 in Las Vegas, Nevada. It includes music and other performance disciplines, along with scholarship opportunities.
Contact: WCOPA Registration Department
Email: registration@wcopa.com
General email: info@wcopa.com
Telephone: 323-851-4299
Official link: 2027 WCOPA competition
This program remains active, although applicants should examine entry fees, travel requirements, and the specific value and conditions of scholarships before entering.
The Ultimate Talent Competition+2
Pasadena Showcase House for the Arts
Contact: Instrumental Competition Committee
Email: competition@pasadenashowcase.org
Telephone: 626-578-8500
Official link: Instrumental Competition requirements
Open to eligible young string, woodwind, and brass musicians. Prizes have ranged from $1,000 to $5,000. Confirm the new deadline with the committee.
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Watts Towers Arts Center
Jazz Mentorship Program, piano instruction, and other arts programs.
Contact: Rosie Lee Hooks, Art Center Director
Rogelio Acevedo, Education Coordinator
Email: wattstowersartscenter.campus@lacity.org
Telephone: 213-847-4646
Official link: Watts Towers educational programs
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California State Summer School for the Arts (CSSSA)
Intensive arts education, including music, with financial aid available for qualifying California residents.
Contact: CSSSA Admissions Office
Email: info@csssa.ca.gov
Telephone: 916-413-0607
Official link: CSSSA 2027 applications
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JazzAmerica
JazzAmerica currently invites young musicians ages 13–18 to audition for its traditional jazz band program. Instruction is free,
and rehearsals take place on Saturday mornings.
Contact person: Richard Simon, Program Director
Email: info@jazzamerica.org
Telephone: 310-836-2277
Official link: JazzAmerica auditions and instruction
Continuing opportunities for students focused specifically on jazz performance.
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Pasadena Conservatory of Music
The conservatory continues offering need-based financial assistance and merit scholarships.
Contact person: Cindy Lewis, Director of Programs and Student Services
Direct email: clewis@pasadenaconservatory.org
Financial aid email: financialaid@pasadenaconservatory.org
Telephone: 626-683-3355
Official link: Pasadena Conservatory financial aid and scholarships
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Fine Arts Club of Pasadena
Music Performance Awards
Contact: Fine Arts Club of Pasadena
Email: FineArtsClubofPasadena@gmail.com
Official link: Fine Arts Club competitions
Colburn School
Herbert Zipper Scholars & Community School Scholarships
Downtown Los Angeles • Ages 8–17 for Herbert Zipper; other aid through grade 12
Colburn provides financial aid for private lessons, ensembles and classes, and a comprehensive merit-and-need-based Herbert Zipper program. The 2026–27 financial scholarship program is active; Herbert Zipper applications are closed for this cycle.
Contact: cspa@colburnschool.edu | 213-621-4548
Scholarships and application details
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Los Angeles Jazz Society
Bill Green Mentorship Program, Greater Los Angeles • Ages 12–18 • Jazz
Selected students receive five weeks of professional jazz mentorship, ensemble workshops, recording experience and a final concert at Catalina Jazz Club.
Contact: billgreenmp@lajazz.org | 818-994-5299
2027 mentorship applications
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Beach Cities Symphony
Middle School Music Scholarships South Bay, Los Angeles • Grades 6–8
Two $500 scholarships support a string instrumentalist and a non-string orchestral instrumentalist.
Funds can pay for lessons, instruments, repairs or music camps.
Open to eligible South Bay students regardless of advanced performance level.
Contact: Scholarship Committee through the orchestra website.
Middle-school scholarships
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Santa Clarita Symphony Orchestra
Youth Concerto Competition Southern California • Grades 6–12
Separate junior and senior divisions, including piano, strings, winds, brass and percussion. Winners receive performance opportunities.
Contact: Competition organizers via the application page.
Youth Concerto Competition application
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Burbank Philharmonic– Discovery Conductor Project
Greater Los Angeles • High school students age 18 and younger
An unusual opportunity for aspiring conductors to study with Music Director Michael Stanley and conduct professional musicians in rehearsal and performance.
Contact: Burbank Philharmonic competition office via its application page.
2027 Discovery Conductor application
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SoCal Philharmonic-Young Artists Competition
Orange County • Young instrumentalists and vocalists
Competitive auditions lead to featured performances with the orchestra. Separate instrumental, vocal and piano concerts; scholarship awards are also offered.
Contact: youngartists@socalphil.org