Four Carson City Students Awarded
Rosemary Nebesky Memorial Scholarships

Media Release - January 20, 2024: Tessa Payan, Olivia Croft, Nora Ahumada, and Khaia Whiteman were awarded the eighth annual Rosemary Nebesky Memorial Scholarships by the Carson City Symphony Association at the Holiday Treat concert on December 10, 2023. The scholarship was established by John and Jennifer Webley of Santa Rosa, Calif., in memory of Rosemary Nebesky, who loved music, loved children, and had been a friend and board member of the Carson City Symphony Association. It is awarded each year to one or more Carson City students age 5 to 17 to further their instrumental music education. The winners this year are passionate about music and were highly recommended by their teachers.

Tessa Payan, age 17, is a senior at Carson High School. She is a percussionist who studied for 8 years, starting in 5th grade. She played in concert and jazz bands in middle school and high school and was selected for NZMNA (Northern Zone Nevada Music Association) Honor Band three times, and the NMEA (Nevada Music Educators Association) All State Band. She will use her scholarship to participate in the Winter Drumline program.

Olivia Croft, age 16, is a 10th grader at Carson High School. She started piano lessons at age 5, and also plays flute and saxophone. She plays in the Carson High wind ensemble and advanced jazz band, and in the Reno Philharmonic Youth Concert orchestra. Last June, she participated in the Renew Composer's Workshop at UNR and wrote an original piece for performance. She will use her scholarship to continue piano lessons with professional pianist John Shipley.

Nora Ahumada, age 15, is a 9th grader at Carson High School and a second time awardee of the Nebesky Scholarship. She has played violin for 6 years. She participated in the Solo and Ensemble Festival and in the Honor Orchestra, and has played for residents at Carson Tahoe Expressions Memory Care. She plans to graduate from High School with a Fine Arts Diploma. She will use her scholarship to continue her private lessons with Laura Gibson, Associate Concertmaster of the Carson City Symphony, who wrote that Nora is one of her most dedicated students.

Khaia Whiteman, age 13, is a 7th grader at Carson Middle School. She has played violin for 2 years. Although she hasn't had private lessons, her orchestra director, Dr. Brian Fox, said she is an outstanding member of the beginning orchestra at Carson Middle School. She will use her scholarship for private violin lessons.

The Webley-Nebesky family made a further contribution to the scholarship fund at the end of 2023 to continue the awards for years to come. The next round of scholarships will be awarded in fall of 2024. For more information about the scholarship and the application process, contact the Symphony at 775-883-4154 or carsoncitysymphony@gmail.com.

Photos: Nebesky Scholarship winners Tessa Payan, Olivia Croft, Nora Ahumada, and Khaia Whiteman.

Carson City Symphony Association Announces
Eighth Annual Scholarship for Music Education

Media Release - November 4, 2023: The Carson City Symphony Association announces the eighth annual instrumental music scholarship for Carson City students age 5 to 17. The scholarship was established by a generous gift from Jennifer and John Webley in memory of Rosemary Nebesky, former board member and friend of the Carson City Symphony Association.

The award of $250 to $1,000 is to further the student's music education. It can be used, for example, for lessons, workshop, summer camp, master class, etc. To qualify, a student must live in Carson City, attend school in Carson City, or study with a music teacher in Carson City. Lessons can be in person or remote.

Funds will be paid to the teacher or program, not to the individual applicant. If the award includes travel expenses, it will be paid on reimbursement basis.

Applicants must be enrolled in their school instrumental music program unless the student is home-schooled or their school does not have an instrumental music program. A waiver of this requirement can be requested with written explanation signed by the school instrumental music instructor. Students may reapply each year, but no more than two scholarships will be awarded to any individual.

The application form can be downloaded from the Symphony website, CCSymphony.com (see link below), and may be available from school music teachers. Completed applications and supporting documents will be accepted by the Symphony at P.O. Box 2001, Carson City, NV 89702-2001, and must be received by Monday, November 20, 2023.

Click HERE to download application form in English.

Haga clic AQUÍ para descargar el formulario de solicitud en español. (Click HERE to download application form in Spanish.)

For more information, contact the Symphony at 775-883-4154.

Photos - Last year's scholarship winners (left to right - Braedan Wedderburn, cello, Nora Ahumada, violin, and Sujwal Reddy Yedunuthula, violin) used their awards for private lessons on their instruments.

Carson City Symphony Association Announces
Seventh Annual Scholarship for Music Education

Public Release - Oct. 21, 2022: The Carson City Symphony Association announces the seventh annual instrumental music scholarship for Carson City students age 5 to 17. The scholarship was established by a generous gift from Jennifer and John Webley in memory of Rosemary Nebesky, former board member and friend of the Carson City Symphony Association.

The award of $250 to $1,000 is to further the student's music education. Scholarship is to further the applicant's music education (for example: lessons, workshop, summer camp, master class). Lessons can be in person or remote. Scholarship funds will be paid to the teacher or program, not to the individual applicant. If award includes travel expenses, it will be paid on reimbursement basis. Applicant must be enrolled in school instrumental music program unless student is home-schooled or if school does not have an instrumental music program. A waiver of this requirement can be requested with written explanation signed by the school instrumental music instructor. Students may reapply each year, but no more than two scholarships will be awarded to any individual.

The application form can be downloaded from the Symphony website and may be available from school music teachers. Completed applications and supporting documents will be accepted by the Symphony at P.O. Box 2001, Carson City, NV 89702-2001, and must be received by Monday, November 21, 2022.

For more information, contact the Symphony at 775-883-4154.

Photo: Rosemary Nebesky at 16 with her cello.

Three Carson City Students Awarded
Rosemary Nebesky Memorial Scholarships

Media Release: Feb. 25, 2022: Mia Hamilton, Luna Arredondo, and Izabell McCullen were awarded the sixth annual Rosemary Nebesky Memorial Scholarships by the Carson City Symphony Association this year. The scholarship was established by John and Jennifer Webley of Santa Rosa, Calif., in memory of Rosemary Nebesky, who loved music, loved children, and had been a friend and board member of the Carson City Symphony Association. It is awarded each year to one or more Carson City students age 5 to 17 for instrumental music lessons. The winners this year were selected from several well qualified applicants.

Mia Hamilton, age 14, is a 9th grader at Douglas High School. She has played violin for six years and plays in Carson City Symphony's advanced after-school youth strings ensemble, STRAZZ. Her goal is to be better than ever on the violin. She is using her scholarship for private lessons with Sue Jesch.

Luna Arredondo, age 12, a 7th grader at Eagle Valley Middle School, is a beginning cellist who plays in her school orchestra. She said playing cello makes her happy and she wants to learn to play well. She is using her scholarship for private cello lessons with Priscilla Hawkins.

Izabell McCullen, age 14, is a 9th grader at Carson High School and plays violin in the Concert Orchestra. She has been a member of the Carson City School District orchestra program since beginning middle school and has participated in Solo and Ensemble Festival and in Northern Zone Honor Orchestra. Her love of music has led her to play several instruments with her dad in "fun band nights in our garage." She will use her scholarship for private violin lessons with Laura Gibson.

The next round of scholarships will be awarded in fall of 2022. For more information about the scholarship and the application process, contact the Symphony at 775-883-4154.

Photos: Scholarship winners Mia Hamilton, Luna Arredondo, and Izabell McCullen.

Carson City Symphony Association Announces
Sixth Annual Scholarship for Music Education

Media Release - Oct. 19, 2021: The Carson City Symphony Association announces the sixth annual instrumental music scholarship for Carson City students age 5 to 17. The scholarship was established by a generous gift from Jennifer and John Webley in memory of Rosemary Nebesky, former board member and friend of the Carson City Symphony Association.

The award of $250 to $1,000 is to further the student's music education. It can be used, for example, for lessons, workshop, summer camp, master class, etc. To qualify, a student must live in Carson City, attend school in Carson City, or study with a music teacher in Carson City. Lessons can be in person or remote. Funds will be paid to the teacher or program, not to the individual applicant.

The application form can be downloaded from the Symphony website (see below) and may be available from school music teachers. Completed applications and supporting documents will be accepted by the Symphony at P.O. Box 2001, Carson City, NV 89702-2001, and must be received by Friday, November 19, 2021.

Click HERE to download application form.

For more information, contact the Symphony at 775-883-4154.

Photo: Rosemary Nebesky at 16 with her cello.

Three Carson City Students Awarded
Rosemary Nebesky Memorial Scholarships

Media Release - Dec. 15, 2020: Jonah Toral, Nathan Parsons, and Bita Jazani were awarded the fifth annual Rosemary Nebesky Memorial Scholarships by the Carson City Symphony Association this month. The scholarship was established by John and Jennifer Webley of Santa Rosa, Calif., in memory Rosemary Nebesky, who loved music, loved children, and had been a friend and board member of the Carson City Symphony Association. It is awarded each year to one or more Carson City students age 5 to 17 for instrumental music lessons. The winners this year were selected from several well qualified applicants. More students applied than in any previous year.

Jonah Toral, age 16, is a 10th grader at Carson High School, where he plays percussion in Concert Band, Jazz Band, and Marching Band. He has participated in festivals and workshops, is a member of the Capital City Community Band, and plays in his church worship band. His school band director, Nick Jacques, said Jonah is a motivated and talented student who loves playing music. Jonah will use the scholarship for private percussion lessons with Brandon Dodge, to help him along his path toward becoming an accomplished percussionist.

Nathan Parsons, age 14, is a 9th grader at Carson High School who plays violin and trumpet in numerous ensembles in Carson City and Reno. Among these are STRAZZ, Carson City Symphony's advanced youth strings ensemble; Carson High School's Chamber Orchestra, Wind Ensemble, Advanced Jazz Band, and Marching Band; and the Reno Philharmonic Youth Orchestra program. Nathan has been awarded five medals for solo violin, solo trumpet, and ensembles in NMEA (Nevada Music Educators Association) competitions. He also volunteers as a mentor for younger student musicians, and for community events. Nathan's dream is to be a music director. He will use his scholarship to continue private violin lessons.

Bita Jazani, age 17, is an 12th grade violinist at Carson High School, where she is Concertmaster of Chamber Orchestra, Carson High's elite orchestral ensemble, for the second year. She has been a member of the Carson City School District orchestra program since sixth grade and a member of STRAZZ, Carson City Symphony's after-school advanced youth string ensemble, for the past three years. She earned excellent and superior ratings in solo and ensemble festivals. Bita said she will continue her passion for music and her musical journey throughout her life. She will use her scholarship to continue private violin lessons.

The next round of scholarships will be awarded in fall of 2021. For more information about the scholarship and the application process, contact the Symphony at 775-883-4154.

Photos: Scholarship winners Jonah Toral, Nathan Parsons, and Bita Jazani.

Three Carson City Students Awarded
Rosemary Nebesky Memorial Scholarships

Media Release - Dec. 22, 2019: Diana Bañuelos, Nathan Parsons, and Viviana Castro were awarded the fourth annual Rosemary Nebesky Memorial Scholarships by the Carson City Symphony Association this month. The scholarship was established by John and Jennifer Webley of Santa Rosa, Calif., in memory Rosemary Nebesky, who loved music, loved children, and had been a friend and board member of the Carson City Symphony Association. It is awarded each year to one or more Carson City students age 5 to 17 for instrumental music lessons. The winners this year were selected from several well qualified applicants.

Diana Bañuelos is a 14-year-old student in 8th grade at Dayton Intermediate School, which does not have a string program in the schools. Diana studies violin in Carson City with Laura Gibson and plays in the Carson City Symphony's after-school Youth Strings program, where she has advanced to the intermediate ensemble. Her teacher says that Diana "has progressed very quickly on the violin because of her hard work and excellent attitude." She will use the scholarship to continue her private violin lessons.

Nathan Parsons, age 13, is an 8th grader at Carson Middle School, where he plays violin, trumpet, and saxophone. He plays in STRAZZ, Carson City Symphony's advanced youth strings ensemble, and in his school Advanced Orchestra, Advanced Band, Jazz Band, and Marching band, and outside of Carson City in the Reno Philharmonic Youth Orchestra program, the All-State Band, and more. His goal is to be a music major and ultimately a band director, and he is demonstrating his leadership skills by mentoring other students and assisting his teachers.

Viviana Castro, age 13, is an 8th grader at Carson Middle School, where she plays in the beginning orchestra. Although she has sung in choir for 5 years, it was only last year that she decided to play violin. She said "I'm an eighth grader, just starting out on an instrument, and I don't regret the decision at all." Viviana practices in all her free time, and will use the scholarship for private lessons. She said, "I'm running to catch up, and I hope this will only increase my pace."

The next round of scholarships will be awarded in fall of 2020. For more information about the scholarship and the application process, contact the Symphony at 775-883-4154.

Photos: Scholarship winners Diana Bañuelos, Nathan Parsons, and Viviana Castro.

Carson City Symphony Association Announces
Fourth Annual Scholarship for Music Education

Media Release - Oct. 5, 2019: The Carson City Symphony Association announces the fourth annual instrumental music scholarship for Carson City students age 5 to 17. The scholarship was established by a generous gift from Jennifer and John Webley in memory of Rosemary Nebesky, former board member and friend of the Carson City Symphony Association.

The award of $250 to $1,000 is to further the student's music education. It can be used, for example, for lessons, workshop, summer camp, master class, etc. Funds will be paid to the teacher or program, not to the individual applicant.

The application form can by downloaded from the Symphony website, CCSymphony.com, and may be available from school music teachers. Completed applications and supporting documents will be accepted by the Symphony at P.O. Box 2001, Carson City, NV 89702-2001, and must be received by Tuesday, November 5, 2019.

For more information, contact the Symphony at 775-883-4154.

Three Carson City Students Awarded
Rosemary Nebesky Memorial Scholarships

Media Release - Dec. 11, 2018: Ashlyn Parnham, Diana Banuelos Ibarra, and Jasmine Wong-Fortunato were awarded the third annual Rosemary Nebesky Memorial Scholarships by the Carson City Symphony Association this month. The scholarship was established by John and Jennifer Webley of Santa Rosa, Calif., in memory Rosemary Nebesky, who loved music, loved children, and had been a friend and board member of the Carson City Symphony Association. It is awarded each year to one or more Carson City students age 5 to 17 for instrumental music lessons. The winners this year were selected from several applicants.

Ashlyn Parnham, 16, is a sophomore at Carson High, where she plays in four bands on different instruments. Clarinet is her main instrument and this year she added alto clarinet in concert band, and tenor sax in jazz ensemble. Ashlyn plans to teach music. She has attended the Lake Tahoe Music Camp the past two years, and will use her scholarship to attend again this summer of 2019.

Diana Banuelos is a 13-year-old student who lives in Dayton, NV, where they do not have a string program in the schools. She studies violin in Carson City with Lissette Rivas. Diana said, "All my life I've wanted to play violin. I started lessons almost a year ago and it's been really great." Through violin, Diana has met new people, explored the music world, and become closer to family members who play instruments. Diana will use her scholarship to continue her violin lessons.

Jasmine Wong-Fortunato, 15, a ninth grader at Carson High School, plays in three bands on different instruments in each. She also plays in three community groups: Carson City Symphony, Carson Valley Pops Orchestra, and Capital City Community Band. A second time winner, Jasmine plans to make music education her career and will use the scholarship to continue private lessons on bassoon.

The next round of scholarships will be awarded in fall of 2019. For more information about the scholarship and the application process, contact the Symphony at 775-883-4154.

Three Carson City Students Awarded
Rosemary Nebesky Memorial Scholarships

Media Release - Dec. 11, 2017: Jasmine Wong-Fortunato, Gabriel Covington, and Sy'Johnniqa Moore were awarded the second annual Rosemary Nebesky Memorial Scholarships by the Carson City Symphony Association this month. The scholarship was established by John and Jennifer Webley of Santa Rosa, Calif., in memory Rosemary Nebesky, who loved music, loved children, and had been a friend and board member of the Carson City Symphony Association. It is awarded each year to one or more Carson City students age 5 to 17 for instrumental music lessons. The winners this year were selected from several highly recommended applicants.

Jasmine Wong-Fortunato, 14, an eighth grader at Carson Middle School, plays in three bands and in orchestra, on different instruments in each - flute, bassoon, saxophone, and viola. Flute is her main instrument. She plans make music education her career and will use the scholarship for private lessons on bassoon.

Gabriel Covington, 16, a junior at Carson High School, plays violin in the Carson High Chamber Orchestra, the Reno Philharmonic Youth Orchestra, and in Carson City Symphony's advanced youth strings ensemble, STRAZZ. He also plays piano. He plans to use the scholarship to attend Alasdair Fraser's Sierra Fiddle Camp this summer to learn techniques of Scottish and other styles of fiddling and playing by ear.

Sy'Johnniqa Moore, 16, a junior at Carson High School, plays viola in the school's advanced orchestra, the Carson High Chamber Orchestra. She said she is able to express all her feelings through her viola, without saying a word. Her orchestra director, Dr. Brian Fox, said she is one of his most improved students and has great potential for continued growth. She will use the scholarship for private lessons on viola.

The next round of scholarships will be awarded in fall of 2018. For more information about the scholarship and the application process, contact the Symphony at 775-883-4154.

Photos: Scholarship winners (L to R) Jasmine Wong-Fortunato, Gabriel Covington, and Sy'Johnniqa Moore

Two Carson City Students Awarded
Rosemary Nebesky Memorial Scholarships

Media Release - January 14, 2017: Carlos Montejana and Alyssa Butler were awarded the first annual Rosemary Nebesky Memorial Scholarships by the Carson City Symphony Association last month. This scholarship was established by John and Jennifer Webley of Santa Rosa, Calif., in memory Rosemary Nebesky, who loved music, loved children, and had been a friend and board member of the Carson City Symphony Association. It is awarded each year to one or two Carson City students age 5 to 17 for instrumental music lessons.

Carlos Montejana, 16, is a junior at Carson High School. He sings in the Carson High School Chamber Choir, loves classical music, and composes and arranges music for orchestra, band, and choir. His music composition "Skyworld," took first place in the state in the Parent-Teacher Student Association Reflections Art Contest last year, and he was recognized in that contest with a special award for overall Outstanding Interpretation of Theme. The Nebesky scholarship will fund piano lessons with Nancy Mielke, a retired music specialist in the Carson City School District.

Alyssa Butler, 10, is in fifth grade at St. Teresa of Avila School in Carson City. She has studied violin for four years and wants to learn to play cello. Her mother, Colleen Butler, said "Alyssa has always been mesmerized by the cello and has counted down the days until she was old enough or big enough to graduate from the violin to the cello." The Nebesky scholarship will fund cello lessons with Lou Groffman, principal cellist of the Carson City Symphony.

Honorable mention certificates were awarded to Ashlyn Parnham, 13, an 8th grader at Eagle Valley Middle school, who plays clarinet; Kacey Lopes, 17, a senior at Carson High School, who plays violin and drums; and Sierra Kramer,16, a homeschooled student who plays violin.

The next round of scholarships will be awarded in fall of 2017. For more information about the scholarship and the application process, contact the Symphony at 775-883-4154.

A similar announcement appeared in CarsonNow.org. Click here to read the article.

Carson City Symphony Launches
New Scholarship for Music Education
(Article from 2016)

In September 2016, the Carson City Symphony Association announced that it was launching an instrumental music scholarship for Carson City students age 5 to 17. The annual scholarship was established by a generous gift from Jennifer and John Webley in memory of Rosemary Nebesky, former board member and friend of the Carson City Symphony Association.

The award of $250 to $1,000 is to further the student's music education. It can be used, for example, for lessons, workshop, summer camp, master class, etc. Funds will be paid to the teacher or program, not to the individual applicant.

An application form will be available for download from this website. Completed applications and supporting documents will be accepted by the Symphony at P.O. Box 2001, Carson City, NV 89702-2001, and will most likely be due by November 1 of each year.

Pictured at left: Rosemary at her 70th birthday at Lake Tahoe. Pictured at right: Rosemary at 16 with her cello in Australia.