Scholarships

ANN GEORGE SCHOLARSHIP

This scholarship was set up in memory of Ann George by her parents, Dr. and Mrs. Richard George. Ann was an honors student, a top athlete at Nordhoff High in Ojai and had unusual promise as a pianist. At age 16 her life was cut short by an auto accident.

A panel of judges selects the winners of this award of approximately $400 total.

A panel of judges.will choose the winners based on the most polished performance, demonstrating exceptional musicality and technique.

Awards - Annual award of $400

Applicants must be Ventura county Middle school students (Grades 6 -8) of PV-VC MTAC teachers and must perform upper intermediate to advanced level literature (5 – adv) any 3 memorized pieces of standard classical repertoire from 3 of the 4 musical periods.
- Popular music and jazz are not allowed.
- Teachers must enter their best students, representing the highest level of performance.
- A student who has received 1st place may not enter in subsequent years.
- Repertoire cannot be repeated from the previous competitions by the same student.

Inquiries should be directed to Lily Starobinets at Lily@starobinets.com

Auditions will be held on Saturday, June 7, 2025.

Applications and registration fees are due by April 27, 2025 to Lily Starobinets.

Applications may be made by email only, using the following link. Click on the link, fill out the Excel form, and attach it to an email to Lily Starobinets by the application deadline April 27.

Teachers: Please click the link below to access the application on the password-protected teacher portal.

YAZBECK-GEORGE APPLICATION

PETER YAZBECK SCHOLARSHIP

This scholarship was bequeathed to the Pleasant Valley - Ventura County Branch of MTAC in 2012 by Peter Yazbeck, a classically trained pianist, concert artist, distinguished pedagogue and for more than twenty years a professor at the University of California, Santa Barbara (UCSB).

He was a much sought-after adjudicator for numerous festivals, competitions, and state examinations, a respected clinician, a prominent mentor and lecturer.

Peter was a member of the Music Teachers’ Association of California since 1963. He served on the state board, where he chaired the annual convention for four years, and then eventually served as President in the early 1990’s.

Peter Yazbeck taught piano privately and held membership in PV-VC Branch. He continued to participate in his branch’s activities, actively entering his students in various programs and festivals until his death in 2012.

GUIDELINES

Applicants must be Ventura county High school students of PV-VC MTAC teachers

Teachers must enter their best students, representing the highest level of performance.

A student who has received 1st place may not enter in subsequent years.

Repertoire cannot be repeated from the previous competitions by the same student.

Levels - Advanced Level Repertoire (7 to Adv)
Repertoire - any 3 memorized pieces of standard classical repertoire from 3 of the 4 musical periods.
- Popular music and jazz are not allowed.
A panel of judges will choose the winners based on the most polished performance, demonstrating exceptional musicality and technique.
Awards - Annual award of $1,000.
- Suggestions to judges: 1st $500 / 2nd $350 / 3rd $150
- Judges may share prizes among the winners and may determine how the money is awarded.
- The judges' decision is final.

Additional note: A time limit is not going to be stipulated in the official guidelines. Instead, a time limit will be determined based on how many students are participating. The judges will be told how much time each student will be allowed and they will stop the students if necessary.

Applications and registration fees are due by April 27, 2025 to Lily Starobinets. Auditions will be held on Saturday, June 7, 2025.