Kashi Betts is in the eighth grade at Ananda School. He has been studying the cello for six years, currently with teacher David Eby. Eby describes him as “a very natural player with excellent technical ability. He also has a sincere desire to play and practice, so rare in young boys.”

Betts said “as a musician my needs are to continue my private lessons every week with my teacher and to join the Sacramento Youth Symphony.” The Sacramento Youth requires a fee of $350 per year. “My (future) personal goals are to be a cello soloist and to be in the Sacramento Symphony (Philharmonic).” TCCA hopes this award will encourage Kashi to continue pursuing his musical endeavors.

Recipients of Twin Cities Concert Association’s Autumn Youth Scholarship are selected by TCCA’s education/scholarship committee. The scholarship is awarded at the first concert of TCCA’s season. Every music teacher in Nevada County is eligible to nominate one deserving student, based on musical ability and need. Selections are made on the basis of teacher recommendation and student essay. The Autumn Youth Scholarship is designed to represent a broad-based community decision and to give a fall award not addressed by awards given the previous spring. This scholarship began in 1998 through a scholarship endowment fund started by Nevada City resident Ardis Mengers in memory of her husband Paul Mengers. Betts was chosen out of six applicants. Applications are sent out in the spring of each year.

TCCA also provides a scholarship to eligible Nevada County students toward tuition for attendance at the Donner Mine Music Camp each summer and provides free tickets to children ages 5-17, with adult supervision, at each concert.

For additional information about TCCA’s youth programs, please contact 530-470-9454.

(Quotes on this release were taken from Kashi Betts’ scholarship application)