Elizabeth Corbett and Kyle Chauvette, both rising senior Music Education majors, recently won the Gretchen E. Van Roy Music Education Scholarship from the National Federation of Music Clubs (NFMC). Corbett won first place ($1,500) and Chauvette won second ($500).
The Mary Pappert School of Music is a member of the NFMC, which is the first step toward eligibility for the scholarship. In addition, each student had to have two letters of recommendation submitted by Music Education faculty that addressed their musical/educational attributes including potential, proficiency, and ability to engage students.
The NFMC was established in 1898 and aims to provide opportunities to musicians of all ages. Various competitions and awards, including the Gretchen E. Van Roy Music Education Scholarship, along with music festivals, performance opportunities, and musical study are offered through the NFMC.
“The National Federation of Music Clubs is one of the oldest musical and philanthropic organizations in the country,” said Dean David Allen Wehr. “I am proud that the Mary Pappert School of Music is an institutional member, making our students eligible for many scholarships and awards. As someone who greatly benefitted from NFMC’s support early in my career, I am delighted that two of our outstanding students in music education have been recognized with these honors and hope that all of our students and faculty will keep their eyes on our internal communications to stay up to date with these opportunities.”
Elizabeth “Libby” Corbett is from Yardley, Pennsylvania. She studies piano with Anoush Tchakarian and aspires to become an elementary general or choral music teacher. This past fall, she was awarded the PMEA TTRR Continuing Education Scholarship (presented to full-time undergraduate or graduate music education students in PA). Libby currently serves as the president of Duquesne’s NAfME Chapter 159 and Vice President of Duquesne’s American Choral Directors Association collegiate chapter. She is also a Lead Resident Assistant, sings in the Voices of Spirit and Vocal Jazz Ensemble, and is a liturgical organist, pianist, and cantor for the Duquesne Chapel of the Holy Spirit (and other churches in PA). This summer, Libby will be an Instructional Assistant at the Pennsbury School District Extended School Year Program, and next semester, she will teach preschool music at Riverview Children's Center in Verona, PA.
Kyle Chauvette, a clarinetist from the studio of Jack Howell, is a native of Warwick, Rhode Island. He is currently serving as a School of Music Student Ambassador and is the recipient of the Hancock French Woods Arts Alliance (HFWAA) award, which is a scholarship partnership with the town of Hancock, NY and French Woods Festival of the Arts. An aspiring conductor, arranger, and woodwind doubler, Kyle’s plans include becoming a band director in his home state, where he will work to strengthen the presence and outreach of the Rhode Island Music Educators Association.
Dr. Paul Doerksen, Professor of Music Education is proud of these students, saying, “Duquesne’s Music Education program sets a high bar of professional excellence—across musicianship, pedagogy, and character—for its pre-service music educators. Libby and Kyle reflect these standards at consistently high levels: Outstanding performers in their large ensembles and other venues, well-prepared pedagogical skills for their upcoming student-teaching placements, and consummate professional dispositions ready for their careers ahead. These very qualities speak directly to the attributes desired for Gretchen E. Van Roy Music Education Scholarship recipients. Well-earned, Libby and Kyle!”
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