Scholarships awarded for Crown workshop

The Crown of the Continent Guitar Foundation has awarded 12 full-ride scholarships to Northwest Montana guitarists to attend the eighth annual Crown Guitar Workshop and Festival in Bigfork.

Each scholarship is valued at $5,000. The festival is scheduled for Aug. 27 to Sept. 3 this year.

The skill levels of the recipients range from aspiring teenagers to polished performers to veteran instructors. The students will spend the week surrounded by some of the world’s foremost guitarists, immersing themselves in daily classes, sharing meals and enjoying the Flathead Lake Lodge.

Crown Development Director Diane Kautzman says the goal of the foundation is to build an outstanding education and mentoring program for dozens of recipients each year, making a critical difference in advancing their artistic and musical career development.

“The relationship between our communities and the scholarship recipients is so powerful and heartwarming,” Kautzman said in a press release. “We strive to nurture a unique, life-changing experience that dramatically enhances their guitar expertise and nourishes their creative spirit in a relaxed, supportive, non-competitive atmosphere.”

This year’s scholarship recipients include Jordan Albert, Emily Bonner, Noah Carlson, Luke Dowler, Kelsey Lyn Fowler, Patrick “DR” Halsell, Port Nugent, Tanner O’Conner, Halana Perkins, Jeremy Quick, Michelle Tribble and Ian Velikoff.

Some of those students will perform at the second annual Marina Cay Scholarship Showcase in the resort’s lower banquet room just off the pool area, Tuesday, July 11, 2017 from 6 to 9 p.m. The event is free to attend.

To learn more about the scholarship program, contact Diane Kautzman, at 406-270-1559 or email dkautzman@crownguitar.org.

For more information on the festival, visit crownguitarfest.org.