The competitive Musician of Promise scholarship offered at Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College (SMWC) requires applicants to complete an audition, essay and interview to be considered for the award that offers up to the cost of full tuition.
Julia Pastore, the recipient of the scholarship this year, ranked highest in all areas that are assessed – audition, interview, letter of recommendation, GPA and essay.
Pastore is a music therapy transfer student from Munster, Indiana. Her main instrument is flute.
“For me, the Musician of Promise Award was an amazing opportunity to come to The Woods that I would not have had otherwise,” Pastore said.
She was finishing her associate degree in music from South Suburban College and she was trying to figure out where she wanted to finish her bachelor’s degree. While she auditioned at several other schools, she said she was struck by The Wood’s beauty – and now she’s here.
“I also love the music faculty here, and the smaller school makes it more one-on-one, and easier to know your fellow music majors,” she said.
She said she is “thrilled” to have received the award this year because she is getting to pursue her dream. “I got interested in music therapy as a way to help people through music, which combined two things I love doing.”
Sharon Boyle, MM, MT-BC, associate professor of music therapy, undergraduate music therapy program coordinator and department chair, believes Pastore will do well in her department. “During Julia’s flute audition, the music faculty were immediately impressed by her accuracy, artistry and overall musicianship,” Boyle said. “Combined with her strong essay and recommendation, solid interview and excellent academic record, we were excited with our decision to award Julia the 2020-21 Musician of Promise Scholarship Award. I have no doubt she will be successful in the bachelor of science in music therapy program and will represent the SMWC Music and Theatre Department very well.”