Four Carson City students awarded Rosemary Nebesky Memorial Scholarships
Submitted by Jeff Munson on Sun, 01/21/2024 - 10:27am
Carson City students Tessa Payan, Olivia Croft, Nora Ahumada, and Khaia Whiteman were awarded the eighth annual Rosemary Nebesky Memorial Scholarships by the Carson City Symphony Association at the Holiday Treat concert on Dec, 10, 2023.
The scholarship was established by John and Jennifer Webley of Santa Rosa, Calif., in memory of Rosemary Nebesky, who loved music, loved children, and had been a friend and board member of the Carson City Symphony Association. It is awarded each year to one or more Carson City students age 5 to 17 to further their instrumental music education. The winners this year are passionate about music and were highly recommended by their teachers.
Tessa Payan, age 17, is a senior at Carson High School. She is a percussionist who studied for 8 years, starting in 5th grade. She played in concert and jazz bands in middle school and high school and was selected for NZMNA (Northern Zone Nevada Music Association) Honor Band three times, and the NMEA (Nevada Music Educators Association) All State Band. She will use her scholarship to participate in the Winter Drumline program.
Olivia Croft, age 16, is 10th grader at Carson High School. She started piano lessons at age 5, and also plays flute and saxophone. She plays in the Carson High wind ensemble and advanced jazz band, and in the Reno Philharmonic Youth Concert orchestra. Last June, she participated in the Renew Composer's Workshop at UNR and wrote an original piece for performance. She will use her scholarship to continue piano lessons with professional pianist John Shipley.
Nora Ahumada, age 15, is a 9th grader at Carson High School and a second time awardee of the Nebesky Scholarship. She has played violin for 6 years. She participated in the Solo and Ensemble Festival and in the Honor Orchestra, and has played for residents at Carson Tahoe Expressions Memory Care. She plans to graduate from High School with a Fine Arts Diploma. She will use her scholarship to continue her private lessons with Laura Gibson, Associate Concertmaster of the Carson City Symphony, who wrote that Nora is one of her most dedicated students.
Khaia Whiteman, age 13, is a 7th grader at Carson Middle School. She has played violin for 2 years. Although she hasn’t had private lessons, her orchestra director, Dr. Brian Fox, said she is an outstanding member of the beginning orchestra at Carson Middle School. She will use her scholarship for private violin lessons.
The Webley-Nebesky family made a further contribution to the scholarship fund at the end of 2023 to continue the awards for years to come. The next round of scholarships will be awarded in fall of 2024.
For more information about the scholarship and the application process, contact the Symphony at 775-883-4154 or carsoncitysymphony@gmail.com.
