LOS ANGELES (CelebrityAccess) — Live Nation, along with the Music Forward Foundation, has announced the recipients of its 2024 scholarship awards. Five college students pursuing careers in live entertainment and the music industry have been awarded a total of $50,000 in scholarships.
These students were selected for their academic achievements, leadership abilities, and commitment to pursuing careers in the live entertainment field.
Scholarship recipients for 2024 include Adina Aaron, Cristian Meza, Jasmine Gordon, Michael Brown, and Raagavi Venkatesh.
“At Music Forward, we help pave the way for youth pursuing careers in the music and live entertainment industry,” stated Music Forward Foundation Executive Director, Nurit Smith. “With the support of our generous partners, we are once again able to award impactful scholarships to deserving young people, providing a plethora of opportunities as they work to achieve their goals and dreams.”
Adina Aaron, a junior at the University of Southern California studying Business Administration, received the $10,000 Live Nation Scholarship. She plans to explore various roles in the music industry while continuing her artistic pursuits.
“Winning [the Live Nation Scholarship is] a huge help in supporting my education and removing the financial obstacles that stand in the way of my dreams,” said Aaron. “With rising tuition and living costs, this scholarship [gives] me the relief I need to focus on my studies and take advantage of opportunities to advance my career. It [will] also help me avoid piling up student loan debt, allowing me to pursue my passions without the worry of financial burdens.”
Cristian Meza, a senior at New York City College of Technology studying Entertainment Technology, received the $10,000 Governors Ball Scholarship. He aims to become an audio engineer and open his own music venue, inspired by his immigrant background and personal drive.
“This scholarship means so much to me,” says Meza. “When I first started this journey, I always had people telling me I couldn’t achieve my dreams, and receiving this scholarship shows me that there are people out there that do believe in me, and my dreams are reachable. I want to thank all the people who didn’t believe in me because that just helped me want it even more.”
Jasmine Gordon, a senior at Spelman College majoring in Comparative Women’s Studies, received the $10,000 Tiffany Green Operator Scholarship. She is passionate about branding and marketing in urban music and aims to mentor future industry leaders.
“Receiving this scholarship holds profound significance for me, serving as a crucial factor in remaining enrolled at my institution,” says Gordon. “This scholarship, established in memory of one of Live Nation’s first female concert production specialists, embodies the spirit of pioneering women in live entertainment, and being a recipient motivates me to strive for excellence and to serve as a role model for other young women aspiring to make their mark in the industry.”
Michael Brown, a sophomore at Howard University studying Audio Production, received the $10,000 David E. Ballard Scholarship. This scholarship supports youth who have experienced homelessness and/or been part of the foster care system and are pursuing a career in live entertainment.
“I’d like to send my overwhelming gratitude to Music Forward for investing in all my dreams and holding them valuable,” says Brown. “When I initially started my college journey, knowing it would be a risk due to my lack of funding, I had no idea how my circumstances would turn out. Not only am I a first-generation college student, but I also come from a low-income household, and I’ve battled with homelessness in the past, so me deciding to bet on myself wasn’t an easy choice.”
Raagavi Venkatesh, a senior at Drexel University studying Music Industry, received the $10,000 Steven J. Finkel Service Excellence Scholarship and has already showcased her capabilities through organizing campus concerts.
