Grey Fox ~ Bill Vernon Memorial Scholarship
The Grey Fox Bill Vernon Scholarship is awarded annually to talented and motivated students who are involved in bluegrass music and who demonstrate a need for financial assistance for college tuition. The scholarship is named in memory of Bill Vernon, the Virginia-based radio personality, writer, bluegrass aficionado, and long-time emcee and beloved friend of our festival.
The annual scholarship program has been made possible, in large part, through the generous donations to the Grey Fox Educational Fund by custom instrument builders such as Stelling and Deering Banjos, Martin and Collings Guitars, Eastman Strings, and Beard Resonator Guitars, who have provided beautiful instruments to be raffled during the festival—and fans who purchase tickets in support of the program. We also thank the many individuals, families and organizations who have donated to the fund over the years to help keep the scholarship going.
Our Past Recipients:
2016: Nick deSebastian and Jason Keiser
2015: Julian Panelli, Max Silverstein, and Seth Evans
2014: Rourke Feinberg, Lauren Price, Leanna Price, and Marty Varner
2013: Kaia Kater and Laney Jones
2012: Emma Hart
2011: Molly Adkins and J.D. Demers
2010: Courtney Hartman, Ethan Hughes, Julie Koserowski, and Jeffrey Lewis
2009: Joe Walsh and Rachel Panitch
2008: Preston Schmidt, Alex Hibbitts, Corey Walker, and Robert Trapp
2007: Zach Mongan and Danny Stewart
2006: Sara Juran
Others include: Becky Buller, Rushad Eggleston, Jared Engel, Jason Ericson, Bill Evans, Amanda Kowalski, Marjorie McCoury, Amber Reisenberger, Jayme Stone, Michael Wolking, and others.
The Application Process
Current college students or high school seniors who have been accepted at a college may apply. If selected, your scholarship will be sent directly to your educational institution.
Download Scholarship Application
DEADLINE: The application (including a required essay and music sample if you are applying on the basis of your music) must be postmarked by May 15. Decisions will be made by June 15.
To apply by U.S. mail, send your package to:
Grey Fox Scholarship Committee
2704 Caves Road
Owings Mills, MD 21117
If applying electronically, email your application (letters, form, and links to music samples if applicable) to:
Info1@greyfoxbluegrass.com
SCHOLARSHIP PRESENTATION: Recipients will be invited to attend Grey Fox as a guest. Awards will be announced during the festival on the High Meadow Stage. It is not mandatory that recipients attend the presentation.
DONATING TO THE SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM: The Grey Fox Educational Fund is a 501(C)(3) not-for-profit organization dedicated to preserving bluegrass music through education. If you would like to make a tax-deductible donation to this program, please mail check made out to “Grey Fox Educational Fund” to:
Grey Fox Educational Fund
Stoy, Malone and Associates
c/o Lucia Sperato
705 York Road
Baltimore, MD 21204
Please indicate on the memo line that your donation is for the Grey Fox Scholarship. Thank you!
