Grey Fox Bluegrass Music Education Scholarship
Grey Fox ~ Bill Vernon Memorial Scholarship
The Grey Fox Bill Vernon Memorial Scholarship supports talented, motivated students who are actively involved in bluegrass music and who need financial assistance to pursue their college education. It honors Bill Vernon—renowned bluegrass aficionado, writer, radio host, emcee, and cherished friend of our festival.
Over the years, the scholarships have been made possible through the generosity of many, including: fine instrument builders such as Stelling, Deering, Martin, Collings, Northfield, Beard, and Eastman; private donors who contribute instruments for our annual raffle; fans who purchase raffle tickets; and the countless individuals, families, and organizations whose donations sustain and grow this fund.
Grey Fox Scholarship Recipients:
- 2025: Souvik Hazra, Dylan Kaplan, Fiona Mattson, and Hayden Reidling
- 2024: Ethan Ross Church, Jachin Irwin, and Megan Mendenhall
- 2023: Grant Dresnok, Tashi Litch, and G Korth-Rockwell
- 2022: Shelby Martin and Emma Rose Turoff
- 2019: Lucy Singleton and Andrew Vogts
- 2018: Patrick Feinberg, Victor Furtado, Owen Schinkel, and Eli Wildman
- 2017: Corey Brodsky and Grant Flick
- 2016: Nick deSebastian and Jason Keiser
- 2015: Seth Evans, Julian Panelli, and Max Silverstein
- 2014: Rourke Feinberg, Lauren Price, Leanna Price, and Marty Varner
- 2013: Laney Jones and Kaia Kater
- 2012: Emma Hart
- 2011: Molly Adkins and J.D. Demers
- 2010: Courtney Hartman, Ethan Hughes, Julie Koserowski, and Jeffrey Lewis
- 2009: Rachel Panitch and Joe K. Walsh
- 2008: Alex Hibbitts, Preston Schmidt, Robert Trapp, and Corey Walker
- 2007: Zach Mongan and Danny Stewart
Earlier recipients include Becky Buller, Rushad Eggleston, Jared Engel, Jason Ericson, Bill Evans, Amanda Kowalski, Marjorie McCoury, Amber Reisenberger, Jayme Stone, Michael Wolking, and many others.
The Application Process
WHO IS ELIGIBLE: Current college students or high school seniors who have been accepted by a college may apply. If selected, your scholarship will be sent directly to your educational institution’s bursar and applied to your tuition.
APPLICATION PROCESS:
SCROLL DOWN to complete the online application. Online applications are preferred but you may also email your application, essays, and music samples to [email protected].
DEADLINE: Applications must be submitted by end of day on May 15. Decisions will be made by the Board of Directors by June 15.
SCHOLARSHIP PRESENTATION:
Awards will be presented during Grey Fox Bluegrass Festival (exact time and day to be announced). Scholarship recipients are invited to attend the Grey Fox Bluegrass Festival as weekend guests and to take part in the presentation, though attendance is not required.
How to support Grey Fox Scholarships
The Grey Fox Educational Fund is a 501(C)(3) not-for-profit organization dedicated to preserving bluegrass music through education. There are two ways to donate directly: (1) Online here or (2) mail a check to the Grey Fox Educational Fund to: Grey Fox Educational Fund, 521 Truslow Road, Chestertown, MD 21620.
And to talk with us about corporate sponsorships, grants, or endowments, please contact our Director of Development, Janet Brightly, through our main office at [email protected] or 315-404-5738.
Thank you in advance.