Scholarships Awarded to Diverse Group of Exceptional College Students Pursuing Music Industry Careers
(LOS ANGELES –July 21, 2022) — Live Nation, the world’s leading live entertainment company, in partnership with the nonprofit Music Forward Foundation, today announced the recipients of its 2022 scholarship awards. Six outstanding college students pursuing music industry careers have been awarded a total of $50,000 in scholarships.
This year’s diverse group of gifted scholarship recipients were selected based on academic performance, leadership skills, and a passionate commitment to the entertainment industry. Recipients of this year’s awards include Liana Stern, a student at University of Miami, who is a Public Relations major with a minor in Music Business and Entertainment Industries, with dreams to bring communities together through live music; Nancy Rico-Mineros, a Music Technology major and Business of Entertainment, Media, and Technology minor at New York University, with hopes of becoming an audio engineer; Heather Howard, a Recording Industry, Music Business major and Business Administration minor at Middle Tennessee State University, who is a driven and passionate emerging music industry professional; Beau McLeod, a Music Technology major and Business minor at MiraCosta College, who hopes to share his positive message as an electronic music producer; Colin Clark-Bracewell, a Marketing and Vocal Performance major at University of Minnesota Twin Cities, an emerging singer-songwriter and talented multi-instrumentalist; and Maia Pivec a Music Industry major at Minnesota State University Mankato, who brings worlds to life through music.
“Live Nation continues to be committed to supporting the next generation of live through our unique scholarship program,” said Jackie Beato, chief operating officer, Live Nation Concerts. “We are dedicated to breaking barriers of entry to the industry and empowering the future of music and live entertainment.”
Heather Howard, a 21-year-old rising senior at Middle Tennessee State University majoring in Recording Industry Music Business with a minor in Business Administration, is this year’s recipient of the $10,000 Steven J. Finkel Service Excellence Scholarship. Live Nation established this scholarship to award students who are passionate about improving the live music experience for fans and artists.
Howard, is a Dean’s Scholar who has interned with Collective Artist Management, volunteered at Warner Music Nashville, and was a campus ambassador for GrammyU. Her primary career goal is to be able to foster positive change within the industry for generations of professionals, artists, and fans to come.
“By receiving this scholarship, I am able to pay for my senior year in full and my family does not have to carry the burden of trying to figure out how to support me through my final two semesters of my undergraduate degree,” said Howard, “This means the world to me as I have spent the last 3 years studying hard, working hard, and putting my best foot forward so that I could thrive and be successful in my educational career. This scholarship allows me to focus on my education and leave the worries behind.”
The $10,000 Tiffany Green Operator Scholarship was established by Live Nation to support women pursuing careers in live entertainment. This year’s recipient is Nancy Rico-Mineros, a 22-year-old rising senior at New York University. Mineros, a Music Technology major with a minor in Business of Entertainment, Media, and Technology, has served as Engineering Director as well as Head Studio Monitor on campus at NYU. She has also interned at James L. Dolan Recording Studio, and was a campus representative for She is the Music.
“Following the death of my mom back in 2020, my future in the music industry seemed uncertain,” said Mineros, “Receiving this scholarship affirms that I am on the right path and that there are people who are willing to support me.”
Liana Stern, 20, a rising junior at University of Miami pursuing a Public Relations degree with a minor in Music Business and Entertainment Industries, is the recipient of the 2022 $10,000 Live Nation Scholarship. This scholarship supports students pursuing careers in the five core areas of Live Nation’s business: concert and venue promotion, sponsorship and advertising, ticketing, and artist management.
Stern has maintained a 3.8 GPA while also furthering her learning with a number of extracurricular jobs at University of Miami. This included serving as Social Media Creator and Planner at Femme it Forward, as an organization leader at Room to Grow, and as an event organizer with Cat 5 Music. She is also excited to be interning in both the video production and Black music marketing departments at Atlantic Records this summer. Stern hopes to one day bring free live music to underserved or remote communities as music has the power to uplift and unite people.
“College debt can be a career hindrance, so receiving this scholarship means that I can focus on developing myself into an industry professional without the added financial stress. Having one less loan to repay, will give me more freedom and independence post-graduation,” said Stern, “To be selected for this scholarship out of thousands of applicants means that all the hard work and time I have dedicated to pursuing my career has paid off!”
Beau McLeod, 30, a rising junior at MiraCosta College, is the recipient of the $10,000 David E. Ballard Scholarship funded by the Living Legacy Foundation. This scholarship supports students who have experienced homelessness and/or been part of the foster care system and are pursuing a career in live entertainment.
McLeod has overcome numerous obstacles including homelessness and addiction to reach his goal of becoming a working electronic music producer and playing festivals around the world. He has had the opportunity to work with top electronic music producers and wants to use music to spread a positive message in hopes of helping young people avoid abusing substances, strive towards sobriety and healthy living.
“I have been unemployed the last year due to COVID, and am facing further financial burdens this next year,” said McLeod, “Receiving this scholarship was a miracle in assisting me in continuing my education and path as an artist.“
Colin Clark-Bracewell, a 21-year-old rising senior at University of Minnesota Twin Cities, and Maia Pivec, a 25-year-old senior at Minnesota State University Mankato are each a recipient of the $5,000 Affinity Plus Scholarship, a dedicated award from Minnesota-based Affinity Plus Federal Credit Union, the marquee sponsor of Live Nation’s Fillmore Minneapolis venue, designated for Minnesota college students pursuing a career related to the music industry.
Bracewell is a passionate student studying marketing & vocal performance. This Canada native settled in Minnesota at a young age and has been performing since the age of four. In the Fall of 2021, Bracewell received the opportunity to study abroad in Austria at the Vienna School of Economics and Business, where he studied the intricacies of international marketing and business. As a performing music artist Bracewell has also coordinated and produced over 200 live events and accrued 40,000 listens on Spotify.
“I’m excited to receive the Affinity Plus Scholarship since it will allow me to continue growing and pursuing my dream of a career in music,” said Bracewell, “A lot of my time and money has to be dedicated to my music career, and the Affinity Plus Scholarship makes this possible. I hope to eventually give back and support the communities that have helped me along the way.”
Pivec maintains a 3.84 GPA and plans to create music for video games. She wishes to help create atmosphere and life in these virtual worlds to help immerse players. She understands that she has to work especially hard to be seen, noticed, and heard in the male-dominated industry and hopes that her work will help inspire women in her field and highlight social issues such as mental health and identity acceptance.
“I cannot afford college and therefore rely on loans, grants, and scholarships to be able to sustain my education,” Pivec continued, ”Receiving this scholarship not only means that I will be able to continue learning about what I love – music – but it also shows me that there are people and organizations who love music as much as I do and are willing to support others to continue to benefit such an important industry.”
Scholarship selections were made by an influential panel of executives and thought leaders across entertainment, civic, and corporate sectors. Reviewers included committed professionals from companies and organizations across the country including Live Nation, Ticketmaster, Primary Wave, BMG, C3 Presents, Eighth and Groove, Spotify, and Microsoft.
“With college costs continuing to rise, it is increasingly important that we offer this critical financial support for our scholars to turn their passions into life-long professions,” said Nurit Siegel Smith, executive director of the Music Forward Foundation. “With our partners, we are honored to help sustain education, inspire careers, and springboard our 2022 scholarships winners to pathways of success.”
About Live Nation Entertainment
Live Nation Entertainment (NYSE: LYV) is the world’s leading live entertainment company comprised of global market leaders: Ticketmaster, Live Nation Concerts, and Live Nation Media & Sponsorship. For additional information, visit livenationentertainment.com.
About Music Forward Foundation
Music Forward transforms young lives, inspires careers, and champions a more inclusive music industry. Music Forward bridges our communities to the music industry, empowers ambition, and creates momentum to redefine what is possible for the youth and industry we serve. Music Forward invites everyone to play a part in moving culture forward; join the movement by following @MusicForward and learn more at musicforwardfoundation.org.
About Affinity Plus Federal Credit Union
Based in St. Paul, Minn., Affinity Plus Federal Credit Union is a not-for-profit, financial cooperative that puts people first above profits. Members of Affinity Plus receive maximum value through competitive rates, minimal fees, and unique, member-centric products and programs. Established in 1930, Affinity Plus has 28 branches located throughout Minnesota and is owned by more than 200,000 members. Affinity Plus has over $2 billion in assets. Additional information is available at www.affinityplus.org or by calling (800) 322-7228.
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