Festival at Sandpoint Announces 2024 Scholarship Winners

The Festival at Sandpoint has granted $9,250 in scholarships to six local high school and college students scholarships for accomplishments in music and the arts.

Cellist Evan Schwenk was selected as the winner of the $2,500 Instrumental Scholarship.

Schwenk first began playing violin at age eight, but it wasn’t until middle school that he discovered his passion for the cello. 

Aside from performing in several chamber orchestras, including the Music Conservatory of Sandpoint, Schwenk finds joy in teaching. Schwenk co-teaches the Sandpoint Christian School’s junior orchestra and serves as a cello instructor at the Suzuki String Academy.

He was also the runner-up for the Festival at Sandpoint’s Instrumental Scholarship in 2023.

“Teaching young children how to play the cello is an amazing opportunity that comes with many rewards. As a teacher, not only do I get to impart knowledge and skills, but I also get to be a positive influence in the lives of my students,” Schwenk said.  “It is a privilege to be able to introduce children to the joys of music and to help them develop their creativity and artistic expression.”

Schwenk plans to attend the University of Idaho and is pursuing a double major in music education and cello performance. After college, he hopes to become a professional cellist and dedicated music educator, aiming to continue sharing the love of music with future generations in the Sandpoint community.

Instrumental Scholarship runner-up saxophonist Keane Haesle also received an award of $1,000. 

Haesle has been playing saxophone for eight years, beginning in fifth grade, and accounts much of his success to his experience in school band programs. He has participated in his school's symphonic and jazz band programs for several years and has been the alto saxophone section leader for both band programs for the past three years.

Some of Haesle’s proudest accomplishments include performing “Willow Weep for Me” at Washington State University’s Jazz Festival Competition and playing local gigs with his jazz combo. 

Haesle plans to attend Stanford University and pursue a degree in bioengineering. Outside of studies, he hopes to join the Stanford Marching Band and Wind Symphony to continue performing.

Titus Tucker was the recipient of the Festival at Sandpoint’s new $2,500 Vocalist Scholarship.

Tucker’s singing journey began in Sandpoint High School’s men’s choir, of which he has been a member for all four years of high school. 

Since then, he has been awarded first place at choir districts for both baritone and bass solo and ensemble, received a certificate of excellence for his acapella performance of “If Ever I Would Leave You” from the Lionel Hampton Jazz Festival, and was named “Outstanding Soloist” at Washington State University’s Jazz Festival Competition.

Tucker plans to attend Lewis-Clark State College and pursue a degree in radiographic science, with plans to become a radiologic technologist. 

Gavin Nicholson received the $1,500 Charley Packard Memorial Songwriting Scholarship with his original song “Lean Into It” performed on guitar.

From a young age, Nicholson found a passion for music, and aside from songwriting, he can play violin, guitar, piano, upright bass, and ukulele. 

“Music has the ability to take you back in time to a certain emotion, and can be interpreted in so many different ways,” Nicholson said of his songwriting approach.

Nicholson plans to attend Boise State University and pursue a degree in mechanical engineering. Outside of his studies, he hopes to gain more experience with music production and engineering and release his original music to streaming platforms.

Charley Packard Memorial Songwriting Scholarship runner-up Emmett Adams also received an award of $750, with his performance of “The Silence” on the guitar.

Adams plans to attend Cornish College of the Arts in Seattle and pursue a degree in music, with the goal of becoming a professional musician

As the creator of the winning Series Lineup Poster for the Festival’s 2024 Poster Contest, Magdalena Idzikowska received a $1,000 scholarship to be applied toward continuing her college education.

Idzikowska is a college student pursuing a degree in Graphic and Web Design from North Idaho College. 

To learn more about the Festival at Sandpoint’s 2024 scholarship winners, visit www.festivalatsandpoint.com/scholarship-winners.