Young, Gifted, and Black: A Search for Excellence

Our Young, Gifted, and Black scholarship recognizes and celebrates the extraordinary talent and academic achievement of a scholar musician of African descent at the Eastman School of Music, University of Rochester. This year we will honor Lauren Edwards.

Lauren Edwards is a sophmore violin performance studies major from Baltimore Maryland, studying under Professor Robin Scott of the Ying Quartet.
She is a graduate of the Peabody Preparatory and was a member of many ensembles, from the Peabody Youth Orchestra to the Pre Conservatory Violin Program.

She is also a graduate of the Baltimore School for the Arts, where she enhanced her chamber and orchestra experience through performing in semesterly recitals and concerts. Lauren has performed for many masterclasses with renowned musicians, including Midori Goto, Gil Shaham, Tai Murray, Melissa White, and Boris Kuschir. Lauren has attended a variety of summer music festivals and programs, including being a part of the first national cohort of the Fortissima Program at the Colburn Conservatory. She is a Sphinx Fellow, having attended the Sphinx Perfromance Academy for three years.
Her most recent performances took place in Italy during her attendance at the Interharmony International Summer Festival, as well as playing alongside members of the Black Student Union during their Black History Month Showcase.

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