Senior Music Education Major, Sara Pyburn ‘24, was awarded the 2023 Betsy Dokken Women in Jazz Scholarship on Saturday, June 3. This year’s performance featured ten contestants from Orlando area schools, both at the high school and collegiate levels. Scholarships were awarded to the top female contestant and the overall top five contestants.   

The Women in Jazz scholarship was created in 2023 by Central Florida Jazz Society (CFJS) board member Dr. Betsy Dokken. Dr. Dokken is an avid jazz fan and noticed a lack of female representation in past (CFJS) scholarship competitions. The annual Women in Jazz scholarship aims to encourage female jazz musicians to compete for funding, to continue performing and gaining expertise, and ultimately to increase the number of female jazz musicians performing in our communities and beyond.  

This competition is open to high school seniors and students within their first three years of college. Students must be planning to attend a college in Central Florida for the next school year. This includes Volusia, Orange, Seminole, Osceola, Brevard, and Lake counties. Students must be planning to continue their jazz studies to compete for these scholarships. More information about this scholarship competition can be found on their website: www.centralfloridajazzsociety.com

Sara Pyburn is a clarinet student from the studios of Dr. Lynn Musco and Dr. Jessica Speak and performs with the Clarinet Choir and University Symphonic Band. She is also a member of the Stetson Jazz Ensemble, earning the lead alto saxophone position in Spring 2023. After graduation, Sara plans to continue her passion for music as a band director with a focus on symphonic and jazz works.