Live Nation And Music Forward Foundation Announce Recipients Of 2023 Scholarship Awards

Live Nation, the world’s leading live entertainment company, in partnership with the nonprofit Music Forward Foundation, today announced the recipients of its 2023 scholarship awards. Six outstanding college students pursuing music industry careers have been awarded a total of $50,000 in scholarships.

“We are proud to grant these scholarships to this group of aspiring young professionals looking to carve out a path for themselves within the live entertainment industry,” said Jordan Zachary, Co-President of US Concerts, Live Nation. “Through impactful programs like the Music Forward Scholarship, we continue our commitment to investing in and empowering the next generation of leaders in our industry,” added Omar Al-joulani, Co-President of US Concerts, Live Nation.

Asad Whitehead, 21, a rising senior at Monmouth University pursuing a Music Industry degree, is the recipient of the $10,000 Live Nation Scholarship. This scholarship supports students pursuing careers in the five core areas of Live Nation’s business: concert promotion, venue operation, sponsorship, ticketing, and artist management.

Whitehead works as a radio talk show host, a music production intern, an event entertainment intern, a studio manager, and more, all while pursuing his degree. He hopes to combine his experience, his love for music, and his passion for advocacy work to help normalize Black representation in music and strengthen the next generation. He plans to do this by creating his own live entertainment brand that combines different creative art events and projects tailored for kids of color.

“Winning the Live Nation Scholarship means everything to me.” said Whitehead, “It represents a transformative milestone in my musical journey that will open doors to new opportunities and shape my future in the music industry. To me, this scholarship is not just a financial award, but instead a recognition of my dedication, talent, and potential as an aspiring professional. It serves as validation of the countless hours I have poured into honing my craft, refining my skills, and pursuing my passion.”

Jade Proctor, a 20-year-old rising junior at Dillard University, is the recipient of the $10,000 Tiffany Green Operator Scholarship. This scholarship was established by Live Nation to support women pursuing careers in live entertainment.

Proctor is making waves in the world of Theatre Technology with her exceptional dedication and unwavering passion. She has managed to maintain a flawless 4.0 GPA, while immersing herself in countless theatrical productions throughout her academic journey.

“Receiving this scholarship is an immense blessing to me that I cannot thank Music Forward enough.” said Proctor, “After years with family and financial issues, this is a rare light in the darkness that keeps me motivated to continue pursuing what’s best for me. I’ll be able to focus even more on completing my degree and preparing for future education.”

Logyn Rylander, a 21-year-old senior at Tennessee State University majoring in Commercial Music, 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.

Rylander, a young musician and entrepreneur has played the saxophone for over 10 years, received a Student Leader Award from Leadership TSU, and was a selected representative for Aristocrat of Bands to attend the 2023 Grammy Awards. Rylander’s career goals focus around helping artists and artist teams with planning, creating, and facilitating brand partnerships. Her dream is to help build the music scene in her hometown of Philadelphia, creating opportunities and connections for her artistic community

“Receiving this scholarship means absolutely everything to me. While being a full-time college student, I’m a restaurant host, a radio host, a saxophonist and bassoonist, an award show volunteer, and so much more.” said Rylander, “I’ve made it my mission to learn everything I can to reach my career dreams. This award says ‘We see you. We see your work and we want to invest in you.’ Receiving that encouragement from those who are where I want to be is a blessing.”

Hugo Obori is a 21-year-old rising senior at New York University and is the recipient of the $10,000 Governors Ball Scholarship. This scholarship supports students living in the five boroughs of New York City, pursuing a degree in live entertainment, with a focus in music.

Obori is a Dean’s List recipient who is fluent in four languages and has interned with Mercury East Presents and The Parr Method. His passion for festivals and large-scale operations is undeniable, driven by an unwavering desire to provide artists with a grand platform to showcase their extraordinary talents. Obori also has a burning ambition to make a difference by promoting Asian representation in American culture. By joining forces with festivals, he plans to champion Asian artists and showcase their incredible contributions to the American music scene.

“It is amazing to see that I have gotten the support of such great entities such as the Music Forward Foundation, Gov Ball, and Live Nation with this scholarship. They believe in me and my dreams.” said Obori, “It shows me that I am on the right path and motivates me to keep working hard to achieve those dreams.”

Sayada Aklima Jannat, a 20-year-old rising junior at Winona State University, and Bailey Frerichs, a 21-year-old rising senior at Minnesota State University, Mankato are both recipients of a $5,000 Affinity Plus Scholarship, a dedicated award from Affinity Plus Federal Credit Union, the marquee sponsor of a Live Nation venue, designated for local college students pursuing a career related to the music industry.

Jannat is an extraordinary vocalist, pouring her heart and soul into every note she sings. Music is not just therapy for her; it’s a bridge that brings people together, no matter what their differences. With an impressive 4.0 GPA and a spot on the Dean’s List, she knows how to hit all the right notes academically. But her true passion lies in the power of music. She believes in creating meaningful experiences, where the community can unite and feel connected through the magic of melodies.

“This scholarship means the world to me and makes a significant impact on my academic and personal goals.” said Jannat, “This scholarship not only provides me with financial aid but also serves as an inspiration and motivation to continue working hard toward my goals. It gives me a sense of responsibility to use my education to make a positive impact in my community and beyond. I will make sure to use this opportunity to its fullest and make the most out of it.”

Frerichs is a Dean’s List recipient whose passion for live music has driven her to gain experience in multiple different sectors including hospitality, marketing, and event coordination. Frerichs is determined to explore all sectors of the industry so she can be versatile and help support venues wherever they may need.

“Receiving the Affinity Plus Scholarship means more to me than I can truly give justice to with my words alone.” Frerichs continued, “Finding out I was the 2023 recipient of this scholarship showed me that the hard work and sacrifices I have made to start building credibility and a name for myself in the music industry are not happening without appreciation and notice from those around me. I truly would be nowhere without the financial support and opportunities like this that have been graciously gifted to me.”

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, Concord, BMG, and Fundamental Music.

 “College costs keep rising, so it’s vital that we provide financial support to our students, empowering them to transform their passions for music into lifelong careers,” said Nurit Siegel Smith, the Executive Director of the Music Forward Foundation. “We are thrilled to continue to join forces with our partners to sustain educational endeavors, ignite career aspirations, and propel our 2023 scholarship recipients towards successful futures.”