Peterson Family Scholarship for Jazz Studies
Created as a legacy for Minnesota’s First Family of Music, The Peterson Family, this scholarship supports CLA undergraduate students studying music, with a specific focus on jazz music, who demonstrate financial need and academic merit.
Past Fundraising Events
In October of 2020, the Peterson Family held their first annual fundraiser for their Scholarship in Jazz Studies at the University Of Minnesota School of Music. It was a star-studded event, with a performance by Oleta Adams, and cameos by Donny Osmond, Dave Koz, Ben Sidran, David Sanborn, Joey DeFrancesco, and Bob Mintzer (The Yellowjackets).
This virtual concert included performances by Linda, Billy, Patty, Ricky, Paul and nephew Jason, and The University of Minnesota Jazz Ensemble.
Because of your generosity, we raised over $10,000! We are so grateful to you and those who donated items for our auction or in-kind items to help us with this 1st Annual Fund Raiser.
Our goal is to support this scholarship with a fundraiser every year, guaranteeing that the Peterson Family Scholarship in Jazz Studies is fully funded for years to come!
Minnesota’s First Family of Music and MN Hall of Fame members, The Peterson Family, have been performing locally, nationally, and internationally for many years. After the passing of matriarch Jeanne Arland Peterson in 2013, her five children, Linda, Billy, Patty, Ricky, Paul Peterson, and grandson Jason Peterson DeLaire collaborated with the University of Minnesota to establish the Peterson Family Scholarship in Jazz Studies.
Beneficiaries of the scholarship are enrolled as a full or part-time U of M student, majoring in Music and focusing specific studies in the art of jazz. Candidates who apply for this honor must complete an audition, be accepted to the College of Liberal Arts, and maintain strong academic achievements. In addition to meeting these criteria, scholarship applicants must also demonstrate artistic promise as a professional jazz musician and determine financial need.
To apply for the scholarship, contact Dean Sorenson at the University of Minnesota - soren048@umn.edu
For more information on the scholarship, feel free to reach out to Jessica Waller at jwaller@umn.edu