Driven by a passion for encouraging minority students to think big and engage creativity specifically in leadership roles, Wendo Kimori started an NAACP (National Association for the Advancement of Colored People) Youth Council in her hometown of Lawrence, KA. Providing an organized forum for Lawrence youth to promote civic engagement specifically with race relations, the NAACP Youth Council provides civil rights education to elementary and middle school-age children. In addition to serving as the NAACP Youth Council President, Kimori also serves as President of her school’s Pre-Med Club and Tri-M Music Honor Society. Kimori will be attending Washburn University, studying Communications with an emphasis in Public Relations.

“I feel exceptionally honored to be selected as a recipient of the Pearl Musicians Making a Difference Scholarship,” says Kimori. “I am looking forward to continuing my community work as well as playing the violin in college! Thank you to Pearl Drums for celebrating musicians who are giving back to their community!”

Sam Bestge is a dedicated musician and trombonist passionate about serving his community in Lake Park, MN. Sam has spent the last seven years giving back to his community through Sam’s Meals for Many, a service project that benefits food insecurity during the holidays. Sam’s Meals for Many has fed over 1250 people over the last seven years and has raised over $143,000 to combat food insecurity in his community. Bestge will be attending the University of North Dakota, where he plans to study Information Systems.

“I am honored and grateful to be a recipient of the Musicians Making a Difference Scholarship,” says Sam. “This scholarship will help me further my playing abilities with the University of North Dakota’s University Band and grow as a musician and a scholar.”

Driven to share her music with others, Amy Hwang (West Friendship, MD) founded Do Re Mi Project, an international non-profit organization that strives to make music education more accessible to communities by connecting high school students with pupils in elementary and middle schools. Since its founding, Do Re Mi has amassed over 1,000 members; providing 10,000 online music lessons and $4,000 in music scholarships to kids from 37 states and ten countries. Hwang has been accepted to Harvard University and hopes to enroll in the dual degree program where she will major in Business and Music.

"I am beyond grateful to be a recipient of the 2022 Musicians Making a Difference Scholarship,” says Amy. “The scholarship will be invaluable in paying for my college and conservatory education and allow me to focus on becoming a better musician and person. Thank you so much to Pearl Drums for supporting musicians who are passionate about giving back to their community!"

As a high school junior, Larissa Yee (Sacramento, CA) created Students in Harmony, a student-run organization that performs seasonally for patients in local hospitals. For Larissa, the organization is a way to return the love and generosity her family received when they immigrated to the United States. Larissa will be attending the University of California, Berkeley where she plans to major in Cognitive Science.

“I am honored and beyond grateful to be selected as a recipient of the Musicians Making a Difference Scholarship,” says Larissa. “Music has been an important part of my life since I began learning the violin in first grade, and as I begin college at the University of California, Berkeley this Fall, I plan on staying involved in musical ensembles and student organizations.”

Isabel Michaelides (Valencia, CA) has spent much of the past year volunteering at Oakmont of Valencia Senior Center, where every Sunday she could be found performing an arrangement of 50/60s music for a full room of senior citizens. Oakmont specializes in seniors with Alzheimer’s and Dementia, a personal impact to Isabel as both her grandparents suffer from memory loss. Having been accepted into the University of California Irvine’s Biomedical Engineering program this Fall, Isabel looks forward to participating in further research related to Alzheimer’s and Dementia, while volunteering in the local community and providing support to individuals and their families who are affected by these diseases.

Since age 14, Emmanuel Wade (Clarksville, TN) has dedicated many years to the non-profit organization, I Am Invisible Bullying and Suicide. As an active musician, songwriter, and rapper, Emmanuel wrote a song titled, “I’m Invisible,” which is used by the organization and the community to spread encouragement and positivity to at-risk youth. To date, I Am Invisible has reached over 3,500 students ages 8-17 in middle Tennessee. In 2021, Emmanuel was awarded the City of Clarksville Mayor’s Certificate of Recognition, as well as Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Clarksville Alumnae Chapter’s Academic Excellence Award. Emmanuel looks forward to attending Alabama A&M University where he plans to continue his work helping those affected by bullying and suicide.