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Scholarship Information and Application

NHGMC’s $1000 Student Scholarship

Keeping with our longstanding tradition of giving back to our community, and as a community service to the young people of New Hampshire, the New Hampshire Gay Men’s Chorus will be offering our NHGMC 2024 $1000 Student Scholarship! 

The winning candidate shall be a graduating New Hampshire high school senior (class of 2024) and a New Hampshire resident, with plans to major in the Performing Arts as a full-time student.

Please visit this page again for a 2024 scholarship application form and instructions.

Congratulations Sophia Desilets of Merrimack – our scholarship recipient for 2023

The New Hampshire Gay Men’s Chorus congratulates Sophia Desilets of Merrimack, New Hampshire – our NHGMC Performing Arts Student Scholarship recipient for 2023.

The Valedictorian of the Merrimack High School Class of 2023, Desilets is attending the Boston Conservatory at Berklee College of Music to pursue a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Musical Theater this fall.

“While many of my hobbies make me happy, no hobby has ever compared to my love of theatre,” Desilets said. “Performing makes me the happiest and is what makes me, me. Being onstage and the impact theatre can have on people fills me with more joy than can be quantified.”

Going into her junior year, Desilets volunteered at the Amherst Street Elementary School in Nashua, working with high-need students entering kindergarten and first grade. This past year, Desilets also volunteered as an assistant dance teacher at the Palace Theater in Manchester for 3-to-5-year-olds. She has also been performing at the same theater for the past six years.

During her time at the Palace Theater, Desilets has been in over 20 productions including Legally BlondeLittle Women, Mamma Mia, and Grease. She has also been a member of the Palace Teen Company for four years, where she has participated in nine productions. Some of her favorite roles at the Palace Theater included Velma Kelly in Chicago, Heather Chandler in Heathers, Margaret White in Carrie, Mary Poppins in Mary Poppins, and Sherrie in Rock of Ages

Throughout high school, Desilets was also an active member in her school choir and was a member of Classical All-State for her freshman and sophomore years, and Jazz All-State her sophomore year.

“Theatre allows me to pour out my emotions, and it has been there for me in every stage of my life. It is what I’m best at, it is what makes me special, and it is my passion,” Desilets said. “I want my passion and career to be the same thing. When it came time to decide what to major in, I knew I would regret it for the rest of my life if I did not pursue musical theatre. That’s how I knew that this is what I am meant to do, and I am unbelievably excited to see what is in store.”

About our 2022 recipient – Sophie Shaw of Concord

The New Hampshire Gay Men’s Chorus congratulates Sophie Shaw of Concord, New Hampshire – our NHGMC Performing Arts Student Scholarship recipient for 2022.

Sophie graduated from Concord High School, Class of 2022, and she is attending the Boston Conservatory at Berklee. Sophie is a gifted singer, actress, dancer, performer, and student.  Sophie has performed in numerous teen productions at the Palace Theatre in Manchester, as well as volunteered to help backstage and as a member of the many technical crew assignments for local theater productions.

About our 2021 recipient – Alisha Golodner of Dover

The New Hampshire Gay Men’s Chorus congratulates Alisha Golodner of Dover, New Hampshire — our NHGMC Performing Arts Scholarship Recipient for 2021.  Alisha, who graduated from Dover High School with honors, attends Berklee College of Music in Boston beginning this year, with a Major in Music Education and Vocal Performance. 

An avid lover of Jazz, Alisha is an outstanding singer.  She’s participated in many jazz festivals, and, during her Dover High years, she was the recipient of many academic and performing-arts honors, including the Clark Terry Outstanding Musicianship Award, the Berklee Jazz Festival Judge’s Choice Award, and the Excellence in Drama Award. She was the only Dover High female to make Jazz Allstate, as well as the only Dover High female to make Classical Allstate.

A natural leader, Alisha participated in a plethora of student activities at Dover High, including the Jazz Band and Soundwaves. She also excelled in public speaking, debate, and student government. 

Alisha also immersed herself in volunteer work, volunteering for the Dover Parents Music Club and the Dover Band Show.  She volunteered for the Seacoast Reparatory Theater as a counselor at Seacoast Rep PAPA camp, where she taught the jazz-scat masterclass and workshop.  She’s also volunteered at area soup kitchens.

In addition to her jazz talents, Alisha’s other talents include opera, ukulele, painting, pottery, dance, ballet, lyrical and musical theater.

The performing arts, says Alisha, “have impacted my life in ways I can now repay … such as connecting me to the vast and multicultural world we live in. I want to pursue Music Education to help others heal through music and find strength in the unity of music, which binds all of us together.”

About our 2020 recipient – Faith Carol of Salem

The New Hampshire Gay Men’s Chorus congratulates Faith Carol of Salem, New Hampshire — our NHGMC Student Scholarship recipient for 2020. Faith graduated from Salem High School, class of 2020, and she is attending Berklee College of Music in Boston, Massachusetts, to earn a Bachelor of  Music degree in Professional Music, with a focus on vocal performance, songwriting, and music business management. Faith has already amassed an impressive array of performing-arts accomplishments. During her Salem High years, Faith was a member of the band, chorus, and theater arts groups. She also volunteered for the ACE Mentor of New Hampshire Safety Stand-down Day and Mentor Appreciation Dinner, and she participated in MDA and ALS Walks in honor of her uncle. She has also been an active volunteer at Saints Mary and Joseph Parish in Salem.

About our 2019 recipient – Sara Chemi of Derry

The New Hampshire Gay Men’s Chorus congratulates Sara Chemi of Derry, New Hampshire, for becoming NHGMC’s 2019 student Scholarship recipient. Sara, who graduated from Pinkerton Academy in Derry,  planned to attend either the University of Massachusetts (Amherst) or the State University of New York (Potsdam). She will major in Music Education and Vocal Performance – with a minor in Theater and Theater Performance.

At Pinkerton, Sara helped the Pinkerton Players put on performances – both offstage and offstage. She also has volunteered for Pinkerton’s Stockbridge Theater shows, and, as an honor student, has volunteered for the National Honor Society, participating in a variety of activities such as Freshman Orientation as a group leader and mentor.

Throughout her years at Pinkerton, Sara participated in all the Pinkerton choruses and worked in the Chorus Office – and she served as Chorus President during her senior year. She has been a cast member for the Pinkerton Players and served as officer-at-large and design coordinator for the Players Office. She’s been a member of the National Honor Society and the Foreign Language Honor Society since her junior year.

About our 2018 recipient – Molly Plaisted of Nashua

Our 2018 recipient, Molly S. Plaisted of Nashua, New Hampshire, who graduated from Nashua High School South, is attending the University of Massachusetts at Amherst and majoring in Music, with an emphasis on performance ensembles. During her high school years, Molly worked as an intern for Symphony New Hampshire, assisting their music librarian. Molly also volunteered at the Boys and Girls Club of Greater Nashua, helping their percussion ensemble. Through her high school’s Tri-M Music Honor Society, she also mentored percussionists at Nashua’s Elm Street Middle School. Molly was a member of the marching, concert, and jazz bands and was awarded the Overall Band Award during her junior year. She attended the Jazz All-State and voted Best Actor during her freshman year. She was also a member of the Spartans Drum and Bugle Corps. Molly is also well-versed in all phases of video and television production — producing, camera operation, script writing, and directing.

About our 2017 recipient – Christian Stewart of Holderness

Our 2017 Student Scholarship recipient, Christian P. Stewart of Holderness NH, graduated with honors from Plymouth Regional High School (PRHS). Christian is attending Skidmore College in Saratoga Springs NY where he majors in Music with career aspirations not only to perform as a musician but also to teach music to students of all ages. An avid saxophonist, Christian’s passion for music began just a few years ago, particularly with his love of jazz and jazz fusion. He was motivated by songs like Joe Zawinul’s Birdland. Christian is also a clarinet, trumpet, and piano player, and he’s also begun to compose music. At PRHS, Christian joined all the available bands and singing groups. (Yes, he sings too!) Last Spring, he received the Outstanding Member of Jazz Band award; he is the band’s captain and section leader. Last year Christian was selected for both the All New England Band and All New England Jazz Festivals. He has also participated in the Lakes Region Music Festival for the past three years.

About our 2016 recipient – Emma Eafrati of Manchester

Our 2016 Scholarship recipient, Emma K. Eafrati of Manchester, graduated from Manchester Memorial High School. She is attending the University of New Hampshire, Durham, and majoring in Music Education. Emma plans a career teaching music for elementary- and middle-school children. During her high school years, Emma, an accomplished saxophonist, was a member of many different bands — high school bands and statewide bands — and even served as Drum Major and section leader.  An honor student, Emma also exhibited a passion for many different types of volunteer work. Before going to UNH, she also attended many youth musical schools and studied, among other things, music theory, music appreciation, and advanced instrumental studies.

About our 2015 recipient – Heather J. Hunt of Gilmanton

Our 2015 student scholarship recipient, Heather J. Hunt of Gilmanton, New Hampshire, graduated from Gilford High School, class of 2015. Hope is attending Keene State College, majoring in Theater with a focus on Acting and Directing. Heather has already amassed an incredible number of accomplishments. She is an active writer with a goal of writing, casting, and directing her own plays. Before going to Keene, she had already acted in more than 30 musicals and plays and had been involved in all aspects of theater — directing, playwriting, management, set design, costumes, properties, and makeup.

About our 2014 recipient – Hope L. Aubrey of Sandown

Our 2014 student scholarship recipient, Hope L. Aubrey of Sandown, New Hampshire, graduated from Timberlane Regional High School in Plaistow, New Hampshire, Class of 2014.  At Timberlane, Hope ranked fourth academically in her Senior class of 347 students.  Hope attends the prestigious, world-renowned Hartt School in Connecticut. The Hartt School is the comprehensive performing-arts conservatory of the University of Hartford, with programs in music, dance, and theatre. Hope planned on majoring in Clarinet Performance. Hope and her proud parents attended our Manchester It’s Showtime! concert on May 18, 2014, at the Derryfield School, where she was introduced to the audience.

About our 2013 recipient – Roland Erik DuBois of Gilford

Our 2013 student scholarship recipient, Roland Erik DuBois of Gilford, New Hampshire, graduated from Gilford High School, Class of 2013, and he is pursuing a career in the Performing Arts with a major in Musical Theatre at Plymouth State University. Throughout his high school years, Roland exhibited tremendous dedication to his interest and passion for music, theatre, achievement, community, and academia.

About our 2012 recipient – Bailie deLacy of Hollis

Bailie deLacy of Hollis, New Hampshire, was the lucky recipient of our 2012 student scholarship! Bailie graduated from Hollis Brookline High School on June 16, 2012. An aspiring actress, she is attending Boston University as a full-time student majoring in the Performing Arts.