Colburn School grant recipients will have a year to complete community engagement projects that benefit the BIPOC community. (photo courtesy of Courtney Paige Ray)

The Colburn School’s Center for Innovation and Community Impact has announced the recipients of the 2021 Social Innovation Grants that directly support members of the Black, Indigenous and people of color community.

Grant recipients will each be awarded up to $2,500 and will have 12 months to complete community engagement projects that benefit the BIPOC community or commission new works involving BIPOC composers or choreographers. The Social Innovation Grants are a part of Colburn School’s Equity, Diversity and Inclusion initiatives, which are funded by foundations and individuals from around the country.

“Colburn School’s mission is founded on the belief that the pursuit of an exceptional performing arts education is accessible to all,” said Nathaniel Zeisler, dean for community initiatives. “The Center for Innovation and Community Impact upholds that commitment with several community-forward initiatives designed to support artistic development by considering our larger culture and society. We are very proud to offer the Social Innovation Grants and support our young grant recipients and their inclusive artistic pursuits.”

Grant recipients are Eder Rivera (Conservatory of Music, Oboe) from the Honduras Oboe Foundation; Gregory Lewis (Conservatory of Music, Violin) from the Heartbeat Music Project; Max Opferkuch (Conservatory of Music, Clarinet), who will record an album for clarinet and strings by Black composers; and Melissa Muñoz (Conservatory of Music, Trumpet) from Brass Out Loud.

For information, visit colburnschool.edu.