The Flying Musicians Association (FMA) has announced the 2019 FMA Solo scholarship recipients: Amaya Burns from Indiana, Scott Lutte from Texas, and Navya Pottumutu from Victoria, British Columbia.
Outstanding nominees from all across the United States and Canada impressed the selection committee. “Every nominee came to us highly recommended by their music director and peers,” said John Zapp, co-founder and President of FMA. “All nominees are awarded student membership in the greatest pilot/musician network in the world, and each of us is ready to assist them in their future musical and aeronautical endeavors.”
The FMA is a 501(C)(3) nonprofit corporation for pilots/musicians, spanning the globe, proficiency levels, and genres. Members share their passions in order to inspire, educate, and encourage through performances, presentations, networking, and scholarships. The FMA Solo scholarship is a program whereby music directors nominate a junior or senior high school music student who excels and has a desire to fly. The program received more than 30 nominations for 2019—the fifth year of the scholarship.
“With three scholarships this year, the Flying Musicians are now averaging more than two per year, thanks to our sponsors, donors, and members donating their time and talents,” Zapp added.
This scholarship is unique, bringing an aspiring music student from zero time to solo. FMA covers roughly fifteen hours of dual instruction, online ground school, training materials, and additional products from sponsors. FMA envisioned and instituted this scholarship program because it recognizes the parallel skills involved in flying and performing music and wants to promote both areas of growth in our inspired and dedicated future leaders.
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This year’s three recipients join six previous Solo scholarship winners who have already soloed, with several earning their Private Pilot certificates; two recent awardees are nearing solo.
Follow Amaya, Scott, and Navya as they blog about their journey. Visit www.FMAsolo.org to congratulate these students and add your words of encouragement and wisdom.
The 2020 FMA Solo program kicks off in the fall.
For more information, visit www.FlyingMusicians.org or www.FMAsolo.org.
While I congratule all 3 recipients of this coveted award this year, I wish Navya in particular the female solo artist to accomplish further more skills and tricks of the trade. so as to fulfil the aspirations of the Founders of this award, bridging between flying n music, HIGH COMMUNICATORS IN THE AIR.
All three are exceptional musicians and citizens. This is the thread that has been woven throughout the five year history of this program – FMA Solo. Where are they now will be a very interesting read in a few years for all eleven recipients.