Bernice Ash Memorial Award
About the Award
The Bernice Ash Memorial award provides mid-career professionals employed by a NAMM member company with a $5,000 award to use toward professional development. Awardees are also provided with a one-year mentorship through the NAMM Young Professionals (NAMM YP) organization. NAMM YP is a group of music industry people under the age of 40 who aim to network, learn and grow together to ensure a strong future for the industry.
Timeline
Nominations Open: April 21
Nominations Close: June 30
Application Submission Deadline: Sept 8
Award Notifications: Oct 8
Eligibility
- Applicants must be current employees of a NAMM member company in good standing, nominated by that company's owner or manager, identified as an emerging industry leader seeking further professional development to enhance their career and service to the industry.
- Applicants must have at least five years of experience working in the music industry and seek opportunities to expand their leadership and professional competencies
- Applicants must agree to use the funds to enroll in professional development training that can include higher ed program or other certificate programs. Up to $750 of the $5,000 may be used to offset costs to attend The NAMM Show (badge and travel costs).
- Awards are given once and are not renewable; recipients are not eligible to reapply for the same award.
Requirements
- Resume.
- 500-word essay or 3-minute video outlining the scope of your proposed professional development program and how this professional development will enhance your career goals as well as your management and leadership skills in the music industry.
About Bernice Ash
The Bernice Ash Memorial award honors the remarkable life and legacy of Bernice Ash, a music retail visionary. Widely recognized as one of the companies' print music department's pioneers, Bernice designed procedures that resulted in excellent working relationships with music publishers, expanding distribution to music teachers, students, and satisfied customers. Bernice passed away on Dec 1, 2020, at the age of ninety, leaving a loving family, staff and grateful industry that will continue her legacy. The Bernice Ash Memorial award has been created with leadership gifts from Fred and Dinah Gretsch, Jerry Ash and members of the Ash Family, and other donors.
Watch their NAMM Oral History video.
Meet The 2024 Bernice Ash Award winners
Meet Bernice Ash award winner, Kwanté Greenidge
Bernice Ash Memorial Scholarship Fund
The fund supports a scholarship award that recognizes recipients with a one-time grant in the amount of $5,000 for continued college-level or trade-related studies. Recipients also receive a one-year mentorship through the NAMM Young Professionals group.