ArtistDirect News
Four Alabama Musicians Awarded 2026 Rogers-Dean Scholarship by Chamber Music Tuscaloosa
On July 12, 2026, Chamber Music Tuscaloosa announced the recipients of its 2026 Rogers‑Dean Award Competition, honoring four outstanding Alabama musicians with a total of $11,000 in scholarships.
The competition’s four prizes were awarded as follows: • High School Award – $3,000 to Miguel Quintero, a Foley High School graduate who will begin a freshman year at the University of Alabama. • Collegiate Award – $3,000 to Yukino Shichinohe, a junior at the University of Alabama. • At‑Large Award – $3,000 to Emily Díaz, a junior at the University of Alabama. • Merit Award – $2,000 to Macy Shelton, a graduating senior at University Church Christian Academy and incoming freshman at the University of Alabama.
Applicants were required to submit performance resumes, letters of recommendation, and a 20‑minute recorded performance. Eligible participants include rising high‑school juniors and seniors and undergraduate college students in Alabama who play string, brass, woodwind, or percussion instruments.
Chamber Music Tuscaloosa, formerly the String Quartet Society of Tuscaloosa, expanded its mission in 2019 to encompass all orchestral instrument families while continuing to focus on music education and community engagement. The organization hosts professional chamber music concerts annually and offers educational programs and scholarships that help young musicians cover tuition, supplies, and performance opportunities.
The Rogers‑Dean Award is one of several initiatives run in partnership with the University of Alabama School of Music, the Tuscaloosa Symphony Orchestra, and Tuscaloosa City Schools. These collaborations aim to strengthen music education throughout the region and provide pathways for students to pursue advanced study and performance careers.
The 2026 winners illustrate the organization’s commitment to local talent: three of the four recipients are either enrolled at the University of Alabama or attend schools in Tuscaloosa, underscoring the city’s role as a cultural hub. The University of Alabama, founded in 1820, is the state’s largest public university and a major contributor to the region’s arts scene.
The scholarship amounts will provide financial relief for the recipients as they continue their musical training. For example, Miguel Quintero’s $3,000 award will help offset the cost of his freshman year at the university’s School of Music, while Emily Díaz and Yukino Shichinohe will use their awards to purchase instruments or pay for advanced lessons.
The Rogers‑Dean Award Competition has been held annually since its inception, and the 2026 event followed a competitive application process that highlighted the high level of talent among Alabama’s young musicians. The award committee’s decision to include a discretionary Merit Award demonstrates its commitment to recognizing exceptional musicians who may not fit neatly into the standard categories.
Chamber Music Tuscaloosa’s scholarship program is part of a broader trend in Alabama to invest in arts education. The organization’s partnership with local schools and professional ensembles provides students with performance opportunities that might otherwise be unavailable. By awarding scholarships, Chamber Music Tuscaloosa supports the next generation of musicians who may go on to perform, teach, or compose.
The announcement of the 2026 Rogers‑Dean Award winners was made public through the organization’s website and local news outlets. The winners will be invited to perform at the organization’s upcoming chamber concert series, giving them a platform to showcase their skills to a wider audience.
In summary, the 2026 Rogers‑Dean Award Competition recognized four talented Alabama musicians with scholarships ranging from $2,000 to $3,000. The recipients, all connected to Tuscaloosa or the University of Alabama, will benefit from financial support that will aid their continued musical development. The competition’s success reflects Chamber Music Tuscaloosa’s ongoing commitment to fostering musical excellence in the region.
The competition’s four prizes were awarded as follows: • High School Award – $3,000 to Miguel Quintero, a Foley High School graduate who will begin a freshman year at the University of Alabama. • Collegiate Award – $3,000 to Yukino Shichinohe, a junior at the University of Alabama. • At‑Large Award – $3,000 to Emily Díaz, a junior at the University of Alabama. • Merit Award – $2,000 to Macy Shelton, a graduating senior at University Church Christian Academy and incoming freshman at the University of Alabama.
Applicants were required to submit performance resumes, letters of recommendation, and a 20‑minute recorded performance. Eligible participants include rising high‑school juniors and seniors and undergraduate college students in Alabama who play string, brass, woodwind, or percussion instruments.
Chamber Music Tuscaloosa, formerly the String Quartet Society of Tuscaloosa, expanded its mission in 2019 to encompass all orchestral instrument families while continuing to focus on music education and community engagement. The organization hosts professional chamber music concerts annually and offers educational programs and scholarships that help young musicians cover tuition, supplies, and performance opportunities.
The Rogers‑Dean Award is one of several initiatives run in partnership with the University of Alabama School of Music, the Tuscaloosa Symphony Orchestra, and Tuscaloosa City Schools. These collaborations aim to strengthen music education throughout the region and provide pathways for students to pursue advanced study and performance careers.
The 2026 winners illustrate the organization’s commitment to local talent: three of the four recipients are either enrolled at the University of Alabama or attend schools in Tuscaloosa, underscoring the city’s role as a cultural hub. The University of Alabama, founded in 1820, is the state’s largest public university and a major contributor to the region’s arts scene.
The scholarship amounts will provide financial relief for the recipients as they continue their musical training. For example, Miguel Quintero’s $3,000 award will help offset the cost of his freshman year at the university’s School of Music, while Emily Díaz and Yukino Shichinohe will use their awards to purchase instruments or pay for advanced lessons.
The Rogers‑Dean Award Competition has been held annually since its inception, and the 2026 event followed a competitive application process that highlighted the high level of talent among Alabama’s young musicians. The award committee’s decision to include a discretionary Merit Award demonstrates its commitment to recognizing exceptional musicians who may not fit neatly into the standard categories.
Chamber Music Tuscaloosa’s scholarship program is part of a broader trend in Alabama to invest in arts education. The organization’s partnership with local schools and professional ensembles provides students with performance opportunities that might otherwise be unavailable. By awarding scholarships, Chamber Music Tuscaloosa supports the next generation of musicians who may go on to perform, teach, or compose.
The announcement of the 2026 Rogers‑Dean Award winners was made public through the organization’s website and local news outlets. The winners will be invited to perform at the organization’s upcoming chamber concert series, giving them a platform to showcase their skills to a wider audience.
In summary, the 2026 Rogers‑Dean Award Competition recognized four talented Alabama musicians with scholarships ranging from $2,000 to $3,000. The recipients, all connected to Tuscaloosa or the University of Alabama, will benefit from financial support that will aid their continued musical development. The competition’s success reflects Chamber Music Tuscaloosa’s ongoing commitment to fostering musical excellence in the region.