Irvine teen awarded $25,000 scholarship for innovative music project
The Davidson Fellows Scholarship Program has announced the 2023 scholarship winners. Among the honorees is 16-year-old Helaine Zhao of Irvine.
Zhao won a $25,000 scholarship for her project, “Finding Focus: A Musical Medium to Increased Attention Span.” She is one of only 21 students across the country to be recognized as a 2023 scholarship winner.
“Being able to become a Davidson Fellow through music is a dream come true for me,” Zhao said. “I am incredibly grateful for this opportunity to share my project and musical ideas with more people.”
Drawing on her 13-year journey with piano, Zhao’s project explores the intriguing intersection of instrumental music practice and concentration enhancement. Zhao was inspired to create the initiative after observing the significant improvement in her piano students’ attention spans over time.
Zhao’s “Finding Focus” project illustrates the pivotal role of music as a unique, effective tool for training focus and attention. The project aims not only to boost productivity and problem-solving capacities, but also highlight the role of music in fostering community connection and empathy.
Zhao is a rising senior at Pacific Academy in Irvine, where she balances her time between academics and her profound love of music. Outside of her musical commitments, Zhao enjoys writing, baking and reading. She has published five novels online, launched her own cookie business, and founded Between You & I Organization, a nonprofit that encourages student volunteers to make a positive impact on the community.
The Davidson Fellows Scholarship Program offers $50,000, $25,000 and $10,000 college scholarships to students 18 or younger who have completed significant projects that have the potential to benefit society in the fields of science, technology, engineering, mathematics, literature and music.
– Submitted by the Davidson Fellows Scholarship…
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