Music Educators Association of New Jersey
Serving teachers and students since 1927
The MEA has a long history of community philanthropy related to music education. The MEA contributes to local colleges, supporting their music programs in a variety of ways. In addition, special scholarships are awarded to qualified students of MEA members from the Mary Jean Nelson Scholarship Fund. Each year the Mary Jean Nelson Scholarship Fund provides financial assistance for deserving music students to attend summer music camps or festivals and to help music majors who are attending colleges, universities or conservatories. "Music Major" is a broad term that today encompasses, among other studies, piano performance, collaborative piano, composition, music technology, education/pedagogy and music therapy. MEA also provides the Allegro Scholarship which covers fees for participation in MEA events.
A recent recipient of an MEA-MJN college scholarship wrote, "I was ecstatic upon hearing that I received this award and am extremely grateful... to purchase textbooks to help further my knowledge in my passions of music and programming... pursuing a career in program development for a music software company." Another student who was awarded a Camp Scholarship wrote, "I used my scholarship to attend the High School Piano Camp at Westminster Choir College. Though it was only a one-week camp, I was able to polish my solo piece with the help of some amazing teachers, and put together a piano quartet in time for the final performance in Bristol Chapel. It was a memorable experience and I hope to return next year!"
The MEA is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization, and all donations to the MEA-MJN Scholarship Fund are fully tax-deductible. The scholarship fund relies solely on generous individual donations, matching contributions from employers, and music sales at the monthly MEA General Meetings (when they are held in person). Making a contribution to this fund is a meaningful way to honor a person with congratulations (birthday, anniversary, graduation, etc.), get well wishes, or in memoriam. An announcement of your tribute, including your personal message, will be sent to the honoree. Please donate generously so that MEA can maintain and expand this supportive program!
Information for the Allegro, College, or Camp Scholarships can be found on the corresponding application forms. You can view all details and download the application forms by going to Forms/Downloads on the main menu. Online application forms are available from the teacher's Member Homepage. Please note that the deadline for submission is May 1.
Charlene Step and Sondra Tammam
Scholarship Committee Co-Chairs
The Music Educators Association of New Jersey is comprised of nearly 300 piano teachers across the state. MEA supports music opportunities through activities such as auditions, recitals, competitions, master classes, composition festivals and scholarship awards. Please consider making a tax-deductible contribution to these worthwhile efforts by clicking the 'Donate' button below. You may also download a donation form here.
Three outstanding students have been awarded the 2025 MEA-MJN Camp Scholarships. They each have won numerous piano competitions, endless awards, and all excel academically. As one recipient expressed it, “Music defines my life — it is my secret third language — one that transcends cultural barriers... it is more than just sound to me... When I play or listen to a piece, I can almost feel the pain, joy or triumph of the composer.” The summer music experience helps them further develop their music skills and connect to others who are as committed to music as they are.
The recipients are:
Helena Kim, age 16, student of Mansoon Kim. A senior at Wayne Hills High School, Helena will attend the Southeastern Piano Festival & Competition in Columbia, S.C., sponsored by the University of South Carolina.
Karen Du, age 14, student of Dr. Julia Lam. Karen is a ninth grader at Hillsborough High School who will spend two weeks at the Jacobs School of Music Summer Piano Academy at Indiana University.
Kyle Zhu, age 13, student of Dr. Julia Lam. A seventh grader at Columbia Middle School, Kyle will also attend the Summer Piano Academy at Indiana University’s Jacobs School of Music.
This summer I had the incredible opportunity to attend two weeks at the Summer Piano Academy at the Jacobs School of Music at Indiana U. I took private lessons with Dr. Karen Taylor, Dr. Elizabeth Yao, Dr. Caroline Hong, and Dr. Ruth Morrow. Each offered valuable insights that helped me grow as a pianist. I participated in a masterclass with Dr. Meeyoun Park and performed in a student recital. I also attended theory classes every other day, which helped strengthen my musical foundation. One of my favorite parts of the academy was the nightly guest recitals, which were inspiring and musically enriching. The faculty masterclasses, where students were encouraged to interact with the performers, offered their own feedback. It was really interesting to hear what my fellow students thought of my playing. I also gained a better understanding of how others listen and interpret music.
I am extremely thankful to MEA-NJ for awarding me the camp scholarship, which helped make this unforgettable experience possible. I’m so grateful to have spent time at IUPA, surrounded by talented peers and inspiring faculty. I hope to return next year. This camp has deepened my love for music and motivated me to reach new heights in my musical journey. Here is a picture at a recital of me with Dr. Taylor, who is a friend of my piano teacher, Dr. Julia Lam.
Thank you to MEA for the generous scholarship towards my Interlochen Intensive Week in Michigan this past June. Interlochen was a wonderful opportunity that allowed me to develop further as a pianist and work with incredible faculty members. In addition to 3 to 4 hours of individual practice daily, Interlochen’s intensive schedule was filled with a mix of master classes, workshops, private lessons and student and faculty recitals. In a master class, I played a sonata and received valuable feedback on my performance from professors and students. Other classes focused on memorization skills, piano technique, and practice exercises. Performing in two student recitals in stunning Dendrinos Chapel was a thrilling way to showcase the hard work I’d put in all week.
Perhaps most invaluable was spending time with the other amazing students — a group of 30 high-schoolers from across the U.S. Being with such talented, kind, and passionate musicians was truly rewarding; it has inspired me to take my skills as a young artist to greater heights. I am so grateful to have had the opportunity to attend Interlochen, and I’m excited to continue my involvement with MEA as a student of Charlene Step.
My experience at the Philadelphia International Music Festival has played an exciting part in my musical endeavors. Mrs. Svetlana Smolina, the piano program's director (pictured left), is a virtuosic pianist and an inspiring mentor. I learned a lot under her guidance and also from the masterclasses. One aspect that I greatly enjoyed from the camp was learning and listening to the members of the Philadelphia Orchestra. To receive insightful feedback from these world-class musicians was such a rare privilege. The staff and faculty were all supportive, which helped create a healthy learning environment. Through this wonderful, transformative experience I hope to achieve new heights in my musical journey. (Eric is a student of Gloria Chu.)
The Fund was named for one of the MEA's former outstanding teachers, Mary Jean Nelson. Born in 1926 in Logan, Utah, Mary Jean took to the piano at an early age. By 14 she was already performing at church functions and teaching piano to other children. After graduating from Utah State University in 1948, where she received the Outstanding Graduating Student Award, she was admitted to the Juilliard School of Music in New York. Mary Jean opened a piano studio in Morristown, NJ, after she and her husband and two children moved there in 1960. She was an active soloist and accompanist in the area, performing with various chamber groups, soloists and choral ensembles. She was also a judge in MEA competitions, and a recipient of the Annual MEA Teaching Award. The Fund was named in her honor shortly after her sudden death in July, 2000.
Like to share music, music-related ideas, classes, concerts? Dialogue with other musicians or teachers? Click on the links below to visit our social media pages and find out more.
The Music Educators Association of NJ is a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization of private piano teachers founded in 1927. Our mission is to raise the standards of private music teaching throughout New Jersey, while encouraging musical excellence and instilling a love of music in our students.
