FAQ

Once Upon a Voice offers 24 scholarships to make trauma-informed, neurodiversity-affirming music education more accessible while preserving the excellence and personalized care of our premium services. Our scholarships include 21 partial scholarships for group lessons and workshops, and 3 full scholarships for private lessons. They are thoughtfully designed to unlock creativity, nurture talent, and support exceptional students on their musical journey. Applications are accepted year-round and reviewed on a rolling basis. Current students, especially those enrolled in masterclasses, receive priority consideration but must still apply to be eligible. If a scholarship is not immediately available, qualified applicants will be placed on our waitlist and considered as openings arise. ✨ Honoring Our Founder’s Teachers Each scholarship honors a music teacher who profoundly impacted our founder, Marcellé. These educators helped shape her into the artist and mentor she is today. As we continue unveiling the honorees, we invite families to follow along and learn the stories behind their influence. ✨ List of Scholarships 0 to 5 Years Old Group Lessons: Nine Steven Boyd Scholarships 6 to 7 Years Old Private Lessons: One Betsy Uschkrat Scholarship Workshops: Six Day'nah Cooper-Evans Scholarships 8 to 12 Years Old Private Lessons: One Janice Seeley Scholarship Workshops: Six [NAME TO BE ANNOUNCED] Scholarships 13 to 19 Years Old Private Lessons: One [NAME TO BE ANNOUNCED] Scholarship Workshops: Six [NAME TO BE ANNOUNCED] Scholarships ✨ Scholarship Breakdown Partial scholarship recipients pay 25%, 50%, or 75% of tuition based on household size and income. Below is a breakdown of them for our group lessons and workshops. Full scholarship recipients receive 100% tuition coverage for private lessons. ✨ Scholarship Availability and Deadlines Scholarships are awarded on a rolling basis as spaces become available. Families are encouraged to apply at any time. If all scholarships are currently filled, qualified applicants will be added to our waitlist and contacted as new opportunities arise. We welcome families to apply whenever they are ready. Our team is committed to making music education as accessible as possible while upholding the high standards that define Once Upon a Voice.

Applying is simple, and we encourage students to express themselves in the ways that feel most comfortable. With our trauma-informed, neurodiversity-affirming approach, we recognize that communication looks different for everyone—and every story matters. ✨ Application Requirements To apply, families must submit: A completed application, including details about household size and income. Proof of household size, such as tax documents, a lease, a utility bill, or a benefits letter. If none of these are available, a brief written statement explaining the household situation may be submitted instead. Proof of income, such as a tax return, recent pay stubs, or documentation of government assistance. A personal statement about the applicant’s musical journey, submitted in one of the following formats: Written Audio recording Video recording For children under six, a parent or guardian may provide the statement on their behalf. An audition video (required only for applicants seeking full scholarships for private lessons). Each application is carefully reviewed to ensure scholarships are awarded based on both financial need and a strong commitment to musical growth. ✨ Application Review and Notification Scholarship applications are accepted year-round and reviewed on a rolling basis as openings become available. Applicants will be notified by email when a scholarship decision has been made. Families offered a scholarship must respond by the deadline included in their notification to accept the opportunity; otherwise, the scholarship may be offered to the next eligible applicant. If a scholarship is not immediately available, qualified applicants may be placed on our waitlist and considered as new opportunities arise.

Scholarships last for one full year from the date they are awarded, offering students the gift of consistency in a trauma-informed, neurodiversity-affirming space where they can grow musically, creatively, and confidently. ✨ Commitment and Expectations To keep their scholarship, recipients must follow all studio policies and remain actively engaged in their musical journey. We send progress reports throughout the year to help track development, celebrate milestones, and identify areas for continued support. Partial scholarship recipients are expected to stay current on their tuition payments. However, we understand that life does not always follow a perfect rhythm. If a payment is missed, the student’s access to lessons or workshops will be paused, and a gentle reminder will be sent with a clear deadline to bring the account current. If payment is received by that date and space is still available, the student may resume services with their scholarship intact. If the balance is not resolved in time, the scholarship will be offered to the next eligible applicant on our waitlist. Our goal is always to support students through challenges—not to remove opportunities without care. If your family is navigating a difficult time, we welcome open communication and will do our best to find a compassionate path forward. ✨ Reapplying for a Scholarship Scholarships are not automatically renewed. However, students are warmly invited to reapply one year after their original award date. Renewal depends on continued financial need, active participation, and a demonstrated commitment to musical growth. We will contact families in advance of the renewal period with everything they need to reapply. Whether you stay for one year or many, it is always our honor to support your musical story—and we hope to do so as long as your voice belongs with us.

Scholarships are awarded based on household size and income, but we understand that financial situations are not always straightforward. As part of our trauma-informed, neurodiversity-affirming commitment, we consider the full picture when reviewing applications. Household size includes parents, guardians, and dependents living at the same address. Children under 18 are always counted as part of their parents’ or guardians’ household, even if they have a job. Anyone aged 18 or 19 is included in their parents’ or guardians’ household if they are still claimed as dependents on tax returns. If they are financially independent, they may apply based on their own income. For children of separated or divorced parents or guardians, eligibility is determined based on the financial support of the parent or guardian who provides most of their care. Families with joint custody may submit financial information for both households. ✨ Income Eligibility Families earning at or below the following amounts in 2025 are eligible to apply for a scholarship: 1 Person: $60,240/year or below 2 People: $81,760/year or below 3 People: $103,280/year or below 4 People: $124,800/year or below 5 People: $146,320/year or below 6 People: $167,840/year or below 7 People: $189,360/year or below 8 People: $210,880/year or below For households larger than eight, add $21,520 to the income limit per additional person. ✨ Partial Scholarship Tiers Partial scholarship recipients pay 25%, 50%, or 75% of tuition based on their household size and income: Families earning up to 50% of the income limit for their household size qualify to apply for a scholarship covering up to 75% of tuition, meaning they could pay as little as 25% if awarded. Families earning between 51% and 75% of the income limit for their household size qualify to apply for a scholarship covering up to 50% of tuition, meaning they could pay half if awarded. Families earning between 76% and 100% of the income limit for their household size qualify to apply for a scholarship covering up to 25% of tuition, meaning they could pay 75% if awarded. For example, a family of four earning $62,400 yearly qualifies to apply for a partial scholarship covering up to 75 % of tuition. If the same family earns $93,600 per year, they qualify for up to 50% coverage. At $124,800 per year, they qualify for up to 25% coverage. ✨ Additional Considerations Families earning above 400% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines are not eligible unless they have extenuating circumstances that significantly impact their ability to afford tuition. Examples include ongoing medical expenses, job loss, caregiving responsibilities, or other long-term financial burdens. Families who qualify for a partial scholarship but are experiencing extreme financial hardship may request additional consideration for a reduced tuition rate. However, no partial scholarship will cover more than 75% of tuition. All partial scholarships are currently awarded at fixed tiers of 25%, 50%, or 75% coverage. Full scholarship recipients always receive 100% tuition coverage.

If all scholarships have been awarded, eligible applicants are placed on a waitlist for future consideration. When a scholarship becomes available, all waitlisted applicants are reassessed. Priority is given to current students who are active members of our paying community, especially those enrolled in masterclasses, workshops, or private lessons. Students already engaged in our trauma-informed, neurodiversity-affirming programs receive first consideration before a scholarship is offered to a new applicant. Waitlisted applicants are notified by email when a scholarship decision has been made. Being on the waitlist does not mean an applicant will only be considered if a scholarship is declined; they may also be selected as a first-choice recipient when new opportunities arise. If a scholarship is offered to a waitlisted applicant, their award letter will include a specific deadline to accept. If the applicant does not respond by the stated deadline, the scholarship will be reassessed and may be offered to another eligible applicant. Applicants who do not receive a scholarship must reapply one year after their original application date if they wish to remain under consideration.