Scholarships
At Once Upon a Voice, we believe every student deserves a beginning as bold, imaginative, and personal as the stories they long to tell through music. Our scholarships create opportunities for exceptional students with financial need—making high-quality music education more accessible while preserving the care, creativity, and excellence that define our work. Partial scholarships are available for group lessons and weekly workshops, while full scholarships are awarded for private lessons in singing or songwriting. Applications are accepted year-round and reviewed on a rolling basis. Students enrolled in masterclasses receive priority consideration, but all applicants must apply to be eligible. Each scholarship is named in honor of a music teacher who profoundly shaped our founder, Marcellé. Their stories live on in the students we serve—and in the values we teach. We invite you to scroll down to read the tributes. You will find legacies of patience, power, invention, and joy—woven into the way we guide each student’s journey. All scholarships are currently funded by Once Upon a Voice. In the future, this support will grow through Voicelore, a nonprofit being developed to ensure that every student who belongs here can afford to stay. Once registered in Nevada and approved as a 501(c)(3), Voicelore will raise funding for tuition assistance, creative tools, and advanced opportunities. This includes expanding the named scholarships already established, and broadening what each award can provide—such as recording time, equipment, or additional support for students with complex needs. Voicelore will also fund select creative projects that raise awareness about gender-based violence, helping survivors and allies use music as a force for storytelling and change. Until then, we invite you to learn more about Voicelore’s mission at voicelore.org, where trauma-informed, neurodiversity-affirming resources are already available for survivors of gender-based violence ages 18 and older. These materials reflect the same core values we bring to our studio: care, clarity, and courage through creative expression. For students who do not receive a scholarship, or who do not qualify, our lessons and workshops remain a powerful investment in artistry and growth. You can explore our offerings by attending a live masterclass or scheduling a one-time trial. These experiences offer a meaningful glimpse into the kind of teaching we provide—rooted in story, shaped by skill, and designed to meet each student where they are.
The Steven Boyd Scholarship
The partial scholarship for ages 0–5 is named after Marcellé’s father, Steven Boyd. It awards up to 75% of the tuition cost for group lessons. These early childhood classes welcome babies, toddlers, preschoolers, and kindergartners into the world of music through gentle, joyful play. With a focus on sound, movement, rhythm, and early language, the Steven Boyd Scholarship supports families in laying a strong musical foundation—before formal technique ever begins. Lessons at Once Upon a Voice are trauma-informed and neurodiversity-affirming, giving each child space to grow in rhythm with their development. Steven Boyd was a gifted music director, songwriter, producer, singer, and pianist whose career spanned genres, generations, and continents. He worked with artists such as Chaka Khan, Natalie Cole, The Four Tops, and Lola Falana, toured internationally, and performed at the White House for President Clinton. His original albums—Another Level, Nightmoods, Destiny, and Focus—reflected his wide-ranging talent and personal vision. In addition to performing and producing, he taught music in schools and community organizations, led worship in a variety of churches, and authored his own music book. He studied both classical and jazz piano in college and left a legacy that lives on in the musicians he mentored, including his daughter, Marcellé. He passed away when she was 12. For Marcellé, music began before memory. “There are photos of me at the piano as a baby, a toddler, a preschooler, and a kindergartener,” she shares. “My father immersed me in music from birth. He let me play the drums in his studio. I recorded vocals in his booth. I danced to the tracks he produced during playtime. And I’d be woken up by his piano playing—no matter how softly he tried.” When she turned four, he began trying to teach her piano formally. He bought her a keyboard for Christmas and gave her beginner exercises to try. But something was not working. “Because of my undiagnosed neurodevelopmental conditions, I had trouble with fine motor coordination. I couldn’t get my left-hand fingers to move independently. I couldn’t get my right hand to play descending notes, no matter how hard I tried. It was heartbreaking for both of us.” But instead of forcing it, her father stepped back. “He let me be a kid again. He gave me space to explore other things I was drawn to—reading, writing, storytelling. And those skills ended up serving me incredibly well in music later on.” In elementary school, Marcellé received classroom-based music instruction that helped her develop foundational skills in a way that felt approachable. At age 10, she began writing songs. Her father read her lyrics and immediately began producing tracks for her first album. “We never got to finish it,” she recalls. “But that time meant everything to me.” As she grew older, she came back to piano on her own terms—using the keyboard to practice choir and handchime music from school. “He’s the reason my brain was wired for music. He surrounded me with it from the beginning—without pressure or shame. Just sound, love, and freedom.” This scholarship honors that beginning. In our group lessons for ages 0–5, music is not taught—it is shared. Through singing, rhythm games, guided movement, and language-rich play, young children explore music in ways that match their developmental needs and natural curiosity. Babies and toddlers are introduced to simple American Sign Language (ASL) signs to support musical participation and early expressive skills. In preschool and kindergarten, phonics-based activities are incorporated to strengthen rhythm, phrasing, and melodic awareness—all essential building blocks for singing, songwriting, and musicianship. These tools also support early communication and reading readiness, but our focus remains firmly on musical growth. There is no expectation of performance—only the invitation to experience music as a language they already understand. We meet each child where they are, and we give them what Steven Boyd gave his daughter: joyful immersion, patience, and the chance to return when the time is right. In the future, this scholarship will be expanded through Voicelore, a nonprofit being developed to ensure that every student who belongs here can afford to stay. Learn more at voicelore.org.
The Betsy Uschkrat Scholarship
The full scholarship for ages 6–7 is named after Marcellé’s first voice teacher, Dr. Betsy Uschkrat. It awards 100% of the tuition cost for private singing lessons and private songwriting lessons. While musical exploration begins earlier at Once Upon a Voice, age 6 marks the start of formal technique. This is when students begin learning how to breathe for singing, shape sound with intention, and turn creative impulses into structured songs. These early lessons are the true beginning of each student’s vocal and songwriting journey. The Betsy Uschkrat Scholarship ensures that this important chapter is accessible to every child who belongs here—regardless of financial circumstance. A celebrated soprano known for her powerful voice and remarkable versatility, Dr. Betsy Uschkrat has captivated audiences across the United States in operatic, theatrical, and symphonic performances. Her roles have ranged from Pamina in Die Zauberflöte to Julie Jordan in Carousel, and her artistry has been praised by The Times-Picayune as that of a “vocal powerhouse.” A two-time Metropolitan Opera National Council Regional Finalist and the winner of several major vocal competitions, Dr. Uschkrat has performed with companies such as New Orleans Opera, Des Moines Metro Opera, Opera Idaho, and The Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C. Beyond the stage, Dr. Uschkrat is a dedicated voice professor at Loyola University New Orleans. Known for her cross-genre expertise, she trains students in everything from art song to musical theatre to contemporary vocal performance. Her former students now work professionally across the country—as performers, educators, and board-certified music therapists—carrying her impact far beyond the classroom and into the next generation of musical leadership. For Marcellé, Dr. Uschkrat’s influence was not only professional but deeply personal. “I was behind every other singer in the program,” Marcellé reflects. “But she was patient. She gave me room to explore, to write, and to begin again. Even though I could not always retain what I learned—because of trauma and undiagnosed neurodivergence—what did stick laid the foundation for everything that followed.” Her voice began to change toward the end of eighth grade, but when her mother could no longer afford private school, she left Faith Lutheran and enrolled at Las Vegas Academy of the Arts as a piano major. Voice instruction was not part of her curriculum, and her mother could not afford private voice lessons. As a result, she entered college with musical instincts but no formal technique to support her developing voice. Dr. Uschkrat helped her rebuild. With clarity, patience, and trust in each student’s process, she gave Marcellé the confidence to approach her own voice with care—and taught her how to guide others through that same journey. Today, the patience Dr. Uschkrat showed her, the permission she gave to explore, and the balance she modeled between structure and freedom all live on in how beginners are supported at Once Upon a Voice. This scholarship honors that legacy. Just as Dr. Uschkrat introduced Marcellé to the International Phonetic Alphabet, a variety of musical genres, and the discipline of vocal technique, Once Upon a Voice students ages 6–7 are invited to build a strong and joyful beginning. Through private lessons in singing or songwriting, they learn the basics of breath management, resonance, and diction, with space to explore musical styles in developmentally appropriate ways—including classical, musical theatre, and popular genres. In the future, this scholarship will be expanded through Voicelore, a nonprofit being developed to ensure that every student who belongs here can afford to stay. Learn more at voicelore.org.
The Day'nah Cooper-Evans Scholarship
The partial scholarship for ages 6–7 is named after Marcellé’s vocal producer, Day’nah Cooper-Evans. It awards up to 75% of the tuition cost for weekly singing workshops and weekly songwriting workshops. This age is a powerful turning point in a young musician’s journey—when phonics, breath, and rhythm start blending into musical storytelling. The Day’nah Cooper-Evans Scholarship supports students at this early stage of vocal development, offering them the kind of structured, expressive, and empowering learning that honors both technique and imagination. Lessons at Once Upon a Voice are trauma-informed and neurodiversity-affirming, with room for play, emotion, and artistry to coexist. Day’nah Cooper-Evans is a multi-hyphenate artist and talent coach whose career spans voice, dance, acting, and production. A graduate of Hampton University, she is a proud member of both SAG-AFTRA and The Recording Academy, and was awarded an NAACP Image Award in 2018 for her vocal production work on The New Edition Story on BET. She has coached and produced vocals for artists including Mary J. Blige, Brandy, Janelle Monáe, Queen Latifah, and Magic!, and contributed tour vocal content for Janet Jackson. Her work as a vocal producer has been featured on the FOX series Star, and she continues to develop projects with Queen Latifah. In addition to her work in the studio, Day’nah has performed as a background vocalist with artists like Fergie and Queen Latifah, and as a dancer with major acts including Lady Gaga, Justin Bieber, Nicki Minaj, Miley Cyrus, Snoop Dogg, and Christina Aguilera. Her film and television credits include acting roles on Disney’s Shake It Up, A.N.T. Farm, Kickin’ It, and The Fresh Beat Band, and a recurring role on AMC’s Sherman’s Showcase. For Marcellé, Day’nah’s impact has been both professional and transformational. “She and her husband produced my gender-based violence awareness project,” Marcellé shares, “and through that process, I connected with my voice in a way I didn’t know was possible. I used to think my voice was only meant for soft, pretty lines—but Day’nah helped me discover that belting, rapping, and using my voice in a variety of ways were just as beautiful. She taught me to imitate a wide range of vocal sounds—something I now begin instilling in students as soon as their formal training begins.” That shift led to deeper healing, both musically and emotionally. “Working on chest voice was triggering at times, so recording with her also encouraged me to pursue new trauma therapies, like EMDR and Parts and Memory Therapy. That was the start of fully reclaiming my voice.” The project also required deep trust and collaboration. “We were working on something heavy,” she explains. “Everyone on that team had to be present, respectful, and emotionally attuned. Day’nah set that tone. She made sure the work was professional and sincere—because without that, the message would not have come through.” That same kind of care is essential in our workshops too, where students work closely in small groups. “When you are creating with others—even at six or seven years old—you need a space where you feel safe being heard. That is something I learned through working with her.” Beyond vocal coaching, Day’nah also shaped Marcellé’s identity as an artist. “If you love the fairy tale world of Once Upon a Voice and Voicelore,” she says, “you can thank her. She helped me find the sound, look, and language that reflected who I really am.” This scholarship honors Day’nah’s belief that children deserve high-quality, industry-aware arts training from the very beginning. Her work blends performance with precision, empowering artists to master their craft and express their truth. That same spirit guides our workshops for ages 6–7. Singing and songwriting are taught in separate sessions, but both emphasize phonics through song as a way to build foundational music skills. Singing students explore chest voice with breath management and healthy tone production, while songwriting students focus on song structure, rhyme, and lyrical phrasing. In both settings, rap is introduced as a tool for creativity. With these tools, students begin strengthening musical and communication skills that support versatile musicianship for years to come. In the future, this scholarship will be expanded through Voicelore, a nonprofit being developed to ensure that every student who belongs here can afford to stay. Learn more at voicelore.org.
The Janice Seeley Scholarship
The full scholarship for ages 8–12 is named after Marcellé’s high school piano teacher, Janice Seeley. It awards 100% of the tuition cost for private singing lessons and private songwriting lessons. These are the years when students begin to stretch beyond the basics. They explore intermediate skills, learn how to shape their ideas more intentionally, and start developing a sense of creative voice. The Janice Seeley Scholarship supports young artists during this exciting turning point—where curiosity deepens and artistic choices begin to matter. Lessons at Once Upon a Voice are trauma-informed and neurodiversity-affirming, giving students space to grow as individuals while building strong, versatile musicianship. Janice Seeley led the piano program at Las Vegas Academy of the Arts for many years, helping shape one of the most respected high school music departments in the country. A passionate teacher and music historian, she introduced students to a wide range of repertoire—from classical to contemporary—and emphasized the importance of both solo and ensemble playing. She also employed Steven Boyd, Marcellé’s father, as her assistant while he was alive and considered him family. After retiring from LVA, she continued to teach music to children throughout Las Vegas, always believing in the value of early and ongoing music education. For Marcellé, Ms. Seeley’s impact went far beyond the piano. “I didn’t like classical training at first,” she recalls, “but through composing and performing classical music, I learned how to make instruments speak.” Ms. Seeley’s lessons taught her how sounds can support one another—how a melody can be framed, contrasted, or echoed by the instruments around it. “I had heard my dad do that in his music, but it clicked under her tutelage,” Marcellé says. “By the time I turned 18, I was no longer just writing lyrics and melodies—I was writing full arrangements for my songs.” That understanding now shapes how she teaches voice and songwriting: as two powerful ways to express a story, with many layers working in harmony. This scholarship honors Ms. Seeley’s belief that musicianship strengthens storytelling—and that every young artist deserves the space to discover their process. At Once Upon a Voice, students ages 8–12 receive individualized instruction in either singing or songwriting, with guidance tailored to how they think, feel, and create. Singers work on tone control, expressive delivery, and musical sensitivity—building the skills to shape songs with nuance and intention. Songwriters dive into lyric structure, melodic development, and creative approaches to arranging—whether they start with words, sound, or imagery. Both paths are grounded in the idea that songs are not just written or sung—they are crafted with care. This scholarship helps make that kind of artistic growth possible. In the future, it will be expanded through Voicelore, a nonprofit being developed to ensure that every student who belongs here can afford to stay. Learn more at voicelore.org.
The Sandra Youmans Scholarship
The partial scholarship for ages 8–12 is named after Marcellé’s middle school choir teacher, Sandra Youmans. It awards up to 75% of the tuition cost for weekly singing workshops and weekly songwriting workshops. This is a time when students are learning more than just music—they are discovering who they are in community. These workshops help students grow through collaboration, ensemble trust, and creative courage. The Sandra Youmans Scholarship supports young musicians in building meaningful relationships with their peers and finding joy in expressive, skillful music-making. Lessons at Once Upon a Voice are trauma-informed and neurodiversity-affirming, and our workshops reflect that not only through instruction, but through the emotional care and connection students experience together. Sandra Youmans—affectionately known as Mrs. Youmans or Big Y—was a devoted Christian, a lifelong educator, and a woman whose love of music was inseparable from her love of people. She taught for decades at Faith Lutheran Middle & High School, directed choirs in her church and community, and found joy in service—whether volunteering locally at the Las Vegas Springs Preserve or participating in outreach programs that uplifted others around the world. She passed away from Angiosarcoma Cancer in January 2025. Her presence is deeply missed, but her impact continues to shape those she taught and loved. For Marcellé, Mrs. Youmans was more than a teacher. “She was strict—but in a motherly way,” Marcellé shares. “We always knew it came from love. She demanded our best, and now I see just how hard she worked to teach us.” After transferring to Faith Lutheran in sixth grade and joining Mrs. Youmans’s choir, Marcellé remembers failing her music elective at first. “She was the first teacher to push my musicianship and music theory skills to a truly intermediate level. I pulled my grades up in time for report cards—but it took work. She didn’t believe in underestimating kids, and I respect her so much for that.” Music also became a source of comfort. “Before my dad died, I started practicing our choir and handchime pieces on the piano at home. One day, I told her I really liked the piece ‘Morning Has Broken.’ Her face lit up and she said, ‘It’s such a beautiful piece, isn’t it?’ I asked if I could take it home to practice, and she said yes.” Marcellé’s mom would call her dad, who was ill in the hospital, so he could listen to her practice. “He got to hear me play before he died. That happened because of her.” In the months after his passing, Mrs. Youmans became a quiet protector. “It seemed like she and my counselor, Mrs. Washington, were gently working together to support me. One day I was called out of choir for grief counseling. Another day I was asked to play piano for her after school. Then one day, I was suddenly the pianist for the middle school praise band. I was still working on consistency and comfort as a player—especially when it came to leading others—but she gave me the role anyway. It was not because I was the obvious choice. It was because she saw something in me. She gave me a place to belong while I found my footing. She didn’t just help me grow—she watched over me.” One moment stands out. “My mom sang a gospel duet with Mrs. Washington during my school's chapel service. I don’t know if Mrs. Youmans helped Mrs. Washington plan it, but afterward, she told me how much she loved hearing my mom sing. That meant so much.” Even after Marcellé left to attend Las Vegas Academy of the Arts, their relationship never faded. “She looked sad when I told her I was transferring, but she kept checking in—encouraging me, celebrating my wins, making sure I was okay. She became a dear friend, and when she passed away, I sang with a large choir of students who loved her as deeply as I did. She was my guardian angel on earth during those years, and I believe she’s one of my guardian angels in heaven now.” This scholarship honors the kind of strength, care, and trust that Mrs. Youmans gave so freely. It invites students ages 8–12 to develop their voices not only through technique, but through connection—to peers, to mentors, and to themselves. Just as choir became a second family for Marcellé when she was a preteen, these workshops are designed to foster that same sense of safety, laughter, and belonging. Some of the friends who surrounded her during those years are still in her life today. This scholarship helps nurture that kind of lasting support system. In the future, it will be expanded through Voicelore, a nonprofit being developed to ensure that every student who belongs here can afford to stay. Learn more at voicelore.org.
The Jazmin Crumley Scholarship
The full scholarship for ages 13–19 is named after Marcellé’s current vocal coach, Jazmin Crumley. It awards 100% of the tuition cost for private singing lessons and private songwriting lessons. These years are a time of major change—physically, emotionally, and mentally. Teen students often face intense expectations around identity, sound, and performance before they have fully discovered who they are becoming. The Jazmin Crumley Scholarship ensures that creative teens receive the kind of thoughtful, flexible support they need to thrive. Lessons at Once Upon a Voice are trauma-informed and neurodiversity-affirming, giving each student space to explore their voice and develop musical expression in ways that match their unique mind and body. Jazmin Crumley is a renowned vocal coach, director, and mentor whose career spans live performance, studio sessions, television, and nationally recognized music events. From her early beginnings in Ellenwood, Georgia, she grew into a powerhouse performer—trained in classical voice, steeped in gospel and soul, and deeply rooted in her faith. As a background vocalist, Jazmin has performed with artists such as Kirk Franklin, Tyrese, Monica, Musiq Soulchild, and Fantasia. Her work has appeared on networks including BET and OWN, and her vocal direction has shaped award-winning productions such as Greenleaf, Kingdom Business, and Robin Roberts Presents: MAHALIA. Her arrangements have lifted the GRAMMY Premiere Show, the Stellar Gospel Music Awards, and other high-profile televised performances. In 2014, Jazmin founded The Outlet for Vocal Expression, a vocal contracting company that connects professional singers with high-level opportunities in the music industry. Through The Outlet, she has assembled vocal talent for nationally televised events, award shows, studio recordings, and live productions—including the Stellar Gospel Music Awards, Urban One Honors, and projects for BET and the OWN Network. While she now devotes most of her time to directing and contracting, her experience as a coach and educator continues to shape how she leads, empowers, and collaborates with other artists. For Marcellé, working with Jazmin brought a shift in how she approached her own voice as a teacher. After Marcellé completed a singing teacher certification that blended contemporary vocal technique with principles from speech-language pathology, Jazmin evaluated her voice and found that some of the methods she had learned to teach were not fully integrated into her own singing. “She encouraged me to build those skills for myself,” Marcellé shares, “so I could present them to students with confidence and clarity.” That process helped bridge the gap between knowledge and embodiment, deepening her belief that sustainable technique should feel as good as it sounds. This scholarship honors Jazmin’s commitment to vocal health, creative freedom, and artist care. At Once Upon a Voice, students ages 13–19 receive instruction that meets them where they are—whether they are exploring their voice while masking, experiencing sensory overload, or simply looking for a way to feel more seen and heard. Our lessons support each student’s ability to develop vocal technique and connect emotionally with music. Those who want to sing like their favorite artists, or write the kinds of songs they love to stream, are guided not only in skill-building but in sustainable, joyful music-making. In the future, this scholarship will be expanded through Voicelore, a nonprofit being developed to ensure that every student who belongs here can afford to stay. Learn more at voicelore.org.
The Kate Duncan Scholarship
The partial scholarship for ages 13–19 is named after Marcellé’s longtime mentor, Kate Duncan. It awards up to 75% of the tuition cost for weekly singing workshops and weekly songwriting workshops. These collaborative, elite classes guide students through the realities of working in music—from advanced vocal technique and songwriting craft to real-world industry dynamics. Whether students are refining their mix and belt, learning to speak up in rehearsals, or discovering how to collaborate with confidence, the Kate Duncan Scholarship supports the kind of learning that prepares young artists to thrive. At Once Upon a Voice, lessons are trauma-informed and neurodiversity-affirming, and our workshops reflect that not only through instruction, but through the trust students build with one another. Much like the vocal ensembles Kate Duncan leads at Loyola, these group settings give teens the space to grow through shared expression—learning in ways that match how their minds and bodies process music. Kate Duncan directs Loyola University New Orleans’ School of Music and Theatre Professions and holds the Conrad Hilton Endowed Chair in Music Industry Studies. She also serves as an Assistant Professor of Loyola’s Popular & Commercial Music program—the same program Marcellé graduated from. At Loyola, she teaches private voice, leads two vocal jazz ensembles—Crescent Collective and Quarter Tones—and instructs courses in professional development, artist wellness, and capstone preparation. She also co-directs Loyola’s Paris study abroad program and frequently lectures across the country as a performing musician, arranger, and clinician whose work spans jazz, funk, pop, opera, and country. In addition to her classroom and administrative roles, Kate serves as faculty advisor to Full-Tilt Marketing, a student-run entrepreneurial group, and contributes actively to initiatives that support gender equity in music—including Girl’s Jazz Day, Women in Music, and the Not Your Mother’s Lecture Series. Her leadership helps students approach music as both an artistic and professional calling, encouraging them to own their voices and stand unapologetically in their values. For Marcellé, Kate’s influence extended beyond the classroom. “She was my vocal ensemble professor, one of my songwriting professors, and my academic advisor,” Marcellé shares. “When she learned I was a survivor of gender-based violence, she made space for me to talk—not as a therapist, but as someone who believed me and wanted me to be okay. That mattered. Her strength and compassion helped me imagine a future where I could support others, even without being a licensed therapist. She is one of the reasons I started Voicelore.” This scholarship honors Kate’s example—teaching students not only how to sing and write songs, but how to navigate the music industry with clarity and resilience. As the leader of one of the country’s most innovative arts programs, Kate has set a standard for education that blends creative integrity with professional readiness. At Once Upon a Voice, our workshops prepare teens to think critically, collaborate respectfully, and care for their mental and emotional wellbeing while pursuing their goals. Whether working through a complex jazz harmony or rewriting a lyric for better word economy, students are encouraged to take creative risks while supporting one another. We meet each student where they are—whether they are navigating trauma, neurodivergence, or simply learning how to be themselves in a creative space. In the future, this scholarship will be expanded through Voicelore, a nonprofit being developed to ensure that every student who belongs here can afford to stay. Learn more at voicelore.org.