Martha Dawson Education Fund

(Education Outreach & Scholarship Funding)

Established in memory of the late Martha Hicks Dawson, past president and long-time member of Port Ludlow Performing Arts. Martha was instrumental in expanding the role of PLPA in education outreach to the local students. Martha, who was an accomplished cellist and a former music teacher, sadly, passed away in 2013. This fund is dedicated solely to providing music education outreach and scholarships to the students of Jefferson County. Along with providing our adult community with the opportunity to experience the arts, we endeavor to inspire future young artists in our local schools. Through our Education Outreach program, we support Adventures in Music (AIM), which brings local musicians and performers to curate captivating mini concerts for our elementary students. We present an annual concert featuring a performer from one of our season series for the older students in Chimacum, Quilcene and Brinnon. We offer resources and instrument rental for aspiring students. We offer scholarships for students going on to higher education in the arts. You can rest assured that your funds go directly to fund young students in music and the arts and scholarships for local graduates to continue their education in the field of music and the arts. You will be supporting students like the lovely young women shown below who are recipients of our scholarship fund.


Scroll down to see photos and bios of scholarship recipients.


Scholarship Application


Eligibility

The PLPA provides scholarship(s) for Jefferson County residents who are graduating high school seniors and continuing or returning students for study in community colleges, universities, vocational, and technical training institutes. Applicants should intend to pursue education in the performing arts fields. Scholarships are awarded to persons regardless of age, ethnicity, race, gender or religion.


Scholarship Amount

Award amounts range between $1,000 and $2,500 per awardee. All awards will be dispersed through the applicant’s chosen educational institution to support tuition, mandatory fees, and supplies.


Materials and Information to be Supplied by Applicant

Applicants for scholarships must demonstrate a minimum of a B average (3.0 GPA) in their high school or college studies or an equivalent academic achievement. They must provide an essay of at least 500 words on how the performing arts have influenced the applicant’s life and how they intend to incorporate the performing arts into their adult lives. Applicants are required to provide examples of their creative work including written and/or video links of recordings or live performances. Applicants may supply information supporting their involvement in volunteer work in leadership roles and/or their service in community organizations.


Letters of Recommendation

Applicants must provide at least two letters of recommendation from teachers, mentors, or other individuals who are not family members who can attest to the applicant’s artistic talent, academic ability and character.


All scholarship application materials must be submitted to the PLPA by May 1st and emailed to portludlow.performingarts@gmail.com  and lewolle@icloud.com.

 

Scholarships will be awarded at the discretion of the PLPA based on applicant’s submitted material and written statements by the applicant.


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Scroll down to see photos and bios of scholarship recipients.




Anna Munn - 2025 Scholarship Recipient


Anna Munn is a 2025 graduate of Quilcene High School and in addition, obtained an Associates of Arts from Peninsula College in 2025. She has been an ASB officer, a member of National Honor Society, participated in State Mathematics contests, and volunteered with Kiwanis during high school and participated with the volleyball team. Anna has been involved in performing arts

since her first reader’s theater in second grade. Anna plays several instruments and has acted in and directed several plays at school and the Key City Public Theater. She is a talented singer and dancer as well! She plans to attend Temple University in Philadelphia within the school of Theater, Film and Media Arts this fall, majoring in Theater. PLPA is proud to support such a talented and hardworking student with her performing arts goals.

MARIA POWELL - A 2024 & 2025 SCHOLARSHIP RECIPIENT


Maria Powell - 2024 & 2025 Scholarship Recipient


Maria Powell graduated from Chimacum High School in 2023 as Valedictorian of her class. She is attending the University of North Texas in the division of Jazz Studies working toward her Bachelors of Music degree playing the saxophone. At her university, she is one of ten female instrumentalists in the Jazz studies program with over a hundred undergraduate majors. During her time at UNT, she has performed with several world renowned jazz musicians as well as lab bands. Maria was the first recipient of our PLPA scholarship in 2024 and 2025, and we are pleased to continue to support her progress as a musician and student.