Scholarship Application

If you are applying for a scholarship as a student (ages 18-19) or as the parent or legal guardian of a student under 18, please complete the questions below. Your responses will remain confidential in accordance with our privacy policy.

General Information

What is the applicant's first name?

What is the applicant's last name?

What are the applicant's pronouns?

When is the applicant's birthday?

Month

Day

Year

We collect this information to ensure developmentally appropriate instruction.

Retention

At Once Upon a Voice, we recognize that artistic growth requires stability and consistency. As a trauma-informed and neurodivergent-affirming learning space, we are committed to ensuring that scholarship recipients can continue their education without disruption, even as they grow and transition into new age groups.

Scholarships are awarded for 12 consecutive months and remain valid even if a student ages out of their original service during that time. If a student reaches an age milestone that requires them to transition to a different group lesson or workshop, they must enroll in the appropriate service within 30 days of their birthday to continue receiving their scholarship. The scholarship will automatically transfer to cover the tuition for the new service, ensuring uninterrupted access to their education.

Students who turn 19 more than 30 days before the scholarship notification date are not eligible to apply for a scholarship, as Once Upon a Voice does not provide live instruction beyond age 19. However, students who turn 19 within the 30 days leading up to the scholarship notification date may still apply. If selected, they may retain their scholarship for up to 12 months as long as they remain enrolled in the appropriate service.

Our goal is to support students as they evolve, providing a stable and nurturing environment where they can grow into their artistry with confidence.

I understand and agree to the policy above.

Health and Safety

At Once Upon a Voice, we prioritize vocal health and provide a supportive, trauma-informed, and neurodivergent-affirming environment. Our services promote sustainable voice use and creative exploration through early musical development, singing, and songwriting. However, we are not medical professionals and cannot diagnose or treat physical or mental health conditions. We encourage students and families to consult licensed healthcare providers, such as pediatricians, laryngologists, or psychiatrists, for assessment and care. For students in speech or voice therapy, we are happy to collaborate with their speech-language pathologist to support their progress in music.

Health & Safety Considerations

Students may be unable to participate if any of the following apply at enrollment or during their time with us:

Recent Vocal Surgery: Medical clearance is required. We are happy to coordinate with healthcare providers to ensure a safe return.
Throat Infections: Full recovery from acute conditions such as strep throat or tonsillitis is necessary before resuming participation.
Vocal Health Concerns: Persistent voice issues lasting more than two consecutive weeks require medical attention. These include chronic hoarseness, vocal fatigue, or pain while speaking or singing.
Respiratory Illnesses: Full recovery from conditions such as bronchitis or pneumonia is required before participation.
Allergies: Students must wait until acute throat or respiratory symptoms improve.
Post-Dental Procedures: Sufficient healing time after dental work affecting the mouth or jaw is required.
Acid Reflux: Students with unmanaged acid reflux that significantly affects their voice should seek medical management before continuing.
Feeding or Swallowing Challenges: Students who experience discomfort or difficulty with vocalization due to feeding or swallowing disorders, such as dysphagia or frequent aspiration, should consult a healthcare provider before engaging in singing activities.
Sensory Sensitivities: We aim to create a welcoming environment for students with sensory sensitivities. However, those who experience extreme distress from sound, music, or interactive engagement may need additional accommodations. We are happy to discuss options to support participation.
Limited English Communication: Because most services rely on spoken interaction, students must be able to communicate verbally in English after age 3. However, non-speaking students aged 3 or younger are welcome in group lessons, where early communication is supported through gesture, sign language, and song. We hope to expand our offerings in the future to better support older students who communicate in other ways.
Emotional Barriers: Students aged 4-19 who struggle with self-reflection or emotional exploration may need additional support. We are committed to helping students who find this difficult due to trauma or neurodivergence by collaborating on appropriate accommodations.
Discomfort with Feedback: Students unwilling to accept constructive feedback may not benefit from live instruction.
Lack of Commitment: Consistent practice and engagement are essential for success.
Social or Performance Anxiety: We offer accommodations to help students participate meaningfully. If anxiety significantly interferes with engagement, we may recommend seeking professional support before continuing services.

Instrumental Instruction Considerations

Students interested in workshops or songwriting lessons, which include piano or guitar instruction, may be unable to participate if any of the following apply at enrollment or during their time with us:

Physical Limitations: Students with acute or chronic conditions affecting the fingers, hands, wrists, arms, or shoulders should consult a medical professional before starting or continuing. We are happy to collaborate with healthcare providers to support progress in music.
Motor Challenges: Significant fine or gross motor skill challenges, such as difficulties with pedaling or strumming, may require adaptations we cannot provide.

We will accommodate individual needs whenever possible. If participation is unfeasible, we recommend exploring music therapy for students who still wish to sing, write songs, or play an instrument. The American Music Therapy Association offers resources to help families find a qualified music therapist.

I understand and agree to the policy above.

Preferences

If a scholarship for the chosen service is unavailable, would the applicant like to be considered for other available scholarships?

Service Availability

At Once Upon a Voice, we are committed to providing a structured yet flexible learning environment that accommodates the diverse needs of our students. As a trauma-informed and neurodivergent-affirming space, we recognize the importance of clear scheduling to ensure accessibility and consistency.

Due to the virtual nature of our services, all lesson and workshop times are listed in Pacific Standard Time (PST). To support families across different time zones, we have also provided Central Standard Time (CST) and Eastern Standard Time (EST) conversions.

Before applying for a scholarship, please verify the availability of you and/or your child during the designated time slots for private lessons or the scheduled times for your chosen group lessons or workshops.

Private Lesson Availability

Private lessons are scheduled based on availability within the following time frames on Sundays. Specific lesson times are determined on a first-come, first-served basis.

8:30 AM – 12:15 PM PST | 10:30 AM – 2:15 PM CST | 11:30 AM – 3:15 PM EST
5:00 PM – 6:30 PM PST | 7:00 PM – 8:30 PM CST | 8:00 PM – 9:30 PM EST

Group Lessons & Workshops

0 to 11 Month Olds: Music Lesson – Thursdays, 11:30 AM – 11:45 AM PST | 1:30 PM – 1:45 PM CST | 2:30 PM – 2:45 PM EST
1 to 3 Year Olds: Music Lesson – Thursdays, 12:00 PM – 12:20 PM PST | 2:00 PM – 2:20 PM CST | 3:00 PM – 3:20 PM EST
4 or 5 Year Olds: Music Lesson – Sundays, 12:30 PM – 12:55 PM PST | 2:30 PM – 2:55 PM CST | 3:30 PM – 3:55 PM EST
6 or 7 Year Olds: Guitar Workshop – Wednesdays, 2:00 PM – 2:30 PM PST | 4:00 PM – 4:30 PM CST | 5:00 PM – 5:30 PM EST
8 to 12 Year Olds: Guitar Workshop – Wednesdays, 2:45 PM – 3:30 PM PST | 4:45 PM – 5:30 PM CST | 5:45 PM – 6:30 PM EST
13 to 19 Year Olds: Guitar Workshop – Wednesdays, 3:45 PM – 4:45 PM PST | 5:45 PM – 6:45 PM CST | 6:45 PM – 7:45 PM EST
6 to 7 Years Old: Piano Workshop – Sundays, 2:00 PM – 2:30 PM PST | 4:00 PM – 4:30 PM CST | 5:00 PM – 5:30 PM EST
8 to 12 Years Old: Piano Workshop – Sundays, 2:45 PM – 3:30 PM PST | 4:45 PM – 5:30 PM CST | 5:45 PM – 6:30 PM EST
13 to 19 Year Olds: Piano Workshop – Sundays, 3:45 PM – 4:45 PM PST | 5:45 PM – 6:45 PM CST | 6:45 PM – 7:45 PM EST

Parental Attendance Requirement for Young Students

For students under the age of six, a parent or guardian must attend all group lessons with their child. These lessons are designed to be interactive and supportive, ensuring young learners receive the necessary guidance and encouragement to engage fully in the experience.

Final Confirmation

We strive to provide an accessible and inclusive learning environment that meets the needs of our diverse student community. Please confirm your or your child's availability before applying for the scholarship(s) to ensure full participation in chosen lessons or workshops.

I understand and confirm my or my child's availability for the selected service(s).

Current Students

Virtual Environment

To participate in lessons or workshops, students must have a device with a stable internet connection in a distraction-free environment. Workshop participants and songwriting students also need regular access to a piano or guitar and a free BandLab account for composing music and lyrics. By agreeing to this policy, you confirm that these resources are already available or will be obtained within 30 days of enrollment if you receive a scholarship for yourself or your child.

I understand and confirm that I or my child will have the resources they need within 30 days of enrollement if they receive a scholarship.

Nail Length

At Once Upon a Voice, students enrolled in workshops or songwriting lessons must keep their nails short to play piano or guitar safely and effectively. Nails should not extend beyond the fingertips to ensure proper technique and comfort. If students arrive at workshops or songwriting lessons with nails that are too long to play comfortably or safely, we will ask them to trim or file them.

Scholarship applicants who apply for workshops or songwriting lessons must agree to follow this policy if awarded a scholarship.

If nail length continues to pose challenges, we will meet with the student—and their parent or guardian, if the student is under 18—to discuss whether workshops or songwriting lessons best fit their needs. With our trauma-informed and neurodivergent-affirming approach, we respect that students may have personal, cultural, or aesthetic reasons for maintaining longer nails. If keeping short nails is impractical, we will encourage the student to focus on singing lessons or one of our other services, ensuring they still find success and joy in their musical journey.

We believe every student deserves to thrive, and we remain committed to supporting their growth in ways that honor their individuality while fostering their musical goals.

I understand and agree to the policy above.

Finances

What is the applicant's household size?

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 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 income.

What is the applicant's household 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.

Please describe any extenuating circumstances affecting the applicant’s finances that support their scholarship application.

Provide proof of household size, which may be included in tax documents or verified through a lease, utility bill, or benefits letter. If none of these are available, you may submit a brief written statement explaining your household situation.

Add up to 5 files.

Provide proof of income. We accept tax returns, pay stubs, and government assistance letters. If these do not fully reflect your situation, you may submit an explanation with any supporting documents you have. We strive to ensure a fair review for all.

Add up to 5 files.

Personal Statement

Attach a written, audio, or video statement explaining how our scholarship would benefit the applicant. Limit the submission to 5,000 characters or 5 minutes.

Add 1 file only.

Audition Video

If the applicant wishes to be considered for a full scholarship, which covers the cost of private lessons for students aged six and older, please submit an audition video showcasing their musical abilities. Videos must be no longer than 5 minutes.

Add 1 file only.

Contact Information

What is the best phone number to contact the applicant or, if they are under 18, their parent or guardian?

What is the best email address to contact the applicant or, if they are under 18, their parent or guardian?