Scholarships
At Once Upon a Voice, we believe every artist deserves a beginning as bold, imaginative, and personal as the stories they long to tell through music. Our scholarship program expands access to high-quality, trauma-informed, neurodiversity-affirming music education while preserving the care, creativity, and professional standards that define our studio. These awards support adults who are building music careers or studying contemporary music in college, as well as young musicians taking their first steps into sound, storytelling, and self-expression. We offer both partial and full scholarships, each serving a distinct purpose. Partial scholarships are need-based and cover 25%, 50%, or 75% of tuition, depending on financial circumstances. Adults may receive partial scholarships for Masterclass Only, Masterclass and Asynchronous Coaching, or Masterclass and Live One-on-One Coaching. Children ages 0–6 may receive partial scholarships for small-group classes, and youth ages 6–18 may receive partial scholarships for weekly workshops. These awards are designed to reduce financial barriers while allowing students to participate fully in their chosen learning environment. Full scholarships are merit-based and awarded exclusively to youth private lesson students ages 6–18. Each year, four students are selected based on artistic potential, commitment, and readiness for the depth of individualized instruction private lessons require. Because private lessons offer the highest level of one-on-one support and are extremely limited in availability, full scholarships are not determined by income. Each scholarship is named in honor of a music teacher who profoundly shaped our founder, Marcellé. These educators modeled excellence, care, and creative integrity, and their influence lives on through the students who receive support in their names. The tributes below share their stories and the values they passed on—values that continue to guide how Once Upon a Voice nurtures artists across ages and stages. Scholarship applications are accepted year-round and reviewed on a rolling basis.
The Saint Mercedes Scholarships
The partial scholarships for adults 18 years and older are named after Saint Mercedes, the vocal artist and coach who helped Marcellé begin reconnecting with her voice at a time when the music industry made it difficult to hear herself. These scholarships—awarding up to 75% of the tuition cost for Masterclass Only, Masterclass and Asynchronous Coaching, or Masterclass and Live One-on-One Coaching—support adult singers and songwriters who are building their skills while learning to stay rooted in their own artistic identity. Because working musicians, emerging artists, and adults studying contemporary music in college often feel pressure to meet industry expectations, hit milestones quickly, or mold themselves into what they believe they “should” sound like, The Saint Mercedes Scholarships create space for high-level training that does not sacrifice emotional clarity or internal grounding. The masterclasses at Once Upon a Voice offer a rigorous, professional curriculum in singing, songwriting, piano, and music production, while also honoring the experiences that many adults carry with them—including trauma histories, neurodivergent needs, and the complex emotions that shape creative expression. Students refine their sound, strengthen their craft, and develop a vocal, lyrical, or compositional style that reflects who they truly are, not who they feel forced to be. Saint Mercedes is a New Orleans–based vocal artist and international vocal coach whose teaching is shaped by profound resilience. After surviving thyroid cancer and awakening from surgery with a paralyzed vocal fold, she relearned how to express music with asymmetrical anatomy. Her recovery led her to teach from a place that blends technical mastery with emotional and spiritual depth—reminding artists that the voice is inseparable from thought, feeling, and personal truth. Her work as Saint Mercedes centers purpose, alignment, and the healing capacity of sound, while her project Medicinal Harmony cultivates intergenerational spaces for musical connection. As full-time faculty at Loyola University New Orleans, she guides students with the same mixture of precision, introspection, and artistic anchoring that defines her performances. Marcellé began studying with Saint Mercedes after graduating from Loyola, during the early years of her professional life and while training in graduate-level music therapy. Their time together was short, but the shift it created was lasting. “I was so focused on the industry—on what I was supposed to achieve, on what my career should look like—that I lost track of singing for joy,” Marcellé shares. “Mercedes made me curious again. She helped me notice what was happening inside my voice, inside my body, inside my emotions.” Although reconnecting with her voice would become a longer journey—one she would later deepen through additional mentors and trauma therapies—Mercedes opened the path by teaching her that a voice is not a ladder to success; it is something to honor, protect, and understand. “She helped me start finding my voice again. And I want every adult who studies with me to feel that same sense of reconnection, whether they express themselves through singing, songwriting, or a blend of both.” These scholarships honor Saint Mercedes's example—teaching adults not only how to strengthen their technique, but how to stay anchored in themselves as they move through a demanding industry. Her approach reaches beyond perfectionism and accolades, showing musicians that mastery and meaning are inseparable: the voice grows best when the artist is grounded, present, and connected to something deeper than external milestones. At Once Upon a Voice, our adult services weave these values together. We offer exceptional, professional-level training in voice, songwriting, piano, and producing, while also supporting the inner clarity needed to sustain an authentic musical life. Rather than pushing artists toward an image of success that disconnects them from their own sound, we help them refine their craft in ways that remain embodied and self-aligned—matching the way Saint Mercedes teaches adults to return to their voices with honesty instead of pressure. In the future, these scholarships will be sustained and supported through Voicelore, a nonprofit in development to protect what Saint Mercedes believes in: making premium-level music training available to every adult who needs it. Voicelore will help keep these scholarships fully available each year and will also support equipment, in-person experiences, and creative opportunities that help adult musicians connect with their voices. Learn more at voicelore.org.
The Steven Boyd Scholarships
The partial scholarships for ages 0–6 are named after Marcellé’s father, Steven Boyd. Each year, scholarships are given to our youngest students, awarding up to 75% of the tuition cost for early childhood music instruction. These fun classes welcome little ones into the world of music through gentle, joyful play. With a focus on sound, movement, rhythm, and early language, The Steven Boyd Scholarships support families in laying a strong musical foundation—before formal technique ever begins. Group classes 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 challenges, 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.” These scholarships honor that beginning. In our group classes for ages 0–6 years, 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. Infants 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, these scholarships will be sustained and supported through Voicelore, a nonprofit in development to protect what Steven Boyd believed in: making music available to every child who needs it. Voicelore will help keep these scholarships fully available each year and will also support equipment, in-person experiences, and creative opportunities that help young musicians thrive. Learn more at voicelore.org.
The Day'nah Cooper-Evans Scholarships
The partial scholarships for ages 6–9 are named after Marcellé’s former vocal producer, Day’nah Cooper-Evans. Each year, scholarships are given to workshop students, awarding up to 75% of the tuition cost for small-group singing or songwriting instruction. 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 Scholarships support students at this early stage of vocal and writing development, offering them the kind of structured, expressive, and empowering learning that honors both technique and imagination. Workshops at Once Upon a Voice are trauma-informed and neurodiversity-affirming. They offer 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 nine years old—you need a space where you feel safe being heard. That is something I learned through working with her.” These scholarships honor 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 6–9. 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, these scholarships will be sustained and supported through Voicelore, a nonprofit in development to protect what Day'nah believes in: making music available to every child who needs it. Voicelore will help keep these scholarships fully available each year and will also support equipment, in-person experiences, and creative opportunities that help young musicians thrive. Learn more at voicelore.org.
The Betsy Uschkrat Scholarship
The full scholarship for ages 6–9 is named in honor of Marcellé’s first voice teacher, Dr. Betsy Uschkrat. Each year, one 6–9-year-old receives 100% of the tuition cost for singing lessons, songwriting lessons, or both. While musical exploration begins earlier at Once Upon a Voice, age 6 marks the transition from exploratory learning to formal training. This is when students take their first steps in learning how to breathe for singing, shape sound with intention, and turn creative impulses into structured songs. These early lessons form the foundation of each student’s vocal and songwriting journey. The Betsy Uschkrat Scholarship ensures that this important chapter remains 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 6–9 are invited to build a strong and joyful foundation. 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, jazz, and popular genres. In the future, this scholarship will be sustained and supported through Voicelore, a nonprofit in development to protect what Dr. Uschkrat believes in: making music available to every child who needs it. Voicelore will help keep this scholarship fully available each year and will also support equipment, in-person experiences, and creative opportunities that help young musicians thrive. Learn more at voicelore.org.
The Sandra Youmans Scholarships
The partial scholarships for ages 9–12 are named after Marcellé’s middle school choir and handbells teacher, Sandra Youmans. Each year, scholarships are given to workshop students, awarding up to 75% of the tuition cost for small-group singing or songwriting instruction. 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 Scholarships support 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. Our workshops reflect that not only through education, 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.” These scholarships honor the kind of strength, care, and trust that Mrs. Youmans gave so freely. It invites students ages 9–12 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. These scholarships help nurture that kind of lasting support system. In the future, this scholarship will be sustained and supported through Voicelore, a nonprofit in development to protect what Mrs. Youmans believed in: making music available to every child who needs it. Voicelore will help keep these scholarships fully available each year and will also support equipment, in-person experiences, and creative opportunities that help young musicians thrive. Learn more at voicelore.org.
The Janice Seeley Scholarship
The full scholarship for ages 9–12 is named after Marcellé’s high school piano teacher, Janice Seeley. Each year, one 9–12-year-old receives 100% of the tuition cost for singing lessons, songwriting lessons, or both. These are the years when students begin to stretch beyond the basics. They refine their technique, explore intermediate skills in voice and songwriting, and learn how to shape their ideas more intentionally—developing a stronger 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 the versatile musicianship that bridges foundational study and advanced training. 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, Mrs. 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.” Mrs. 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 Mrs. 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 9–12 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, this scholarship will be sustained and supported through Voicelore, a nonprofit in development to protect what Mrs. Seeley believes in: making music available to every child who needs it. Voicelore will help keep this scholarship fully available each year and will also support equipment, in-person experiences, and creative opportunities that help young musicians thrive. Learn more at voicelore.org.
The Xylo Aria Scholarships
The partial scholarships for ages 12–15 are named after Marcellé’s most influential music production and engineering teacher, Xylo Aria. Each year, scholarships are awarded to workshop students, covering up to 75% of the tuition cost for small-group singing or songwriting instruction. These workshops represent the advanced stage of study at Once Upon a Voice, where students refine technique, strengthen creative and technical foundations, and begin working in Ableton Live—the professional digital audio workstation they will continue mastering at ages 15–18. In these collaborative spaces, students form friendships, build confidence, and practice communication through shared musical goals. Singers learn to produce their vocals and understand how they fit within a track, while songwriters develop their production and arranging skills alongside peers. Whether refining advanced vocal techniques or composing and producing original music, The Xylo Aria Scholarships support students as they build the focus and discipline that make artistry possible later on. Xylo Aria is a singer, producer, entrepreneur, and visionary leader in music education. Born in India and residing in Australia, she brings a global perspective to everything she creates. Her musical journey began with traditional Indian Carnatic music introduced by her grandmother—an influence that sparked her curiosity to begin writing original songs at age twelve and collaborating with Melbourne-based producers soon after. Her debut EP, Arrow, and follow-up single, Paradigm, received wide coverage from Australian outlets such as Tonedeaf, Music Talks, and Australian Music Scene, as well as airplay on PBS and Triple R radio. In 2017, Xylo chose to produce her own music, releasing her first self-produced single, Pig—a haunting, ambient piece described by Pile Rats as “a haunting slice of downtempo electronica dealing with some heady issues.” That release marked the beginning of her distinctive production aesthetic and her evolution as a self-sufficient artist. After the collaboration MRI, she reflected on the challenges she faced as a female musician in a male-dominated production landscape. Those experiences inspired her to found Music Production for Women (MPW) in 2019—an international education platform empowering women and gender-diverse musicians to enter and excel in music technology. MPW quickly became a global movement—featured in academic research and major media, supported by industry leaders like Ableton, and celebrated for creating accessible pathways into production. “It’s time we started empowering ourselves and each other,” Xylo says. “If we wait for others to provide the stepping stone, we’ll be waiting forever.” Xylo’s production and engineering program was transformative for Marcellé. “When I released my first project several years ago, the rave reviews for my songwriting and production were overshadowed by mistakes I didn’t yet know how to fix,” she shares. “After I started working with GRAMMY-winners and platinum-sellers, I thought I would always rely on incredible collaborators to avoid the ridicule I’d faced before.” That changed in the course of a year. “After learning from Xylo and the other instructors at MPW, my producing and engineering skills skyrocketed. I can finally create music that matches the quality of those I’ve admired—something I’ve dreamed of since I was a little girl, recording in my dad’s studio.” These scholarships honor Xylo’s commitment to creative independence, inclusion, and high-quality music creation. At Once Upon a Voice, advanced workshop students ages 12–15 receive trauma-informed, neurodiversity-affirming instruction that deepens their musicianship and strengthens their technical mastery. Using Ableton Live, they learn to produce their work with confidence while building the teamwork, communication, and empathy that come from learning in community. These experiences prepare them not only for professional-level study, but for the collaborative nature of the music industry itself. In the future, these scholarships will be sustained and supported through Voicelore, a nonprofit in development to protect what Xylo believes in: making high-quality music creation accessible to anyone, regardless of how they differ from industry norms. Voicelore will help keep these scholarships fully available each year and will also support equipment, in-person experiences, and creative opportunities that help young musicians thrive. Learn more at voicelore.org.
The Elle Holiday Scholarship
The full scholarship for ages 12–15 is named after Elle Holiday, creator and instructor of the Vocal Educator Toolkit (VET) singing teacher certification that Marcellé completed. Each year, one 12–15-year-old receives 100% of the tuition cost for singing lessons, songwriting lessons, or both. These years mark a time of refinement and growth—when developing artists move beyond the basics of vocal technique and songwriting structure into mastery. The Elle Holiday Scholarship ensures that advanced students receive trauma-informed, neurodiversity-affirming instruction that strengthens their technical foundation, preparing them for the professional-level focus on style and artistry that follows at ages 15–18. Elle Holiday is a licensed speech-language pathologist, professional singer, and educator whose work bridges clinical voice science and contemporary vocal artistry. As the founder of VocaLab and creator of the VET, she has redefined how singers, teachers, and clinicians around the world understand and train the voice. Her programs demystify vocal anatomy while honoring the artistry at the heart of singing, empowering professionals and performers alike to use evidence-based tools without losing creativity or individuality. As a neurodivergent singer herself, Elle brings deep empathy and insight to her teaching—acknowledging that every singer’s voice, nervous system, and learning process are unique. Elle’s journey into voice education began through lived experience. After developing vocal fold nodules early in her career, she found herself navigating a confusing path through medical and performance worlds that often spoke different languages. Rather than letting that experience silence her, Elle turned it into purpose—earning her degree in speech pathology while continuing to sing and teach. She went on to create the VET, an online certification that blends clinical science and pedagogy to help singing teachers understand how the voice truly works. Her work through VocaLab continues to evolve, providing voice therapy, gender-affirming care, and education that fosters both knowledge and self-compassion. Marcellé shares, “Although I had years of vocal training, I realized there was more to understand about voice science. My students were developing beautifully—reaching levels of control and resonance that revealed where my own understanding could expand. Elle’s certification program was exactly what I needed. It combined speech-language pathology principles with contemporary technique in a way that made everything click. With my background in music therapy and applied behavioral analysis, I was immediately drawn to her trauma-informed, science-grounded approach. It prepared me to work with singers of all neurotypes, experiences, and abilities.” This scholarship honors Elle’s commitment to voice pedagogy, voice science, and artist wellness. At Once Upon a Voice, students ages 12–15 receive instruction that meets them where they are—whether they are exploring voice changes, experiencing sensory overload, or finding new ways to express themselves through song. For those who prefer augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) or other forms of creation, our songwriting lessons provide a special avenue for mastering music. In the future, this scholarship will be sustained and supported through Voicelore, a nonprofit in development to protect what Elle believes in: making music available to every teen voice, regardless of what form their voice takes. Voicelore will help keep this scholarship fully available each year and will also support equipment, in-person experiences, and creative opportunities that help young musicians thrive. Learn more at voicelore.org.
The Kate Duncan Scholarships
The partial scholarships for ages 15–18 are named after Marcellé’s longtime mentor, Kate Duncan. Each year, scholarships are given to workshop students, awarding up to 75% of the tuition cost for small-group singing or songwriting instruction. These collaborative, elite classes guide students through the realities of working in music—from professional vocal technique and songwriting craft to real-world industry dynamics. Whether students are refining their style, learning to speak up in rehearsals, or discovering how to collaborate with confidence, The Kate Duncan Scholarships support 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. Together, they represent the professional level of study at Once Upon a Voice, where students refine their artistry and prepare to enter the broader music world with skill and self-awareness. 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.” These scholarships honor 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 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, embracing neurodivergence, or simply learning how to be themselves in a creative space. In the future, these scholarships will be sustained and supported through Voicelore, a nonprofit in development to protect what Kate believes in: making premium-level music training available to every teen who needs it. Voicelore will help keep these scholarships fully available each year and will also support equipment, in-person experiences, and creative opportunities that help young musicians thrive. Learn more at voicelore.org.
The Jazmin Crumley Scholarship
The full scholarship for ages 15–18 is named after Jazmin Crumley, the vocal coach who helped Marcellé weave together years of training into an embodied mastery of her voice. Each year, one 15–18-year-old receives 100% of the tuition cost for singing lessons, songwriting lessons, or both. These years mark a turning point—when developing artists refine advanced technique, solidify creative identity, and begin professional-level training that prepares them for the world beyond student study. The Jazmin Crumley Scholarship supports teens who are ready for this stage of artistry, whether they are preparing to record original music, build a portfolio for a contemporary music college program, or train for industry opportunities. Lessons at Once Upon a Voice are trauma-informed and neurodiversity-affirming, helping each student integrate technique, expression, and identity in ways that reflect their unique voice and story. 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 Stevie Wonder, PJ Morton, Fantasia, Kirk Franklin, The Clark Sisters, and more. 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 15–18 receive professional-level training that prepares them to enter the music industry or contemporary music colleges. 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 sustained and supported through Voicelore, a nonprofit in development to protect what Jazmin believes in: making premium music training available to every teen who needs it. Voicelore will help keep this scholarship fully available each year and will also support equipment, in-person experiences, and creative opportunities that help young musicians thrive. Learn more at voicelore.org.