William R. Gard Scholarship Winner Announced; Three Scholarships also Renewed

NAMM, the International Music Products Association, announced today that Chase Dwelle of Grand Rapids, Mich., is the recipient of the 2005–2006 William R. Gard Memorial Scholarship.

The scholarship, established in the name of former NAMM Executive Vice President William R. Gard, invests in the education of promising students interested in contributing their talents to the music products industry.

Dwelle will attend Grand Valley State University in Allendale, Mich., this fall as a business major and has worked as an intern at Firehouse Music in Grandville, Mich., for the past 10 months. After college graduation, Dwelle plans to use his experience and education to open his own music products store that specializes in boutique, rare and vintage instruments. He has played piano since the age of six and guitar for the past three years.

Dwelle was selected from several qualified candidates by the Professional Development Committee of the NAMM Board of Directors.

“The future of the music industry depends on talented and determined individuals like Chase Dwelle,” said Ken Wilson, NAMM’s director of professional development. “By supporting today’s college students, we are helping to shape tomorrow’s leaders in the music products industry.”

Eligible applicants must be enrolled as a full-time student at an accredited four-year university and work at least 400 hours annually at a NAMM Member company. The award of $2,000 per academic year is renewable for up to three years.

NAMM also renewed scholarships for three previous Gard winners. Lonnie Woodall of Bassette, Va., Luke Veronda of Kankakee, Ill. and Juliann Dunkley Miller of Provo, Utah will continue their college studies with help from the scholarship.

For details and further eligibility requirements, interested parties can contact NAMM at 800.767.6266. The next application deadline is March 31, 2006.