Portsmouth Pro Musica announces its 2024 scholarship recipients

PORTSMOUTH — Seacoast chorus Portsmouth Pro Musica has awarded scholarships of $500 each to help two Portsmouth High School seniors advance in their studies.  Each year the chorus grants scholarships to graduating seniors who have been active in the arts and plan to continue their involvement in college and beyond.  This year’s recipients are Julia Syphers and Zoe Gouin.

Julia Syphers

“In my life,” Julia states, “music has always been the conductor, guiding me through the highs and lows.  I envision myself as a creator of soundscapes that heal, inspire, and bring happiness to those who listen.  In a world that often feels fragmented, I believe in the unifying power of music.”

This honor student will pursue her passion next fall, as she plans to attend Plymouth State University to study digital music production and entrepreneurship.  At Portsmouth High School, Julia was active in drama, participating as a cast member in the school’s 2020 play “Spongebob Square Pants.”  She served as a valued section leader in the choir, and continues to sing in community events, having performed The National Anthem at the New Hampshire governor’s 2019 inauguration.

She received accolades from her choir director, who described her as “an all-star student with a strong passion and interest in music.  She shows our school’s core values of excellence, community, commitment, and leadership in all that she does. Through taking a number of experimental hands-on courses and setting goals for herself, she has proven to be a well-rounded scholar and has branched out into many different disciplines in her high school career.”

From 2020 through 2022 Julia also participated in Musical Theatre Competition of America, a national vocal competition.  She was a member of the National Honor Society and was awarded “Most Improved Swimmer as a 4-year member of the swim team. Outside of school, she performed charity work for The Spiritus Child, preparing care packages for families with children receiving tracheotomy care at Massachusetts General Hospital.  She also sang for people with cognitive challenges and served four years as a  summer camp counselor for the Coyote Club Wilderness Education Program in Rollinsford.

Zoe Gouin

Zoe Gouin will attend Dalhousie University to attain a STEAM-related degree.  She will major in Mathematics, minor in Music and Spanish, and she plans to earn a doctorate.

“My current goal is to dedicate myself to everything that inspires me and take advantage of opportunities along the way,” she says.  “As someone who strives for excellence in everything I apply myself to, I am motivated to learn.  In school, I challenge myself with honors classes, while balancing extracurricular activities and work.”

Graduating first in her class, Zoe was a National Honor Society Board Member , a Student 2 Student Mentor Leader, a founding member of the Books and Bad Art Club, and participated in track and field.   Beginning in first grade, she taught herself to play seven musical instruments, ultimately focusing on bass clarinet.  By eighth grade, she was already participating in Portsmouth High School music groups, including Concert Band, Holiday Ensemble, Jazz Band, Pep Band, and the Marching Band, where she served as Drum Major her senior year.

She was the recipient of numerous awards, honors, and scholarships, including the Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute Medal Award for superlative academic achievement; the Dartmouth Book Award for academic honors and extra curricular participation; and the New Hampshire Music Educators Association Outstanding Audition Honors, for which she achieved the highest audition rating for bass clarinet for the New Hampshire All-State Music Festival.

Outside of school, Zoe has actively  participated with musical organizations, including service as the Principal Chair bass clarinetist and vocal soloist for the Strafford Wind Symphony since the Spring of 2022 and the Principal Chair bass clarinetist for the 2023 and 2024 NH All-State Music Festivals. She also has extensive paid/volunteer work experience, including involvement with Special Olympics.

Portsmouth Pro Musica is extremely proud of the notable accomplishments and aspirations of its 2024 scholarship recipients and wishes them continued success in their college years and beyond.  The chorus remains dedicated to providing continued scholarship support for high school seniors who have demonstrated a talent, dedication, and passion for the arts, and who have achieved academic excellence.

This article originally appeared on Portsmouth Herald: Portsmouth Pro Musica announces its 2024 scholarship recipients