Crystal Springs Teen Awarded Full Scholarship for Berklee College of Music Summer Performance Program

Boston – Terrance Stewart, 18, of Crystal Springs, will spend five weeks of his summer in Boston, July 9 – August 12, studying at the prestigious Berklee College of Music on full scholarship. The vocalist will join teens from all over the world for Berklee’s Five-Week Summer Performance Program.

Stewart’s scholarship comes from the Berklee Mississippi Music Exchange initiative that trades education, music, and culture between Berklee and kindred organizations throughout Mississippi. This is the fourth year that Berklee has awarded summer scholarships to students from the Crystal Springs area taking part in programs with the Robert Johnson Blues Museum.

Stewart, a member of the Crystal Springs High School class of 2011, performed two songs for his scholarship audition, including the gospel number “He Wants It All,” by Forever Jones. Stewart is a member of the Full Gospel Outreach Miracle Ministry Choir, performing at churches, school events, and weddings. He lists Usher and R. Kelly as influences.

Steven Johnson, vice president of the Robert Johnson Blues Foundation, hosted the audition. The other talented scholarship hopefuls who auditioned were Antranekia Willis, Daquan Powell, Kimbriana Christmas, Tashyro Smith, and Cornisha Stringer, all backed by Berklee students and a professor. The Berklee group subsequently performed at various venues and schools, toured blues and civil rights sites with a local historian, and auditioned more summer scholarship hopefuls in Clarksdale.

Berklee’s Five-Week Summer Performance Program, now in its 25th year, is the largest, most comprehensive summer music program available–anywhere. With its diversity of study options, world-class Berklee faculty, visiting artists, and state-of-the-art facilities, it’s the premiere contemporary music summer program for young musicians. Approximately 900 participants from around the world share in this unique summer experience–all instruments, all contemporary styles, and all levels of musical ability.