The Association of Music Producers’ (AMP) Diversity & Inclusion Committee has announced the recipients of the first-ever Diversity & Inclusion Scholarship Program.
Launched earlier this year in collaboration with the Save the Music Foundation, the program aims to provide educational and career development support for talented young musicians and producers from underrepresented communities.
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The four recipients for the 2024 scholarship program are Uche Anwanyu, Jadia Brown, Max Castrillo, and Justice Short. Each individual brings a unique perspective and passion for music, showcasing their exceptional talent and commitment to the field.
Uche Anwanyu
Uche Anwanyu, a composer based in Brooklyn attending Bates College, is an active member of Building Beats, showcasing leadership and dedication to his craft.
Jadia Brown
Jadia Brown, a composer in Los Angeles attending Los Angeles Film School, serves as the President of the Honor Society and is not only a solo artist but also actively involved in female-led groups with a strong passion for music production.
Max Castrillo
Max Castrillo, a music supervisor based in NYC and a graduate from The New School, possesses a near-perfect GPA and a profound appreciation for the impact of music in visual storytelling.
Justice Short
Justice Short, a composer from Chicago attending Columbia College on a partial scholarship for creative arts, is a New Orleans native with a deep love for how music brings people together and builds communities.
AMP President Carol Dunn, a member of the D&I Committee, expressed the committee’s enthusiasm for the selected recipients, emphasizing their musical talent and potential in compelling music production. These four young people were selected because they impressed the jury with their musical talent and their potential for compelling music production. Thanks to this AMP scholarship initiative, they’ll receive production equipment that may have been financially out of reach, as well as invaluable opportunities to learn more about how the ad music business works from our members. We’re excited about what they can bring to our industry.”
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Recipients will benefit from laptops, training, resume oversight, and mentoring by top professionals in the field. The program aligns with AMP’s commitment to fostering diversity and inclusion in an industry that has traditionally been predominantly white and male.
The D&I Committee, led by Co-Chairs Jennie Armon and Adrian Womack, successfully raised over $26,000 to fund the scholarship. Their efforts included a fundraiser at the 2023 SXSW Festival, featuring performances by Francis Garcia and Charlie David, contributing to the scholarship’s success.
Jennie Armon reflected on the committee’s dedication to addressing diversity in the industry, stating, “Amongst all the chaos and pain of George Floyd’s murder, we looked inward at our community and saw a lack of diversity that we needed to address and change.” The committee’s commitment extends beyond the current recipients, with plans to support and welcome future scholarship recipients in the coming years.
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