In order to help continue the tradition of equipping students of the dulcimer and raising up more dulcimer teachers, DulcimerCrossing.com
is providing the funding for one scholarship to Kentucky Music Week 2023. We sincerely appreciate this support from our dulcimer community.
The Chris Barrett Scholarship honors the memory of Chris Barrett, a regular participant at Kentucky Music Week.
Chris Barrett passed away suddenly in 2023. He and his wife, Deb, were often seen at Kentucky Music Week, Kentucky Music Weekend,
and Kentucky Music Winter Weekend wearing matching frog shirts and walking hand-in-hand down the hallways. Chris was known as a
friend to everyone, a kind and gentle soul who loved his wife, Deb, his music, and his life.
The Phil Houghton Scholarship honors the memory of a dear person who was a regular participant at Kentucky Music Week. Phil was known by
just about everyone at KMW for his big smile and red suspenders, his magic tricks and his joyous spirit. Due to his generous nature,
and the generosity of his friends, this scholarship is set up to be on-going each year. It will be presented to someone who has financial
need to be able to attend KMW. Phil was a pastor and a very kind person who celebrated the good in others. There are no specific
requirements for this scholarship.
The Don Neuhauser Scholarship is in memory of our dear friend, musician, luthier, hot sauce maker, award-winning Galax
dulcimer player, KMW instructor and one of the greatest guys you ever met ever meet, Don Neuhauser. Don has left us to go play some banjo with
Cathy Barton, Jon Pickow and others gone before too soon.
Thank you, Don, for being so loving and giving - sharing your talents with us, and leaving behind a legacy of accomplishments that will stay
with us throughout our lives. It has been such a treat knowing you, playing and owning your instruments, and introducing you to generations
of future fans of your talents!
The Gary Sager Scholarship is in memory of KMW's longtime "Dulcimer Doctor". Gary was a shop owner, wonderful dulcimer player,
builder of sweet sounding dulcimers, extremely successful dulcimer instructor, friend to thousands, joyful jammer and so much more.
Everyone who knew Gary also knew his dear wife, Toni, and these two musicians played to audiences and gatherings from festivals to living rooms
all over the country. He was loved, truly loved by so many - and he leaves a hole that cannot be filled.
The Sam Stone Scholarship is in memory of an exceptional song and tune writer, performer, and musician whose music has touched the lives of
so many. Sam was a regular at Kentucky Music Week and his songs can still be heard in workshops taught by many of our instructors. This
scholarship also honors Sam & Daisy Stone’s daughter, Lee, who passed away in recent years. This musical family celebrates Sam’s connection with
KMW through this scholarship covering the cost of classes for a young adult dulcimer player who does not have sufficient funds to attend.
The Tom Strothers Scholarship is in memory of Kentucky Music Week's first webmaster. Tom designed the websites and online registration
system for Kentucky Music Week, Kentucky Music Weekend, and Kentucky Music Winter Weekend. His contribution to KMW over the past decade cannot be
understated. Tom was loved and appreciated for his many years of hard work that went into the development of KMW's online presence.
Two scholarships are being offered in his honor.
There are many other scholarships that have been given through the years, usually in the honor of a KMW regular participant who has passed or in the name of a dear one, and often times funded by KMW.
If you would like to contribute to any of these scholarships, set up a scholarship fund in someone’s name, or make a general donation to the KMW scholarship fund, please write to KMW, Inc., P. O. Box 86, Bardstown, KY 40004. You can either send a check made out to KMW, Inc or donate via PayPal or a credit/debit card using the button below.
You can also help our scholarship fund by donating a musical instrument for our silent auction or raffle. All proceeds go to insure that no person that is unable to pay is turned away from KMW.
If you are interested in receiving a scholarship please email Nancy Barker at info@kentuckymusicweek.com. In your request please give us your name, address and phone number and why you need the scholarship. Also let us know which scholarship you want. All scholarship requests are based on financial need.
Kentucky Music Week does not make public the name of recipients of these scholarships. The identity of the donor is made public or kept private at the request of the donor.