Three Carson City students awarded Rosemary Nebesky Memorial Scholarships

Jonah Toral, Nathan Parsons, and Bita Jazani were awarded the fifth annual Rosemary Nebesky Memorial Scholarships by the Carson City Symphony Association this month. The scholarship was established by John and Jennifer Webley of Santa Rosa, Calif., in memory of Rosemary Nebesky, who loved music, loved children, and had been a friend and board member of the Carson City Symphony Association. It is awarded each year to one or more Carson City students age 5 to 17 for instrumental music lessons. The winners this year were selected from several well qualified applicants. More students applied than in any previous year.

Toral, 16, is a 10^th-grader at Carson High School, where he plays percussion in Concert Band, Jazz Band, and Marching Band. He has participated in festivals and workshops, is a member of the Capital City Community Band, and plays in his church worship band. His school band director, Nick Jacques, said Toral is a motivated and talented student who loves playing music. Toral will use the scholarship for private percussion lessons with Brandon Dodge, to help him along his path toward becoming an accomplished percussionist.

Parsons, age 14, is a 9^th-grader at Carson High School who plays violin and trumpet in numerous ensembles in Carson City and Reno. Among these are STRAZZ, Carson City Symphony’s advanced youth strings ensemble; Carson High School’s Chamber Orchestra, Wind Ensemble, Advanced Jazz Band, and Marching Band; and the Reno Philharmonic Youth Orchestra program. Parsons has been awarded five medals for solo violin, solo trumpet, and ensembles in NMEA (Nevada Music Educators Association) competitions. He also volunteers as a mentor for younger student musicians, and for community events. Parsons’ dream is to be a music director. He will use his scholarship to continue private violin lessons.

Jazani, 17, is an 12^th-grade violinist at Carson High School, where she is Concertmaster of Chamber Orchestra, Carson High’s elite orchestral ensemble, for the second year. She has been a member of the Carson City School District orchestra program since sixth grade and a member of STRAZZ, Carson City Symphony’s after-school advanced youth string ensemble, for the past three years. She earned excellent and superior ratings in solo and ensemble festivals. Jazani said she will continue her passion for music and her musical journey throughout her life. She will use her scholarship to continue private violin lessons.

The next round of scholarships will be awarded in fall of 2021. For more information about the scholarship and the application process, contact the Symphony at 775-883-4154.