Paige Gunther awarded the 2024 Betsy Wiscombe piano scholarship from the Utah Music Foundation
Paige Gunther
June 2, 2024
Salt Lake City, UT — Utah Music Foundation, a non-profit organization dedicated to providing scholarships to musical students from Utah communities, is thrilled to announce Paige Gunther as the recipient of the 2024 Betsy Wiscombe piano scholarship. Paige is a 2024 graduate of Riverton High School in Riverton, UT and will be attending Brigham Young University this fall.
“My name is Paige Gunther, and I’m from Riverton, Utah. I have been very involved in piano since I was 5 years old, and I continue to love playing and performing!” says Ms. Gunther. “In addition to taking piano lessons, I have competed in Federation, multiple region and state Solo and Ensemble Festivals, as well as won two “Maestro” awards from WorldStrides Festivals for accompanying my high school choirs. I will be attending Brigham Young University this fall and hope to continue to have piano be a big part of my life through performing in the community and serving others through music. Thank you for selecting me as the 2024 recipient of the Betsy Wiscombe Piano Scholarship!”
This $500 scholarship is awarded each year based on the applicant’s involvement in piano, a recorded performance, and a brief essay. This short essay invites students to reflect on piano has influenced their lives and how they will be involved in piano going forward. The application process opens each spring and applicants are invited to apply at www.utahmusicfoundation.org.
To view prior year recipients of this and other scholarships, please visit the Utah Music Foundation website.
For more information, please contact: info@utahmusicfoundation.org
About Betsy Wiscombe
Elizabeth (Betsy) Johnson Wiscombe has had a love of music for as long as she can remember. She began piano lessons at the age of 7 and has been involved with music ever since. Betsy was active in her high school Glee Club and A Capella Choir while also accompanying various church and community choirs. Following high school, Betsy continued her music studies at Brigham Young University and the University of Utah.
As a young mother, Betsy shared her love of music with her six children as they gathered around the piano singing popular children's songs from Sesame Street and Mister Roger’s Neighborhood, nursery rhymes, church songs, and Broadway show tunes. This family tradition has continued through the years, and family gatherings are not complete without musical performances by children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. Throughout her adult life, Betsy has shared her musical talent with others by playing the piano and organ at church, accompanying vocal performances, and teaching piano lessons to grandchildren and other young students. For several years, she was the pianist for an Ogden area band called Betsy and the Boys. She continues playing for personal enjoyment and especially enjoys music from the 40s and 50s, the beautiful jazz chords of George Shearing, and the arrangements of Mack Wilberg. Betsy’s musical talents have enriched the lives of many.
About Utah Music Foundation
Founded in 2018, the Utah Music Foundation is a non-profit organization dedicated to helping students in Utah reach their musical and academic potential. Utah Music Foundation offers scholarships to musical high school students to help alleviate the financial burden of their college education. In 2020, more than 65 students representing over 25 high schools from 10 counties in Utah applied for available scholarships. Utah Music Foundation is recognized by the IRS as a public charity with 501(c)(3) tax exempt status. Visit www.UtahMusicFoundation.org for more information.