Music on the Hill Scholarship
Congratulations to 2025’s winners:
For the first time, two young pianists earned top honors, and will perform in concerts during our 2025 chamber music festival.
The winner of the $400 first prize is pianist Jack Paiva, 17, of North Kingstown. A junior at The Prout School in Wakefield, Jack studies with Nonetta Shatakhtsian at the Rhode Island Philharmonic Music School, where he also participates in the chamber music program.
Providence pianist Israel Alvarez, 16, earned the second prize of $200. Israel attends Achievement First Providence High School and studies with Gideon Rubin at the Rhode Island Philharmonic Music School.
Two musicians earned Honorable Mention prizes of $100: Ava Durfey, 18, a flutist at East Greenwich High School, and Alejandro Quintero Cashore, 17, a cellist at Bishop Hendricken High School.
Awards support musical study, disbursed to students’ teachers or program fees. Dozens of young Rhode Island musicians applied: pianists; string, wind, and brass players; and vocalists, ages 13-18.
Jack Paiva
Israel Alvarez
Jack William Paiva began piano studies with Nonetta Shatakhtsian at age six at the Rhode Island Philharmonic Music School. He has earned a gold medal each year in the Rhode Island Music Educators Association (RIMEA) Solo and Ensemble Competition since the third grade and was selected to perform in the Honors Concerts in 2023 and 2024. Last year, Jack placed in the American Protege Competition for Romantic Music and performed in the Weill Recital Hall at Carnegie Hall. A junior attending The Prout School in Wakefield, RI, Jack has performed with the string orchestra, choir, and jazz ensembles and served as the pianist for the theater department. He has performed at nursing homes, churches, and in virtual recitals during the Covid-19 lock-down. Jack is involved in the chamber music program at the Rhode Island Philharmonic Music School where he currently is part of a piano quartet. In addition, he is a member and treasurer for the Chopin Club in Providence, where he frequently performs. Jack enjoys competitive tennis and has been a member of the Prout Varsity Tennis team since his freshman year.
Israel Alvarez is a 16-year-old pianist from Providence, Rhode Island. He has been studying piano for ten years, with Gideon Rubin at the Rhode Island Philharmonic Music School. Israel is a student at Achievement First Providence High School, a public charter school.
An opportunity for the Ocean State’s young classical musicians — next accepting applications in September 2025.
The scholarship supports continued study of classical music performance.
Awards (up to $400) are disbursed directly to winners’ designated instructor; ensemble program; summer opportunity; or school, conservatory, or college music fee.
Winners may be invited to perform during Music on the Hill’s 2025 festival.
Eligibility: Rhode Island residents, ages 13 to 18
All instruments, including voice. Chamber groups may apply together and share the prize. One application per person, please.
The application includes:
- Audition: VIDEO recording, one piece, four to eight minutes
- Title and composer of selection
- Name, age, hometown, school, and a brief description of your music study
There is no application fee.
Applications are adjudicated on the basis of musicianship and performance. Judges include Artistic Director John Pellegrino and several members of Music on the Hill’s ensemble. Finalists may be asked to play for the panel on Zoom. Prizes will be awarded at the discretion of the judges.
Application form
Applications will open in September 2025. Please contact us with questions. Thank you.