"We are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them" Ephesians 2:10

Calderon Music Studio Scholarship Fund

Established in 2019 by Mrs. Phyllis Calderon, Director & Teaching Artist

Mission: To empower students to grow musically, academically, and spiritually. We believe that learning an instrument is more than mastering technique—it is a way to encounter God's creativity, build character, and offer worship through sound. Through our scholarship fund, we provide college expenses for graduating seniors and support for private-lesson students who demonstrate dedication and potential but lack the necessary resources—ensuring that every student God has entrusted to us has the opportunity to develop their gifts, deepen their faith, and let their God-inspired sound be heard. 

We are dedicated to equipping young people to pursue their musical education with confidence, faith, and purpose, knowing that their gifts can transform lives and glorify God. 

Mrs. Calderon and the ATCP-CMS staff are committed to nurturing the next generation of musicians and providing them with the support they need to excel in their musical journeys.

Mrs. Phyllis and her niece, Victoria R., perform for a Mother's Day celebration in 2023.

Since 2022, scholarships for college expenses have been awarded to five students of the Calderon Music Studio. They are Ariel McGee, Christian Copeland, Victoria Roberts, Malik Muhammad, and Eva Bradley.

Ariel McGee, a graduate of Kenwood High School and piano student since age 6, was the first recipient of the CMS Scholarship in 2022. She attends Columbia University.

Christian Copeland, our 2nd scholarship recipient in 2024 and honors graduate of Kenwood High School, is now in his second year at Hampton Institute studying aviation. He is also a licensed pilot and continues to play violin in the Hampton Orchestra.

Victoria Roberts, our 3rd 2025 recipient of the CMS Fund Scholarship, is an honors graduate of Kenwood High School. She received a full four-year college scholarship through the Posse Foundation. During her elementary and high school years, she studied the violin and cello with Mrs. Phyllis at ATCP. Her cello skills led to a leadership role with Kenwood's Orchestra. And her love of writing earned her a winning entry in the Empowered collection. Her poem "The Man in the Picture" is featured on page 203. Victoria is majoring in philosophy on a Pre-Law track at DePauw University. 

Malik Muhammad, the 4th 2025 scholarship recipient, is a violinist, violist, and award-winning composer who began lessons with Mrs. Phyllis in the 3rd grade. She introduced him to chamber music and composition. Through her help, he landed a spot as a Fellow in the Chicago Musical Pathways Initiative. 

Malik's compositions have won awards and been performed through the CSO's Young Composers Initiative. Specifically, Magnitude, the 2025 Kent Cooke Young Artist Award, and his earlier work Recoverless were selected for the documentary What's Left Behind, produced by University of Illinois Professor Ruby Mendenhall. Inspired by this collaboration, Malik developed Music to My Ears – A Balm from Bronzeville™. Malik has also received awards from Lift Music Fund, the Music Link Foundation, and the Jack Kent Cooke Young Artist Award. He is studying composition at the Jacobs School of Music, Indiana University.

Eva Bradley, the 5th 2025 CMS scholarship recipient, began her music studies with Mrs. Phyllis as a violin student at the age of 4, switching to cello at age 8. For three years as a high school student, she participated in Intonation, an AfterSchool Matters Club, where she used her leadership skills to teach music theory and stage performance techniques to high school students. Eva is a graduate of Dyett High School of the Arts and looks forward to applying her musical skills in college.

In 2022, seven-year-old Naima J. of Calderon Music Studio performed a duet with Teacher, Ms. Anya B., at a Herald Washington Cultural Center Gala Fundraising Event.

Background: Mrs. Phyllis, founder of A Touch of Classical Plus (ATCP), established The Calderon Music Studio Scholarship Fund ("The Fund") in 2019 to help young musicians with college expenses. She believes in the power of music education and instrument instruction to positively impact students' lives.  

Vision for The Fund: We provide discounted scholarships to support families in need, host inspiring music competitions that encourage excellence in young musicians, and offer unique opportunities for students to publish their original writings and musical compositions. Every child deserves the chance to discover their voice, share their story, and develop their God-given gifts.

Thank you, Supporters! We are deeply grateful to you for your support, which makes the Calderon Music Studio Scholarship Fund possible.

To learn more about ATCP-Calderon Music Studio, click here.