DEFFA offers a $350 scholarship each year to one Maine DEFFA member applying to a summer music/dance camp session. The funds for this scholarship are generated by the annual DEFFA FUNraiser dance and by the support of our members. Some camps that may be of interest include: Pinewoods (any session) , Maine Fiddle Camp , or Mainewoods Dance Camp. Details for dates, applications, and scholarship opportunities can be found on the individual camps’ websites. Note that Pinewoods, CDSS, and Mainewoods Dance Camp will all require campers to be fully vaccinated for COVID-19 this summer. (Maine Fiddle Camp had not yet decided whether to hold in-person camp as of this writing, although they are doing a June virtual camp.)
If you are selected to receive DEFFA’s scholarship, and you are applying to a CDSS camp week (at Pinewoods or elsewhere), you may also be eligible for a matching scholarship from CDSS (likely, but not guaranteed). If CDSS does not have matching funds for some reason, DEFFA will still offer the $350 scholarship for the chosen applicant. This opportunity is available to our members because DEFFA is an affiliate member of CDSS.
Additional financial assistance may also be available from CDSS through camp work scholarships and other named scholarships, including the New Generation Initiative offered in conjunction with Pinewoods Camp to support and mentor younger dancers and musicians.
WHO SHOULD APPLY
We give preference to up and coming leaders, musicians, callers, or administrators – someone who would be enriched by the experience, who will put into action what they learn, and who has a commitment to furthering DEFFA’s mission. DEFFA’s Scholarship Committee will choose from the applicants based on that commitment.
APPLICATION PROCEDURE
As this year there is such a short application window, go ahead and apply to the camp session of your choice, and concurrently apply for the DEFFA scholarship. To do that, please complete and submit the Application Form online (below) or print and fill out the PDF version and return a scanned copy via email to [email protected]
To apply for the CDSS Affiliate matching grant, there is a CDSS form to be filled out by both DEFFA and the individual and emailed (or mailed) to CDSS. Normally DEFFA would forward the completed form to CDSS, but given the time constraints, CDSS says you can go ahead and register for the camp of your choice first. If a DEFFA scholarship is awarded, we will let CDSS know so they can match it if funds are available.
DEADLINE: CDSS camp registration will be open until June 14 but we will accept DEFFA applications until June 30, and let people know by the following week.
Questions? Email Susanna Liller: [email protected]