Irene and Renato Mastropaolo Scholarship In the spring of each year the Kentucky Cello Club hosts the Irene and Renato Mastropaolo Scholarship auditions. The scholarship fund was established for the encouragement of deserving young cellists from Kentucky (as well as Indiana counties adjacent to the city of Louisville). The Fund is a memorial to Renato Mastropaolo, an inspiring cello teacher, dedicated public school teacher and a member of the Louisville Orchestra. The fund is made possible through the generous contributions of colleagues, friends, family members and the Kentucky Cello Club. Students ages 10 to 21, may audition for the award. The scholarship must be used to further studies on the cello. In order to participate, students must apply and include a written statement declaring the reason the award is needed. The award is based 50% on financial need and 50% on talent. An audition panel of 3 musicians will determine the winner based both on the live audition and the written statement. Each year the amount of the award may vary. The Irene and Renato Mastrpaolo Scholarship of the Kentucky Cello Club was lovingly conceived by Irene Mastropaolo, to honor her husband and Wally Mastropaolo in memory of his father. Renato posessed the heart and soul of the cello and shared his gift most generously. Visit the Winners page to see what many of the talented young recipients are doing. Winners

Alan Ohkubo Awarded 2007 Scholarship

Alan Ohkubo, son of  Megumi and Katheryn Ohkubo, has been awarded the 2007 Mastropaolo Scholarship. Alan is privileged to study cello with his father and the distinguished artist and teacher, Janos Starker. He will be using his award to study at Indiana University this summer.   Alan's accomplishments this year include performing the first movement of the Dvorak Cello Concerto with the Youth Performing Arts School Orchestra, principal cellist of the Kentucky All State Orchestra, performing in concert and on WUOL Lunchtime Classics with Jinjoo Cho  (2006 winner of the Montreal Violin Competition) and perfoming in a Masterclass at Indiana University.  Alan recently was a guest recitalist for the Women's Club and will continue his endeavors as a guest artist along side his father with the Kentucky Center Chamber Players in the beautiful Schubert Quintet.   Good luck, Alan.