The Tavani Family Orchestra String Fellowship is a merit-based fellowship, funded by the Tavani family, awarded to a MasterWorks Festival student who has achieved an exceptional level of musical performance on an orchestral string instrument. The recipient of the Tavani Family Orchestra String Fellowship will receive tuition, room, and board in MasterWorks facilities.*
Applications Open October 1st
Eligible students must complete both the general Festival and scholarship applications for the Orchestra Program in violin, viola, cello, or bass. Following acceptance, students may complete the additional Tavani Fellowship application requirements. Students are encouraged to apply early to allow time for Festival acceptance and Tavani Fellowship application by the submission deadline.
The Tavani Family Orchestra String Fellowship will be awarded by a selection committee from the pool of qualified applicants. Only students who have been accepted into the MasterWorks Orchestra Strings Program, and have submitted the complete Tavani Fellowship application package on or before Sunday, March 28, 2027 will be considered.
Complete the Tavani Fellowship Application Form with all required documents and performance links.
No exceptions will be made to the listed requirements.
(If you wish to verify eligibility, please email the Festival Administrator at abigail@christianperformingart.org.)
The recipient of the Tavani Family Orchestra String Fellowship is expected to fulfill the following requirements during participation in the MasterWorks Festival.
*The recipient will be responsible for the non-refundable application fee; any applicable security deposit; all travel and shuttle fees; and all extra expenses, such as equipment, collaborative pianist fees, linen purchases, souvenirs, etc.)
**If the recipient is not selected for the Concerto Competition finals, the student will perform as a soloist in the Honors Recital, adhering to all applicable guidelines and requirements.
Dr. and Mrs. Nick Tavani:
“The Masterworks Festival holds a dear place in the Tavani family. Four of our six sons Nicholas, Michael, Stephen and Daniel, now professional musicians, were radically impacted as students there. At age five, Nicholas was inspired to study violin after seeing a young Lisa-Beth Lambert, currently with the National Symphony Orchestra, perform Mendelssohn’s Violin Concerto with the Christian Performing Artists Fellowship (CPAF). CPAF birthed the vision for the Masterworks Festival in 1996 as a way of reaching the emerging generation of classical performing artists through focused Bible study and excellent musical training and performance. The boys grew up visiting the Masterworks Festival every summer, eagerly anticipating the day they could finally participate as students. From the earliest days of their training, Masterworks was a voice saying ‘Soli Deo Gloria!’ in contrast to a humanistic pursuit merely for the glory of man. One by one, the boys attended Masterworks, making life-long friendships with Christian musicians, dancers, and actors, as well as mentors. This growing international network has spurred them on to establish Bible studies at conservatories and festivals, share Christ with their colleagues in the world of the performing arts, and minister back to the body of Christ in worship. As parents, we’re grateful that Masterworks was a place where other Christians said, “You can follow Jesus in your calling as a musician.” In a broader sense, The Masterworks Festival models how to integrate vibrant Christian Faith with any career, a value our fifth son Matthew has embraced in his pursuit as an engineering student and music lover. And our sixth son, Jonathan, with special challenges – well, he celebrates the music and spirit of the Masterworks every time he comes! We’re grateful for the dedicated people who make the Masterworks Festival happen, ‘Inspiring Excellence, Increasing Faith’ in the lives of aspiring classical musicians and artists.”
Stephen: “MasterWorks instilled in me from a young age that pursuing excellence and beauty in music was a wonderful way to glorify God with the gifts he has given me. It also inspired me to spread God’s love and redemptive work to others in the music world. MasterWorks will always hold a special place in my heart for many reasons, the most important one being that I met my wife there!”
Michael: “For me, the Masterworks Festival is more than an event. It has been an integral part of my own spiritual journey, the starting point for some of my deepest friendships, and a wonderful place where believers can join together to glorify God through a shared artistic pursuit.”
