As part of the 2026 Drum Corps International Tour, more than $85,000 in scholarship awards will be presented to performers.
The following scholarships had spring submission deadlines to support selected individuals with their current-season tour fees.
FRIENDS OF DCI
The Friends of DCI program has been in existence for more than 30 years, and since 2007, generous contributions from its members have allowed for the Friends of DCI Scholarship Program. These scholarships are applied to current-season tour fees.
- Emmanuel Arias – Blue Stars
- Zachary Gifford – Santa Clara Vanguard
- Michael Jimenez – Bluecoats
- Gavin Johnson – Blue Knights
- James Kennedy – Spartans
- Isabella McGrew – The Academy
- Jorge Perez – Blue Stars
- Stephen Stange – Blue Stars
- Ainsley L Treutle – Boston Crusaders
- Jocelyn Wallen – Phantom Regiment
PETH SCHOLARSHIP
Awarded as part of the Friends of DCI scholarship program, the Peth Scholarship, courtesy of Friends of DCI members Mary and Steve Peth, is given to a corps member pursuing any accredited higher education degree.
- Annarela Martinez – Boston Crusaders
- Janiel Nevarez – Boston Crusaders
RICHARDSON’S SCHOLARSHIP
Created by charter members of the Friends of DCI, Ken and Patty Richardson, the Richardson’s Scholarship is awarded each year to two corps members who wish to apply their skills toward a degree in music education.
- Marissa Berard – Spartans
- Gustavo Cano – Bluecoats
STANLEY LIPINSKI SCHOLARSHIP
Courtesy of the Walter J. Wiechetek Foundation, the Stanley Lipinski Scholarship is administered through DCI’s Friends of DCI scholarship program.
- Paige Adams – Seattle Cascades
- Adam Short – Blue Stars
KEVIN COLEMAN MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP
Courtesy of Donna Coleman, the Kevin Coleman Memorial Scholarship provides funding to use toward college tuition for music education majors.
- Sebastian Cisneros Ortega – The Academy
- CJ Orrico – Bluecoats
GAIL SCHULTZ INTERNATIONAL FELLOWSHIP
In memory of longtime Blue Devils supporter Gail Schultz, BD Performing arts and the Schultz family have established the Gail Schultz International Fellowship which helps non-U.S. citizens offset participation costs and achieve their dreams of joining a U.S.-based junior drum and bugle corps of their choice.
- Laurie-Gabrielle Cingras (Canada) – Colts
- Yurika Ishida (Japan) – Blue Devils
- Noriaki Matsuda (Japan) – Blue Devils
FRED J. MILLER MEMORIAL MUSIC EDUCATION FUND SCHOLARSHIP
In memory of the late Fred J. Miller, founder of FJM Inc. and longtime supporter of the marching arts, the Fred J. Miller Memorial Music Education Fund Scholarship supports marching arts participants in their pursuit of a degree in music education.
- Cole Sage – Colts
BONES FAMILY CYMBAL SCHOLARSHIP
Created in 2013 by Brent and Michelle Bones, the Bones Family Cymbal Scholarship is geared toward cymbal players to give selected recipients the opportunity to march in a drum corps who may not have otherwise had the chance.
- Abel Arredondo – Crossmen
- David Vu – Santa Clara Vanguard
DON WARREN COMMUNITY SERVICE SCHOLARSHIP
As an assistant scoutmaster, the late Don Warren began The Cavaliers as a community service project to help the boys of Logan Square Chicago. To honor the roots of this organization and his legacy into the future, The Don Warren Community Service Scholarship, administered by the Cavalier Alumni Association, recognizes DCI corps members who have exhibited remarkable community service beyond their drum corps involvement.
- Joy Hodsdon – Pacific Crest
RODNEY GOODHART MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP
As a drum corps judge for more than three decades, the late Rodney Goodhart contributed greatly toward representing percussion during the early beginnings of DCI. In his memory, the Rodney Goodhart Memorial Scholarship is awarded each year to a DCI performer.
- Christian Maakestad – Santa Clara Vanguard
MICHELLE OWENS MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP
As a color guard member of the Crossmen and an instructor with numerous drum corps, the late Michelle Owens brought a light and warmth to all she interacted with with her infectious smile, sweet disposition and high-spirited personality. This scholarship is awarded annually to a color guard member.
- Morgan Bieber – Carolina Crown
GEORGE AND PATSY BONFIGLIO SCHOLARSHIP
The Bonfiglio Foundation was established to provide scholarships to deserving individuals who are pursuing careers in education or the performing arts.
- Braeden Favacho – Spirit of Atlanta
- Christopher Wilson – Blue Devils
AL MOFFATT MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP
As a marching representative for the Zildjian Cymbal Company, the late Al Moffatt loved marching music for instilling core values in students. This scholarship aims to help students fulfill their dreams of marching in a drum corps.
- Brandon Choi – Impulse
GARY CZAPINSKI MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP
As a longtime visual judge and former drum corps instructor, the late DCI Hall of Fame member Gary Czapinski contributed greatly to innovation and design since the earliest years of DCI history.
- McKali Groh – Boston Crusaders
MICHAEL BOO MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP
There is perhaps no one who has amassed a bigger portfolio of writings about the breadth of the modern-day competitive marching arts than the late Michael Boo. Continuing his legacy, the Michael Boo Memorial Scholarship recognizes a student who intends to remain committed to our activity by pursuing a career in journalism or writing.
- Aubrey Butterfield – Spartans
MARCHING ARTS SAFETY & HEALTH PROJECT SCHOLARSHIP
Since its inception in 2007, the DCI-sponsored Marching Arts Safety and Health Project has succeeded in bringing together health care professionals from varied disciplines to provide medical guidance and hands-on assistance to corps members during the DCI Summer Tour. This scholarship recognizes a current DCI participating performer who aspires to work as a health, wellness or safety practitioner.
- Alyssa Serafin – Pacific Crest
John Martin Hope Memorial Scholarship
As snare drum captain in the 1968 Garfield Cadets, the late John Martin Hope became devoted to the East Coast corps and remained so for the rest of his life. As his legacy he wanted to make drumming and marching in a DCI corps financially easier for those who followed in his age-worn shoes.
- Austin Kramer – Carolina Crown
Karen A. Raffa Memorial Scholarship
As a performer, Karen Raffa marched with St. Patrick’s of Stoneham, Massachusetts and later as an instructor with several Boston area corps. Her greatest role was running a drum corps event along with her husband Frank, “The Beanpot,” in the Boston area for more than 35 years.
- Joshua Martin – The Academy
