Dorothy Straub & Robert Genualdi Scholarship

Honoring Legacy, Empowering Futures

Each year, the Dorothy Straub and Robert Genualdi Scholarship awards $1,000 to students who are committed to continuing their music education in high school or college. Scholarships are granted based on financial need, musical achievement, and a demonstrated dedication to enriching the community through music.

This meaningful scholarship honors two of Connecticut’s most dynamic musical visionaries—Dorothy Straub and Robert Genualdi—whose lifelong dedication to youth orchestras and music education touched communities across the country.  As co-directors of the Barnum Festival’s Jenny Lind Competition and champions of young talent, Dorothy and Robert believed deeply in the power of music to transform lives. Their legacy lives on in every student who desires to better the world through music.

This scholarship is more than financial support—it’s a tribute to two extraordinary educators, a vote of confidence in the next generation of musicians, and a celebration of the enduring power of music to uplift communities.

2026 Scholarship Winners

Jasmine Cabello

Jasmine Cabello is a student at Notre Dame Prep with a passion for music, leadership, and serving her community. As a violist in the Principal Orchestra of the Greater Connecticut Youth Orchestras and a longtime member of INTEMPO, she has found joy in using music to connect with others and inspire younger musicians. Her experiences as a summer teaching intern at INTEMPO and as a participant in the El Sistema USA Youth Leadership Institute have strengthened her commitment to making music education welcoming, creative, and accessible for all students.

Outside of music, Jasmine enjoys leading and encouraging others as captain of her school’s track and cross-country teams. She is also an active member of her church, where she volunteers regularly, and as the oldest of four siblings, she has learned the value of responsibility, compassion, and setting a positive example.

Jasmine hopes to continue exploring opportunities that combine her interests in music, education, and leadership. She is especially interested in learning more about arts administration and how it can be used to expand access to music education and strengthen communities. She is honored to receive the MFY Scholarship and grateful for the encouragement and support as she continues to grow as a musician, leader, and mentor.

Claire D’Souza

Claire Florence D'Souza, a 15-year-old violinist from Trumbull, Connecticut, has dedicated over a decade to honing her craft. Claire began her musical journey at age four, drawn to the violin as an expressive outlet and a way to bring joy and peace to others. Guided by Jerilyne Arslanagic and Dr. Andrew Smith, she has flourished under their mentorship at the Suzuki Music School of Westport.

Claire has won multiple top prizes in the Crescendo International Music Competition and the National League of Performing Arts, and excelled in the Suzuki Music School’s Aria Concerto Competition, the Schubert Young Musicians Festival, and the American Chamber Orchestra Competition. Her artistic journey has been enriched through masterclasses with celebrated musicians such as Kimberly Fisher and Mark Rovetti of the Philadelphia Orchestra, Linda Fiore, a renowned Suzuki teacher-trainer, as well as Grammy-winning violinist Philip Setzer.

Claire’s collaborative and ensemble experience highlights her dedication and leadership in both orchestral and chamber music. She has served as Concertmistress and Principal First Violinist of the Sinfonia Orchestra with the Greater Connecticut Youth Orchestra. At the Suzuki Music School of Westport, she regularly performs in chamber groups and the Vivace Ensemble. Claire strives to share classical music with younger kids and is involved in many community music projects. She frequently plays at churches, senior homes, homeless shelters, and a variety of other forums. Claire has also performed at MFY’s Friday Night Cafe.

Looking ahead, Claire aspires to become a professional violinist, using her talent to teach, perform, and inspire a love for classical music.

Past Recipients of the Dorothy Straub & Robert Genualdi Scholarship

  • My name is Gabe Espada, a recent graduate of Notre Dame Prep of Sacred Heart University, and an incoming freshman at Syracuse University, where I will be majoring in Music Education.

    Outside of school, I am a member of KEYS (Kids Empowered by Your Support) and played in the Principal Orchestra of the Greater Connecticut Youth Orchestras (GCTYO).

    At school, I was an active member of the band and served as both Treasurer and Secretary of our Music Honor Society. I also recently completed an internship with the Greater Bridgeport Symphony, where I assisted with management and community outreach, giving me valuable insight into the music industry.

    Music has been a lifelong passion of mine, and my goal is to create inclusive spaces for young artists and bring music to underrepresented communities. This scholarship brings me one step closer to making that dream a reality, and I’m truly grateful to be its recipient.

  • Joshua Gibson
    Joshua started playing the violin at age 10. He taught himself to play a D major scale and quickly started studying with Barbara DiFranco (formerly of Fairfield, CT). He auditioned for GCTYO and has been a member since 2019. Joshua has since studied with Bruce Sloat (Bridgeport, CT)  and Deborah Wong (Yonkers, NY). Joshua has performed in several master classes including 2 with Midori (2020 and 2023), The Villa Lobos Brothers, Chelsea Starbuck Smith, and others. 

    Joshua was able to benefit from the ARPA grant throught the Greater Bridgeport Orchestra. He received extra lessons from concert mistress Deborah Wong and played with the GBO under the direction of Chelsea Tipton and Eric Jacobsen. Joshua was a member of the 2023 Western Region orchestra and the 2024 CT All State orchestra. He was runner up in the CIMF concerto competition in 2023 and 2024. Last summer (2023) Joshua participated in the Mostly Mozart in Harmony at Lincoln Center and performed with the orchestra. This summer (2024), Joshua is attending the Kinhaven Music Camp and is the concertmaster for the orchestra performing several of the Planets by Gustuv Holst.  Joshua will also be the concertmaster for the CIMF (Charles Ives Music Festival) during the summer of 2024. 

    Joshua is a student at Stamford High School. He is a member of the International Baccalaureate Program and the orchestra. Joshua enjoys spending time with his family including his dog, listening to classical music and attending concerts, and playing volleyball with friends. 

    Joshua is very grateful for this scholarship and will use it towards lessons this school year. He looks forward to volunteering and performing in events for Music For Youth. 

    SofiaLee Lugo
    SofiaLee Lugo is a rising Junior at Wilton High School. She began her cello career with SBW Cello Studio in Norwalk, CT, and is currently a student in Juilliard’s Music Advancement Program studying under Dr.John Popham. She is the Orchestra Vice President of her high school’s Tri-M Music Honor Society.  SofiaLee was the inaugural Concerto Competition winner for The Charles Ives Music Festival in 2023. She received an honorable award for extraordinary and inspiring performances from the American Music Talent Competition. Also, she performed at Weill Recital Hall in Carnegie Hall after earning the honorable winner of the American Protegé Romantic Competition in 2021. In 2024, SofiaLee received 1st place in June’s 4th edition of the World Best Musician Competition. SofiaLee enjoys art, fashion, and volunteering to provide music for local non-profit organizations in her free time.

    Liana Nash

    Liana has been musically inclined since she was very small; her family and teachers encouraged her to play music from a young age. She will soon be a senior at Kolbe Cathedral High School and began playing the cello in eighth grade. She currently serves as K.E.Y.S.’s first chair cellist for the Saturday program and also performs with the Jazz Band and the K.E.Y.S. choir. She joined the Kolbe Cathedral Choir when she first entered high school and has participated in many other choruses. She has always had a deep love of music and intends to continue her studies in music at college, planning to major in music education to further explore her passion and share the joys of music with other young people.

  • Kelvyn has been playing trumpet since 5th grade (6 years) as well as piano for as long as he can remember. He recently took up singing, and have competed in a few school talent shows and at the Pequot Library Friday Night Café.

    From 5th to 8th grade he played trumpet with his middle school concert band, which included marching in the St. Patrick’s Day Parade as well as performing at Sacred Heart. He’s been playing trumpet with the KEYS orchestra, jazz band, and concert band for multiple years. He has also played and performed with Back Country Jazz program. He has been participating in the Greater Bridgeport Young Artist Coaching program, receiving private lessons from principal Trumpeter, Ken Tedeshi and trumpeter Mark Dennis.

    He has volunteered at the KEYS Saturday program at the Bessemer Center and was part to the Musical Mondays program when he was a junior high student at the Multicultural Magnet school.

    He is currently still researching college options but I would love to be able to play and study at a place like Julliard, Berklee, New England Conservatory of Music, or even the Curtis Institute of Music. He understands that it would be very difficult to get in to any one of these schools, which is why he studies hard and play as much as I can.

  • Tiffany Serano
    Tiffany Serano has been engaged with MFY since 2016 when she participated in the WESTON/BRIDGEPORT Residency program.

    She started playing violin in 5th grade at High Horizons.  She continued her studies in High School at the Neighborhood Music School in Bridgeport and the KEYS Saturday Orchestra Program.  She worked with violinist Corrine Metter after she left Neighborhood Music School.

    She has participated in many Bridgeport Music programs that include: KEYS, Music for Youth, GCTYO, BackCountry Jazz, French Woods Festival. She received the Spirit of KEYS music award in 2019.

    She worked at the United Congregational Church Bell Choir, Bridgeport Caribe Youth Leaders as an Assistant Softball Coach.  She has been a coach and mentor and section leader for the KEYS Saturday Program and Summer Music program.  This year she will continue her music studies at University of Bridgeport in Music Education.  She will  be an intern at the MFY Musical Mondays program at the High Horizons School in Bridgeport.

    Juan Renton
    Juan has studied music since the age of 7.  He was invited to enroll in a  music program at the Universidad del Valle for Music. When he was 15 years old her arrived in the US and was looking for music opportunities in Bridgeport.  He started taking lessons and getting involved with KEYS.  This connection provided an opportunity to play with the CT Youth Orchestra.  He is now studying privately, playing with CTYO and the KEYS orchestra.  He is taking classes at Housatonic Junior College -and plans to transfer to the music program at University of Bridgeport. 

  • Vailient started playing cello in 4th grade. His father was his first teacher.  His musical family includes 4 siblings who all play stringed instruments.

    When he was in middle school Vaillant joined the band and played the trumpet.  He also sang in the choir.  In High School he switched to Orchestra and took lessons from Mrs Mascaro and Elizabeth Ashkins.  He has played in many High School productions. 

    His father started the VISION ACADEMY (String Ensemble Program) in Bridgeport in 2015.  Vaillant has been the spokesman, coach and mentor to many of the string players in Vision Academy program.  Music for Youth has had the opportunity to collaborate with the Vision Academy students in many venues including Beardsley Zoo, the Pequot Library, the Young Persons Concert Series at the Greenfield Hill Congregational Church and most recently at the Aspetuck Land trust Leonard Schein Preserve.

    Vaillant mentioned he can’t imagine his life without music.  His musical studies have helped him define who he is and is amazed at the number of opportunities available to play and pursue his passion.  The scholarship will help him continue to take lessons   at the University of Connecticut, purchase scores and general supplies and enable him to pursue his ambitions and dreams.