BMI Foundation Honors 2023 Scholarship Recipients
Davis Luengthada, recipient of the Kavi Ohri Memorial Scholarship; Dareem M. Chandler, recipient of the Evelyn Buckstein Scholarship; and Zoe Shack, recipient of the Theodora Zavin Scholarship, with their awards.
New York, NY - June 7, 2023 - BMI Foundation celebrated the recipients of the Evelyn Buckstein Scholarship, Theodora Zavin Scholarship, and Kavi Ohri Memorial Scholarship at a reception held on June 6th at the BMI (Broadcast Music, Inc.) offices in New York City. The event also included families of the recipients, members of the BMI Foundation board, and representatives from partner institutions where the scholarship recipients were studying.
“The opportunity to support young artists at such a pivotal moment in their education is invaluable,” stated BMI Foundation President Deirdre Chadwick. “We are grateful to be a part of their musical journey and to encourage them towards achieving their goals.”
This year’s Evelyn Buckstein Scholarship was awarded to City College of New York (CCNY) student Dareem M. Chandler, who is pursuing a Bachelors Degree in Sonic Arts. The annual scholarship, endowed in 2007 by former BMI Foundation Board Member, retired BMI Assistant Vice President and Counsel and CCNY alumna Evelyn Buckstein, recognizes one gifted CCNY student pursuing a career in music. The honoree, selected by the CCNY’s music faculty, is gifted one year’s tuition to the esteemed college. Chandler is a drummer and music educator from Trinidad and Tobago, where he received his first Bachelors of Arts degree in Music specializing in Classical Percussion at the University of Trinidad and Tobago (UTT). He is pursuing a career as a performer/producer, educator and audio technician.
Composer and trumpet player Zoe Shack was awarded the Theodora Zavin Scholarship, which is granted annually to a graduating senior at LaGuardia High School. This $2,000 award was established in 2005 to honor the memory of Theodora Zavin, Founding President of the BMI Foundation and an esteemed senior executive at BMI for over five decades. A student of James Pugliese, Shack will have her orchestral composition Masque of the Red Death performed by the LaGuardia orchestra this year. She will be attending Peabody Conservatory in the Fall to study Music for New Media.
New York City high school student Davis Luengthada was awarded the inaugural 2023 Kavi Ohri Memorial Scholarship. Luengthada, selected by a panel of BMI representatives to receive the scholarship of $3500 based on his essay about his approach to mentorship in music, will be enrolling at New York University in the fall to study film scoring. The Kavi Ohri Memorial Scholarship is awarded annually to a New York City high school senior with plans to attend college in a music-related major. Mr. Ohri was Senior Director of Business Development and Account Relations on BMI’s Digital Licensing team, where he established opportunities for BMI songwriters via his connections with digital music services while also developing new digital business opportunities. A graduate of both USC and UCLA’s Anderson School of Management, Kavi spent his childhood in Singapore where he developed a deep love for all styles of music.
BMI Senior Vice President, Licensing David Levin commented about the award, saying, “Kavi Ohri loved music, and this scholarship honors his passions for all genres of music as well as his adopted hometown of New York City. This year’s honoree exemplifies Kavi’s spirit by giving back to his community. Even though Kavi left us too soon, I know he would beam with pride to have even a small influence on Davis’ musical journey that lies ahead.”
About the BMI Foundation
The BMI Foundation is a nonprofit organization founded in 1985 to encourage the creation, performance, and study of American music. The Foundation’s programs include competitive scholarships for songwriters and composers, operating grants for nonprofit arts presenters, and support for innovative music education initiatives in schools and communities across the country. For more information about the work of the Foundation, please visit our website at www.bmifoundation.org. For exclusive news and content, follow @bmifoundation on Twitter and Instagram, and like BMI Foundation on Facebook.
Media Contact
BMI Foundation - Susan Bywaters - 212-220-3175 - susan@bmifoundation.org