Boston, MA (July 21, 2014) – Vans, the original action sports footwear and apparel brand, in partnership with Berklee College of Music, the world’s leading college of contemporary music, proudly announce that Miette Hope-Goldman, 17-year-old singer-songwriter, has been named the first recipient of the Vans Berklee Off The Wall Scholarship – a four-year award covering tuition, room and board. She begins at Berklee in the fall and plans to study music therapy.
Scholarship Includes Hometown Surprise, House of Vans Performance and Recording.
The scholarship, announced earlier this year, is the first educational initiative of its kind for Vans, a brand rich in music culture with deep roots in genres ranging from punk and metal to indie rock and hip-hop.
To congratulate Hope-Goldman on her achievement, representatives from Vans and Berklee alongside guest Jeff Apruzzese, Passion Pit bassist and Berklee alumnus, flew to Colorado to surprise her with a brand new Vans wardrobe and guitar at a performance in her hometown.
Vans documented the event for a special feature on OffTheWall.TV. Watch the episode here:
http://offthewall.tv/video/first_ever_vans_berklee_off_the_wall_scholarship?channel=MUSIC
“Creative expression is central to the core of Vans’ heritage. The Off The Wall scholarship is an outlet for our brand to help elevate student’s creativity,” said President of VF Actions Sports and Vans, Kevin Bailey. “We were looking to award this scholarship to a student who exemplified the meaning of the Off The Wall spirit; thinking differently and embracing self-expression. Being able to award this to someone as creative as Miette, whose talents go beyond music is truly exciting. We are looking forward to watching her grow.”
Hope-Goldman realized that Berklee was the only place for her after attending the college’s summer programs. She plans to study Music Therapy while continuing to write, record, and perform her original songs. “I’ve always believed strongly in the therapeutic powers music can have,” she said. “I want to be able to help people through the power of music and make a difference in the world.”
Miette Hope-Goldman, from Colorado Springs, Colorado, performs as a solo artist using a pedal to loop her vocals, guitar and beatboxing. She also sings, plays ukulele, and writes for the band Edith Makes a Paper Chain, whom The Colorado Springs Independent twice named Best Folk Band. Hope-Goldman attended The Colorado Springs Conservatory, performed in the Palmer High women’s and jazz choirs, and was the first person in school history to perform with the Colorado All-State Jazz Choir.
“Miette was a natural choice for the scholarship because she displayed a wide range of musical, creative, and academic traits that are important for Berklee and Vans as partners,” said Tod Oliviere, director of scholarships at Berklee. “Her original songs have shape, her arrangements are good, and she shows excellent potential as an artist. We are so happy that such a bright, young musician will be able to launch her career at Berklee and inspire others to do so as well through the generous support of Vans.”
Hope-Goldman will be outfitted with a Vans themed dorm room and laptop, and will have the opportunity to showcase her music at events and venues like House of Vans. Vans will also provide opportunities for additional Berklee students through the partnership, including performances at House of Vans locations and Vans’ Open Mic Nights; a collaboration between Vans Vinyl and Berklee’s student-run Heavy Rotation Records to produce a compilation album; and a music-related summer internship at Vans for an upper semester student.
To learn more about Hope-Goldman, Vans has released an exclusive interview in the Vans Women’s Fall 2014 Zine. You can pick up a copy at Vans retail locations or by visiting vans.com/womensfall14zine.
About Vans & Music
Vans supports original and creative music acts ranging from Band of Horses to Public Enemy to Gorilla Biscuits by bringing memorable shows to global audiences at the House of Vans roving music venue that echoes Vans’ Brooklyn-based cultural hub and to more than half a million fans each summer at the Vans Warped Tour, America’s longest-running music tour. Shoe and clothing collaborations with Pearl Jam, Iron Maiden, Iggy Pop, Descendents, KISS, Social Distortion, No Doubt, Slayer and Metallica are among the many coveted projects that suit an “Off The Wall” lifestyle for music fans everywhere.
http://www.vans.com/music
facebook.com/vans
twitter.com/vans_66
About Berklee
Berklee College of Music was founded on the revolutionary principle that the best way to prepare students for careers in music is through the study and practice of contemporary music. For more than 65 years, the college has evolved to reflect the current state of the music industry, leading the way with baccalaureate studies in performance, music business/management, songwriting, music therapy, film scoring, and more. With a focus on global learning, Berklee in Valencia, a new campus in Spain, is hosting the college’s first graduate programs, while Berklee Online serves distance learners worldwide with extension classes and degree-granting programs. The Berklee City Music Network provides after-school programming for underserved teens in 45 locations throughout the U.S. and Canada. With a student body representing nearly 100 countries and alumni and faculty that have won more than 310 Grammy and Latin Grammy Awards, Berklee is the world’s premier learning lab for the music of today – and tomorrow.
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CONGRATULATIONS TO MIGUEL DAKOTA!
Miguel Dakota, a 19 year old local singer out of Castle Rock, Colorado was put through to the next round of America’s Got Talent! He will get to perform for the television show at Radio City Music Hall. He will be on the show on Tuesday, July 29th starting at 7:00 p.m. on NBC (Channel 9 in Denver). Vote for him! Miguel is one of 5 children. His folks are divorced with his dad living in Israel, doing construction work there. Miguel hopes to find work in the music business in order to help his mom support the family.
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CONGRATULATIONS TO KRISTI HOOPES!
Congratulations to Kristi Hoopes for winning the Country Showdown in Trinidad, CO. Kristi will now advance to the Colorado State Finals in Copper Mountain, CO on Sunday, August 31st. The headlining act that day will be Wynnona!
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