2026 Scholarship Application Now Closed.
Check back for the scholarship winners and hear them at one of the scholarship concerts this season.
Creating Opportunity
The Jazz Club of Sarasota helps high school kids and young adults seriously pursuing a career in jazz. Our scholarship program exists to further an understanding and/or development of skills in the field of jazz.
Both academically and musically gifted, the past scholarship winners have been highly praised by their professors. The students we help are more than just musicians – they are also fine young people who will continue to make contributions to our community and our country in the coming years.
Beyond scholarship, the Jazz Club of Sarasota provides a number of opportunities for the students to perform together for both our enjoyment and theirs.
The JCS and music scholars appreciate the opportunities provided by our supporting members with gratitude.
2026 Scholarship Application Now Closed
Residents of Sarasota, Manatee, Pinellas, and Hillsborough counties in Florida will be considered for a scholarship award.
High school and college students may apply for a scholarship.
Special Named Awards
The Matt Bokulic Scholarship
This scholarship commemorates a true icon of the Tampa Bay music scene. Matt was born in Springfield, MA, and attended Berklee College of Music and the University of South Florida. He moved to Tampa in 1995. He soon became an area favorite pianist, composer, and educator. Matt taught piano for more than 20 years at the Players School of Music, recorded with many luminaries, and wrote three books about music theory.
The Matt Bokulic Scholarship is an annual award.
The Blake Bennett Scholarship
The Blake Bennett Scholarship was established by the scholarship committee after Blake tragically died in a traffic accident just five months after graduation. He was an accomplished trumpet player who received scholarships from the Jazz Club of Sarasota for all four years of undergraduate work at Florida State University. Blake’s plans included graduate work at Florida State University. The Jazz Club of Sarasota Scholarship Committee has decided to continue granting this distinction to deserving students in Blake's memory.
The Robert H Weitz Scholarship
This scholarship is in memory of Bob Weitz, past chairman of the Jazz Club of Sarasota Scholarship Committee. For over 14 years, Bob spent many happy hours attending musical events at high schools across SW Florida as he searched for students showing exceptional talent. He encouraged them to focus their interest on jazz, and he recommended that they apply to the Jazz Club of Sarasota for scholarships. A dear friend and champion for the kids, we proudly make this an annual scholarship in Bob's memory.
Thank you for supporting the future of Jazz!
Jazz Club of Sarasota
Scholarship Committee
Michael Ross, Chair
Ronan Cowan
Judith Jones
Danielle La Senna
David Pat
Edris Weis
Vern Weitz
Frank Williams
2025 Scholarship Recipients
Jack Fletcher
Jack Fletcher will be a freshman at the University of South Florida, majoring in Jazz Performance. He started playing drums at the age of 5. At Braden River High School, his band competed and placed #1 in the Jazz Club of Sarasota competition. Additionally, he joined the school's marching band, which placed 1st in the state in 2025 for their division. He is now touring on the East Coast of the U.S. alongside tribute bands including Sweet Fleet, ABBA Nova, and Hell on Heels, and is part of the original alternative-rock project Nowincolor.
Maxwell Haman
A future Vanderbilt University freshman, Maxwell Haman has participated in numerous jazz and classical music ensembles and performed his original piece "Waited Too Long" to an audience of 2,000 in the famed Berklee Performance Center. He has since written, arranged, and released 3 singles and a full-length album under the band "Moonberry". Maxwell is the recipient of the Blake Bennett Scholarship.
Demetrious Johnson
Demetrious Johnson will be a sophomore at Hillsborough Community College, majoring in Trumpet Performance. Music has been a core part of his life for as long as he can remember, and he is committed to making it his career. After college, he plans to join the military band and dedicate his life to playing the trumpet.
Robert Langdon
Robert Langdon will be a sophomore at Florida State University and is a Jazz Performance major. Robbie recently got the honor of playing in the house set that hosted a jam session at the great Scotty Bamhart's house for the Count Basie Orchestra. He is looking forward to continuing his studies and finding his place in the larger jazz scene. Robbie is the recipient of the Matt Bukolic Scholarship.
Sarah Langdon
A future senior at Florida State University, Sarah Langdon plans to study both jazz and classical music. Sarah has performed as a soloist with Florida State University's Jazz Ensemble Il, the Scotty Barnhart Combo, the William Peterson Combo, and the Leon Anderson Combo. She is also a member of the premier Commercial Music touring band, Seminole Vibes. Sarah is extremely grateful for all of the opportunities found at Florida State University and the generosity of the Jazz Club of Sarasota.
William Stenberg
William Stenberg will be a freshman at Vanderbilt University, majoring in Jazz Studies and Business. He is both a classical percussionist and a jazz drummer. William was selected for the Florida All-State Jazz Band two years in a row, and as a sophomore was a percussionist in the All-State Orchestra. He has attended music camps such as Interlochen and Brevard, and has been selected for an all-county ensemble, both classical and jazz, 8 times. A highlight of his musical career was performing with the Gainesville Symphony. William is the recipient of the Robert H. Weitz Scholarship.
Jayden Titus
Jayden Titus will be a senior at the University of South Florida School of Music. He earned his Associate in Arts degree at the State College of Florida, where he studied jazz with Dr. Pete Camey. Jayden (co-Bandleader of the Barker Project) is a freelance trumpet player and composer. He plays various genres, including Jazz, fusion, R&B, Soul, Contemporary Free Jazz, and more. Jayden has played at a number of venues in the Sarasota and St. Petersburg area.
Christopher Wheaton
A future senior at Florida State University, Christopher Wheaton has been studying music since a young age. Beginning with piano and composition, he soon turned to violin. He has been active in both classical and jazz fields. He was the college division winner of the John Leatherwood Concerto Competition, giving him the opportunity to solo with the Northwest Florida Symphony Orchestra.
Cole Wheeler
Cole Wheeler will be a Junior at the University of Central Florida in the Jazz Studies Program. He is a drummer and percussionist. Cole stated his goal is to build a career around playing, teaching, and otherwise interacting with music.