THE JOHNNIE GWENDOLYN DINKINS
MUSIC SCHOLARSHIP FUND
A fund for students who study music at the DDC School of Music, a division of the Dinky Drum Company, LLC.
The DDC School of Music, formally the Dinky Drum Company School of Drums & Percussion was founded in February 1989 at the Community Music Center of Houston, a 501 (c)(3) organization.
Eligibility:
To be eligible for the Johnnie Gwendolyn Dinkins Music Scholarship Fund, the student or family will have to be a registered attendee at the DDC School of Music, a division of the Dinky Drum Company, LLC. The music student should apply for the scholarship within 3 months of their enrollment. Scholarships can me for one (1) to three (3) months of the tuition for music lessons.
Essay:
The student applying for the scholarship will submit the application along with an accompanying 300-word essay. Essay topics can include: Why I love music? About a family member who is a musician! My favorite musician and what I admire about them! Why do I want to study music? Essays can also include other music related topics.
Letter of Recommendation:
The student applying for the scholarship should get a (or up to 3)
letter(s) of recommendation. The letter of recommendation should be about the student and their other activities. It can come from a Teacher, a Church leader, Boy or Girl Scout leader or a Coach.
Honors or Awards Received:
The student applying for the scholarship can include any honors or awards that they have received. These accomplishments can be academic, athletic or artistic. The honor or award can also be from other accomplishments like: Student of the Month, Scouting badges, MVP Athlete, or Gaming Award.
Founder/President of DDC, Samuel Dinkins, III is a Drummer, Percussionist, Educator, Producer, Recording Artist, Performer and Musical Entrepreneur. Mr. Dinkins is an award-winning music educator whose programs have received funding from local, state and regional Arts Organizations. He is the Executive Director of the DMAF, and the Johnnie Gwendolyn Dinkins Scholarship is a tribute to his mother.
From Brooklyn, New York, Ms. Dinkins has been involved in music most of her life. She began singing around the age of 10 years of age, where she took private lessons in the Bedford-Stuyvesant area of Brooklyn. She would sing through grade school and high school. As a teenager, she and her sister Jackie participated in the Drill Team, a Youth Drum & Bugle Corp, led by Ms. Inez Gilmore. This youth group marched and performed in parades around the US and Canada. The Drill Team was affiliated with the Elks, I B P O E of W, Inc.
Ms. Dinkins would often reflect on her participation in the Drill Team and was proud that her two sons (Samuel and Michael) went on to participate in the Drill Team playing drums and marching in many of the same parades. A teenage mother who was married with two children by the age of 19, exposed her children to many things, including music, sports, community programs, and church. These things would also become part of her youngest child, daughter Tiffany’s rearing.
Ms. Dinkins aspired to become a music teacher but sacrificed that dream for her children. She remained involved in music through her children. Currently, she sings in the Brooklyn Interdenominational Choir led by Rev. Frank Haye. Ms. Dinkins is very proud that her son and grandsons are continuing her love of music and where she left off.
The Dinkins Music and Arts Foundation is a 501c3 Organization