Young people we funded, and what happened

The foundation was created to find, encourage and support children with exceptional talents, unique abilities and extraordinary skills — through financial support, encouragement and mentorship. Grants paid for lessons, competition fees, training and travel.

In their own words

This wonderful foundation and award has allowed Rory to take extra private classes and to perfect her passion of Irish Dance. Since being granted this award Rory has moved up two levels of Irish dance and is now working very hard to achieve the top level. On Rory Cain, Irish dancer

With the scholarship I was able to pay a portion of my karate tuition and register for the Florida Blitz Martial Art Tournament. That year I won two divisions in the state and currently will be testing for my third degree black belt. Akeem Tonge, martial artist

Gifted students of the Florida Symphony Youth Orchestra will be able to participate in the experience of a lifetime — a tour of Europe, with the highlight of the trip being competing in the Summa Cum Laude International Youth Music Festival. Florida Symphony Youth Orchestra

Free public performance

Alongside the grants, the foundation ran the Jazz Ambassadors — live music delivered free into the community for years, raising money and drawing people toward the arts. It is the same shape as the public programming the Institute intends for ventriloquism: free, live, and taken to where the audience already is.