[July 30, 2020]

Iowa High School Senior Awarded $10,000 Wilshire Quinn Musical Arts Scholarship

Wilshire Quinn Capital, Inc. announces Aviana Gedler as the recipient of the annual $10,000 Wilshire Quinn Musical Arts Scholarship. Wilshire Quinn will apply the funds to her fall enrollment as a freshman at Southwestern Community College in Creston, Iowa.

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20200730005150/en/

Wilshire Quinn Capital, Inc.'s 2020 Musical Arts Scholarship Winner Aviana Gedler (Photo: Business Wire)

Wilshire Quinn received more than 1,000 scholarship applications, each of which included personal statements and video performances.

Gedler currently works as an assistant teacher at a piano and guitar lesson studio in Des Moines, Iowa. As an incoming student in Southwestern's music program, she will study jazz, classical vocals, piano and viola performance. Upon graduating from the two-year program, she intends to pursue a bachelor's degree in music performance or education.

"We're proud to recognize Aviana and her incredible dedication to music with this year's scholarship," said Wilshir Quinn Capital CEO Christopher M. Garcia. "We were moved by her performance of Charlie Chaplin's 'Smile,' in which she both sang and played the oboe and viola. In listening to her, we were reminded of music's power to encourage feelings of hope and perseverance - certainly things the world can use more of right now."

Gedler's passion for music began at the age of 5, when she joined a youth choir. Shortly after, she began performing in musicals at the Des Moines Playhouse, including "The Sound of Music," "Seussical" and "Fiddler on the Roof." Throughout high school, Gedler participated in band, orchestra, jazz choir and the National Association for Music Education's Tri-M® Music Honor Society. Her achievements also include attending the Iowa All-State Music Festival throughout high school, alternating instruments nearly every year.

"My family has been a huge source of musical inspiration," Gedler said. "My mom is an amazing piano player and middle school choir teacher. My sister and brother both earned music degrees in college, and although my dad didn't study music after high school, he has a great voice and is definitely our biggest fan."

Gedler is inspired by artists Ben Folds and Regina Spektor, both of whom she says have shaped her as a musician.

"My goal is to be a performer, but I would also love to be a music educator, or both at the same time," Gedler said. "I'm happy as long as I am meeting new people and using the power of music to help them grow."

About the Wilshire Quinn Scholarship

The Wilshire Quinn Musical Arts Scholarship, launched in 2019, is a $10,000 annual award presented to a qualified applicant who embodies leadership in the musical arts through talents and character. The scholarship's funds are used directly for tuition, paid to the winner's educational institution.

The application involves a brief personal statement describing what music means to the candidate and a videoed musical performance. Applications for the 2021 scholarship will open to applicants on Jan. 1, 2021, and the winner will be announced on May 15, 2021.

Visit wilshirequinn.com/scholarship/ to learn more about the award and application process.

About Wilshire Quinn Capital, Inc.

Funding for the Wilshire Quinn Musical Arts Scholarship is provided by Wilshire Quinn Capital, Inc. Founded in 2004, Wilshire Quinn Capital manages the privately held Wilshire Quinn Income Fund. As one of the premier portfolio lenders, both nationally and particularly in the state of California, Wilshire Quinn Capital is committed to strengthening local communities by supporting the arts with awards such as the Wilshire Quinn Musical Arts Scholarship. Learn more at wilshirequinn.com.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20200730005150/en/

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