The 2026 Registration Deadline is January 9th, 2026
Background:
The Dee Daniels Vocal Jazz Scholarship was established by Dee Daniels and Doug Fleming in 2016 to provide young aspiring jazz vocalists with the opportunity to be mentored by renowned professional jazz artists, and to hone the craft of jazz singing, performance, and music industry business. The scholarship will offer each recipient the opportunity to be inspired, and to inspire others while attending the DeMiero Jazz Fest each year in Edmonds, Washington.
Scholarship Overview:
● A $300 cash stipend
● Room and board in a safe, supervised homestay, if applicable
● The opportunity to be mentored by the DeMiero Jazz Fest Artistic Director, guest artist(s), and clinicians
● Backstage access at the evening concert
● The opportunity to be featured in performances with the DJF all-star band, as well as being a featured soloist with the mass choir during the Music Intensive Festival Day
● One 2-hour vocal lesson with Dr. Daniels herself via Zoom
Criteria:
● Be a current high school student in grades 9 – 12 actively engaged in vocal jazz performance
● Maintain a minimum GPA of 2.5
● Demonstrate strong self-motivation
● Demonstrate the ability to apply musical knowledge and experience in performance
● Submit one letter of recommendation from a school music director, professional jazz artist, or accredited jazz industry professional
Student Application Requirements:
● Submit a short written resumé of musical experiences, including any special recognition (i.e. honor choir, awards, etc.)
● For your audition, submit a total of three individual digital video recordings (each song should be on a
separate video, do not put all three songs on one video). Please include the following and in the following
order:
1) A jazz ballad (first 8 bars a cappella; the rest performed with instrumental accompaniment).
2) A medium or up–tempo swing tune.
3) A bebop, blues or latin (e.g. bossa nova, samba, rhumba) tune.
● Improvisation (scatting) is encouraged on at least one of the pieces. Your music should come from the
appropriate repertoire. Use of a Standards Real Book or Standards Fake Book is acceptable. Original
compositions within the jazz genre are also acceptable.
● All audition submissions must be memorized and performed without sheet music.
Evaluation Criteria:
● Tone Production — the ability to achieve a quality of sound appropriate to the type of voice and to the
style of the music.
● Technique — the degree to which the performer has acquired control of the voice.
● Diction — accurate pronunciation and clear articulation.
● Intonation — singing in tune.
● Interpretation — the ability to accurately express the piece performed with a clear understanding of its
meaning.
● Phrasing — sensitivity to the need for phrasing and the ability to execute it.
● Timing
Accompaniment Requirements:
● Accompaniment is limited to piano (preferred) or guitar.
● You may accompany yourself (on piano or guitar) keeping in mind only the vocals are being
adjudicated.
● Make sure the level of your accompaniment does not overpower the sound of your voice in the
recording.
Guidelines for Recording Your Audition:
● Leave the camera in one location. Shoot the vocalist straight on.
● Be sure your image is clear and well–lit. Judges should be able to see your face clearly.
● The camera should be set at a distance to frame your face and body clearly.
● Check for good balance and blend. Please ensure the balance between piano and voice is
appropriate.
Media Submission Requirements:
● After you have recorded your pieces, watch them in playback to make sure you can be seen and heard.
● When uploading, verify the image is upright (not sideways) and plays smoothly.
● Save and name your files with their titles and upload each selection as a separate video file.
Please do not do any of the following as it may disqualify you:
● Do not edit within a piece.
● Do not use special effects, dissolves, fades or wipes.
● Do not submit pre-recorded live performances, such as recitals, concerts, or competitions.
Please send audition recordings to demierojazzfest@gmail.com
