Natixis Investment Managers continues its tradition of presenting two $5,000 scholarships to high school students who have shown tremendous music ability, strong academic achievement, and a commitment to giving back to their communities. The 2018 George Wein Jazz Ambassador Scholarships will be presented to Erin Cowden of Barrington, R.I., and Jeffrey Gordon of Lexington, Mass. during the Newport Jazz Festival taking place this weekend (August 3 – 5) at Fort Adams State Park.
Natixis, one of the world’s largest asset management firms,[1] has been presenting sponsor of the Newport Jazz Festival since 2011. The firm awards two $5,000 scholarships annually to two aspiring college-bound musicians as part of its broader commitment to music education and to fostering the next generation of jazz musicians and fans. The scholarships are named in celebration of George Wein, the founder of the Newport Jazz Festival and one of the original jazz ambassadors, who has spent his life working to bring people together through the power of jazz.
“We are honored to partner with the Newport Festivals Foundation to present the Newport Jazz Festival,” said David Giunta, CEO of the Americas and Canada for Natixis Investment Managers in a press release on Wednesday. “Jazz embodies many of the key values at Natixis, such as creativity and innovation, collaboration, and embracing diverse thinking and perspectives.”
The Natixis scholarships will be presented to Erin Cowden and Jeffrey Gordon on Sunday, Aug. 5, following the Massachusetts Music Educators Association (MMEA) All-State Jazz Band performance on the Harbor Stage.
Erin Cowden is a graduate of Barrington High School (R.I.) and a member of the Rhode Island Music Education Association Senior All-State Jazz Band. She is an excellent percussionist and jazz drummer who will study music at Northeastern University. Cowden looks forward to applying the Natixis scholarship to a college music experience that is challenging and fun with many opportunities to learn and grow as a musician.
Jeffrey Gordon, who will perform at the festival with the MMEA All-State Jazz Band, is a tremendously talented guitarist who relishes the “magic” that happens in the real-time interaction between jazz musicians. Gordon will focus on mathematics, economics and astrophysics at Princeton University in the fall and will minor in music.
“The Natixis scholarship program is part of our broader commitment to give back to our community, including support of the arts,” said Giunta. “We congratulate Erin and Jeffrey for their outstanding contributions in the classroom, on stage and within their communities.”
Natixis’ music initiatives are part of our Together for Better℠ philanthropic outreach program, which creates important and lasting change, combining our resources, our passions, and the power of change-making community partners. Child by child, family by family, community by community, we are changing the world. Together for Better.
[1] Cerulli Quantitative Update: Global Markets 2017 ranked Natixis Investment Managers (formerly Natixis Global Asset Management) as the 15th largest asset manager in the world based on assets under management as of December 31, 2016.
[2] Net asset value as of March 31, 2018 is $1.008 trillion. Assets under management (“AUM”), as reported, may include notional assets, assets serviced, gross assets and other types of non-regulatory AUM.
Natixis Investment Managers includes all of the investment management and distribution entities affiliated with Natixis Distribution, L.P. and Natixis Investment Managers S.A. Not all offerings are available in all jurisdictions.
Natixis Distribution, L.P. is a limited purpose broker-dealer and the distributor of various registered investment companies for which advisory services are provided by affiliates of Natixis Investment Managers.