CIM Names Inaugural Minority Artist Fellows

Guitarist Damian Goggans and cellist Evan Rowland-Seymour were selected as the inaugural class of CIM’s Minority Artist Fellowship (MAF) program. Goggans is a freshman at Cleveland School of the Arts and Rowland-Seymour is an eighth grader at University School in Shaker Heights.

Dr. Joyce Griggs, CIM Vice President and Director of the Center for Innovative Musicianship, said: “Damian and Evan impressed the selection panel with their musicality and their poise. We envision bright futures for both of these young men, and are thrilled CIM will be part of their musical journeys.

“By connecting our fellows with the master teachers in CIM’s preparatory department as well as with the resources available through our extended community,” Griggs continued, “we whole-heartedly commit to empowering Damian and Evan on their quest to reach new musical heights. We are just a few weeks into the program, and our faculty already see tremendous growth and are impressed with the enthusiasm and musicianship on display.”

The fellows receive weekly one-on-one instruction from CIM Preparatory faculty members, as well as participate in ensembles and music classes. Over the course of the year, the fellows will present public performances, attend master classes and workshops, and, with their families, meet regularly with CIM student mentors and program leaders to set goals and share feedback. The fellows receive full scholarships covering all areas of study in the MAF program.

Significant and generous start-up funding for the MAF program was provided by the Cleveland Foundation and George Gund Foundation.

Read the full press release, including bios of Damian Goggans and Evan Rowland-Seymour.