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Congratulations to the awardees this year! 

Everyone who studies music is a winner.  Each year select students are nominated for merit awards by their instructors for a variety of criteria, including a high standard of performance, diligence and dedication shown throughout the year, maturity of attitude, and participation in multiple CMC activities; awardees are chosen by the Director from the list of nominated students.

About the Awards

Elizabeth (Betty) Gray was a founding board member of the non-profit Community Music Center, Inc.  She, together with her husband John Gray, were instrumental in the renovation of the firehouse on Francis Street into the current Community Music Center.  Marian Swartz & John L. Judge were important volunteers at CMC, and Dorothea Lensch was Portland Parks first Recreation Director under whom the Center’s program was established.  These memorial awards are funded by a permanent endowment at the Oregon Community Foundation.  Dr. Louis Kaufman was an internationally known violinist with local connections who established the first merit award for CMC students, now funded by yearly contributions from Dr. Annette Kaufman.  Mildred Berthelsdorf was a community volunteer who worked to promote young voice students.  Mary Margaret Dundore was the director of the Francis Street Singers at CMC for many years.