Bernice Ash Memorial Award

NAMM Foundation Bernice Ash Award
Honoring the remarkable life and legacy a retail music visionary.

About the Award

The Bernice Ash Memorial award provides mid-career professionals employed by a NAMM member company with a $5,000 award to use toward professional development. Awardees who are 40 or under are also provided with a one-year mentorship through the NAMM Young Professionals (NAMM YP) organization. NAMM YP is a group of music industry people under the age of 40 who aim to network, learn and grow together to ensure a strong future for the industry.

TIMELINE 

 
DateMilestone
April 6, 2026Nominations Open
June 30, 2026Nominations Close
September 9, 2026Applications Close
October 5, 2026Award Notifications

ELIGIBILITY

  • Applicants must be current employees of a NAMM member company in good standing, nominated by that company's owner, manager, or direct supervisor, identified as a mid-career professional seeking to enhance their career and service to the industry.
  • Applicants must have at least five years of experience working in the music industry and seek opportunities to expand their leadership and professional competencies
  • Applicants must agree to use the funds to enroll in professional development training that can include higher ed program or other certificate programs. 
  • Awards are given once and are not renewable; recipients are not eligible to reapply for the same award.

REQUIREMENTS

  • Resume.
  • 500-word essay or 3-minute video outlining the scope of your proposed professional development program and how this professional development will enhance your career goals as well as your management and leadership skills in the music industry.
     

Nominations are now closed. Please check back in April when the next scholarship cycle begins.

Questions?

If you have any questions regarding this application, please contact The NAMM Foundation at least 24 hours in advance of the application deadline at info@nammfoundation.org.

Meet Bernice Ash award winner, Kwanté Greenidge.

Bernice Ash Memorial Scholarship Fund

The fund supports a scholarship award that recognizes recipients with a one-time grant in the amount of $5,000 for continued college-level or trade-related studies. Recipients also receive a one-year mentorship through the NAMM Young Professionals group.

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