This year the Arizona Accordion Club has granted scholarships for continued study to two outstanding young accordionists.

Sarah Caruso, 14, from Canton, Michigan, was a receipient of a $250 Arizona Accordion Club Jean Monti Scholarship. Sarah has been studying and playing the chromatic accordion for the past seven years. She is dedicated to the accordion and comes from a family of accordion players and according to her teacher Sarah simply "has the desire to be the best." Sarah says that the best part of playing the accordion is to prepare for playing in competition. She especially enjoys playing classical music.

Mitchell Vinkler,12, from Rochester Hills, Michigan also received an Arizona Accordion Club Jean Monti Scholarship in the amount of $150. Mitchell, has been playing the piano accordion for the past two and a half years. He credits his accordion teacher as being the most influential for his continued performance on the accordion. He enjoys playing classical and entertaining musical selections best. Mitchell calls the accordion a "happy instrument" to play.

Congratulations to both our winners and best of luck in your continued studies!