New for 2025, the NFA’s Frances Blaisdell Convention Scholarship will offer two awards: one to a high school student and one to an undergraduate student. 

The two recipients of the Frances Blaisdell Convention Scholarship will each receive $1,500, a complimentary pass to the NFA’s Annual Convention in Atlanta, and a one-year membership with the NFA to take advantage of the organization's educational and professional resources.

“This is a wonderful opportunity, now open to two upcoming flutists, to enjoy the convention and be inspired by the many performances and research presentations from top people in the field,” says Daniel Pardo, Blaisdell Scholarship Coordinator. “It is also a great way to start a national/international network, which may turn into career opportunities in the future. We also have a new set of requirements, hoping to make this opportunity appealing to flutists from different backgrounds and artistic interests.”

Application guidelines and requirements are available at nfaonline.org/blaisdell. The application is currently open with a deadline of May 1st, 2025 at 11:59pm CT. 

The Frances Blaisdell Convention Scholarship was established in 2010 to honor Frances Blaisdell for her achievements as a pioneer female flutist and for her lifelong generosity in assisting young musicians. Blaisdell was among the first women to enter the male-dominated world of orchestral music. Following her retirement from performing, Blaisdell taught at Stanford University until her death in 2009 at age 97. In 1994, Blaisdell received the NFA’s Lifetime Achievement Award for her trailblazing status as a flutist. In 2005, she was also awarded a Lloyd W. Dinkelspiel Award to honor her exceptional contributions as a flute educator at Stanford.