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News Release

Last modified: Tuesday, January 26, 2010

First Georgina Joshi International Fellowship awarded in the IU Jacobs School of Music

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Jan. 26, 2010

BLOOMINGTON, Ind. -- The inaugural Georgina Joshi International Fellowship, given to a graduating Indiana University Jacobs School of Music student for two years of study in the Artist Diploma Program at the RCM International Opera School at the Royal College of Music, was awarded on Jan. 19.

The prestigious fellowship went to soprano Abigail Mitchell, a student of Professors Carol Vaness and Patricia Wise.

"I have to say I'm a bit overwhelmed," said Mitchell. "Overwhelmed at the generosity of Mr. Joshi, the amazing opportunity to study at the Royal College, the chance to live in London, and the knowledge that this is a turning point in my career and my life. My time at IU has been phenomenal and has made me a different singer, a different artist and a different person.

"I have been spoiled here with great performing opportunities, fantastic colleagues and, most importantly, fabulous instruction from my teachers, Carol Vaness and Patricia Wise," she said. "I am nearly ready to fully begin my operatic career, and I know that the Georgina Joshi Fellowship and studying at the Royal College will get me there."

The fellowship provides for tuition, fees, books, supplies, living and local travel expenses, and other costs related to studying and living in London, including participating in cultural experiences that would enhance the student's study abroad.

"We are so very grateful to Louise and Yatish Joshi for the creation of this extraordinary opportunity for our students and for initiating this new relationship with the Royal College of Music," said Gwyn Richards, dean of the Indiana University Jacobs School of Music. "Both institutions were academic homes for Georgina and now will similarly play a role in the education of future Indiana University Fellowship students."

Both the Georgina Joshi International Fellowship and the Georgina Joshi Graduate Fellowship, awarded to a graduate student to assist with full-time study in the Jacobs School of Music, are the result of a recent $1 million gift from The Georgina Joshi Foundation, Inc. to the Jacobs School. The gift established these two major fellowships as a tribute to the memory of Joshi, a graduate student at Jacobs and an alumna of the Royal College of Music, London. The fellowships celebrate her life as a singer and her affiliation with both institutions.

About Georgina Joshi

A native of Indiana, Georgina Joshi received her bachelor's degree in music (with honors) from the Royal College of Music, London, where she studied with Eiddwen Harrhy. At the time of her death, she was pursuing a master's degree in music in voice at the IU Jacobs School of Music, where she studied with Alan Bennett. While at IU, Joshi appeared as a soloist in Haydn's Creation, Handel's Solomon, Bach's B-Minor Mass, the Mozart Requiem and the Brahms Deutsches Requiem. She also appeared in IU Opera Theater productions as Clorinda in La Cenerentola and Despina in Cosi fan Tutte. An enthusiastic performer, she collaborated with other musicians such as the Catacoustic Consort and The Bath Street Studio and was a member of the Jacobs School's ProArte Choir and the Carmel Bach Festival Chorale. Outside the U.S., she appeared as a soloist in England, Wales, Romania and Greece.

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