The Kerri Jean Vail Scholarship
- Jan 29
- 4 min read
Updated: Feb 10
The Kerri Jean Vail Scholarship honors the memory of three remarkable women who achieved excellence by pursuing their passions in innovative ways and inspiring the lives of countless others.
Sheila Moran Vail, the Founding Director of the Indian Springs Academy of Music in West Chester, Ohio, established the Indian Springs Academy as an innovative institution to provide excellent instruction in music through formal programs for students of all ages. For over two decades, not only did Sheila passionately direct
and teach at the Academy, she also provided an incredible educational environment where she was able to welcome other dedicated professional colleagues to join her as faculty members. Throughout her career, she has inspired countless young artists and mentored many young professionals as they began their own career journeys. Sheila was supported in her own journey by two other remarkable women, her younger sister, Kerri, and her mother, Jean.
Kerri Ann Moran Ryan was an indispensable member of the staff at the Indian Springs Academy until her sudden and unexpected passing in 2023. For over seventeen years, she worked behind the scenes every day to ensure the Academy functioned smoothly. She had a great love for the many Academy students and families she became acquainted with over the years. Kerri was passionate about her Christian Faith, painting, and the topic of homeopathic health, on which she authored many publications throughout her career as an innovative and accomplished entrepreneur. Kerri was an inspiration and an example of kindness to all those who knew her, and especially to her two sons, David and Shawn, whom she adored and devoted her life to raising.
Sheila and Kerri’s mother, Jean Ann Feely Moran, was instrumental in inspiring them and their siblings to pursue their passions with excellence through the grace and strength she exhibited throughout her own life and in her career. During the 1940s, Jean was a sought-after performer on the Hammond Organ, playing for audiences throughout the Midwest. After marrying in 1952, she continued to inspire others through her devoted direction of her church choir in Maryland. Jean relocated to Cincinnati during the Pandemic in 2020. She passed away in 2024, at the incredible age of 101, having lived not only to celebrate in the successes of her children, but also to witness the joy with which they have lived their lives and their continued commitment to their faith, family, and community.
2026 KJV Scholarship
Overview
The KJV Scholarship in an annual one-time award, of a minimum of $1,000 and qualified candidates are invited to submit a portfolio for evaluation by the scholarship committee. After applications are reviewed, the committee may schedule an interview with the finalists and will decide on a recipient. The KVJ Scholarship recipient receives their recognition and award at the Celebration Gala. Applications are being accepted now through March 8, 2026.
Candidates
The ideal candidate should be an inspiring female high school music student residing in Southwest Ohio (generally Butler, Clermont, Hamilton, Montgomery, or Warren counties), preparing to enter a college level program, who demonstrates strong traits of good musicianship and performance excellence, exhibits a spirit of innovation and creativity, and displays a passionate commitment to their community, including to the
communities of family and faith.
Application Details
Submission is through email to: KJVscholarship@masonmusicinstitute.org
Submissions may include any combination of attachments and/or links necessary to provide access to larger files and/or videos
Candidates are encouraged to be creative in their presentation of application materials, and are permitted to respond to questions in writing or via video or other presentation media of their choice
No AI may be used to create the written text of any portion of the application materials
Application materials to be submitted must include:
Candidate information, including full name, date of birth, mailing address, email, and phone number
Parent or guardian information, including name(s), mailing address, email, and phone number
List of school(s) attended and any academic transcript(s)
Three letters of recommendation (only one letter may come from a family member)
Portfolio containing examples of candidate’s qualifications (files, videos, photos, multi-media, etc)
Answers to the following four questions:
Tell us about yourself in roughly 500 words
What are your higher education plans and goals?
What do you feel makes you the ideal candidate for this scholarship?
What impact would being awarded this scholarship have on your future?
Selection Process
Finalists will be chosen by the scholarship committee
Finalists may be interviewed over the phone or in-person at the scholarship committee’s discretion
Scholarship Recipient will be notified of award on March 14, 2026
Scholarship Recipient will be formally announced at the 2026 Achievement Gala on Saturday, April 11, 2026, at the Aronoff Center for the Arts, Jarson-Kaplan Theater at 11:00am, 3:00pm, and/or 7:00pm
Scholarship Recipient must be physically present to accept their award at the Gala
2025 KJV Fellow
Ella Bill, a senior high school student from Seton High School in Cincinnati was the recipient of the 2025 scholarship.
Ella was notified of her nomination through a heartwarming remote meeting. Here is the recording of her interaction with Sheila Vail and Shannon Vasconcelos, both members of the scholarship committee:
Support the Next Generation of Women in Music
The Kerri Jean Vail Scholarship was created to honor the extraordinary lives of Sheila Moran Vail, Kerri Ann Moran Ryan, and Jean Ann Feely Moran—three women whose devotion to music, faith, family, innovation, and community continues to inspire future generations. This scholarship is more than an award; it is a living legacy designed to encourage and support a young woman of promise as she pursues excellence in music and higher education.
Your generous donation directly helps provide meaningful financial support to an inspiring female high school musician in Southwest Ohio—one who demonstrates artistic excellence, creativity, leadership, and a deep commitment to her community. By giving, you help remove financial barriers, affirm her potential, and invest in a future shaped by passion, purpose, and service.
Your tax-deductible contribution to Mason Music Institute will help us continue to write the stories of women who lead with talent, integrity, and heart.
