Mesilla Valley Jazz & Blues Society awards two to five scholarships each year. The Bob Burns Scholarship is awarded in recognition of Bob Burns’ lifetime commitment to the education and production of jazz and blues music. This scholarship is awarded to both high school seniors entering New Mexico State University music department and to existing New Mexico State music students. The Helen Sachs Helder Vocal Jazz Scholarship is awarded in memory of Helen Sachs, a jazz vocalist and recording artist (17 albums) who was well known in the Southwest, Germany and Holland. This scholarship is awarded to both high school seniors entering New Mexico State University vocal programs or University of Texas at El Paso vocal programs. The details for each scholarship are in the documents below. The applications are due by May 1st of the current year.