The Hartford Jazz Society is pleased to award merit scholarships to 3 deserving Capitol area high school seniors. The recipients are all dedicated jazz musicians who are headed off to pursue college music degrees with an emphasis in jazz. They all submitted samples of their playing, demonstrating their fine command of the jazz idiom as well as submitting essays as to why jazz is so meaningful to them. HJS is pleased to be able to help them on their journey to becoming professional artists.
Eila Conopask – Avon High School & the Greater Hartford Academy of the Arts (½ Day)
Eila is an accomplished keyboardist who is headed to college to study music production and recording while still performing in jazz settings including her college jazz ensemble. While attending the Greater Hartford Academy of the Arts (GHAA), she performed in the GHAA Jazz Combo, Modern Band and Chamber Orchestra. She volunteered for HJS Paul Brown Monday Night Jazz and she also performed on piano for GHAA’s Jazz in the Park concerts.
Eila writes: “Jazz has taught me to slow down and truly appreciate the pieces I am playing. In order for me to being a unique perspective to a piece, I find that I truly have to understand the intention behind the rhythmic structure, harmonies, and melodies used in the piece. By playing jazz it pushes me to value the basics just as much as the artistic freedom that jazz provides.”
“Jazz has also given me a community. Some of my closest friends are people I met through ensembles. I am deeply grateful for the connections I have made through jazz, and I hope to be able to continue these connections well into the future.”
We at HJS couldn’t agree more!
Nikki Harris-Stone – Farmington High School & Greater Hartford Academy of the Arts
Nikki Harris-Stone is an emerging jazz bassist based in Connecticut, recognized for her versatility, musical maturity, and growing presence in both performance and education. Equally comfortable in jazz combos, big bands, orchestral settings, theater productions, and contemporary genres, Nikki has developed a reputation as a thoughtful collaborator with a strong sense of groove, musical sensitivity, and stylistic range.
Nikki currently studies privately with Matt Dwonzsyk has also worked with distinguished bassists and educators including David Wong, Todd Coolman, Rick Rozie, Joris Teepe, and Sam Dingle, drawing from a wide range of artistic perspectives to shape her sound.
An accomplished young performer, Nikki has earned recognition through numerous honors, including selection to the CMEA High School Northern Regionals Jazz Festival (2025, 2026), Connecticut All-State Modern Music (2024), and the WestConn High School Honors Jazz Orchestra (2025). She was also awarded the GHAAHD Outstanding Musicianship Award in 2022.
Nikki is off to study jazz performance at the Jackie McLean Institute at the Hartt School of Music.
Kylie Tinnirella – Suffield High School
Kylie is an accomplished young jazz trumpeter from Connecticut whose artistry is defined by technical excellence, expressive musicianship, and strong leadership both on and off the bandstand.
Kylie has earned numerous honors for her musicianship, including selection to the CMEA Connecticut All-State Jazz Ensemble (2026), CMEA Connecticut All-State Classical Ensemble (2025), and the CMEA Northern Connecticut Regional Jazz Festival for three consecutive years (2024–2026). She also performs with the Greater Hartford Youth Wind Ensemble at The Hartt School, where she serves as Principal Chair, and has further developed her craft at Newport Jazz Camp and Laurel Music Camp.
Kylie plans to pursue a Bachelor of Music in Jazz Performance at Oberlin Conservatory, followed by graduate study in music education, with the goal of becoming both a professional performer and an inspiring band director.
Kylie writes: “Jazz is freedom. One of my favorite music quotes is “The word ‘jazz’ means to me, ‘I dare you'” said by Wayne Shorter. Jazz and improvisation dare people to be vulnerable. It dares people to express feelings and ideas that perhaps can’t be put into words. In my life, jazz has been a medium in which I’ve been able to freely express myself, which has taught me lessons of courage and self-acceptance. This musical freedom of speech has allowed me to collaborate with and better understand fellow musicians on a deep level, and make music with them that I will cherish forever.”