Sussex Academy student wins music scholarship

Sussex Academy sixth-grader Anna Liang of Lewes was recently announced as the recipient of the $1,000 Coastal Concerts Sussex County Council Award Scholarship for 2024-25.

Musicians residing in Delmarva and attending either middle or high school, public or private school are eligible for the scholarship awards, which may be used for music camps, university courses, instrument purchases or repairs, or private music lessons.

Students compete against their peers for scholarships awarded upon the evaluation of written essays and in-person auditions. 

Anna, 11, has been taking piano lessons with instructor Meldene Gruber since age 5, after she discovered she enjoyed playing a keyboard at home.

“I thought it was a beautiful instrument,” Anna said, noting she plans to use her scholarship for music lessons.

Anna skipped fourth grade at her previous school and is in her first year at Sussex Academy, where she performs in the school jazz band. Band and music teacher Mike Marotta alerted her to the scholarship opportunity.

With particular interests in baroque and classical music, Anna considers Bach and Mozart her favorite composers. Piano will be a major hobby for the young musician, who plans to pursue a career in engineering, math, science or art.

Anna was certified as at Prep A, the equivalent of high school freshman level, by the National Guild Program last year, and won second place with her partner in the 2023 United States International Duo Piano Competition. 

Anna has also participated in the annual Henle Piano Competition since 2022, and performed in semiannual musicale piano recitals organized by Gruber and other piano teachers. She has played at the morning service at the Lutheran Church of Our Savior in Rehoboth Beach and a Sing for Hope piano at the World Trade Center station in New York.