Female Pakistani Guitarist Wins US Music Scholarship

Berkleemusic.com, the online extension school of Berklee College of Music, today announced the recipients of the world’s first-ever online music scholarship program. After reviewing applications and demos from talented musicians worldwide, five gifted musicians and future music industry leaders were selected that exhibited significant promise, achievement, and inspired life stories. Each recipient will receive a scholarship that is named after, and backed by, some of the most respected names in modern music: Aerosmith lead singer Steven Tyler, guitar virtuoso Steve Vai, acoustic guitar wizard Patty Larkin, composer Alf Clausen, and songwriter Tom Snow.

Arooj Aftab; Steve Vai Scholarship – Born and raised in Pakistan, Arooj is an entirely self-taught female guitarist in a culture where opportunities for music study, especially for women, are severely limited. Arooj is planning to use her formal Berkleemusic education to develop her songwriting skills and ultimately change the way that female musicians are perceived in her native country…