Utah Music Foundation offers new piano scholarship to honor Julie Weston Ridd
Julie Weston Ridd
May 30, 2025
Salt Lake City, UT — Utah Music Foundation, a non-profit organization dedicated to providing scholarships to musical students from Utah communities, is proud to offer a new piano scholarship to honor beloved Utah orchestra educator Julie Weston Ridd. This $500 scholarship will be offered to Utah high school seniors with a background in piano and will honor Julie Weston Ridd.
Julie was an accomplished pianist, harpist, vocalist and music educator. She had an extensive repertoire of all genres of music. She was an accompanist for occasions ranging from weddings to funerals to church and civic presentations. Along with her beautiful daughter, Abigail, she provided lovely harp music at Christmas at the Governor’s Mansion in Utah.
Julie’s beautiful soprano voice added melodic depth to the choirs in which she participated. In addition to being a member of her ward choir for decades, she sang in the unforgettable production of Rob Gardner’s “The Lamb of God,” as well as the musical presentation, “Joseph Smith the Prophet.” She helped produce and accompany a beautiful youth presentation that stirred hearts as the audience listened and worshipped the Savior.
Of all Julie’s musical accomplishments, being a piano teacher had the most profound impact on all who were blessed to study under her. Each student will carry with them her joy, beauty, light and love of music that will bless generations to come. She was always encouraging and patient, instilling confidence in those she taught. Julie’s Christmas recitals were highly anticipated and each of her students practiced making their numbers pleasing to the audience and to their beloved teacher. Her eyes sparkled as she watched each individual progress and perform. In her music room was a sign, “This Is My Happy Place.” She reached her goal of inspiring her students to love music as she did. Julie “was beautiful deep down to her soul.”
One $500 scholarship will be awarded based on the student’s involvement in piano and a brief essay. This short essay will invite students to reflect on how music, and specifically their participation in piano has impacted their life and how piano will be a part of their life going forward. Students do not need to major in music to apply. The application process is open now at www.utahmusicfoundation.org and concludes June 30. The scholarship winner will be announced mid-July.
To apply or donate to this scholarship, please visit: https://www.utahmusicfoundation.org/julie-weston-ridd-piano-scholarship
For more information, please contact: info@utahmusicfoundation.org
About Utah Music Foundation
Founded in 2018, the Utah Music Foundation is a non-profit organization dedicated to helping students in Utah reach their musical and academic potential. Utah Music Foundation offers scholarships to musical high school students to help alleviate the financial burden of their college education. Since its founding, Utah Music Foundation has provided more than 20 music scholarships to students from around the state. Utah Music Foundation is recognized by the IRS as a public charity with 501(c)(3) tax exempt status. Visit www.UtahMusicFoundation.org for more information.