About Keani
Keani Braxton was a Madison area daughter, sister, and violinist who tragically lost her life in a house fire on June 4th, 2020, just days after she and her twin turned 21. Keani took solace in music upon the loss of her father when she was young, eventually gaining acceptance into Wisconsin Youth Symphony Orchestra (WYSO).
Keani’s talent was clear from the beginning and her sense of joy and playfulness made her a unique and beloved addition to WYSO and the Madison music community. This scholarship is inspired by Keani’s strong sense of community and love for music.
The goal of this scholarship is to provide assistance to Black Madison area high school graduates who will be attending a higher education institute to pursue their passion in music.
Be a part of the solution
There are significant discrepancies in race within symphonies and orchestras. By lifting up young Black musicians, we hope to contribute to closing this gap, and create opportunities for more students to find joy in learning and sharing music.
The following links provide incredible insight to the issue of racial discrepancies in symphonies and orchestras. Please read and share!
Our Partnership
Support Diversity in Music
This scholarship is housed in the Madison Community Foundation. The Madison Community Foundation handles the intricacies of accounting and logistics that come with the banking and dispersal of scholarships. We are honored to partner with this strong Madison organization!
Thank you for your generosity in helping us meet this goal!
The Keani Braxton Black Excellence in Music Scholarship seeks to honor Keani Braxton’s memory by providing support for Black students who share Keani’s love of music. A recipient will be selected each year to receive a scholarship to support their music passion.
FAQ
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Where will my donation go?Your donation will go directly to The Keani Braxton Black Excellence in Music Scholarship, which is housed in The Madison Community Foundation.
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Who will be eligible to receive this scholarship?Black Madison area highschool seniors preparing to pursue a higher education in music!
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When will the first scholarship be available?We can't wait to get to this stage and start accepting applications!