Laraine Fischer NEXTGen Fellowship
The Laraine Fischer NEXTGen Fellowship is a youth leadership program that empowers teens through artistry, leadership, and advocacy training with professional musicians and mentors in the fields of finance, tech, law, arts & culture, and government. NEXTGen celebrates the creativity of young people and directly invests in participants’ artistry through private music lessons, leadership through mentorship, and advocacy training.
For High School Musicians
The program will run from January through May (5-month commitment), meeting on Mondays from 5:30-7:30pm with occasional evening and weekend events and students are expected to meet 2-3 hours per week after-school. The program meets both in-person and online.
Applications for the 2026-2027 school year will open in September 2026.
Program Overview
Program stipend of $500
Weekly 1:1 private lessons
Masterclasses, creative arts workshops, and performances of artists in the fields of music, media, among others
Career labs and seminars on arts advocacy including lobbying, case building, grassroots efforts, public speaking and letter writing
Excursions throughout New York City to cultural organizations and events
Create a culminating arts advocacy project aimed at policy makers and their influencers
For more information,
contact Kelley Davies at kdavies@midoriandfriends.org
Awarded each year to one promising vocal student enrolled in the Laraine Fischer NEXTGen Fellowship, the Samara Joy Scholarship reflects a shared commitment to ensuring that every young person with musical talent and potential has access to the resources, mentorship, and training needed to pursue their artistry — regardless of background or circumstance. The scholarship was inspired by Samara Joy's personal experience with music education.
Samara Joy Scholarship
Midori & Friends established the Maureen Guthman Memorial Scholarship for the NEXTGen Teen Musician program in remembrance of Maureen Guthman, a senior executive at BET Networks producer and leader in the media industry. This scholarship will carry the memory of Maureen’s commitment to seeing people of color, women, and LGBTQ+ people represented in entertainment.
Maureen Guthman Memorial Scholarship
In memory of the late Isaac Stern, the first President of Carnegie Hall and a champion of its survival as a landmark in New York City, Midori & Friends established the Isaac Stern Fellowship to underwrite two violin students’ participation in the NEXTGen Musician program. The Fellowship honors Stern’s legacy of advocacy and commitment to young musicians.
Isaac Stern Fellowship
The Laraine Fischer NEXTGen Fellowship is supported, in part by
Alan Fischer & the Fischer Family
Roberta Conroy
Lotos Foundation
Musicians Advocacy Fund
Morgan Stanley
NYC Cultural Development Fund
College Acceptance
100%
of NEXTGen students were accepted to college.
Confidence & Mentorship
100%
of NEXTGen students reported that the program boosted their confidence by providing meaningful opportunities to work alongside mentors and leaders in the field.
Musical Skill Development
100%
of NEXTGen students noted measurable growth in their musical skills, particularly in the areas of collaboration and improvisation.
Exposure & Artistic Broadening
100%
of NEXTGen students shared that the program introduced them to a wider and more diverse range of musicians, expanding their artistic perspective and inspiring new creative possibilities.
2025-2026
From Our Students
“Once I was finally accepted into the NEXTGen program was when I started seeing real improvement in my technique and in my overall passion to play. I felt like I could be a great musician and I saw a future for myself.”
Cristal Pena, NEXTGen ‘26
“Midori & Friends changed the direction of my life by exposing me to people, art, and opportunities I never would’ve found on my own, and making me feel like I belonged there.
NEXTGen exposed me to artists and mentors who showed me that imagination, emotion, and experimentation are often what make leadership the most meaningful.”
Katerina Bala, NEXTGen ‘25
