Scholarships Strike the Right Note for UMW Music Major

University of Mary Washington senior Mima Manton decided at a young age that she was going to study music. Many members of her family were choral singers, her uncle played trombone, her sister learned flute and cello, and like her mother, Manton took up piano, flute and bassoon.

When it came time to go to college, Manton wasn’t sure where she wanted to go, but she did feel ready to spread her wings and fly far from home.

“I always knew I wanted to study internationally,” said Manton, who hails from the Royal Town of Sutton Coldfield in England. A family friend helped her research American schools that offered music scholarships, which led her to UMW. “I loved the size of Mary Washington, and after a Zoom meeting with all the music professors, I knew it was the right place for me.”

Manton has since hit all the high notes, majoring in music and joining a slew of ensembles, including the UMW Philharmonic and woodwind chamber trio Aquila Venti. She can often be found at UMW Eagles basketball and volleyball games, serving as assistant director and lead singer with the University’s new pep band. She’s also a member of Mortar Board and the Student Alumni Ambassadors (SAA), welcoming alumni, donors and friends to events put on by UMW’s Office of Advancement and Alumni Engagement.

“I’m so grateful for the chance to connect with the supporters who invest in our education,” she said at UMW’s Celebration of Giving in November. The recipient of the Henry and Grace Spicer and James E. Baker University Community Orchestra scholarships, she said, “I cannot stress enough that without these awards, I wouldn’t be standing in front of you today.”

Manton performing with the UMW Pep Band in front of Lee Hall on Election Day. Her performances and recordings on Spotify showcase a wide range of influences like Elvis Presley, Michael Jackson, Amy Winehouse, Jessie J and Dua Lipa. Photo courtesy of Mima Manton.

Manton (back row, right) and other members of the Student Alumni Ambassadors (SAA) pose for a photo outside the Jepson Alumni Executive Center. Manton serves as vice president of social media and marketing for the SAA program. Photo courtesy of Karen Pearlman.

Manton, who received the Henry and Grace Spicer and James E. Baker University Community Orchestra scholarships, expressed gratitude to her donors at the Celebration of Giving in November 2024. “I cannot stress enough that without these awards, I wouldn’t be standing in front of you today.” Photo by Karen Pearlman.

Read more at Giving.umw.edu.