KEF America has announced the launch of a new student scholarship awards program in partnership with Ocean County Vocational Technical School (OCVTS), supporting the Audio Engineering Program at the Grunin Performing Arts Academy. The initiative recognizes outstanding student work in immersive audio production while providing financial support and professional audio equipment to help students begin their careers.
The scholarship program is part of KEF’s broader collaboration with the school, which includes immersive audio workshops and professional monitoring upgrades designed to introduce students to modern production techniques such as Dolby Atmos. The Audio Engineering Program at Ocean County Vocational Technical School provides specialized training to a diverse group of students — from experienced musicians to those discovering new technical career paths, all while developing professional skills in recording, mixing, and sound design.
This year, for the first time, eligible students will be invited to submit original projects demonstrating immersive audio production skills. Submissions will be judged by KEF and other industry members, including Jarred Land (RSH Studios) and John Scanlon (Dolby).
To partake, students may enter one of two categories — Immersive Audio and Atmos Soundtrack (Audio & Video) — following specific project requirements. Scholarship recipients, in each category, will receive a KEF LSX II Wireless HiFi Speakers along with the following cash awards:
- 1st Place — $1000
- 2nd Place — $750
- 3rd Place — $500
“KEF is excited about our partnership with OCVTS and the chance to support the next generation of audio and film makers at the start of their journey,” says David Kroll, vice president of KEF America. “OCVTS students’ dedication to their art is truly inspirational, and KEF is honored to support their ability to create Immersive Audio Recordings and Dolby Atmos Soundtracks.”
“The OCVTS audio program is excited for the launch of our partnership with KEF,” says Bill Bourke, audio instructor at OCVTS Performing Arts Academy. “The resources that KEF provides are much more than just speakers. Their knowledge and continued evolution of speaker technology, their partnerships, and their professionalism continue to expand and evolve our audio program and industry. Field trips to the KEF Music Lounge provide the opportunity to see how a speaker is built from the ground up, and listen to them in a state-of-the-art environment. The integration of their speakers throughout our studio facility have elevated our productions and introduced students to Dolby Atmos and immersive mixing environments.”
Scholarships will be presented during a project screening and scholarship ceremony at KEF’s Music Lounge in Marlboro, New Jersey, for students, family, and faculty on May 19.
For more information, visit us.kef.com and www.ocvts.org.
