The San Francisco Conservatory of Music (SFCM) and San Francisco Ballet have selected two new students for the annual Denis de Coteau Fellowship for the 2024-2025 school year. This year's fellows are Armando Atanda, viola, studying with Yun Jie "Jay" Liu, and Manny Vouse, violin, studying with Simon James and Cordula Merks.

Both musicians, whose personal and professional experiences contribute meaningfully to an expanded culture of diversity in the performing arts, will receive tuition, housing, and a stipend for SFCM’s one-year Professional Studies Certificate in Instrumental Performance. The two students will also have the opportunity to play rehearsals and shows with the SF Ballet Orchestra, as well as other training and support. 

"I can't think of two more deserving musicians to get this opportunity than Manny and Armando," said SFCM Associate Dean of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion and Special Advisor to the President Jason Hainsworth. "Having worked with both of them multiple times they embody what the Denis de Coteau Fellowship is all about. Not only are they fantastically gifted musicians, they are giving of their time as members of the community being active and leaders of the Black Student Union."  

"We are very excited to introduce Armando and Manny to our orchestra this season as this year's Denis De Coteau fellows,” said SF Ballet Music Director Martin West. “These young artists are lifelong learners who are making great contributions to their communities and who exemplify De Coteau's commitment to music and collaboration."

In addition to practicing and performing with the ballet orchestra in SF Ballet’s 24/25 season productions of Raymonda, Manon, and Frankenstein, each fellow will participate in chamber concerts, leadership training, and activities with local schools. They will be invited to mock auditions and will receive financial support for professional auditions. As part of the SFCM certificate program, each fellow will participate in advanced, focused studies that emphasize individual instruction and preparation for a performance career. 

The fellows will live in SFCM’s new Bowes Center, a 12-story “vertical campus” home to three performance halls, practice rooms, a recording studio, residences for students and visiting artists, and more. The Bowes Center is located in San Francisco’s Hayes Valley, across the street from SF Ballet’s performance address at the War Memorial Opera House.

These new students follow Freddy Renaud and Adrian Jackson who were the first students chosen for the fellowship in 2023, both of whom graduated earlier this year. Applicants were selected by a joint committee of musicians and administrators from both organizations. There is no fee to apply. Upon its founding in 2022, the Denis de Coteau Fellowship program was  intended to advance opportunities for Black musicians in honor of Maestro de Coteau who passed away in July 1999. 

The fellowship follows SFCM and the San Francisco Symphony’s announcement of the fourth Emerging Black Composers Project winner, Tyler Taylor. Both programs are part of the Conservatory’s ongoing commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion. 

The Denis de Coteau Fellowship fellowship is made possible through the generosity of Denise Littlefield Sobel.