Gabriel Trupin Memorial Dance Scholarship

This application is for the Jazz Camp West Gabe Trupin Memorial Scholarship for Jazz Camp West 2026, which will be held in June 6-13, 2026 in La Honda, CA.

In memory of Gabriel Trupin (1969-1995), an exceptionally talented dancer that attended Jazz Camp West in his early life and went on to become an outstanding professional performer. 

This is a full scholarship award for an aspiring dancer interested in being in a highly creative immersive environment and wants to benefit from exposure to several forms of dance (Jazz, Salsa Rueda and Hip-Hop), and a chance to be featured in the final dance showcase.

Requirements

  • A dancer that is serious about their experience with dance and the importance of dance education 

  • A dancer who is looking for an immersive experience where they will be mentored, where they will have the opportunity to be nurtured and grow as an artist

  • Applicants must be between the ages of 15 and 25 on June 6th, 2026.

  • Performance experience is a plus, but not required

  • Intermediate and/or advanced level dancers encouraged

  • Applicants must have 2 or more years of dance training 

Please note that this is a merit-based award.

Application Materials

  • General Applicant Information

  • 500-700 word Biography

  • Links to two dance (2) Videos that represent the range of your dance experience and skill

  • Two (2) Letters of Recommendation required (the Letter of Rec can be from teachers, mentors, professional dancers who have observed your dance work, etc) -  separate pdf files recommended

  • Student/Demographic/Misc Info

The deadline to apply is March 1st, 2026 at 11:59 pm PST. All complete applications will be reviewed and finalists will be interviewed by Artistic Director, Camp Director, Artist-In-Residence, and various Living Jazz staff throughout March 2026. One (1) Recipient will be selected for Jazz Camp West 2026 and all other applicants will be notified by March 30th, 2026.

Jazz Camp West 2026

Jazz Camp West 2026 Gabe Trupin Scholarship Application 

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General Applicant Information


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Primary Parent/Guardian Information
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Additional Parent/Guardian Information
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Applicant Materials & Links

Videos: - Please post the links to two (2) videos that represent the range of your dance experience and skill


Letters of Recommendation - The Letter of Rec can be from teachers, mentors, professional dancers who have observed your dance work, etc Please note: Upload field is not required in this form so if you're not sure if you will have your letters in hand by the application deadline, please just email us at info@livingjazz.org so we're aware. Submitting the application form is the priority here.


Online Presence (Optional but Helpful) - Please provide links or handles for any of the following, if available:
Applicant School Information





Applicant Demographics
Jazz Camp West works hard make itself accessible to a diverse range of populations. Donors and foundations typically ask for this information to be included in any fundraising appeal that we submit. We will keep this information anonymous.





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Housing Selection

Please note: All applicants under age 18 will be put in the designated minor cabin

(Note: Your First Choice will show in Bold at the Top of the list and you will not be able to select the same choice twice)


Please note: Availability of Gender Inclusive Cabins will be based on demand, but we will accommodate if we can

Contact Information

More information on Gabriel Trupin


Gabriel Trupin grew up in a musical family, surrounded by jazz, blues, and R&B royalty, including his step-father, drummer Eddie Marshall, who was a longtime Jazz Camp West faculty member. Gabriel graduated from the San Francisco School of the Arts, dancing with Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, in concert with Debbie Allen, Gloria Estefan, Vanessa Williams, Queen Latifah, The Jackson Family, and with the Adidas Dance Team. He appeared in numerous music videos for stars, including Janet Jackson and Madonna. Gabriel was a dancer in Sister Act 2: Back in the Habit (1993) and What's Love Got To Do With It (1993), an actor in Doctor Strain the Body Snatcher (1991), and a dancer on Madonna's Blonde Ambition World Tour, about which a documentary, Madonna: Truth or Dare was filmed and released.

Read the Full Press Release

Onyé Timms – 2025 Gabriel Trupin Dance Scholarship Recipient

Join Us in Congratulating Onyé Timms, our Gabriel Trupin Dance Scholarship Recipient for Jazz Camp West 2025. Onyé Timms is a 22-year-old dancer based in San Francisco, CA with over 15 years of dedicated dance training and performance experience. Her journey began with elementary school dance classes and grew into a lifelong passion through middle and high school programs, performances with the Black Rep Theater, and training at A.C.T. Theater and Hart Studio in San Francisco.

Onyé’s dance experience is rich and diverse, spanning styles such as Hip Hop, Modern, Salsa, Step, Freestyle, Jazz, Haitian, Interpretive, and L.A. Clown Dancing. She is currently exploring Wacking and Flow as her primary focus, using dance as both an expressive outlet and a source of healing.

Entirely committed to her craft, Onyé has studied in academic settings, on her own, and in professional environments. For Omyé, dance is more than movement—it's a pathway to peace, resilience, and personal truth. One of her favorite freestyles, reflects her deep connection to dance as a source of beauty and strength. Watch the video here.

Onyé dreams of a future where she wakes up dancing with the world and goes to sleep feeling healthy and safe. Attending Jazz Camp West is a step toward that dream—a chance to reconnect, recharge, and let dance carry her forward.

She is honored to receive the Gabriel Trupin Dance Scholarship and grateful for the opportunity to share her story, her movement, and her heart.

Thank you for being part of this resilient and loving community. We are grateful beyond measure—and we’re so glad to be in this with you.