Orlando, FL - September 8, 2025 - In April 2025, FSYO announced a new scholarship opportunity in partnership with the Ursula Oyler Sunshine Endowment. Over the last few months, eligible FSYO members have submitted applications to be reviewed by Alan Oyler, son of Ursula Oyler, and his daughter, Adrienne Arceri, the granddaughter of Ursula Oyler. The selected recipients will receive a full scholarship to cover their tuition and all fees associated with FSYO's programs. After receiving over twenty applications, the inaugural recipients of the Ursula Oyler Sunshine Endowment Scholarship have been chosen!
With over twenty applicants, Alan and Adrienne had the difficult decision of awarding full scholarships to only three members. Adrienne noted, “When selecting awardees of the scholarship, we wanted to focus on students who were seeking to further their musical education but may not have the financial means to do so. The scholarship recipients had unique and moving stories.”
While the decision was difficult to make, Alan remarked, “It was particularly gratifying to be able to assist these [members] by relieving the financial burden of tuition from their families, allowing them to focus on continuing to develop their musical talents. While we could only award three scholarships under this program, my daughter and I plan to do more.”
Meet the 2025 recipients of the Ursula Oyler Sunshine Endowment Scholarship:
Seraphina Barretto
Violin - Philharmonia Orchestra
Seraphina began her musical journey in 2016 by taking piano lessons. As she progressed, she became involved with the Orlando Children’s Choir where she expanded her knowledge and experience. After picking up the violin in 2022, she joined FSYO to continue her music education.
“Music is truly such a beautiful creation, and I am so glad I can share it with those around me! This scholarship inspires me to work harder and excel as a musician.”
-Seraphina Barretto
Aniyah Crawford
Viola - Symphonic Orchestra
From a young age, music has always been a part of Aniyah’s life. She picked up the viola in middle school and became more and more involved from that point forward. Aniyah takes a lot of inspiration from her private teacher, Ms. Dansby, and has taken to heart her teaching philosophy: “Our experiences are what makes the music we perform more than just notes.”
“This scholarship doesn’t just allow me further advancement as a musician but also gives me a creative space to share with others the joy of music.”
-Aniyah Crawford
Madison Leimer
Flute/Piccolo - Symphonic Orchestra
At just four years old, Madison convinced her mom to allow her to begin piano lessons. From there, her musical journey took off with her finally joining the band in the sixth grade. Following in her mother’s footsteps, Madison hopes to one day be the band director at her high school. She is inspired by her peers and wants to always put her best foot forward in her ensembles.
“This scholarship means so much to me because this scholarship represents a woman who dedicated herself to music education which is what I also want to do.”
-Madison Leimer
FSYO is so grateful for this collaboration with the Ursula Oyler Sunshine Endowment and helping to continue Ursula Oyler’s legacy as this scholarship provides more opportunities for young musicians as they continue their studies in our programming.
“Becoming involved [with] FSYO has been such an exciting and gratifying experience. For all of the [members] who applied for the scholarship, music is a huge part of their lives, and they see it as a tool to bring people from differing backgrounds together and be part of something larger than themselves. Many of these students want to pursue music as a career, and my father and I are inspired and driven to help invest in their futures. We encourage anyone in the community with an appreciation for music to consider donating to FSYO and these amazing students.” -Adrienne Arceri
ABOUT FSYO: Florida Symphony Youth Orchestras empowers young musicians to achieve excellence and inspire their communities through a shared love of music. In its 69th Concert Season, FSYO serves over 300 students and comprises eight ensembles - three symphony orchestras, two string orchestras, two jazz bands, and a percussion ensemble.
FSYO programs are carefully structured to encourage student growth with FSYO throughout their primary and secondary years. Florida Symphony Youth Orchestras’ full range of ensembles gives each student a place to excel with peers at a similar level and an opportunity to collaborate with seasoned music professionals on local, national, and international levels. During summers, students participate in life-changing experiences of organized tours, alternating between international and national travel.
Florida Symphony Youth Orchestras is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) charitable organization. Florida Symphony Youth Orchestras is funded in part by United Arts of Central Florida, your local agency for the arts and by the Orange County Government through the Arts & Cultural Affairs Program. FSYO is also sponsored by the City of Orlando through the Mayor's Matching Grant.
For more information, please visit www.fsyo.org | facebook.com/THEFSYO | @f_s_y_o (instagram) | youtube.com/fsyo
ABOUT URSULA OYLER SUNSHINE ENDOWMENT: Ursula Sonnenschein was born in Germany in 1928. At an early age, Ursula displayed a talent for music and her parents arranged for her to have piano and accordion lessons. She soon excelled at both instruments, but her lessons were interrupted with the coming of the Second World War/ After the war, while working as a secretary at an American base in Germany, she met Melvin Oyler, an American serviceman, and soon became an Air Force bride heading to the States. While raising two sons, Ursula resumed her music lessons and became an accomplished pianist. After she and Mel retired to Belle Isle, Florida in 1971, Ursula began sharing her passion for music as a piano teacher for the neighborhood children. She taught dozens of children and young adults and, as time passed, even taught the children of some of her original students. She continued teaching up until the time of her death in 2015.
The Ursula Oyler Sunshine Endowment was established with the Central Florida Foundation to continue Ursula’s passion for children, teaching and music by providing funding for music programs serving disadvantaged children and young adults. Please visit cffound.org to donate to this or other funds that benefit the local community.
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