New York-based music education nonprofit the D’Addario Foundation on Jan. 11 announced it was awarding Thomas Kurtz, a music professor at San Antonio College and a doctoral candidate at The University of Texas, with the inaugural Kevin Garren Memorial Scholarship.

A news release said Kurtz, who teaches the saxophone at SAC, is focusing on musicians’ health and, as a certified body mapping educator in training, he wants to inform music students on the importance of incorporating a secure somatic foundation in their musical training.

Through Kurtz’s research, he learned injuries among musicians, such as tendonitis, carpal tunnel syndrome and TMJ, are still widely stigmatized, the release said.

With this $2,000 scholarship, Kurtz will lead free clinics in public schools around central Texas to introduce body mapping techniques that can be implemented into a young musician’s daily practice to minimize the risks of injury.

“As a passion-driven individual and fervent educator with an unwavering commitment to inclusivity, equity, diversity, belonging and accessibility in the arts, my aim is to foster a community within which my students have the resources available to reach their full potential,” Kurtz said in a statement.

The release said the Kevin Garren Memorial Scholarship was launched in 2022 after Garren, a D’Addario employee for 10 years, unexpectedly died in 2021. Garren worked alongside D’Addario and Co. to develop innovative product solutions for the music community of which he was both a member and a benefactor.

“[Garren] approached every aspect of life with one guiding characteristic: human excellence,” said Bill Wrightson, D’Addario vice president of band and orchestra, in a statement.

This scholarship is for college juniors, seniors or post-graduates enrolled in an accredited university studying product/industrial design, engineering, music business or woodwinds performance, the release said, adding that applications for the 2023 Garren memorial scholarship will open late this spring.

Kevin Garren’s widow, Cindi Garren, congratulated Kurtz on winning the inaugural memorial scholarship.

“Kevin was a titan in the music industry with a passion for educating anyone who desired to hone their musical craft. It is clear to see this passion in Thomas Kurtz as he strives to bring awareness and free education to young music students,” Cindi Garren said in a statement.