The Gail Schultz International Fellowship committee is proud to announce that Sean Molloy of Ireland and Kairi Watanabe of Japan have been selected as the inaugural recipients of the Gail Schultz International Fellowship award for 2022!
Created in 2021 to honor the life and legacy of Gail Schultz, long-time drum corps personality and avid supporter of international participation in drum and bugle corps, the Gail Schultz International Fellowship seeks to support international students who wish to participate in US-based Drum Corps International organizations while committing to making a long-lasting contribution to music education and drum corps in their home communities.
This year’s awardees most certainly exemplify the spirt of Gail Schultz in all ways.
Sean Molloy hails from Arklow, County Wicklow, Ireland and is a member of the Boston Crusaders for the 2022 season. A trumpet player, Sean is a music performance student at The University of Dublin and has been a member of the Inbhear Mor Performance Ensembles since he was 6 years old. Sean states that “I’m excited to make lifelong friendships with people who share the same passions as I, and I plan to take what I learn this summer to be an inspiring teacher and role model to kids in Ireland."
Kairi Watanabe is from Yokohama, Japan and will be a member of The Blue Devils this season, playing in the tenor drum section. Kairi was part of his school music program since his early elementary school days and went on to be a 5-year veteran of the Yokohama Scouts drum and bugle corps before marching a summer in the Madison Scouts. Kairi shares that “I love people-to-people connections that transcend national borders. I am so appreciative of the opportunity given because of Gail Schultz’s great deeds."
The Gail Schultz International Fellowship is funded through the generosity of family, friends, and drum corps fans worldwide. To learn more, contribute, or apply please visit: https://bluedevils.org/support/gail-fellowship/
ABOUT GAIL SCHULTZ – Gail started her involvement in drum and bugle corps with the Blue Devils in 1971 when her daughter Christine joined the Twirlers and was a member of the USTA National Champions Annette's Pets Twirling Team. Gail's son Steven participated in the Jr Drum & Bell Corps. Gail managed the Junior and Senior Twirling Corps as well as the Winter Guard, and served on the Board of Directors from 1976 to 1990. She was Board president in 1977–1978 and from 1985–1987 and chaired the Precision West committee from 1985–1992. As Marketing and Development Director, Gail coordinated special events and recruitment drives, created public relations materials, and represented the Blue Devils to the City Chamber of Commerce. As Promotions Manager, Gail coordinated all aspects of the souvenir sales: on the road with the A Corps during the summer and from the office during the off season. Gail was active in the wider drum corps community through her advocacy, guidance and mentorship of fellow drum corps Board of Directors, development managers and merchandise programs. Gail traveled extensively and loved attending drum corps and marching events around the globe.