The first recipient of the new fund is sophomore Paris Pineyro, who performs under the name Paris Dior
The family of Nat King Cole and Natalie Cole are sponsoring a new scholarship that will be awarded annually to one student at the Berklee College of Music.
The $75,000 Nat King Cole and Natalie Cole Scholarship is backed by two non-profits tied to the Cole family, the Natalie Cole Foundation and Nat King Cole Generation of Hope. The scholarship was established in honor of the 75th anniversary of Natalie’s birth, while also in ongoing commemoration of the late singer-songwriter (she died in 2015) and her father, the legendary jazz pianist and vocalist (who died in 1965).
The first recipient of the new scholarship is Paris Pineyro, who performs and releases music under the name Paris Dior. She’s a sophomore at Berklee studying music business/management and performance.
In a statement shared with Billboard, Nat’s twin daughters — and Natalie’s sisters — Casey Cole and Timolin Cole-Augustus said, “Our father and sister were known for their vocal abilities and emotional delivery, even with dad often insisting he was a pianist first and foremost. Their dedication to their vocal craft is one of the reasons we’re so happy that Paris is the inaugural recipient of the Nat King Cole and Natalie Cole Scholarship. Paris is a talented singer and an exemplary student, and we’re honored to connect our family’s legacy to a voice of the future through this scholarship with Berklee College of Music.”
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Pineyro expressed her gratitude, calling the scholarship a reflection of “every late night, every struggle, and every moment I pushed through my doubts.” She added, “It reminds me that even when the path feels impossible, perseverance can lead to something truly ‘unforgettable,’ to quote the iconic Nat King Cole and Natalie Cole.”
Nat King Cole was one of the most accomplished and influential artists of the 20th century, recording memorable hits like “(I Love You) For Sentimental Reasons,” “Nature Boy,” and “Mona Lisa.” Natalie, meanwhile, began her music career in the Seventies, and scored quick success with her debut album Inseparable, which helped her win Best New Artist at the Grammys. She went on to win eight more Grammys — including Album of the Year and Record of the Year in 1992 — and in 1995 received her own honorary doctorate from Berklee.