Trinity Laban will receive the first London Maia Dave Scholarship, an expansion of the Maia Dave Scholarship Fund, which supports the next generation of women in music globally, and is championed by world-leading artists including will.i.am and Trinity Laban President, AR Rahman.
The scholarship reflects a powerful commitment to addressing gender imbalance within the music industry while building a global network of emerging female artists. The fund’s ambition is global, with scholarships planned to reach talented women across every continent and already established in India (KM Music Conservatory) and Manchester (Royal Northern College of Music).
At Trinity Laban, the scholarship will support a female UK student studying on, or joining, its BA Music, Performance and Industry undergraduate programme from September 2026. Awarded for excellence, and with preference given to those demonstrating financial need, the scholarship will provide £10,000 per year over two years, directly supporting tuition fees and helping to remove barriers to conservatoire training.
Professor Anthony Bowne, Principal of Trinity Laban, said: “We are deeply grateful to the Maia Dave Scholarship Fund for this visionary and generous commitment. The Maia Dave Scholarship Fund aligns profoundly with Trinity Laban’s mission to create meaningful routes of access into music education for those who have historically been underrepresented. By investing in women in music—both here in London and as part of a wider global ambition—this initiative will help shape a more inclusive and dynamic future for the industry.”
The scholarship has been established by Manon and Trusha Dave in loving memory of their late daughter, Maia, and is announced in time to commemorate her fifth birthday. Manon is an award-winning Creative Technologist, Product Designer and musician, who brings over 20 years of experience across the entertainment and education technology sectors. Trusha’s background is in classical Indian dance. Their decision to partner with Trinity Laban reflects a shared commitment to multidisciplinary artistic excellence and widening participation.
Manon Dave, Founder of the Maia Dave Fund, said: “Trinity Laban stands out globally not only for the calibre of its training, but for its genuine commitment to opening doors and embracing meaningful change in our culture. It was a very deliberate choice to partner with an organisation that shares our belief in expanding access and nurturing talent wherever it exists. Through the Maia Dave Scholarship, we hope to support outstanding women in music and contribute to building a truly global community of artists in Maia’s memory.”
The scholarship will also play an important role in raising the profile of its recipients, with opportunities for performance, visibility, and ongoing engagement as part of Trinity Laban’s artistic community. Plans are afoot to bring all Maia Dave Scholars and alumni from across the world together, building a global network of female leaders in music.