Berklees Inaugural Nat King Cole and Natalie Cole Scholarship Awarded to Paris Pineyro

Berklees Inaugural Nat King Cole and Natalie Cole Scholarship Awarded to Paris Pineyro The new $75,000 scholarship, created in tribute to the Cole family's legacy, will help carry their influence forward to the next generation of musicians.

November 25, 2025

By

Tori Donahue

Paris Pineyro, who performs as Paris Dior, is a sophomore studying music business/management and performance.

Image courtesy of Lifetouch

Berklee has awarded the inaugural Nat King Cole and Natalie Cole Scholarship to Paris Pineyro, a student majoring in music business/management and performance. The scholarship honors pioneering pianist and singer Nat King Cole, whose smooth style, crossover appeal, and groundbreaking success as an African American artist helped shape American popular music and open doors for generations to come. It also recognizes the legacy of his daughter, Natalie Cole, a Grammy-winning singer, songwriter, and actor who received an honorary doctorate from Berklee in 1995.

The $75,000 fund was established to celebrate what would have been Natalie Cole's 75th birthday this year, honoring her legacy of artistic excellence and commitment to supporting those in need, as well as the lasting legacy of Nat King Cole on American music.

Pineyro, who goes by the artist name Paris Dior, is a second-year Berklee student originally from Cranston, Rhode Island. She said the scholarship represents both recognition and a reminder of every late night, every struggle, and every moment I pushed through my doubts, and that even when the path feels impossible, perseverance can lead to something truly unforgettable,' to quote the iconic Nat King Cole and Natalie Cole. She added that she is deeply grateful to the Natalie Cole Foundation and Nat King Cole Generation Hope for believing in her potential and investing in her journey.

The Cole family shared their enthusiasm for partnering with Berklee. Establishing the Nat King Cole and Natalie Cole Scholarship at Berklee College of Music is especially meaningful because it is a place where so many young artists find their voice, said Casey and Timolin Cole, twin sisters of Natalie Cole and daughters of Nat King Cole. We see this partnership as a way to uphold our father and sister's belief in the power of music to educate, uplift, and unite. By supporting Berklee students, the scholarship is investing in the next generation of teachers and leaders who will keep their legacy alive.

Phil Lima, assistant chair of the college's Voice Department, echoed that impact. The scholarship opens more doors for Paris to further advance her education and her career, he said. We are excited for many more young Berklee musicians to have the same opportunity in the years to come.

More information on Berklee scholarships is available online.

Related Categories

News

Most Popular

Image by Maddie Ross, courtesy of Tape Op magazine

Building a Home Recording Studio? Here's What You Need. Experts break down the home studio setup and share tips to create a pro-level recording space on any budget.

Latest

Paris Pineyro, who performs as Paris Dior, is a sophomore studying music business/management and performance.

Image courtesy of Lifetouch

Berklees Inaugural Nat King Cole and Natalie Cole Scholarship Awarded to Paris Pineyro The new $75,000 scholarship, created in tribute to the Cole family's legacy, will help carry their influence forward to the next generation of musicians.

Composer and Boston Conservatory professor Laura Kaminsky

Ellen McDermott

Seeking Advice for a New Opera, Laura Kaminsky Consulted the Experts: Her Students Boston Conservatory at Berklee musicians played an invaluable role in shaping the composer's latest opera, Time to Act, which explores the emotional impact of gun violence in America's schools.

Director John M. Chu talks Wicked: For Good at an NBCUniversal upfront event.

Image by 2025 NBCUniversal Media, LLC

The Best Movie Musicals on Every Streaming Platform From Wicked to The Sound of Music, heres where to stream all the classic movie musicals and recent hits on Netflix, Hulu, Disney+, and more.

Read All

Subscribe The latest sounds, stories, and ideas, sent to your inbox weekly.

LINK:	https://www.berklee.edu/berklee-now/news/berklee-awards-paris-pineyro-...
	See more stories from berklee

North America Stories