Blackburn Named 2026-27 Presser Scholar
Jack Blackburn has been named the Presser Scholar for the 2026-27 academic year.
The Presser Undergraduate Scholar Award is given to a student with a high level of academic and musical accomplishment who embodies the qualities of leadership and citizenship. The student must be in their final year of study as a full-time or part-time undergraduate music major.
Blackburn, who hails from Kansas City, Missouri, is a music performance and music business major at Truman who sees music as a way to tell stories that bring people together, heal and entertain. His involvement in music began at age eight, when he completed the Vaccai vocal method in both Italian and English, and has since expanded to include instrumental music and theatrical performance. A tenor who values training in multiple styles, Blackburn has studied classical, musical theatre and commercial music, and has been performing in operas, oratorios and musical theatre productions since the age of 13. He has received multiple awards for his commitment to music excellence and community building, including the Kyle Robinson Memorial Foundation Scholarship, National Association of Teachers of Singing Student Auditions Placement and the Clay Dawson Memorial Scholarship.
Outside of his performances, Blackburn aims to build a community that uplifts others and makes the world a better place. Whether volunteering at food pantries, working with local nonprofits, giving back to his scout troop or helping others learn and grow, he finds value in strengthening his community in every way possible. At Truman, he has been involved in True Men A Cappella, serving on the executive board for four years, and Cantoria, serving on the executive board for three years, while also working at the Student Recreation Center and performing with both the opera theatre and theatre department. Recently, he received a performance award for his role as Ernst in Truman Theatre’s production of “Cabaret” at the Region V American College Theatre Festival. Blackburn plans to return to Kansas City to pursue work as a performer and private voice teacher while also working with local nonprofit organizations in fundraising and marketing.
As part of the award, Blackburn will receive financial support of $3,000 from The Presser Foundation, which works to fund the musical arts in their many dimensions and manifestations while striving to serve a broad community of musicians, educators and music lovers.
