Anthony and Olimpia Barbera Latin American Music Scholarship Fund
(est. 1992) Anthony Barbera, a pharmacist for Eli Lilly and Company for 40 years, began his career in Argentina, where he met and married Olimpia. They would spend the next 25 years living throughout Uruguay, Venezuela, and Brazil before returning to the United States. "No matter where we lived or worked," Mrs. Barbera remarked, "our family was always enriched by these countries and their people. Since my life and work revolves around music, establishing this music scholarship at IU was a way of helping students from South America further their education at this prestigious school."
Mrs. Barbera, a pianist, has been actively involved in supporting music education all her life, beginning with helping to establish a free music school for underprivileged children in Argentina. In Venezuela she formed and conducted a remarkable musical group of children from the School for the Deaf who played percussion and wind instruments as well as traditional native instruments. The ensemble performed throughout the country, often times accompanying a children's choir from the School for the Blind. This pro bono work was recognized nationally when Mrs. Barbera was named Woman of the Year in Venezuela. Mrs. Barbera continues to be involved as a teacher and patron of the arts. The Latin American Music Center in the Jacobs School of Music's Library and Recital Center is named in honor of Anthony and Olimpia Barbera.
Established in 1992, the Anthony and Olimpia Barbera Scholarship Fund provides financial aid to Latin American students majoring in music at Indiana University.