David Eissler Memorial Scholarship Fund
This fund was established in 1993 to honor Grammy-award winning artist, David Eissler, who died of pneumonia after a four-year battle with AIDS. His father, Donald Eissler, described Mr. Eissler as "having a verve for life." Mr. Eissler, who dropped one "s" in his professional name, first impressed audiences while still a young man growing up in Evansville, Indiana. He began performing in community and school productions in his early teens, displaying his talents as a singer, actor, dancer, and keyboard player. He went on to study voice at Indiana University, where he performed with the Indiana University Opera Theater before embarking on a professional career. His early engagements include a 1981 debut with the New York City Opera, where he later became a frequent performer. Mr. Eissler was featured in two of the company's nationally televised Live From Lincoln Center performances, and sang the title role in a recording of Candide that won the 1987 Best Opera Grammy. His family established this scholarship in 1992 to recognize his many accomplishments and celebrate his strong spirit.
The David Eissler Memorial Fund provides scholarships for voice students attending the IU Jacobs School of Music.