2009 Rising Star Award Finalists Announced

Nine finalists will compete for a cash prize totaling $5,000 in the Howard County Arts Council's 2009 Rising Star Emerging Performing Artist Awards on Saturday, April 25, 2009, at the 12th annual Celebration of the Arts in Howard County, to be held at the Jim Rouse Theatre, Wilde Lake High School, Columbia. The Celebration is a multi-faceted signature event, showcasing and raising funds for the arts in Howard County . Performing artists between the ages of 18-35, currently or recently living, working, performing regularly, or receiving training in Howard County, auditioned in January before a panel of professionals working in their field of discipline. Review criteria include artistic merit, demonstrated experience in the arts, and commitment to a career in the arts.

The nine finalists who will perform at the Celebration are: Curtis Bannister (Musical Theatre), Heather Marie Beck (Musical Theatre), Lauren Dutterer, (Musical Theatre), Steven Eddy, (Opera), Jillian Finnamore (Opera), Kassi Mattera (Modern Dance), Cameron McNary (Monologue), Michael Watts (Cello), and DeWanda Wise (Monologue).

From these performers, the audience of artists, arts patrons, business and political representatives and community members will select by popular vote, one winner to receive an award of $5,000. The winner is announced and presented with the award at the event.

The Howard County Arts Council established the Rising Star Awards in 2003 to provide emerging performing artists with roots in Howard County , opportunities for assistance in the development and practice of their art. The goals of the Rising Star Awards are to encourage professional development in the performing arts in all disciplines, recognize individual achievement in the performing arts, support performing artists with strong ties to Howard County, Maryland, and provide a venue for artists through a performance of award finalists.

Past Winners: Dancer Alicia Graf, the 2003 Rising Star Award winner, grew up in Columbia and received her dance training under Donna Pidel at the Ballet Royale Academy . At the age of seventeen she moved to New York City . Graf toured with the Dance Theatre of Harlem, graduated from Columbia University and, in 2005, joined the prestigious Alvin Ailey American Dance Theatre. 2004 Rising Star winner, actress/singer Carly Hughes, graduated from Wilde Lake High School and received her BFA in Musical Theatre from Penn State University . She is the recipient of a 2003 Princess Grace Scholarship and Grace Le Vine Theatre Award, to honor outstanding achievement in dramatic arts. Clarinetist Mark Dubac won the award in 2005, the Atholton High School and Julliard School graduate recently received his Master's degree at the University of Wisconsin 's Peck School of the Arts and is working toward a professional orchestral career. The 2006 top prize winner was singer Korey Jackson, the $5,000 winner in 2007 was violinist Tao Chang Yu, and the 2008 Rising Star Award winner was high-school student and pianist, Alexander Francis.

For more information, call 410-313-ARTS (2787) or visit the Arts Council website: www.hocoarts.org.

 

 

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