Chris Brown and Debbie Allen Launch Symphonic Love Scholars

By: Feb. 12, 2013
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Today Chris Brown and Ms. Debbie Allen announced the winners oF Brown's Symphonic Love Scholars scholarships.

This is the first group of participants to benefit from the partnership that Brown and Ms. Allen conceived of last year as one oF Brown's Symphonic Love Foundation's ART programs. Each will receive full scholarships to the world renowned Debbie Allen Dance Academy (DADA), supported by Brown.

Each of the Symphonic Love Scholars will train in a comprehensive dance techniques, which is part of the mission of the Debbie Allen Dance Academy, to be able to speak the language of dance anywhere in the world. At the end of the year, the scholars will perform in the annual DADA concert and be invited to participate in various auditions. Additionally, Brown plans to showcase the Scholars' talents and also provide DADA's other students with unique opportunities for exposure and creative expression.

Brown visited DADA on Saturday to encourage the final applicants while Ms. Allen chose the scholarship winners. When Brown saw the dancers who didn't make the final cut, he surprised Ms. Allen by increasing the number of scholarships from five to eleven to include all of them.

"Everyone has their own unique creativity. One way of being creative isn't better than another. I'm not judging the finalists. I'm here to inspire and motivate" said Brown. "I could see in their faces and in their energy that they have the drive and the dream. They are all beautiful."

"Chris Brown is just so special," said Allen. "He has started the Symphonic Love Foundation with a mission to help young people have more opportunities in the performing arts and in life. He came to DADA today to meet the scholarship recipient finalists and was so impressed by the talent that he awarded an additional six scholarships for a total of 11! I love his heart. Thank you, Chris Brown."

Ms. Allen attended the launch oF Brown's Symphonic Love Foundation in November, 2012. At the launch, her dancers surprised Brown with a brilliant performance to a mashup of his music.

Brown and Ms. Allen congratulate the 2013 Symphonic Love Scholars:

Adrienne Beal
Stormy Calloway
Michael George
Wayne Mackins
Alexis Harrington
Joshua Horton
Jhaelin McQuay
Amira Murphy
Makayla Perry
Emma Rosenzweig-Bock
Whitney Springer

Symphonic Love Scholars is one of Symphonic Love Foundation's ART programs. Symphonic Love Foundation creates and supports art programs for youth while encouraging every day public service, respect and kindness. Symphonic Love believes in the capacity of art and love to change the world. For more on Symphonic Love Foundation, see www.symphoniclovefoundation.org.

Founded in 2001, The Debbie Allen Dance Academy (DADA) is a non-profit organization committed to expanding the reach of dance and theater arts for young people in the greater Los Angeles area, and the world, enriching, inspiring and transforming their lives. The principles of DADA are simple and clear. Arts education empowers and defines self-esteem, discipline, creativity and self-confidence. This refers to character education, a by-product of training in the arts. These principles will become a part of each student whether they pursue a professional career or not. To contribute or for info on upcoming events, visit www.debbieallendanceacademy.com.



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