National YoungArts Week Showcases Inspiring Theatre and Jazz Performances

On Tuesday, January 10, the National YoungArts Foundation introduced 20 up-and-coming young actors and 6 jazz musicians to audiences at New World Center in Miami. These artists have been named 2017 YoungArts Finalists-one of the nation's most prestigious awards for aspiring artists 15 to 18 years old-and have come to Miami from across the country to participate in National YoungArts Week, where they have opportunities to learn from esteemed mentors and share their work with the public.

Actors:

· Julia Cooper's (Midland, PA) sensational and hilarious rendition of "Shopping Around" from Wish You Were Here, music and lyrics by Harold Rome

· Ari Dalbert's (Honolulu, HI) captivating stage presence as Biff from Death of a Salesman by Arthur Miller

· Yvonne Barnett's (Sacramento, CA) dramatic portrayal of Salima from Ruined by Lynn Nottage

· Luke Klein's (Leland, MI) angelic voice and sincere performance of "If the World Only Knew" from Powerful Day, music and lyrics Scott Evan Davis

· Christine Hwang's (Minnetonka, MN) charismatic performance of "Moments in the Woods" from Into the Woods, music and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim

· Cam'ron Stewart's (Greenville, SC) commanding approach to the character Chris from The Truth by Steven A Butler, Jr

Jazz Musicians:

· Trombonist Jack Kotze (Frankfort, IL)

· Trumpeter Giveton Gelin (Nassau, Bahamas)

For more information and YoungArts Week, visit www.youngarts.org.

Photo credit: Jason Koerner

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