Young Artists’ Competition Winners
The winners of the 17th annual Arizona Young Artists’ Competition, a collaboration between the Herberger Theater Center and Center Dance Ensemble that showcases Arizona artists (ages 15-19) in the disciplines of Acting, Dance and Voice, are:
Acting
Judges’ Choice: Phoenix resident Arianna Williams, 17, Mountain Point High School
People’s Choice: Cave Creek resident Kelly Hajek, 19, Scottsdale Community College
Dance
Judges’ Choice / People’s Choice: Phoenix resident Michaela Horger, 17, Royal Dance Works
Voice
Judges’ Choice: Phoenix resident Ally Lansdowne, 18, Arizona School for the Arts
People’s Choice: Tucson resident Daniel Lopez, 19, University of Arizona
Through an open call and audition process, twelve finalists were selected to compete in the Finals on Saturday, April 2 at the Herberger Theater Center. The Judges’ Choice winners in each discipline received a $1,000 scholarship to help further their education in the arts. The audience-selected People’s Choice Award winners received $100.
Through a partnership this year with the Herberger Theater, Arizona Broadway Theatre (ABT) selected Surprise resident and dancer Eric Klich, 17, Arizona Conservatory for Arts & Academics to receive an additional $1,500 scholarship and an offer to perform with their professional cast in a Main Stage production.
Since its inception, the Arizona Young Artists’ Competition has placed the spotlight on the acting, dance and vocal achievements of more than 1,500 Arizona students and awarded nearly $70,000 in scholarship monies to help further their goal toward a career in the arts.
The competition was sponsored by Billie Jo and Judd Herberger, Dick and Peggy Bowers, Debra and Jim Larson, Apatrou Photography, Arizona Broadway Theatre, APS, St. Mary’s Basilica and SRP.
