Students at Douglas Anderson School of the Arts Receive $52,000 in Summer Scholarships to Attend Renowned Arts Programs Nationwide
DA Foundation celebrated nine young artists at community event.
The Developing Artist (DA) Foundation announced today that nine students from Douglas Anderson School of the Arts (DA) received $52,000 in scholarships to attend acclaimed arts programs across the country and internationally. The students were honored for their achievement at a celebratory luncheon on September 11, 2024, at the DA Recital Hall.
“It is an honor for the DA Foundation to be able to provide focused and talented young artists with the opportunity to learn at some of the world’s top summer intensive arts programs as well as get a sample of the rigors of artistic training,” said Jackie Cornelius, DA Foundation executive director. “We are grateful to the Baker Family, Gary McCalla and DA Foundation patrons for their investment in the future of young artists in Jacksonville by providing funding for these incredible professional development experiences.”
Every year, the DA Foundation provides scholarships through its DuBow Summer Arts Scholarship Program to talented students recommended by each arts department. The students then apply, usually by audition, for summer arts programs. Admission requirements vary depending on each institution’s criteria. Last year 18 students were accepted into summer programs in Italy, England and the US.
Nine students received scholarships for the summer of 2024.
Isabelle Golemo attended the University of North Carolina Summer Dance Intensive in Chapel Hill, North Carolina.
Vitaliy Fedchenko attended the University of Georgia Summer Music Camp piano program in Athens, Georgia.
Miles Melanson took the stage at the STATE ON STAGE! Acting Summer Intensive Program at Pennsylvania State University in University Park, Pennsylvania
Jaslyn Dickerson traveled overseas to attend the Oxford University Creative Writing Summer Program in Oxford, England.
Madison Matthews attended the Savannah College of Art & Design (SCAD) Summer Seminar in Savannah, Georgia
Michael Mollison was accepted into the Brevard Music Center Summer Institute in Brevard, North Carolina.
Chloe Kolenc attended Point CounterPoint, a chamber music summer program in Leicester, Vermont.
Sam Rajashekar traveled to Boston to attend the Conservatory at Berklee Vocal/Choral Intensive.
Aiden Bower studied at the Kinhaven Music School in Weston, Vermont.
“During my time at these intensives, I learned many new ways to better my playing and improve my practice methods,” said Chloe Kolenc, student at DA. “Without the DA Foundation, I would not have gotten the chance to work, broaden my network and make valuable connections with professional musicians and college professors.”
The DA Foundation continues to support and partner with Jacksonville’s arts organizations, artists and the talented DA arts students. Graduates from the class of 2024 accumulated over 28 million in total scholarships offered, an increase from 21 million in 2023. One hundred percent of the 2024 graduates received their high school diplomas and out of the 228 graduates, 94% of them have plans to attend colleges, universities and conservatories with 54% pursuing degrees in the arts.
“My time at the Penn State Summer Intensive made it clear to me that continuing to study musical theater is what I want to do with the rest of my life,” said Melanson.
For information specifically about the arts school, auditions and its performance schedule, please visit the school’s website.