Anonymous
Source: PASF
The Performing Arts Scholarship Foundation (PASF) held its annual competition on Sunday, April 25th at the Music Academy of the West, Montecito, CA. Twelve outstanding musicians and vocal artists ranging in age from 13 to 29, competed for scholarships amounting to more than $24,000. These finalists were selected from over 25 applicants by PASF Board Audition Committee members Deborah Bertling, Kristine Pacheco-Bernt, Neil DiMaggio, David McKee and Adrian Spence.
Due to COVID-19 restrictions, the competition was held in Lehman Hall without an audience except for competition judges Ani Aznavoorian, Dr. Paul Berkowitz and Armen Guzelimian, event host and PASF Board President Deborah Bertling, and videographer David Bazemore. A video of the event is posted on the PASF You Tube channel so that the general public and those participating in the competition, can view the performances.
In the Adult Instrumental category: First Place prize winner was Ching-Yun Chen, a doctoral candidate in piano performance at UCSB.
Vocal Competition winners were: Patricia Westley (First Place), a soprano currently transitioning from Young Artist programs to a professional opera career. Soprano Naomi Merer (Second Place), is completing her doctorate in Vocal Performance at UCSB.
Junior Division Instrumentalist winners were: First Place – Noelle Hadsall (piano), a student at Mountain View Elementary; Second Place – Joseph Malvinni (guitar), a student at La Cumbre Junior High and Holly Hadsall (piano), a student at San Marcos High School.
Honorable Mention Awards went to: Olivia Barker (soprano), Grace Hu (piano), Nathaniel Hadsall (piano), Evelina McGary (piano), Zeyn and Rhyan Schweyk (piano).
The Performing Arts Scholarship Foundation was formed in 1982 by the late Mrs. Lincoln Dellar to provide aid to deserving vocal and instrumental students with professional potential who live and/or study in the Santa Barbara area. For more information about the Performing Arts Scholarship Foundation and its annual awards program please visit: pasfsb.org.
