nwsa.mdc.edu - New World School of the Arts students among 2010 NFAA winners

NWSA students showcase their artistic talent as they place among the 2010 NFAA finalists

MIAMI– New World School of the Arts once again excels at training and its talented students. The prestigious National Foundation for Advancement in the Arts (NFAA)

Award has been bestowed on four of its exceptional protégés for 2010, selected from a pool of 8,000 students nationwide. The finalists represent New World School of the Art’s Dance, Music and Visual Arts divisions, are modern dancer John Davis Harnage, music student Gregory Castilla Zelek and visual the arts program students Arthur Lee Kaplan and Gabriel Lopez.

“YoungArts is the premiere national organization for young artists, as such I am honored that our students have been selected to showcase their works. It is a testament to both the caliber of the artists, and the quality of instruction provided by New World School of the Arts,” stated Fred Conde, high school Principal at NWSA.

The four NWSA finalists selected are among the 26 Florida students that will participate in YoungArts Week, a program designed by NFAA to give talented students from across the nation the opportunity to work with other students, while being mentored and taught by professionals in their field. The students will also be able to perform and exhibit their work for final evaluations, in hopes of securing the coveted winning place. Approximately 40 winners have the opportunity to go on to In the Studio, a program in New York in the spring, and are then invited to apply for the prestigious Presidential Scholars in the Arts. New World School of the Arts has produced more than 214 NFAA Award recipients and 14 Presidential Scholars in the Arts, placing it among the most influential and prestigious arts conservatories in the nation.

Trained in classical ballet, Graham, Horton and Limon modern techniques, John Harnage is President of the NWSA National Honor Society and Treasurer of the senior class. A high-achieving student, Davis has been described by his teachers and peers as “a, exceptionally good student with a great sense of humor; incredibly musical and a quick learner of new choreography; warm and almost quirky presence on stage; a natural partner…” He is an obvious joy to work with and continues to demonstrate his passion for dance. John is very excited about Young ARTS week and getting the opportunity to meet new friends from all walks of life. Davis earned his NFAA accolade with a powerful modern dance titled “Doubting Promise” with music by Vivaldi.

“From my first few moments with Gregory I knew that he was a natural musician; he is truly dedicated to the music and to his own development as an artist,” said Ciro Fodere, private piano instructor at NWSA. In addition to his solo achievements Greg has performed with the New World School of the Arts Orchestra and chamber groups. Greg is the resident organist and music director at the Corpus Christi Catholic Church in Miami, Florida. Other accolades for Zelek include First Place in the Third Annual Young Artist Competition for Pre-College Organists held at East Carolina University in April of last year, which granted him $25,000 along with the Bach prize, for extraordinary performance of the music of Bach. He is also the recipient of the third Place Award in the Eleventh Annual Albert Schweitzer Organ Competition and the Most Creative Performance Award.

About NWSA: In 1984 the Florida State Legislature established New World School of the Arts to provide artistically talented high school and college students the means for achieving both an academic education and artistic training and, in September 1986 opened its doors to trainees in grades ten through twelve. Over 3400 students of every ethnic and economic background have since attended NWSA’s arts programs. New World School of the Arts is accredited by the National Association of Schools of Art, Dance, Music and Theater, and offers the high school diploma as well as four-year BFA and BM college degrees.

New World School of the Arts was created by the Florida Legislature as a center of excellence in the performing and visual arts. It is an educational partnership of Miami Dade County Public Schools, Miami Dade College and the University of Florida.

About NFAA: The National Foundation for Advancement in the Arts (NFAA) was established in 1981 to identify emerging artists and assist them at critical junctures in their educational and professional development, and to raise the appreciation for and support of the arts in American society. Each year since its inception in 1981, the NFAA, based in Miami and founded by Lin and Ted Arison of Carnival Cruises, selects more than 120 High School seniors from a pool of thousands of candidates nationwide and offers them the opportunity to travel to Miami to present their artistic talents and achievements. These fortunate few also receive cash awards of $100 to $10,000 per student, or scholarships ranging from $5,000 to $30,000 annually for four years to further enhance their artistic education. The objective of this institution is to identify talented arts students in their senior year in High School. The deadline to apply is October 1st of each year. More information about NFAA is available online at www.nfaa.org.

Photo Captions: NWSA Dance Faculty Tina Santos-Wahl coaches Davis during a rehearsal of “Boy Bitten by a Lizard”, choreographed by Darshan Bhuller.

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