Local students earn performing arts scholarship

Published 11:20 am Wednesday, March 8, 2023

Seven local high-school students have earned financial support to continue their musical training. 

The students participated in the Thomasville Performing Arts Concert (TPAC) held Sunday, March 5, at the Thomasville Center for the Arts auditorium, performing on stage before an audience and judges. Thomas University music professor Dr. Karl Barton organized and hosted the event.

“We are so proud of all the finalists, who performed very well and represented their teachers and schools with high standards,” Barton said. “The judges were all in agreement, and the awards will allow all of the finalists to pursue additional music training.”

Now in its seventh year, the TPAC scholarship opportunity is sponsored jointly by Thomas University, Thomasville Center for the Arts and Thomasville Entertainment Foundation and is open to Thomas and Grady County high-school students in three categories: vocal, piano and instrumental. 

Full scholarships were awarded to Morgan Loper, Jaclyn Maxwell and Tessa Thomas.

Thomas County Central High school senior Morgan Loper (piano) played sonatas by Scarlatti and Mozart and was a previous TPAC scholar. Jaclyn Maxwell (soprano), a TCCHS freshman, sang Scarlatti’s “Gia il sole dal Gange” and “Once Upon a December” from Anastasia. TCCHS senior Tessa Thomas (marimba) performed works by Telemann and Francisco Perez.

Partial scholarships were awarded to finalists Destinee Walden (piano, Thomasville Homeschool senior); Hogan Watson (baritone, Thomasville High School junior); Rebekah Horton (French horn, TCCHS senior); and Tyler Laidman (trombone, TCCHS junior). 

Judging the performances were Dr. Kyungju Park Lee, a concert pianist and president of the Tallahassee Music Teachers Association; Tarre Nelson, chamber musician, and André Dewan Peele, operatic bass-baritone. Dr. Jim Amend and Trey Cox provided accompaniment.

Award recipients have 12 months to apply their scholarships to intensives, classes or lessons in their designated field.