Huntington Senior National
YoungArts Finalist
Huntington High School senior Mary-Elizabeth O'Neill is a finalist in the 2011 national YoungArts program and has been invited to participate in YoungArts Week in Miami, January 10-15.
Successfully emerging from a huge and talented field, Ms. O'Neill was one of just 18 applicants chosen in the category of "voice" by impartial judges. In all, nearly 6,000 students participated in this year's program in the visual, literary and performing arts.
Ms. O'Neill will join 150 finalists in Miami for master classes by world-renowned artists; performances and exhibitions; a chance to be named a Gold and Silver winner and travel to New York and the possibility to become a Presidential Scholar in the Arts.
"We are honored to recognize these fine young artists," said Christina DePaul, president and CEO of YoungArts. "They represent the next generation of extraordinary artistic talent, and it is our hope that their experience with YoungArts will help compel them to pursue their passions."
Ms. O'Neill was selected in a blind adjudication process from a pool representing every state in the country, as well as several US territories. The judging process will continue during YoungArts Week and culminate with the announcement of Gold, Silver, Level I, Level II and Level III winners. Gold winners receive $10,000 and silver winners receive $5,000. Awards ranging from $1,000 to $3,000 are presented to students exhibiting excellence in their discipline on three different levels.
Gold and Silver winners have the opportunity to travel to New York in the spring for the "In the Studio" series, which will include an additional week of workshops, collaborative performances and exhibitions.
During YoungArts Week, judges will also nominate students as the 2011 Presidential Scholars in the Arts, an award given at the White House with the opportunity to perform at the Kennedy Center and exhibit at the Smithsonian American Art Museum in Washington, D.C.
Ms. O'Neill is known as an extraordinary vocalist with a lengthy list of achievements. The teenager has engaged in extensive studies in Julliard's pre-college program and at the Academie International d'Ete de Nice in France during the past two summers. Earlier this year, Ms. O'Neill captured second place in the Classical Singer National High School Vocal Competition.
The Huntington teenager recently had to choose between once again participating in the All-State music conference in Rochester or being a soloist with Juilliard's pre-college symphony orchestra. As fate would have it, Ms. O'Neill's decision to forgo the All-State weekend also allowed her to perform at the Autumn Gala Fundraiser for The Children Foundation in San Juan, Puerto Rico earlier this month. The event raised more than $100,000 to finance the education of children with special needs.
YoungArts recognizes students in nine discipline categories of cinematic arts, dance, jazz, music, photography, theater, visual arts, voice and writing. "YoungArts Week is not intended to be a competition but rather about meeting, sharing and learning from other incredibly talented and motivated artists from around the country," according to the organization.
For more information about YoungArts, visit www.youngarts.org.