Stamford Center for the Arts' Emerging Young Artist Scholarship is a $2,000 scholarship, awarded each year to a talented high school student from Fairfield County. Nine students from Stamford, Brookfield, Ridgefield, and Shelton auditioned at the Palace Theatre on March 9 for SCA's fourth annual Young Artist Scholarship. Three professional adjudicators judged the auditions and chose Elizabeth D'Aiuto, Ridgefield High School sophomore, as this year's winner.
"Winning this scholarship means the world to me, and I am so grateful," D'Auito said in an SCA press release. I love to sing, dance, and act and by winning this award, I can pay for lessons and continue my training."
D'Auito has been studying voice at the Wiremill Academy in Georgetown for the past two years. She played Madame Thenardier in "Les Miserables" and appeared in Ridgepfield Theater Barn's production of "Spring Awakening" and Curtain Call's "42nd Street," just to name a few. D'Auito also studies different dance styles at Hot Shoes, including tap, lyric, hip-hop and ballet.
"Arts Education has always been a main focal point of our mission here at SCA," said Executive Director Michael Moran Jr. “As the opportunities provided by schools dwindle because of budget cuts, it is more important than ever that organizations like SCA fill those gaps. We are very proud to be presenting our scholarship for the fourth year in a row as we continue to contribute to the education of the next generation of artists.”
This year's scholarship is being awarded in honor of Liza Minnelli. The scholarship will be presented to D'Aiuto in a ceremony at the Palace Theatre's annual gala on June 21. The evening will feature music and comedy performances following a pre-show cocktail party. Proceeds from the gala will benefit SCA and its Arts Education programs.
For tickets to the gala, call the Development Office at 203-517-3426. For concert tickets or more information, visit www.SCAlive.org or call the box office at 203-325-4466.
