Fox Valley Beaux Arts scholarship winners to perform May 15

Fox Valley Beaux Arts will feature the eight 2013 scholarship winners at “A Taste of Talent” event at 5:30 p.m. Wednesday, May 15, at the Elgin Country Club, 2575 Weld Road, Elgin. The event will begin with hors d’oeuvres and beverages at 5:30 p.m., followed by performances of the eight scholarship winners offering vignettes of their winning talent categories.

Reservations for the event are $15 per person and should be mailed to Kathleen Mink, 3897 Kingsmill Drive, Elgin, IL 60124, by Friday, May 10. The public is invited to the winner’s showcase performance. For information, call Kathleen Mink at (847) 293-4752.

Barb McGee and Linda O’Connor, scholarship co-chairmen, on behalf of Fox Valley Beaux Arts and the friends of Beaux Arts, recently announced the 2013 winners:

Ÿ Micaela Bender, a Larkin High School senior and student at the Gould Academy of Dance Arts and the Visual and Performing Arts Academy at Larkin High School, has also studied at Visceral dance and has attended River North Chicago dance workshops where teenagers who excel for their age plan to pursue dance at a professional level. Dancing since the age of 3, she came to VPAA with a mastery of ballet, jazz, and modern techniques. Micaela has proven to be an excellent choreographer and passionate performer and plans to continue dance in college.

Ÿ Megan Brandt, a senior and student at the Visual Arts Academy at Larkin High School, is an honor roll student and member of the Spanish National Honors Society. Megan has become proficient in a number of media including painting, drawing, ceramics, sculpture and photography. She has participated in various juried exhibitions, recently earning second place in painting in the Upstate 8 Art Exhibition last fall and participated in painting a window for the Elgin Police Department in honor of the department’s recent anniversary. She plans to attend art school in the fall, focusing on graphic design, fashion design and illustration in preparation to become a freelance artist. Megan is a winner in the drawing and painting category.

Ÿ Allison Carpenter, winner in the Vocal category, is a senior and student of the Visual Arts Academy at Larkin High School. From her post as president of Tri-M Honor Society to the impressive repertoire of bands, choirs, recitals, and performances in which she has enthusiastically and impressively been involved, voice and flute is the music that drives her. Allison has studied and excelled as she received four years of music theory, history and aural skills instruction positioning her as soprano section leader and top choir co-president. Allison plans to major in music and become a music teacher.

Ÿ Natalie Gill, a senior and student of the Visual Arts Academy at Larkin High School, is a winner in the Visual Arts category of painting, sculpture, graphic and photography. She has participated in the Upstate 8 Art Exhibition for the past four years and won first place in painting in 2011. Her fellow underclassmen voted her the “Most Talented Artist” in 2012. In addition to her artistic merits, Natalie is a member of the Student Government, Peer Tutor, National Honors Society, and French Honors Society. Natalie will be attending Principia College Art School in the fall with hopes to participate in the European visual art abroad program.

Ÿ Natalie Rose Hilvert, winner in the Drama, Dance, and Vocal category, is a senior at Bartlett High School who started dancing at the age of 3. As she pursued her passion for performance through classes, workshops, and competitions, Natalie became enthralled with musical theater and further developed her talents of acting and voice and has discovered her home on the stage. In 2012, she was cast as Marvalyn in the All-State Production of Almost, Maine. Over 130 students auditioned for the 18 roles, making this a truly unique and gifted company. The All-State Director describes Natalie as “one of the most gifted, vibrant, and committed actors” he has worked with. Natalie has attended classes at Chicago’s famed Second City. She will attend university in the fall working towards a bachelor’s of fine arts degree in acting.

Ÿ Kyle Johnson, winner in the Vocal, Piano and Violin category, demonstrates his high aptitude for music and discipline as he participates in chorus, orchestra, jazz band, piano and voice at Bartlett High School. Kyle has been rewarded the trip to IMEA District Chorus for three years, and in his senior year earned additional distinction by being selected to the Illinois All-State Festival Chorus. He also serves as student director of an extracurricular male a cappella group, and this year is playing the role of Pharaoh in the production of “Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat,” as well as serving as assistant music director and playing in the pit when he is not on stage. He is part of the BHS Teacher Assistance Program. Kyle plans to attend Millikin University in the fall and major in music.

Ÿ Nick Petrelli, winner in the Drama and Vocal category, has participated in eight productions at Bartlett High School. Nick has received rave reviews in his roles: Younger Brother in “Ragtime” and Corny Collins in “Hairspray” at BHS, Ernst in “Spring Awakening” with State Door Fine Arts, Judah in “Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat” at Bartlett Park District, Justin in “Generations: Burn” at the Goodman Theatre, and Emmett in “Legally Blonde” with Rising Star Theatreworks, and cast as the White Disc Jockey/Perry Como in “Memphis” for the 38th annual Illinois High School Theatre Festival at the University of Illinois at Urbana Champaign. Nick’s ability to bring a unique and powerful energy to the state is appreciated by directors, cast members and audiences alike. He plans to attend college in the fall to study BFA Musical Theatre.

Ÿ Kelley Zyck, a senior at South Elgin High School and winner in the Dance category, is a gifted student of ballet, pointe, modern, lyrical, and choreography qualifying in advanced level dance classes from a relatively early age. She has been a member of the South Elgin Dance Team for the last four years and also one of the captains of the extracurricular South Elgin Varsity Dance Team. Outside of school, Kelley is a member of the Motions Dance Company in Bartlett taking multiple classes a week and performs a variety of charity events in the community. Kelley auditioned and became a member of Inaside Chicago Dance Company’s Youth Training Company. Kelley has been accepted into Western Michigan University as a double major in dance and exercise science.