2020 Overture Awards Winners
CREATIVE WRITING: Sam Bowden, grade 12, Wyoming High School
HOMETOWN: Wyoming, OH – Sam Bowden is honored to return as an Overture Awards finalist for the second year in a row. He serves as editor-in-chief for his high school’s literary magazine, has participated in writing workshops at Northwestern University and Kenyon College, and has won five Scholastic Writing Awards. He’ll be attending a college in the fall, but that’s about all he knows right now. He is still working on a trilogy of novels.
DANCE: Ava Sine, grade 12, School for Creative & Performing Arts/ Just Off Broadway
HOMETOWN: Anderson Township, OH – Ava is honored to be selected as an Overture Finalist. She has danced professionally as Clara in the Radio City Christmas Spectacular featuring the Rockettes and most recently as Mary in the Awaited Christmas Show. Ava trains in all styles of dance and plans to pursue a career in dance.
INSTRUMENTAL MUSIC: Kasey Shao, grade 11, Walnut Hills High School/ Ran Dank
HOMETOWN: Pleasant Ridge, OH – At 12, Kasey Shao made her concerto debut with the Philadelphia Orchestra. Kasey was named the 2020 National YoungArts Gold Winner and has been recognized as a 2020 Chopin Scholar. She has won numerous national and international piano competitions including the first place in the Steinway Piano Competition, National 2nd place of the 2018 MTNA competition, and First place at the Louisville Young Artist Concerto Competition.
THEATER: Jalaysia Bell, grade 12, School for Creative & Performing Arts
HOMETOWN: Westwood, OH – In third grade Jalaysia Bell’s love for the arts began. At SCPA, Jalaysia is also a Stage Manager and recently managed the show Almost, Maine. The person that inspires her is her mother, who passed away last March. In the future Jalaysia would like to use her art to help people who are in difficult situations.
VISUAL ART: Halle West, grade 11, Kings High School
HOMETOWN: Landen, OH – Halle West found a love for art after working with Merlene Schain as a part of Schain Studios. She plays bass for the Kings Orchestra and is a past member of the Kings Color Guard and Winter Guard. Halle plans to study art in college with a focus on concept design or illustration. She has received 2 silver keys and 10 gold keys at the regional level from the Scholastic Art and Writing Awards.
VOCAL MUSIC: Anna Gaddie, grade 12, Conner High School/ Moss Performing Arts Academy
HOMETOWN: Hebron, KY – Anna began studying vocal music with Moss Performing Arts as a sophomore and discovered her love for classical voice early on. She has attended KY Governor's School for the Arts, is an active member of her school's choir and theatre programs, and plans to study music in the fall. She is incredibly grateful to her teachers and family for supporting her and is excited for this opportunity to perform in the finals!