Youth Scholarship Competition

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2023 Youth Arts Scholarship Competition

The PCA 41st Annual Youth Arts Scholarship Competition is submissions are now closed. The winners of this years competition are below! Thank you to all who entered. We wish you all the best in your continued journey through the arts.

Competition Categories Guidelines

The Youth Scholarship Competition is open to students in Yavapai County from middle school to high school and requires digital submissions. Submit and pay for your entry in the same form linked below. Fees are $10 per category.

Any tech questions can be directed to Sylvia Ximi at graphics@pca-az.net

Visual Arts: 2D

This category is divided into two divisions:
Division I - 10 to 13 years old
Division II- 14 to 18 years old

Digital portfolios of 4 (minimum) to 6 (maximum) pieces may be entered.

File types accepted: png, jpeg, gif

Visual Arts: 3D

This category is divided into two divisions:
Division I - 10 to 13 years old
Division II- 14 to 18 years old

Digital portfolios of 4 (minimum) to 6 (maximum) pieces may be entered.

Please submit additional views of an entry if it helps the judges to understand the dimensionality of the piece.

File types accepted: png, jpeg, gif

Drama

This category is divided into two divisions:
Division I - 12 to 14 years old
Division II - 15 to 18 years old

Choose up to three monologues to record yourself performing. Your entry will be in the form of a video upload.

File types accepted: mov, avi, mp4, mkv

Piano

This category is divided into two divisions:
Division I - 10 to 13 years old
Division II - 14 to 18 years old

Choose up to three pieces to record yourself performing. One of your submissions may be performed along to an accompaniment track. You must have at least 1-2 submission that is only your instrument, with no accompaniment. Your entry will be in the form of  video upload(s).

File types accepted: mov, avi, mp4, mkv

Strings

This category is divided into two divisions:
Division I - 10 to 13 years old
Division II - 14 to 18 years old

Choose up to three pieces to record yourself performing. One of your submissions may be performed along to an accompaniment track. You must have at least 1-2 submission that is only your instrument, with no accompaniment. Your entry will be in the form of  video upload(s).

File types accepted: mov, avi, mp4, mkv

Winds, Brass & Percussion

This category is divided into two divisions:
Division I - 10 to 13 years old
Division II - 14 to 18 years old

Choose up to three pieces to record yourself performing. One of your submissions may be performed along to an accompaniment track. You must have at least 1-2 submission that is only your instrument, with no accompaniment. Your entry will be in the form of  video upload(s).

File types accepted: mov, avi, mp4, mkv

Musical Theatre

This category is divided into two divisions:
Division I - 10 to 13 years old
Division II - 14 to 18 years old

Choose up to three songs from a musical to record yourself performing. Your entry will be in the form of  video upload(s).

File types accepted: mov, avi, mp4, mkv

Classical Voice

This category is divided into two divisions:
Division I - 13 to 15 years old
Division II - 16 to 18 years old

Choose up to three songs to record yourself performing. Your entry will be in the form of  video upload(s).

File types accepted: mov, avi, mp4, mkv

Visual Arts

This category is divided into two divisions:
Division I - 10 to 13 years old
Division II- 14 to 18 years old

Portfolios of up to 3 pieces may be entered - pictures for 2D art, and pictures or videos for 3D art.

File types accepted: png, jpeg, gif, mov, avi, mp4, mkv

Drama

All students from age 13 to 18 compete in the same division for drama.

Choose up to three monologues to record yourself performing. Your entry will be in the form of a video upload.

File types accepted: mov, avi, mp4, mkv

Piano

This category is divided into two divisions:
Division I - 10 to 13 years old
Division II - 14 to 18 years old

Choose up to three pieces to record yourself performing. One of your submissions may be performed along to an accompaniment track. You must have at least 1-2 submission that is only your instrument, with no accompaniment. Your entry will be in the form of  video upload(s).

File types accepted: mov, avi, mp4, mkv

Strings

This category is divided into two divisions:
Division I - 10 to 13 years old
Division II - 14 to 18 years old

Choose up to three pieces to record yourself performing. One of your submissions may be performed along to an accompaniment track. You must have at least 1-2 submission that is only your instrument, with no accompaniment. Your entry will be in the form of  video upload(s).

File types accepted: mov, avi, mp4, mkv

Winds, Brass & Percussion

This category is divided into two divisions:
Division I - 10 to 13 years old
Division II - 14 to 18 years old

Choose up to three pieces to record yourself performing. One of your submissions may be performed along to an accompaniment track. You must have at least 1-2 submission that is only your instrument, with no accompaniment. Your entry will be in the form of  video upload(s).

File types accepted: mov, avi, mp4, mkv

Musical Theatre

This category is divided into two divisions:
Division I - 10 to 13 years old
Division II - 14 to 18 years old

Choose up to three songs from a musical to record yourself performing. Your entry will be in the form of  video upload(s).

File types accepted: mov, avi, mp4, mkv

Classical Voice

This category is divided into two divisions:
Division I - 13 to 15 years old
Division II - 16 to 18 years old

Choose up to three songs from a musical to record yourself performing. Your entry will be in the form of  video upload(s).

File types accepted: mov, avi, mp4, mkv

Apply to the Youth Arts Scholarship Competition

You do not need to have your virtual entries ready in order to apply. After filling out an application and paying associated fees, you will have until March 15th, 2023 to submit your Visual Arts entries, or March 28, 2023 to submit your Performing Arts entries. The link to submit your entries will be sent to the email you put on your application. Check your spam or junk folder if you don't see the confirmation email.

41st Annual Youth Scholarship Competition Winners

Drama: Division I

First Place: Stella Banchero

Second Place: Madison Pelano

Third Place: Naya Marinaccio

Drama: Division II

First Place: Tori Daniels

Second Place: Ariella Centeno

Third Place: Norah Steverson

Musical Theater: Division I

First Place: Alex Castagner

Second Place: Madison Pelano

Third Place: Naya Marinaccio

Musical Theater: Division II

First Place: Norah Steverson

Second Place: Serenity Phemister

Third Place: Sophia James

Strings: Division I

First Place: Emmalynn Kuffel

Second Place: Clara Spencer

Third Place: Micah Steverson

Strings: Division II

First Place: Nathan Spencer

Second Place: Charlotte Bond

Third Place: Charlya Giselle Roldan

Winds, Brass, and Percussion: Division I

First Place: Els Castagner

Second Place: Connor Daniels

Winds, Brass, and Percussion: Division II

First Place: Josiah De La Huerta

Second Place: Ryan Dachenhausen

Third Place: Megan Dachenhausen

Piano: Division I

First Place: Els Castagner

Second Place: Connor Daniels

Third Place: Clara Spencer

Piano: Division II

First Place: Nathan Spencer

Second Place: Levi Brownlie

Third Place: Charlya Giselle Roldan

Classical Voice: Division I

First Place: Nathan James

Second Place: Sophia James

Third Place: Madison Pelano

Classical Voice: Division II

First Place: Norah Steverson

Visual Arts 2D: Division I

Honorable Mention: Stella Banchero

Visual Arts 2D: Division II

First Place: Nicholas Osborn

Second Place: Ashley Cunningham

Third Place: Rylee Hobson

Creative Force Award: Elias Harvey

Visual Arts 3D: Division I

Honorable Mention: Stella Banchero

Visual Arts 3D: Division II

First Place: Robert Leck

Second Place: Taft Magnum

Third Place: Briley Olson

Tips on Creating Your Virtual Entry

Choosing your Entries - All categories have the option to submit one to three entries for judging. Try to pick pieces that best showcase your skills. For example: If you are a Visual Arts entrant, you could choose pieces that show off your range of style. If you are a Musical Theatre entrant, you could choose a song that best utilizes your voice, and another song that allows you to showcase your particular acting strengths.

Timing - Try to keep song selections under 5 minutes. If you are performing multiple, try to keep the entire length of your performances combined to under 20 minutes. The judges will be focused on the quality of your performance, even if it is a shorter piece! So you can focus on putting your best work forth, whether you choose to submit one, two or three songs.

Accompaniment - Vocal entrants are free to find an instrumental version of their song online to singalong to in their recording. Most songs can be found easily by searching “[SongName] Karaoke” or “[Song Name] Instrumental” on YouTube. But if you would like to sing a capella, you can do that as well.

Instrumentalists may also use accompaniment for one of your entries, so long as you have at least one other entry that showcases your solo playing. For example: if you submit one performance that includes accompaniment, you must submit one or two other entries without accompaniment. You do not need to include a performance with accompaniment if you do not want to.

Capturing Video - Many phones actually have a lower quality front-facing camera, or selfie camera. You can find this information by looking up your specific phone. If the selfie camera is a lower quality, try to use the rear-facing option. You can place a mirror behind the camera to help you set up the shot properly, or have a family member help you with filming.

Capturing Audio - Luckily most phones have decent microphones built in. Be aware of environmental sounds that you may not usually notice. Is your AC, heater, or fan making extra noise? Are you running a load of laundry? Do you have a pet parrot that likes to randomly insult you? Try to minimize these potential distractions. Recording a test is always advised.

2021 Scholarship Winners

Gratitude goes out to our judges: Dr. Jamie Watts, Noelene Patterson, Christine Scott (Visual Arts), Kristen Drathman (Drama, Musical Theatre), Albert Grijalva (Strings, Winds Brass & Percussion), Christy Welty (Classical Voice), Steve Hilderbrand (performing arts judge coordinator. Thank you to all who helped us make the competition happen this year.

You can view the entries of each winner below

Visual Arts Winners

Performing Arts Winners

Ariella Centeno

First Place in Drama II

Lily Grubert

Second Place in Drama II

Nathan Spencer

First Place in Piano I

Eden Carman

Second Place in Piano I

Clara Spencer

Third Place in Piano I

Joseph Spencer

First Place in Piano II

Sedona Ortega

Second Place in Piano II

Ivy Bosley

Third Place in Piano II

Annabelle Williams

Creative Force in Piano I

Cheyenne Peterson

Creative Force in Piano II

Nathan Spencer

First Place in Strings I

Micah Steverson

Second Place in Strings I

David Wauters

First Place in Strings II

Joseph Spencer

Second Place in Strings II

Haley Lynch

Third Place in Strings II

Luke Moore

First Place in WB&P

Shaelyn Braithewaite

Second Place in WB&P

Sierra Lynch

Third Place in WB&P

Alex Castanger

First Place in Musical Theatre I

Nathan James

Second Place in Musical Theatre I

Sophia James

Third Place in Musical Theatre I

Lily Grubert

First Place in Musical Theatre II

Norah Steverson

Second Place in Musical Theatre II

Ariella Centeno

Creative Force in Musical Theatre II

Ashlyn Braithwaite

Third Place in Musical Theatre II

Sophia James

First Place in Classical Voice I

Lily Grubert

First Place in Classical Voice II

Norah Steverson

Second Place in Classical Voice II

Ariella Traub

Third Place in Classical Voice II