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.
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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.
First Place: Stella Banchero
Second Place: Madison Pelano
Third Place: Naya Marinaccio
First Place: Tori Daniels
Second Place: Ariella Centeno
Third Place: Norah Steverson
First Place: Alex Castagner
Second Place: Madison Pelano
Third Place: Naya Marinaccio
First Place: Norah Steverson
Second Place: Serenity Phemister
Third Place: Sophia James
First Place: Emmalynn Kuffel
Second Place: Clara Spencer
Third Place: Micah Steverson
First Place: Nathan Spencer
Second Place: Charlotte Bond
Third Place: Charlya Roland
First Place: Els Castagner
Second Place: Connor Daniels
First Place: Josiah De La Huerta
Second Place: Ryan Dachenhausen
Third Place: Megan Dachenhausen
First Place: Els Castagner
Second Place: Connor Daniels
Third Place: Clara Spencer
First Place: Nathan Spencer
Second Place: Levi Brownlie
Third Place: Charlya Roldan
First Place: Nathan James
Second Place: Sophia James
Third Place: Madison Pelano
First Place: Norah Steverson
Honorable Mention: Stella Banchero
First Place: Nicholas Osborn
Second Place: Ashley Cunningham
Third Place: Rylee Hobson
Creative Force Award: Elias Harvey
Honorable Mention: Stella Banchero
First Place: Robert Leck
Second Place: Taft Magnum
Third Place: Briley Olson
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.
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