2018 Rising Star Finalists To Compete For $5,000 Prize At Celebration Of The Arts In Howard County

The Howard County Arts Council presents the 21st Annual Celebration of the Arts in Howard County on Saturday, March 24, 2018 at the Horowitz Visual and Performing Arts Center A. Howard Community College (HCC) in Columbia. Buddy and Sue Emerson, active supporters of a number of community and charitable organizations in Howard County and statewide, will act as Honorary Chairs for the evening. Myron "Mo" Dutterer, recipient of the 2003 Howie Award for Outstanding Arts Educator and a pillar of the Howard County theatre community, will serve as Event Emcee.

The Celebration is a multi-faceted event showcasing and promoting the arts and raising funds in support of the arts, artists, and arts organizations in Howard County.

A highlight of the gala is the Rising Star Performing Arts Competition, in which ten finalists compete for a cash prize of $5,000. In November, individual performing artists and small ensembles - aged 18 to 35 years and currently or recently living, working, performing regularly, or receiving training in Howard County - auditioned before a panel of professionals in their discipline. The winner of the Rising Star Competition will be selected by the Celebration audience of artists, arts patrons, business and political representatives and community members, with the award presented live on stage that evening!

The ten finalists performing at the Celebration are: Keely Bosworth Borland, Classical VoiceTyler Fitzpatrick, Jazz GuitarLindsey Landry, Musical TheatreBenjamin Lurye, Musical TheatreElizabeth Milligan, FluteBrian Nabors, Musical TheatreArelle Oberlander, Classical VoicePacing Bodies (Ryan Bailey & Maia Schechter), DanceJunghoon Park, PianoAlexandra Rodrick, Classical Voice

Tickets to the Celebration of the Arts are available online beginning January 2nd at hocoarts.org or by phone to the Howard County Arts Council, 410-313-2787. For photographs of the finalists or for more information, call 410-313-ARTS (2787) or send requests to deputydirector@hocoarts.org.