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

The Howard County Arts Council is pleased to announce the 22nd Annual Celebration of the Arts in Howard County onSaturday, March 23, 2019 at the Peter and Elizabeth Horowitz Visual and Performing Arts Center, Howard Community College (HCC), Columbia, MD. Mary Kay Sigaty, former Howard County Council member, artist, teacher, and active supporter of numerous community and charitable organizations in Howard County, will act as Honorary Chair for the evening. Joseph Ritsch, Producing Artistic Director for Rep Stage, will serve as Event Emcee.

The Celebration is a multi-faceted signature event, showcasing and promoting the arts and raising funds in support of the arts, artists, and arts organizations in Howard County. One of the highlights of the Celebration each year is the Rising Star Performing Arts Competition, in which emerging performing artists 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. Review criteria included artistic merit, demonstrated experience in the arts, and commitment to a career in the arts.

The Rising Star finalists will perform at the Celebration before an audience of artists, arts patrons, business and political representatives, and community members who will select the winner by popular vote. The award will be presented on stage that evening!

The Rising Stars performing at the 2019 Celebration are Curtis Bannister, Musical Theatre; Tae Ho Hwang, Saxophone; Kate Jackman, Classical Voice; Haerin Jee, Violin; Min Sang Kim, Classical Voice; and L'abri Trio, Instrumental Ensemble.

Curtis Bannister, Musical Theatre

Described by TimeOut Chicago Magazine as "radiating with slowly simmering energy," Curtis Bannister has been praised by the Salt Lake City Tribuneand The Herald Journal for his "dramatic inflection and compelling energy" as well as his "thrilling tenor voice and towering stage presence." Recent performance highlights include his success as the Celebrant in Bernstein's Mass under the baton of Marin Alsop in Baltimore, his debut as Jamie in The Last Five Years in Chicago, and a benefit concert with the Chicago cast of Hamilton.

Tae Ho Hwang, Saxophone

A passionate performer and educator, Tae Ho Hwang is dedicated to advancing the saxophone repertoire by exposing new works to audiences and inspiring future generations. He moved to Howard County when he was three years old and attended Howard County public schools until graduating high school in 2011. Tae recently earned a Master's Degree in Saxophone Performance and Pedagogy at the Peabody Conservatory, where he studied with renowned saxophonist, Gary Louie.

Kate Jackman, Classical Voice

Called "winningly wily and dauntless" by Boston Classical Review, American mezzo-soprano Kate Jackman is a multifaceted musician and actress who excels in musical expression. Featured roles include Jennie in Oliver Knussen's Higglety Pigglety Pop!, Mistress Quickly in Verdi's Falstaff, Bloody Mary in South Pacific, and the title role in Carmen. In recital and concert, she is frequently featured up and down the East Coast. Kate holds a Master of Music degree from the Peabody Institute and a Bachelor of Music degree from the University of North Texas.

Haerin Jee, Violin

Having moved to the United States from South Korea, Haerin Jee has lived in Howard County since 2011. She attended Howard Community College with a music performance major and has appeared as a soloist in concerts and special events. Haerin gives private lessons, plays in small chamber groups, and with orchestras such as the Columbia Orchestra, UMD Symphony Orchestra, and National Orchestral Institute, and currently attends University of Maryland, College Park in pursuit of her Bachelor of Music degree.

Min Sang Kim, Classical Voice

Countertenor Min Sang Kim has performed with the New York Lyric Opera, Opera Theater of Pittsburgh, Hawaii Performing Arts Festival, Baltimore Symphony Orchestra, American Bach Soloists, and Daegu Opera House, among others. He is a winner of the Metropolitan Opera National Council Auditions, Capitol District; Russell C. Wonderlic Competition; Baltimore Music Club Competition; Osaka International Music Competition; and many others. Originally from South Korea, Min Sang studied at the Juilliard School's Pre-College and New England Conservatory and sings at New Hope Church in Columbia as a soloist.

L'abri Trio, Instrumental Ensemble

L'abri Trio is a unique collaboration of saxophone, cello, and piano formed in 2012 by three musicians at the Peabody Conservatory. The trio was selected as a finalist for the 2018 Pro Musicis International Award. Performances include the 37th International Saxophone Symposium, Johns Hopkins University's Shriver Hall, Maryland Institute College of Art, Peabody Conservatory, Academy Art Museum, and appearances abroad in Seoul, South Korea. Dedicated to new interpretations of traditional music and to exploring new music with the eclectic sounds of their unique instrumentation, the L'abri Trio has reimagined classics from Bach, Beethoven, Schumann, Poulenc, and Piazzolla, while commissioning new works from some of today's most imaginative composers.

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