The Arts Edge Names Rain Halbert Winner of Performing Arts Bootcamp Scholarship

The Arts Edge, an educational consulting firm, has announced the winner of its Broadway-inspired scholarship for Arts Edge Summer, a unique two-week musical theater and college prep boot camp in New York City. Rain Halbert, a 17 year old musical theater enthusiast from Titusville, Fla., was chosen from of a number of applicants to receive a full scholarship for Arts Edge Summer. The judging was led by Rock of Ages star Constantine Maroulis and Memphis headliner Chad Kimball.

Broadway star Kimball said his decision to pick Ms. Halbert for the scholarship was secured by her "lovely, lovely voice. What I liked more was that each idea in the lyrics really meant something to her. I really enjoyed her performance."

The runner-ups are Renee Gagner of Oakville, Ontario and Emily Martuscello of Warren, N.J., who will each receive a partial scholarship. Scholarship applicants were judged based on their stage presence, repertoire choices, interpretation, tone quality, diction, musicianship, acting and intonation through video performances of two short, contrasting and age-appropriate songs from the Broadway repertoire: one ballad and one upbeat selection.

The elite Arts Edge Summer program, offered August 9 through 20, gives aspiring singers, dancers and actors specialized guidance on the admissions process from prestigious performing arts schools while helping students hone their performances. High school and college transfer students seriously
considering a college major in musical theater will learn how to make their college applications, portfolios and auditions stand out so they can get in. The Arts Edge Summer scholarship, with a value of $1,950, will cover Ms. Halbert's full tuition for the summer program. The scholarship does not include accommodations, meals or transportation.

"The amount of talent that came through the application process is amazing, and made this decision a very difficult one," said The Arts Edge founder, Halley Shefler. "We're excited to help Ms. Halbert, and the other students, achieve their dreams in performing arts through attending this unique program that combines musical theater with college prep."

The Arts Edge Summer program incorporates daily performance-based classes with one-on-one college planning sessions led by top industry professionals from schools such as Boston Conservatory, University of Cincinnati College - Conservatory of Music, Carnegie Mellon University,
and University of Miami's BFA Theater Program. Additionally, three NYC casting and music directors, Jay Binder, Michael Cassara and Michael Dansicker, will be in attendance to speak with students about the casting and audition process.

Scholarship winner Ms. Halbert, who will be in her senior year this fall, plans on attending a university to major in musical theater, with a minor in marketing. "My inspiration to perform came from my mother encouraging me to audition for "Annie" at the local theatre. There is where I had my first taste of performing, and knew that is what I wanted to do with my life," says Ms. Halbert.
"I'm looking forward to the Arts Edge Summer program, working with everyone, meeting new people, learning how to build a great college resume, hoping to find a college program that suits me, and having a great time."

The Arts Edge Summer 2010 program was open to high school students who will be sophomores through seniors in fall 2010 and to college transfer students. The applications and videos were reviewed by a panel of professionals that included Shefler, who is the former Dean of Admissions at The Boston Conservatory, and Broadway stars Chad Kimball and Constantine Maroulis.

To learn more about The Arts Edge, go to www.theartsedge.com or follow us on Twitter: @HalleySShefler.

The Arts Edge is an educational consulting firm specializing in helping high school students in the visual and performing arts navigate through the unique college application and audition process. The Arts Edge Summer Program was developed by Halley Shefler, founder of The Arts Edge education consultancy who was Dean of Admissions at The Boston Conservatory for more than 11 years. Ms. Shefler brings 30 years of experience in higher education including admissions and academic positions at Boston University's College of Fine Arts and The Longy School of Music. She has also served on the faculties of private and public schools in New York and Boston, including The Dalton School and The Rhodes School.

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