Two Grand Bahama students of the performing arts were recently awarded scholarships by the Grand Bahama Performing Arts Society (GBPAS) to attend the French Woods Performing Arts Camp in New York State in August 2016.
Savannah Anastacia Sawyer, is a 16 year old vocalist who attends Sunland Baptist Academy, is a Member of the Grand Bahama Youth Choir and has also studied dance with Lois Seiler.
Gerniqua Smith, a 15 year old dancer, also attends Sunland Baptist Academy. She has studied dance at Georgia’s School of Dance and Theatre for the past 13 years and she is now a student teacher and choreographer at the School.
The winners recently auditioned with 10 other students in competition for the coveted camp scholarships. According to Ms. Gloria McGlone of the GBPAS committee, “all the students who auditioned were very talented, but Savannah and Gerniqua rose to the top because, in addition to their considerable talent, they are both high achieving students academically and they demonstrated a passion for their craft and dedication to excellence.”
French Woods Performing Arts Camp offers students a unique opportunity to explore their interests and improve their abilities in a wide variety of performing and visual arts as well as more traditional camp activities. The extensive program includes dance, theater, music, circus, magic, visual arts, as well as sports and horseback riding programs. Most importantly, the camp provides an opportunity to meet students from other countries who share similar passions.
GBPAS was founded in 2008 to foster the growth and appreciation of the performing arts in Grand Bahama. GBPAS typically presents 3 or 4 productions per year, all the net proceeds of which are used for scholarships. In addition, every visiting artist and performing group is asked to include an educational component to their visit. These have included master classes, workshops and free concerts for students.
Since inception, GBPAS has donated over $85,000 in scholarships and funding for Grand Bahama performing arts students. This includes college scholarships, performing arts summer programs abroad, local scholarships and music and arts program funding.
Grand Bahama Performing Arts Society Awards Two Student Camp Scholarships
Two Grand Bahama students of the performing arts were recently awarded scholarships by the Grand Bahama Performing Arts Society (GBPAS) to attend the French Woods Performing Arts Camp in New York State in August 2016.
Savannah Anastacia Sawyer, is a 16 year old vocalist who attends Sunland Baptist Academy, is a Member of the Grand Bahama Youth Choir and has also studied dance with Lois Seiler.
Gerniqua Smith, a 15 year old dancer, also attends Sunland Baptist Academy. She has studied dance at Georgia’s School of Dance and Theatre for the past 13 years and she is now a student teacher and choreographer at the School.
The winners recently auditioned with 10 other students in competition for the coveted camp scholarships. According to Ms. Gloria McGlone of the GBPAS committee, “all the students who auditioned were very talented, but Savannah and Gerniqua rose to the top because, in addition to their considerable talent, they are both high achieving students academically and they demonstrated a passion for their craft and dedication to excellence.”
French Woods Performing Arts Camp offers students a unique opportunity to explore their interests and improve their abilities in a wide variety of performing and visual arts as well as more traditional camp activities. The extensive program includes dance, theater, music, circus, magic, visual arts, as well as sports and horseback riding programs. Most importantly, the camp provides an opportunity to meet students from other countries who share similar passions.
GBPAS was founded in 2008 to foster the growth and appreciation of the performing arts in Grand Bahama. GBPAS typically presents 3 or 4 productions per year, all the net proceeds of which are used for scholarships. In addition, every visiting artist and performing group is asked to include an educational component to their visit. These have included master classes, workshops and free concerts for students.
Since inception, GBPAS has donated over $85,000 in scholarships and funding for Grand Bahama performing arts students. This includes college scholarships, performing arts summer programs abroad, local scholarships and music and arts program funding.
Photo caption:
Grand Bahama Performing Arts Society committee members; Colleen O’Connor Lewis, Gloria McGlone, Penny Ettinger, Sue McCrea and Christopher Baker pose along with winners; Gerniqua Smith, Savannah Anastacia Sawyer. Photo credit: David Mackey – TheBahamasWeekly.com
