2011 Barbara Benson Scholarship Winners

TACFA Awards $10,000 to Outstanding 2011 Graduating Seniors

We are proud to announce the five 2011 graduating seniors in the Tustin Area who will each receive a $2,000 scholarship for the coming year. Each of these students will be studying in an area of the arts and has already demonstrated a talent and expertise in music or art. Students performed or presented a portfolio and were interviewed by a panel of experts who facilitated the selection process.

Laura Broscow, Beckman High School, is a consummate singer trained in choral, solo, and small group ensemble music. She has been a competitor in classical and musical theatre, a performer in pop talent showcases, and first place winner in the Southern California Regional Rotary Club Young Singer of the Year competition. She wants to major in voice and plans to be a professional performer, voice teacher, vocal therapist, or choral director. Laura will begin her studies in music theory at the University of Arizona.

Emily Giglio, Foothill High School, is a naturally gifted visual artist who has enhanced her command of art media manipulation and refined her creative vision with a forte in the medium of watercolor. Earning a FHS Award of Excellence in Visual Arts and a TACFA 2nd place award for her human portrait, she continues to amaze and enthrall with her extraordinary craftsmanship and artistry in all of her work. She plans to pursue her studies in art while studying medicine at USC. Emily is considering an occupation in medical illustration, art therapy, or computer-assisted graphics in the forensic sciences.

Marqis Griffith, Foothill High School, is a baritone singer with a great choral, opera, and classical repertoire who also enjoys conducting and composing. He was a Classical Solo Vocalist winner in the Tustin-Santa Ana Rotary competition. Performing countless times as a soloist for concerts, festivals and competitions, his proudest moment was when he arranged a song for the FHS Women’s Ensemble to perform at a prestigious choral festival in Chicago. Marqis has been accepted to study with Dr. Peter Atherton, Director of Operatic Studies at Chapman University. He eventually plans to move to Italy, earn a Master’s degree, and join an Opera Company.

Dong Hyun (Brian) Kim, Beckman High School, is a sensitive, accomplished and award-winning cellist. He has studied the cello for only six years and has been awarded first place at numerous State and County competitions. He was a featured soloist in the Beijing Olympics Tour with the Irvine Young Concert Artists. Brian wants to devote his talents to support poor communities in the world b y teaching music in rugged country sides and holding benefit concerts in the grandest halls in the world. He has been accepted to Northwestern University, Julliard School of Music, Cornell University, New England Conservatory of Music, UCLA, and the Peabody Institute.

Ryan Spitzel, Beckman High School, is a naturally gifted guitarist, teacher, composer, recording engineer, pianist and drummer. He is not only a piano student at the Pioneer School of music, but also he is a guitar teacher. As a prolific composer, he produces new songs and recordings every week. He studies music theory, record engineering and producing at California Sound Studios in Orange where he plans to intern. Ryan has committed to record college try-out recitals, solo performances, brass ensembles and other performances as soon as the sound studio is complete.

Watch out, world! These talented and dedicated young people are fantastic!