UNCSA announces prestigious scholarships for 2025-26
UNCSA has announced the recipients of several prominent merit-based scholarship programs: William R. Kenan, Jr. Excellence Scholarships, Sarah Graham Kenan Scholarship of Excellence, Joe Mantello Endowed Scholarship for Drama, Thomas S. Kenan Concertmaster Fellowship, and the Posse Scholarship Program funded by the William R. Kenan, Jr. Charitable Trust.
The Kenan Excellence Scholarship is the most prestigious scholarship program at UNCSA, providing up to five selected incoming students with full tuition, required fees, and room and board for four years of undergraduate study. UNCSA’s oldest full-scholarship program, the Sarah Graham Kenan, was established in 1984 and is awarded to one rising fourth-year undergraduate student. It provides full tuition, required fees, room and board, and a stipend for related expenses.
Through these scholarship programs, UNCSA attracts talented student artists from across the United States and around the world. “Scholarships allow us to recognize the most promising young artists — students who exemplify exceptional achievement, creativity and a deep commitment to their craft,” says Executive Vice Chancellor and Provost Patrick J. Sims. “This year’s recipients join a distinguished community of scholars, and we are honored to support their continued growth and artistic development at UNCSA.”
Kenan Excellence Scholarship
The dean of each of the five arts schools nominates candidates for this scholarship from among newly admitted students each spring term. The scholarship selection committee then reviews nominations, considering criteria that include each student’s ability in the given arts discipline, capacity to lead and motivate, extracurricular achievement, grade point average and standardized test scores. Finalists are then interviewed for selection. Awards are made to the students judged to have the best potential as artist scholars, regardless of the program in which they enroll or their area of residence.
Georgia Cullin
Georgia Cullin, School of Design & Production, will study stage properties at UNCSA following a longstanding love of theater that began in elementary school. Cullin has done stage crew, props, scenic design, lighting design and carpentry for shows in her local community theater, her home district high school, her community college and in regional theater in South Carolina through Southeastern Summer Theatre Institute. She is an active volunteer and currently works with her town’s rescue squad as an EMT. Cullin has received several awards as a Girl Scout, is a member of the National Honor Society and the National Technical Honors Society, and is a Morris County School of Technology Peer Leader.
“Georgia brings a strong academic work ethic and a passion for craftsmanship,” says Design & Production Dean Michael Kelley. “She has continually risen to creative challenges in each of her theatrical experiences and it is without question that she will have much to offer the stage properties concentration. She is an avid learner and a mature leader who will dedicate an unfettered commitment to the opportunities available at UNCSA.”
Trevin Hammerbeck
Trevin Hammerbeck, School of Filmmaking, is an artist, performer and storyteller. He has experimented with many different
styles and subjects in his video work, often employing surreal, layered imagery and
mixed-media animation. His short film, “Sun Moth,” was selected for the 2024 Community
Festival at Mattress Factory, a Pittsburgh-based contemporary art museum. Hammerbeck
received the 2024 School Spirit Scholarship for his contributions to his school community.
He was an officer of the art club and organized the 2024 MAHS Art Show, allowing young
artists to have their work seen. Hammerbeck also wrote, directed and starred in an
original one-act play, “Deathbed!” bringing together students from the art and drama
clubs to produce the school’s first student-run production in over a decade.
“It is hard to place a single definition around Trevin as an artist,” explains Filmmaking
Dean Deborah LaVine. “The bottom line is that he is a fantastic filmmaker, but the medium is merely a
vehicle for an artist who is also a visual poet, satirist, experimental image and
sound creator and so much more. The School of Filmmaking is very lucky to have a young
artist of Trevin’s skill and talent join our community. His curiosity portends a strong,
inventive student filmmaker sure to grow into an artist of significance.”
Lara Mršnik Cemažar
Lara Mršnik Cemažar, School of Music, is a violinist who began her studies at the age of five at the Edgar Willems Music Centre (GCEW, institute) in Ljubljana, Slovenia, and later continued her schooling at the Conservatory of Music and Ballet in Ljubljana. She recently graduated from the UNCSA High School program and studies under professor Ida Bieler. Cemažar has participated in solo master classes around the world and is the recipient of top prizes at many national and international music competitions, such as TEMSIG, Svirel, Oskar Rieding and Concorso Musicale Palmanova. This year, she placed first at the Peter Perret Young Talent Search and performed as a soloist with the Winston-Salem Symphony. Cemažar speaks four languages: English, Slovenian, German and Serbian. Her fluency in these languages helps her to reach underserved communities through her personal work. Project Memory is Cemažar’s intergenerational initiative which aids people in residential elder care facilities with dementia through music and art therapy workshops.
“Lara is an outstanding musician and an accomplished scholar,” shares Music Dean Saxton Rose. “Additionally, her extraordinary record of humanitarian work, social activism and altruistic leadership activities make her a compelling recipient of a Kenan Excellence Award.”
Shannen “Shine” Pacis
Shannen “Shine” Pacis, School of Music, will study voice at UNCSA after seven years of training and participating in various competitions and performances throughout Singapore and Malaysia. Throughout high school, Pacis participated in regional and international student conventions, most recently earning first place for vocal solo at the All Asia Student Convention in Thailand. In 2024, she was awarded a scholarship to attend the Brevard Music Center, where she performed the title roles in scenes from “Carmen” and “Suor Angelica.” Pacis is passionate about accessibility and inclusivity in the arts and wants to see her hometown of Singapore embrace the arts as a way of life. Whether she’s busking on street corners or teaching kids piano and ukulele, she is committed to bringing music to people wherever they are. Pacis also enjoys exploring creative mediums like filmmaking and scriptwriting. Whether meeting new people or taking on fresh creative projects, she’s always seeking ways to learn and grow.
“One of the most uniquely accomplished and active students of her age I have ever encountered, Shine is a polymath who will not only accomplish incredible things in this world but will surely inspire others to do so as well,” says Music Dean Saxton Rose. “She is a student who combines impressive academic achievement with personal integrity and a dedication to improving the learning experience for those around her.”
Ashlynn Price
Ashlynn Price, School of Drama, is passionate about acting and storytelling, having developed her skills for stage,
musical theater and film by engaging in summer theater camps, P.K. Yonge performing
arts program, the International Thespian Society, private training and summer intensives.
Price is president of Thespian Troupe No. 4102, where she mentors junior theater students
and also serves as vice president of her high school’s National Honor Society. At
Florida thespian competitions, Price directed and performed in a group pantomime that
won Critic’s Choice at Districts and Superior at States, and a musical duet which
earned Superior at both Districts and States. She has received first-place awards
in four international monologue competitions. In addition to her work in the arts,
Price has served as a spokesperson for public service announcements addressing important
public health topics such as epilepsy with The Epilepsy Foundation and dating violence
with The Brazen Program.
“This audition cycle, the School of Drama saw a competitive pool of over 600 applicants
competing for 30 spots. Ashlynn stood out for the strength of her audition, impressiveness
of her file and her innate ability to light up a room,” says Drama Director of Recruitment
Quin Gordon. “Dean John Langs and I agreed that she was easily among the top candidates who stepped
into our audition room this year. She is the exact kind of young artist for which
our school was founded.”
Sarah Graham Kenan Scholarship
The Sarah Graham Kenan Scholarship goes to a rising college senior with outstanding characteristics in talent and artistic achievement, excellent academic performance, and exceptional leadership and citizenship qualities.
Ainsley Wiseman
Ainsley Wiseman is studying directing in the School of Filmmaking. Her love of directing blossomed early, when she entered the Dallas 24-Hour Film Race at the age of 12. The conservatory environment at UNCSA has inspired her to keep challenging herself in all capacities of her craft. She has worked on over 20 UNCSA student films. Her directorial process gravitates toward small moments, intimacy, connection and touch. She uses the film medium as a way of personal expression, a space to feel and social commentary. Her work has premiered in the Out at the Movies International Film Festival and Pegasus Film Festival. This summer, she will intern with Valhalla Entertainment in Los Angeles.
“Ainsley epitomizes the goals of this award,” says Filmmaking Dean Deborah LaVine. “She is an outstanding academic student whose intellectual curiosity was demonstrated as a member of the National Honor Society during high school. She has maintained her high level of academic success at UNCSA where she is a studious, talented and vaunted member of her class.”
Joe Mantello Endowed Scholarship in Drama
Announced in January 2025, Drama alumnus Joe Mantello gave a $1 million gift to support both scholarships and student-driven productions. This scholarship covers an incoming Drama student’s full tuition, required fees, and room and board for four years of undergraduate study. Selection is based on talent, dedication to craft, and professional promise. Recipients are considered through the audition process and selected by the dean of the School of Drama.
Aubrey Segars
Aubrey Segars is the inaugural recipient, and will join UNCSA this fall from Birmingham, Alabama. A graduate of the Alabama School of Fine Arts, Segars maintained a 4.0 GPA while displaying excellence in both academic and artistic pursuits. During her School of Drama audition, Segars earned admiration for her ability to command the space while displaying dexterity of language and innate theatricality. She brings to UNCSA more than a decade of extensive dance experience in ballet, jazz and tap.
“Aubrey is quite simply a natural-born storyteller, destined to grace our stages and screens,” says Drama Director of Recruitment Quin Gordon. “As a young person, she is in touch with the world around her and is aware of the urgent need for social change and advocacy. In her college essay, she spoke eloquently about the challenges of growing up as a gay kid in the Deep South and, despite not always feeling safe or welcome within her community, choosing to use her art to share her truth. This is a deep and determined young person who knows the vital role of the artist within our society.”
Kenan Concertmaster Fellowship
The Kenan Concertmaster Fellowship recruits preprofessional, aspiring orchestra leaders to attend UNCSA tuition-free. Recipients are mentored by violin faculty, perform as concertmaster with the UNCSA Symphony Orchestra, and participate in national and international music festivals. The fellowship is funded through a gift from longtime UNCSA supporter Thomas S. Kenan, III. The two recipients are:
Olga Zaiats
Olga Zaiats is a violinist from Moscow, Russia. A rising third-year graduate student at UNCSA, she studies with Ida Bieler. A student of the violin since age 5, Zaiats graduated from Gnesian Russian Academy of Music. She believes in the life-changing power of art and has a mission to bring harmony and beauty to the world through her work.
Gabriel Mendoza
Gabriel Mendoza is a violinist from the Philippines, pursuing a post-graduate Professional Artist Certificate at UNCSA after receiving a master’s degree at the University of South Florida and a bachelor’s degree from the University of Santo Tomas. As a composer and arranger, his work has been featured in venues such as the Chicago Symphony Orchestra Fellowship Series and the Tampa Museum of Art. Mendoza’s compositions have been performed by ensembles including the Asian Development Foundation College Symphony Orchestra and the Manila Philharmonic.
Posse Arts Scholarship funded by the William R. Kenan, Jr. Charitable Trust
Posse Arts Scholarships are an initiative of The Posse Foundation, conceived in collaboration with the Miranda Family Fund. Established at UNCSA in 2021, the program expanded in 2023 thanks to the generosity of the William R. Kenan, Jr. Charitable Trust. In addition to receiving full scholarships, Posse Scholars will have the opportunity to participate in workshops and retreats with their peers, faculty mentors, and Posse trainers.
The incoming class of Posse Scholars includes:
- Dance: Eileen Sierra Mall of San Gabriel, Calif.
- Design & Production: Ruby Ann McArthur of Matthews, N.C., Jaylinn Sims of Houston, Texas and Raymond Walker of Fairfax, Va.
- Drama: Jasmine Dixon of Houston, Texas and Miles Tanner of Sugar Land, Texas
- Filmmaking: Miguel Chourio of Hialeah, Fla.
- Music: Jeyne Figueroa of The Woodlands, Texas and Maximus Moran Valle of Miami, Fla.
May 28, 2025