Thirteen students from throughout Contra Costa County were honored on May 19 as gifted and talented artists who have been recognized as “California Arts Scholars” by the state’s InnerSpark program. Many of the students will participate in an intensive pre-professional training program at the California State Summer School for the Arts which will be held at the campus of the California Institute of the Arts in Valencia.
The Arts and Culture Commission of Contra Costa County (AC5) sponsored a public recognition ceremony for the students at the May 19th meeting of the County’s Board of Supervisors.
The Contra Costa County students are:
David Beal, Orinda, Miramonte High, Film/Video
Christianne Burns, Walnut Creek, Acalanes High, Music-Vocal & Theater
Reegan Diel, Concord, Pleasant Hill High, Animation
Christopher Homburger, Alamo, De La Salle High, Theater & Visual Arts
Caety Klingman, Orinda, Miramonte High, Creative Writing
Kimberly Anne Lao, Pinole, Salesian High, Creative Writing
Lisa Lin, San Ramon, Dougherty Valley High, Creative Writing
Aaron Long, Danville, Monte Vista High, Music – Instrumental
Jason Long, Lafayette, Acalanes High, Theater
Zoe Loza, Walnut Creek, Northgate High, Film/Video
Ruthie Shapiro, Moraga, Campolindo High, Visual Arts
Madeline Sharafian, Lafayette, Acalanes High, Animation
Anna Warnken-Brill, Walnut Creek, Northgate High, Theater
Each year approximately 500 students are selected for the California Summer School for the Arts. Participants receive rigorous training to enhance their skills in performing and visual arts, creative writing, and animation.