Young Artists Scholarship Fund

Adrian Carcione
2011 Young Artists scholar

A recent Santa Susana High School graduate, Adrian is set to attend Moorpark College in the fall. He hopes to transfer to University of California, Santa Cruz, as an ethnomusicology major. The pianist and composer hopes to use ethnomusicology to apply the understanding of music in different cultures to create positive change. He is considering joining the Peace Corps after college to do just that.

Adrian says: “I have always been very academic, following my passion and very grateful to the supporters and donors of VCCF.”

Alexandra Phelps
2011 Young Artists scholar

A recent graduate of Foothill Technology School, Alexandra was the president of the Foothill High’s chapter of the National Art Honor Society as well as a photographer and illustrator for the Foothill Dragon Press, the school newspaper. Outside of school, Phelps volunteered her artistic skills to the Ventura City Corps. Phelps will attend California College of the Arts in San Francisco in the fall as an illustration major. She hopes to give back to her community through her art during and after college.

Says Alexandra: “I really enjoy working with my community and giving back. Art is everything. I’ve always had this inherent need to create.”

Trevor Mauk
2011 Young Artists scholar

Trevor will attend University of California, Santa Barbara, in the fall 2011 as a pre-communications major with a minor in music. The Santa Susana High School alumnus was the president of the Instrumental Music Club at his high school, was first chair cellist in the concert and symphony orchestras and is the lead singer and pianist in an alternative band Sleight of Hand. Along with his love for music, Mauk enjoys photography.

Says Mauk: “I look at the work with a photographic eye, and it helps me connect with people and my surroundings.”

Alana Grossman
2010 Young Artists scholar

Alana is at Northwestern University where she is a voice performance major. The Newbury Park High School alumna is impressed with the professional quality of students and productions at Northwestern. She hopes to do well in a music career after she graduates.

Says Alana: “Without the aid of the Young Artists Scholarship, I might not have felt comfortable with my choice to go to Northwestern, financially speaking. This scholarship also gave me that extra bit of confidence as I began my college career, and allowed me to step into my first class with just that bit more pride.”

Dana Christie
2010 Young Artists scholar

Dana is a double bass performance major at Boston Conservatory. The Ventura High School graduate has been able to explore and appreciate other types of music, instruments and art forms while attending the conservatory. After her undergraduate years, Dana wants to earn her masters degree in music and play in a symphony.

Dana says: “The Emerging Artists Scholarship has enabled me to attend this school and take advantage of all of the fantastic opportunities made available to me.”

Elizabeth Hatakeyama
2009 Young Artists scholar

Elizabeth studies at California State University, San Jose, where she majors in animation and illustration. A 2009 La Reina High School graduate, she hopes to develop concept art for commercial companies or the movie industry after completing college.

Elizabeth says: “I am grateful for the recognition of my artistic abilities that the scholarship provided. The scholarship that I received has pushed me to work hard and stay focused.”

Jeremy Hanna
2009 Young Artists scholar

Jeremy is majoring in theater arts at California Lutheran University with an emphasis in musical theater. The Newbury Park High School alumnus recently received rave reviews for his role as Leaf Coneybear in his favorite show “The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee.” After graduating from CLU, Hanna hopes to earn his master’s degree and train more in improvisational acting in Chicago.

Jeremy says: “The Young Artists Scholarship has made all of this possible. It has opened up so many doors for me and given me many opportunities that would have not been possible otherwise. I am grateful every day for what the scholarship has given me.”