Healdsburg's Kai Devitt-Lee a Finalist in National Arts Contest

's was named a YoungArts Finalist in a national arts competition.

Chosen from more than 5,000 applicants in nine disciplines in the visual, literary and performing arts, Devitt-Lee will enjoy a once-in-a-lifetime experience provided by YoungArts, the core program of the National Foundation for Advancement in the Arts (NFAA).

Devitt-Lee, who has performed at the and other venues around town, joins 151 other finalists for National YoungArts Week in Miami Jan. 9-14 for master classes by world-renowned artists; performances and exhibitions; and the possibility to become a U.S. Presidential Scholar in the Arts and visit the White House.

YoungArts Week performances will be live streamed on www.youngarts.org.

“We are honored to recognize these fine young artists,” said Paul T. Lehr, NFAA’s Executive Director. “They represent the next generation of extraordinary artistic talent, and it is our hope that their experience with YoungArts will compel them to pursue their passions.”

The students attending YoungArts Week were selected in a blind judging process from a pool representing all 50 states and the District of Columbia, as well as all U.S. territories.

The judging process will continue during YoungArts Week to determine further award levels. Monetary awards ranging from $1,000 to $10,000 will be presented to students exhibiting excellence in their discipline.

All winners also will be eligible to participate in Regional Programs in New York and Miami.

From this pool of 152 YoungArts Finalists also will be determined the 2012 U.S. Presidential Scholars in the Arts, an award given at the White House with the opportunity to perform at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts and exhibit at the Smithsonian American Art Museum in Washington, D.C.

YoungArts is the only organization in the nation to recognize students in nine discipline categories of cinematic arts, dance, jazz, music, photography, theater, visual arts, voice and writing.

YoungArts is the core program of the National Foundation for Advancement in the Arts (NFAA).  The organization’s mission is to identify emerging artists, provide educational enrichment and assistance in their pursuit of the arts, and to raise the appreciation for and support of the arts in American society.  Dedicated to inspiring and nurturing young artists, NFAA was founded in 1981 by businessman and visionary, the late Ted Arison, and his wife Lin. The YoungArts program identifies the next generation of emerging artists and contributes to the cultural vitality of the nation by investing in the artistic development of thousands of gifted artists in nine disciplines in the visual, literary and performing arts. At the request of The Commission on Presidential Scholars, which is appointed by the President of the United States, NFAA serves as the exclusive nominating agency for the U.S. Presidential Scholars in the Arts.

The YoungArts program has honored over 16,000 young artists with more than $6 million in monetary awards and nearly $84 million in college scholarship opportunities. Alumni go on to become leading professionals in their fields. Alumni include actresses Vanessa Williams and Kerry Washington, four-time Tony Award nominee Raúl Esparza, Executive Director of American Ballet Theatre Rachel Moore, recording artists Nicki Minaj and Chris Young, musician Jennifer Koh, choreographer Desmond Richardson, and internationally acclaimed multimedia artist Doug Aitken.