Cromwell High School Student Selected for Bushnell Fellowship

Shailen Braun, a student at Cromwell High School, was awarded the Ensign-Darling Vocal Fellowship by the Bushnell Theater for the 2018-19 school year. He will be performing along with other Fellowship recipients on Sunday, June 16 at 2pm at the Belding Theater. The concert is free, and seating is on a first come, first serve basis.

Braun is the first Cromwell student to be awarded this full vocal fellowship in the 17 year history of the scholarship program. He is 1 of 7 from the state that holds this honor. He is also the only student from Middlesex County currently holding a fellowship. Braun will be returning to the Bushnell for the second year of the Fellowship for the 2019-20 school year.

The Ensign-Darling Vocal Fellowship is a full scholarship vocal training program for a select number of very talented and highly-motivated high school-aged singers interested in classical and theatrical music. The Fellowship fosters the education and careers of young, serious singers through private voice lessons, vocal coaching, musical skills, master classes, and performance opportunities.

The students awarded the Fellowship are invited to join a rigorous musical experience that will expand their vocal skills, encourage personal growth and character development. Fellows commit to one hour private lessons each week in three areas throughout the duration of the program: vocal performance and classical training, vocal coaching, and musical skills. In addition to the expectations the program places on daily and weekly rehearsal practice, master classes are held each month at The Bushnell led by the Artistic Director and distinguished guest artists within specialties that include Cabaret, Musical Theater, Opera, and Audition Techniques among others. The master classes provide an opportunity for the Fellows to perform and benefit from the feedback and insight of the accomplished guests.

The Fellows are also invited to attend workshops and select performances at The Bushnell and other venues in Connecticut throughout the year. The culmination of each year is a spring concert held at The Bushnell’s Belding Theater that features the Fellows performing vocal pieces reflective of the prior year’s training in classical and musical theater repertoire.