2019 Rising Star Finalists to Compete for $5,000 Prize

The Howard County Arts Council presents the 22nd Annual Celebration of the Arts in Howard County on Saturday, March 23, 2019 at the Horowitz Visual and Performing Arts Center at Howard Community College (HCC) in Columbia. Mary Kay Sigaty, former Howard County Council member, artist, teacher, and active supporter of numerous community and charitable organizations in Howard County, will act as Honorary Chair for the evening. Joseph Ritsch, Producing Artistic Director for Rep Stage, will serve as Event Emcee.

The Celebration is a multi-faceted event showcasing and promoting the arts and raising funds in support of the arts, artists, and arts organizations in Howard County. A highlight of the gala is the Rising Star Performing Arts Competition, in which emerging performing artists compete for a cash prize of $5,000. In November, individual artists and small ensembles — aged 18 to 35 years and currently or recently living, working, performing regularly, or receiving training in Howard County — auditioned before a panel of professionals in their discipline. The winner of the Rising Star Competition will be selected by the Celebration audience of artists, arts patrons, business and political representatives and community members, with the award presented live on stage that evening!

The six finalists performing at the Celebration are:

Curtis Bannister, Musical Theatre

Tae Ho Hwang, Saxophone

Kate Jackman, Classical Voice

Haerin Jee, Violin

Min Sang Kim, Classical Voice

L’abri Trio, Instrumental Ensemble

Tickets to the Celebration of the Arts are available online beginning January 18 at hocoarts.org or by phone to the Howard County Arts Council, 410-313-2787.

For photographs of the finalists or for more information, call 410-313-ARTS (2787) or send requests to deputydirector@hocoarts.org.

Photo: Rising Star finalists await the announcement of the winner at the 2018 Celebration of the Arts (photo by John Wisor)