up to 150 of the nation’s most talented 17-18 year
old artists to travel to Miami for YoungArts Week,
an all-expenses paid, week-long gathering that
includes master classes, workshops, readings, and
exhibitions and performances that are open to the
public. Selected from thousands of applications,
these students represent nine different disciplines
in the literary, performing and visual arts. This
year’s class of students will have the exclusive
experience of participating in master classes with
the likes of Liv Ullmann, Michael Tilson Thomas and
Desmond Richardson.
Liv Ullmann,
the Academy Award nominated actress and director
will be teaching a master class for the YoungArts
theater students on
January 15, 1:30-3:30pm at the University of Miami
Frost School of Music.
Ullmann has been named the best film actress in the
world five times in a row by the National Board of
Film Critics and the New York Film Critics Circle,
and has been nominated twice for an Academy Award.
She and is currently directing Cate Blanchett in
A Streetcar Named Desire.
Michael Tilson Thomas
is the Music Director of the San Francisco Symphony,
Principal Guest Conductor of the London Symphony
Orchestra and Founder and Artistic Director of the
Miami-based New World Symphony. Tilson Thomas is a
celebrated conductor and seven-time Grammy Award
winner. He will be teaching a master class for the
music students on
January 13, 2-3pm at the New World Symphony Lincoln
Theatre.
Acclaimed dancer and choreographer
Desmond Richardson
is also a 1982 YoungArts alumnus and Presidential
Scholar in the Arts. A Tony award nominee,
Richardson is a former principal dancer for Alivin
Ailey and American Ballet Theater and has worked on
Broadway, television, film and video. Richardson’s
master class for the dance students will be
January 15, 1:30-3:30pm at Miami City Ballet Studios.
Participating in a master class with these
celebrated artists is a once in a lifetime
opportunity for the YoungArts students, and the
experience is a large part of what makes YoungArts
such a special and unique program. Greg Case,
President and Chief Executive Officer of Aon, the
leading global provider of risk management services
and human capital consulting, said, “We believe that
YoungArts’ investment in young artists is an
investment in the future rich in culture, and that
is why we are sponsoring the Aon Legacy Master
Teacher Series, to help make this life changing
experience possible for the YoungArts students.
The Aon Legacy Master Class Series will continue
throughout the year as the YoungArts cycle
continues, with master teachers leading classes for
YoungArts finalists in New York City for the annual
In The Studio week, and in Washington D.C.
for National Recognition Week, where 20
YoungArts finalists are named Presidential Scholars
in the Arts. Master teachers for these programs are
to be announced. “Being able to provide our students
with the opportunity to learn and be inspired by
such incredibly accomplished artists is a
fantastically rewarding feeling. This is what
YoungArts is all about. We are so grateful to Aon
for making this experience possible,” said Christina
DePaul, President & CEO of YoungArts.
About YoungArts:
YoungArts is the signature national organization
that recognizes and supports America’s most talented
17-18 year olds in the visual, literary and
performing arts. YoungArts is the sole nominating
agency for Presidential Scholars in the Arts. The
foundation provides emerging artists with financial
support and life changing experiences with
internationally- renowned artists. YoungArts alumni
go on to become leading professionals in their
fields. Alumni include Emmy nominated actress
Vanessa Williams, three-time Tony Award nominee Raúl
Esparza, star of HBO’s Entourage Adrian Grenier,
Warner Brothers Recording Artist Josh Groban,
Executive Director of the American Ballet Theater
Rachel Moore, and internationally-acclaimed
multi-media artist Doug Aitken.