Since its inception in 2007, Festival of the Arts Boca has had a strong commitment to cultural arts education: introducing new audiences to great music and exposing young people to leading artists through master classes and open rehearsals.
Each of our visiting artists is encouraged to engage with students in some way, whether it is through a school visit, open rehearsal, master class, or direct collaboration. And the images are remarkable: Sir James and Lady Jeanne Galway leading the best flute students in the region in a master class; Tiempo Libre “teaching” the history of Latin jazz in words and music; the orchestra of Lynn University performing on stage with Tiempo Libre in the debut of a new composition at the Festival; violin legend Itzhak Perlman “doing a Q & A” with young students; and two-time Grammy Award nominee Joey Alexander playing two tunes with the Don Estridge High Tech. Middle School Jazz Band.
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Through the Vegso Family Educational Initiative, the Festival continues its commitment to education, offering master classes, school visits, lectures, and open rehearsals each year.
In addition, over 1,000 Festival tickets are donated to students and teachers every Festival.
In 2021, Festival of the Arts Boca inaugurated a new music competition for young people. Open to Palm Beach and Broward County classical string music students aged 18 and younger, it awarded $10,000 in scholarship prizes, including a First Prize of $5,000 and a performance at a future Festival event; Second Prize was $3,000 and performance at a sponsor appreciation reception; Third Prize was $1,500. In fact, we were so impressed by the entries that we awarded two winners in each category!
As one of our first prize-winners, Annabella Paolucci, put it, “This opportunity really means the world to me, especially during these strange, difficult times. Thank you to all who have dedicated time and effort to make this competition possible, I am extremely honored and grateful. This prize will be a big help towards my music school tuition.”
The competition will rotate its focus each year between strings, winds & brass, and piano.
For more information about our educational efforts or to contribute, please contact our director Joanna Marie Kaye at joanna@festivalboca.org or 954-646-8804 for more information.
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