newportbeachindy . com JANUARY 6 , 2023 11
LOCAL FOCUS
Sage Hill Student Aja Zou Named Among Top Four Young Pianists in U . S .
Aja Zou playing piano
By NB Indy Staff
Aja Zou , an 11th grade student at Sage Hill School in Newport Beach , has been named a 2023 YoungArts Finalist in Classical Music .
Zou has been recognized for the caliber of her artistic achievement , joining an accomplished group of only four young pianists to receive the organization ’ s highest honor this year .
Selected through the organization ’ s prestigious competition , YoungArts award winners , all 15 to 18 years old or in grades 10 to 12 , are chosen for the caliber of their artistic achievement by esteemed discipline-specific panels of artists through a rigorous , blind adjudication process .
These YoungArts award winners join a distinguished community of artists and are offered creative and professional development support throughout their careers . A complete list of the 2023 winners is available online at www . youngarts . org / winners .
“ Every year we are inspired anew by the talent , dedication and creativity of extraordinary early career artists ,” YoungArts Artistic Director Lauren Snelling said . “ YoungArts is proud to support artists at critical junctures throughout their lives , and we look forward to providing community and professional and creative development opportunities that
will empower the 2023 award winners as they embark on exciting careers in the arts . Now more than ever , it is essential to support artists so that their voices can be heard long into the future .”
Zou will participate in National YoungArts Week in January 2023 . Award winners will have the chance to learn from notable artists such as architect Germane Barnes , author Richard Blanco , actor and playwright Taylor Mac , jazz alto saxophonist Charles McPherson , costume designer Machine Dazzle and actor BD Wong .
Zou was very surprised to learn from the judges that her techniques were among the top in the nation .
“ It was truly a pleasure and honor to be selected by YoungArts because it ’ s such an amazing organization that will connect me with the artist community and offer me opportunities to continue my success with music ,” Aja said .
For the duration of her career , Zou is eligible for exclusive creative and professional development support including a wide range of fellowships , residencies and awards ; microgrants and financial awards ; and virtual and in-person presentation opportunities in collaboration with major venues and cultural partners nationwide .
Visit www . YoungArts . org .
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of the Environmental Nature Center . More info is at encenter . org / tucker . Founded in 1972 , the Environmental Nature Center ( ENC ) is a world class facility that provides transformative experiences resulting in a deeper connection to nature . The ENC ’ s mission is to provide quality education through hands-on experience with nature . The vision is to provide equitable access and inspire all to protect the natural world by serving as a community leader in ecological responsibility , sustainable practices and environmental education .
The ENC connects over 50,000 community members to nature annually through school field trips , Traveling Naturalist programs , community programs , nature camps , service learning programs , and professional development programs .
The ENC ’ s 5-acre Newport Beach campus features 15 California native plant communities , wildlife habitat , walking trails , and sustainably designed construction . The ENC ’ s LEED Platinum certified facilities are nationally recognized and provide an essential connection between nature and the built environment . The ENC Nature Preschool is our community ’ s first naturebased preschool and serves as a model nature preschool providing a research forum on nature-based early childhood education .
For more information call ( 949 ) 645- 8489 , or visit www . ENCenter . org .