Craig Czury

September 22, 2014 By

Craig Czury

Craig Czury has been creating poetry, poetry performances, poetry environments in schools, community centers, shelters, prisons and hospitals for over 20 years. Author of 15 books, he is published internationally, translated into Russian, Lithuanian, Polish, Spanish and Portuguese. His award-winning Poem Fusions, collaborative multi-voice poetry performances with his students, have been produced for stage, school cafeterias, arts festivals and radio all over the world.Craig is a public speaker and creative writing workshop facilitator for all ages. Czury is a part-time lecturer at Albright College and lives in Reading, Pa.

2012

(Year Won)

Matt Smallcomb

September 22, 2014 By

Matt Smallcomb

Percussionist, educator, and studio musician Matt Smallcomb has been a member of the New York City music community since 2003. Matt performs in a variety of musical settings including orchestral music, chamber music, jazz, and improvisation. Matt has studied percussion with teachers Bob Nowak, Marko Marcinko, Barry Centanni, Michael Werner, and James Preiss. Matt Smallcomb holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Music Education from Wilkes University in Wilkes-Barre, Pa and a Master’s Degree in Music Performance from The Mannes College of Music in New York City. He is currently percussion faculty for the Wilkes University Conservatory in Wilkes-Barre, Pa, and is an artist endorser for Sabian cymbals, Innovative Percussion and Noble & Cooley.

2010

(Year Won)

Joe Michaels

September 22, 2014 By

Joe Michaels

Joe Michaels studied Jazz Performance at The University of the Arts in Philadelphia, PA. He has taught privately for over 10 years and has conducted master classes and lessons at Penn State University Main Campus. Joe has been performing as a Professional Freelance Musician for over 10 years. He has toured throughout the United States and Europe with various artists. Joe has performed or recorded with Grammy nominated artists such as David Liebman and Kurt Elling, and International Artists such as Tim Warfield, Rich Perry, and Joel Frahm. Currently, Joe tours with “9/11 Singing Policeman” Daniel Rodriguez.

2011

(Year Won)

Jason Paul Urban

September 16, 2014 By

Jason Paul Urban

As the most recent recipient, I can tell you that the Scholarship came at a perfect time. I have been working on a materials intensive project at Artist Image Resource in Pittsburgh. I’ve been able to invest the funding into the project and realize my goals without the usual financial restraints. The resulting work is being exhibited in Montreal this Fall and will be shown in Pittsburgh as well. I’m hoping to find other venues, too, so the “investment” in my work should yield numerous returns. Currently, Jason is “ investigating relationship of actual to implicit when it comes to craft and making. As a printmaker, I understand that the printshop of today to be a stage set representing functionality. As a practical endeavor, the printshop has been rendered obsolete, and yet, it continues to survive and even thrive. In an increasingly digitized culture, the place of tools, materials, and physical making becomes a sacred place. That said, the results of this labor are often shared via social media to be consumed from a distance. I’m interested in this disconnect.”

2014

(Year Won)

Judine Somerville

September 2, 2014 By

Judine Somerville

Judine Somerville has performed in original Broadway cast productions of “Hairspray” as a featured member of the sensational singing trio The Dynamites, “The Life,” “On the Town,” “Crazy for You” and “Late Nite Comic.” She has also performed at Radio City Music Hall as a Rockette. Her television credits include The Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, Late Nite with David Letterman, The Today Show, The Early Show (CBS), Good Morning America, The Tonight Show with Jay Leno, The Jerry Lewis Telethon and the Tony Awards.

2009

(Year Won)

Elan Royster

September 2, 2014 By

Elan Royster

Elán Royster’s classical voice has taken her many places. She began her bachelor’s program in 2002 at Peabody Conservatory of Music in Baltimore. She has since transferred to Marywood University to accommodate a weekly commute to New York City and continued private study with various Metropolitan Opera associates. During the past decade, Elán has won numerous awards, competitions and honors and performs at many concerts and weddings. She also sang in Paramount Pictures production of “Runaway Bride” and has been featured on National Public Radio.

2007

(Year Won)

Ronald Reese

September 2, 2014 By

Ronald Reese

The Belin Arts scholarship enabled Ron Reese to move to New York City where his paintings became part of the Chase Manhattan Bank Collection and the Port Authority Executive Collection, among others. Ron is currently working on several abstract paintings dealing with spiritual concerns reflecting his travels to Greece and Israel. He is also writing a book on the assaults against our culture.

1971

(Year Won)

Jack Hennigan

September 2, 2014 By

Jack Hennigan

A longtime resident of Pelham, New York, Jack Hennigan passed away in November, 2007. He attended the Juilliard School where he received a Bachelor of Music degree and also studied in Cologne, Germany, under a Fulbright Grant, receiving the Konzert Examen degree. Towards the end of his successful music career he became interested in remedial keyboard therapy for students with problems of coordination or pain, and wrote and lectured on the subject.

1968

(Year Won)

Barbara Harbach

September 2, 2014 By

Barbara Harbach

After receiving her Master of Musical Arts degree from Yale University, the Belin Scholarship allowed Barbara Harbach the opportunity to live in Frankfurt, Germany, where she studied pipe organ with the world-renown recitalist Helmut Walcha. Upon her return, Barbara began her career as a recitalist and recording artist, performing nationally and internationally. Today she is a Professor of Music at the University of Missouri, St. Louis. Barbara remains an active composer.

1970

(Year Won)

Richard Wargo

September 2, 2014 By

Richard Wargo

Richard Wargo is a native of Scranton, and a graduate of the Eastman School of Music. A recipient of numerous esteemed grants, fellowships, and residencies, Richard is also a two-time recipient of the Belin Arts Scholarship. One of his most recognized pieces is the opera A Chekhov Trilogy which was premiered by Chautauqua Opera in 1993. Richard currently serves as artistic director of the Sembrich Opera Museum in Bolton Landing on Lake George.

1975 & 1980

(Year Won)