Seneca County Arts Council Names $1000 Arts Scholarship Recipient

Julia Lamanna, a Senior at Mynderse Academy, Seneca Falls Central School District, has been chosen by the Seneca County Arts Council to receive a $1000 arts scholarship. The scholarship is offered to a Seneca County senior who is attending a college, university or post-secondary professional school to study either the visual, performing or written arts. This scholarship is sponsored by the Gazley family in memory of their mother, Abby Gazley. Abby was an artist and dedicated supporter of local arts.

Julie Lamanna has been accepted in the Department of Music with a scholarship at Carson-Newman University in Jefferson City, Tennessee. She will be majoring in classical vocal performance and vocal studies. Julia will graduate from high school with a 4.0 average and with several honors. She has also been selected to perform at Carnegie Hall as a soloist in her Junior year, at REV summer theater program in Auburn, and Achievement performance at RBTL’s Stars of Tomorrow. 

Julia says, “For as long as I can remember music has been a part of my life. Throughout the memories I made growing up. I can’t think of a moment without it.” Last summer Julia attended  a two week vocal intensive training at Ithaca College. She got to be a soloist in a music video and too be a “performance track” student who would perform at the end of the first week.  She remembers, “Take the stage, my accompanist said, I took a deep breath before stepping out, the spotlight immediately energized me. When I opened my mouth to sing, the notes, rhythms and text flowed out of me effortlessly. I knew at that moment that performing is what I loved.”

Julia’s goal is to build a professional career as an opera singer, performing on both national and international stages. After she completes her undergraduate degree in vocal performance, she hopes to attend Juilliard in New York City for graduate studies in vocal arts.

The Seneca County Arts Council’s mission is to support the arts in Seneca County for all ages and ethnicity. The Seneca County Arts Council (SCAC), a non profit enterprise, encourages the visual, musical, theater, creative written arts. SCAC offers an annual arts scholarship. SCAC’s Artworks Gallery showcases these arts through its shows, workshops, artist’s display space and community participation. Visit www.artsinseneca.org for more information.