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PCAC Youth Excellence in Arts (YEA) AWARDs OVERVIEW
If so, we invite you to apply for the PCAC Youth Excellence in Arts (YEA) Awards. These one-time awards are PCAC's way of recognizing the wonderful talent and efforts of young adults in Pleasanton and to help them pursue their talents. This year, perhaps YOU are one of the young artists who deserve this kind of support and recognition for your art. CLICK HERE for details about how to apply for the YEA Awards. We offer Awards in each of the following five categories:
For high school students in each category, 1st place winners are awarded $250, and $100 for each runner-up. For middle school students in each category, 1st place winners are awarded $100, and $25 for each runner-up. The auditions will be be sunday, April 1, 2012 from noon to 5 p,m. Location to be determined. All awards will be at the discretion of the judges. We will present our YEA Awards and Arts Supporter of the Year Award at the annual PCAC Awards event at the Firehouse Arts Center at 4444 Railroad Ave. in downtown Pleasanton, CA, on April 19, 2012 at 7 p.m. The public is invited to attend. The Award winners and runners-up in each category will be expected to perform and showcase their art at this event. How to Apply for the YEA AwardsRefer to the APPLICATION INFORMATION page for information about how to apply for the awards. You are required to fill out and submit an application form, a recommendation form, and all other required supporting documents and materials. Application DeadlineThe application deadline is Friday, March 9, 2012. QUESTIONS?For additional information, please call Rebecca Bruner at 925-577-8802 or Cassie Langan at 925-425-9094.
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NEWS: Read about PCAC's
recent MARKETING WITH SOCIAL MEDIA EVENT.
Vivian
(Yu-Tung) Tsai first began to write at the age of 13, when she first discovered
the true beauty and power of literature. Ever since then, she has developed
a deep passion especially in modern poetry. As a bilingual student, she first
learned to compose thoughts through Chinese, and later when she moved to the
United States learned to translate those fragments of consciousness into English
words. Her poems are most centralized in the theme of youth and the passage
of time. The YEA Award is the first time that she attempts to participate in
a writing contest, and she is grateful to have had such a wonderful opportunity.
Moreover, she is truly thankful for the support and encouragement from her
family, especially her mother. Currently serving as the Teen Poet Laureate
(2010-11) in the Pleasanton District, she believes that through poems she has
become more honest and brave, and sees the more beautiful side of herself and
her world. Her favorite quote regarding poetry came from an Asian artist, Kojiro
Tomita: "It has been said that art is a tryst; for in the joy of it, maker
and beholder meet."
Rhiannon
Kelly's love for language and literature began with The Very Busy Spider and
has grown to include the works of Tamora Pierce, Francesca Lia Block, and F.
Scott Fitzgerald. Now a junior at Foothill High School, she is most heavily
influenced by fantasy, contemporary poetry, and magic realism, and writes poetry
and prose for personal enjoyment. With the encouragement of her friends, family,
and teachers, she aspires to one day finish and publish one of her many projects.
She believes that the written word is one of the most accessible means of artistic
expression, but also a time-honored craft that can examine miniscule detail
and explore endless opportunities. Her greatest hope for her writing is to
capture imagination and inspire empathy by experimenting with the power of
words.
Nari
Kim is currently a senior at Foothill High School and part of the Academy of
the Arts. She had always been drawing and painting, and had a fascination for
every painting she came across at a museum or on the internet. But it wasn't
until her freshman year of high school when she took Art 1-2 to fulfill her
high school requirement that she started getting serious about art. She saw
what AP Art was doing and knew art was something she was passionate about;
something in which she was talented and confident.She took private lessons
at Jenny Ko's art studio, and in junior year, she began participating in art
contests and shows in earnest. She won 1st place in Foothill's Festival of
the Arts Show in 2009 and 2010. Additionally, she won 2nd place in the Congressional
Art Competition and 1st place in the PCAC YEA Competition 2010. She is not
sure she will major in art, but she knows she will continue painting. 
Caroline
Kim is a young aspiring artist who never stops trying when it comes to not
only painting and drawing, but also music, dance, and literature. She is currently
a senior at Foothill High School and preparing herself to enjoy an excellent
art education at a private college next year. She believes that true art is
formed when dedication, endeavor, and enjoyment meet. Caroline is interested
in graphic design and advertising art for her future career. She doesn't limit
herself to a specific medium or style, but exposes herself to all different
kinds of art. Talking, interacting with people, seeing other people's work,
listening to music, being in nature, traveling, reading magazines, and people
watching in the coffee shop inspire her the most. Her ultimate goal is to find
an art piece that will make her cry and, based on that, to make art that will
speak to many people. 
Connie
Chen, 15, is a sophomore attending Amador Valley High School. She currently
studies under Dr. William Wellborn at the San Francisco Conservatory of Music.
She received first prize at the East Bay Music Foundation Solo Piano Competition
in 2008 and 2010 in the Primary II and Junior Divisions, respectively. She
was chosen to play in the 2009 and 2010 Junior Bach Festival. She won numerous
top prizes at the US Open Piano Competition from 2005 to 2009, including first
place in the Open Solo Baroque and Classical categories. In her leisure time,
she enjoys drawing and painting, and at the Alameda County Fair in 2009, she
received the Best of Class prize, two first places, and one second place. She
was also the Geometry Bee School Champion in 2010. She is especially thankful
for her neighbors, the Baxter family, who have always supported and encouraged
her to pursue her music, never complaining about her practicing at midnight.
Da
Eun Kim, 15, is a sophomore at Amador Valley High School. She began playing
the violin at age 5 as an alternative to guitar and now it has become her major
instrument. Since her first performance at age 9 with the Stringendo Orchestra
as the winner of the Stringendo Concerto Competition in New York, she has performed
in many orchestras as a soloist. At age 10, she performed a solo recital, accompanied
by pianist Silvia Buccelli. Since the age of 8, Da Eun has been active in many
orchestras. She has been with the KAMSA Youth Symphony Orchestra, the California
Youth Symphony and is currently a member of the San Francisco Symphony Youth
Orchestra. She received the Renee Smith Award, placing first in the music division
of the Pleasanton Cultural Arts Council Youth Excellence in Arts Awards, won
1st award from Livermore-Amador Symphony Competition for Young Musicians and
was ranked 1st in string part from Korea Times Music Competition for Young
Musician. She participated in many music camps and master classes. She loves
math and science. 