2024 Shooting Stars Gala Program

April 7th, 2024

WELCOME

SHOOTING STARS & THE COMMUNITY

Emcee Lonita Cook

RECOGNITION OF FINALISTS & PRESENTATION OF 2023 SHOOTING STARS SCHOLARSHIPS

FINALE WITH CONFETTI CANONS

2024 Shooting Stars Gala

The Arts Council of Johnson County’s vision is to be recognized for its effectiveness in promoting the cultural and economic development of Johnson County through the arts. Our mission is to enhance the quality of life for Johnson County by strengthening the arts. ACJC’s work is guided by our mission and core values: community, creativity, quality of life and stewardship.

Our programs, convenings and advocacy have a responsibility to contribute to a more diverse, connected, and inclusive community.

The power of creativity inspires, innovates, and opens us to new perspectives of how we view ourselves, share ideas, and solve problems.

The arts are essential to the health and well-being of our community, strengthen our economy, and ensure an equitable quality of life.

Inclusive and collaborative stewardship nurtures and grows our creative industries for future generations.

More than an advocate for the arts, the Arts Council of Johnson County believes that our community is built on creativity, and that the arts are integral to who we are as individuals and as communities. We exist to bring attention and resources to the vibrant, creative culture of our region, to create and sustain a thriving, connected community. We believe Johnson County is home to some of our greatest artists, and that bringing them together can revitalize and transform all of us.

Serving the residents of Johnson County, Kansas, which is home to 20 municipalities and a little over 600,000 residents, the Arts Council of Johnson County (ACJC) enhances the quality of life in the community by strengthening the arts. Established in 1992 as the Arts and Humanities Association of Johnson County, the organization became the Arts Council of Johnson County in 2003 with the development of a strategic plan known as the Suburban Arts Business Plan.

Our programs include the Shooting Stars Recognition, Scholarship and Awards Program; Veterans Arts Programs; the Public Art Digital Catalog, and smART Blog in addition to our arts advocacy work. In 2019, the Arts Council of Johnson County adopted our new 3 year strategic plan. The plan focuses on how ACJC can best serve our community and advocate for the arts.

For more information about the arts in our community and The Arts Council of Johnson County visit our website at www.artsjoco.org.

10 Reasons to Support the Arts in Johnson County in 2024

10 Reasons to Support the Arts in Johnson County in 2024

The arts are fundamental to our humanity. They ennoble and inspire us—fostering creativity, empathy, and beauty. The arts also strengthen our communities socially, educationally, and economically—benefits that persist even during a pandemic that has been devastating to the arts.

The following 10 reasons show why an investment in artists, creative workers, and arts organizations is vital to the nation’s post-pandemic healing and recovery.

1.Arts unify communities. 72% of Americans believe “the arts unify our communities regardless of age, race, and ethnicity” and 73% agree that the arts “helps me understand other cultures better” a perspective observed across all demographic and economic categories

2. Arts improve individual well-being. 81% of the population says the arts are a “positive experience in a troubled world,” 69% of the population believe the arts “lift me up beyond everyday experiences,” and 73% feel the arts give them “pure pleasure to experience and participate in.”

3. Arts strengthen the economy. The nation’s arts and culture sector nonprofit, commercial, education is a $1.02 trillion industry that supports 4.9 million jobs (2021). That is 4.4% of the nation’s economy. In Kansas, arts and culture is a $4.4 billion industry 2.3% of the state economy and supports 41,637 jobs (bigger than utilities, mining, and education). The arts accelerate economic recovery: a growth in arts employment has a positive and causal effect on overall employment (U S Bureau of Economic Analysis) Johnson County’s nonprofit arts industry alone generates $38 5 million in economic activity annually spending by organizations and their audiences which supports 676 jobs and generates $6 1 million in local, state, and federal government revenue (2022)

4 Arts drive tourism and revenue to local businesses. The 653,000 attendees at Johnson County’s nonprofit arts and culture events spend an average of $35 40 per person, per event, beyond the cost of admission on items such as meals, parking, and lodging vital income for local businesses 31% of attendees live outside of Johnson County; they average $54 64 in event-related spending Arts travelers are ideal tourists, staying longer and spending more to seek out authentic culture experiences

5 Arts improve academic performance. Students engaged in arts learning have higher GPAs, standardized test scores, and college-going rates as well as lower drop-out rates These academic benefits are reaped by students across all socioeconomic strata Yet the Department of Education reports that access to arts education for students of color is significantly lower than for their white peers 91% of Americans believe that arts are part of a well-rounded K-12 education

6 Arts spark creativity and innovation. Creativity is among the top five applied skills sought by business leaders per the Conference Board’s Ready to Innovate report with 72% saying creativity is of “high importance” when hiring Research on creativity shows that Nobel laureates in the sciences are 17 times more likely to be actively engaged as an arts maker than other scientists

7 Arts have social impact. University of Pennsylvania researchers have demonstrated that a high concentration of the arts in a city leads to higher civic engagement, more social cohesion, higher child welfare, and lower poverty rates

8. Arts improve healthcare. Nearly one-half of the nation’s healthcare institutions provide arts programming for patients, families, and even staff. 78% deliver these programs because of their healing benefits to patients shorter hospital stays, better pain management, and less medication.

9. Arts for the health and well-being of our military. The arts heal the mental, physical, and moral injuries of war for military servicemembers and Veterans, who rank the creative arts therapies in the top four (out of 40) interventions and treatments. Across the military continuum, the arts promote resilience during pre-deployment, deployment, and the reintegration of military servicemembers, Veterans, their families, and caregivers into communities.

10. Arts Strengthen Mental Health. The arts are an effective resource in reducing depression and anxiety and increasing life satisfaction. Just 30 minutes of active arts activities daily can combat the ill effects of isolation and loneliness associated with COVID-19

AmericansForTheArts.org

Shooting Stars Recognition, Scholarship and Awards

The arts are an essential part of every student’s educational experience. Whether singing, sculpting, writing, or painting the arts teach critical thinking, communication, and collaboration - they are the spark of innovation and an important element of each student’s professional success and personal fulfillment.

Created by Robert G. Endres in 1997 and annually presented by The Arts Council of Johnson County, the Shooting Stars Program is one of a few programs in the community that honors high school students and their arts educators for artistic excellence in Literature, Performing and Visual Arts through recognition, scholarships and awards. Nominated by their high school arts teachers, Finalists audition or submit a portfolio of work for review by independent judges. All participating teachers and students are honored and scholarship recipients announced at the Annual Shooting Stars Gala this evening.

Since 1997, the Shooting Stars Program has recognized over 1000 high school seniors and awarded over $400,000 in college scholarships and $70,000 in teacher honorariums. Recent scholarship recipients have been accepted to schools such as College- Conservatory of Music, University of Cincinnati, Cornell, Johnson County Community College, Kansas City Art Institute, University of Kansas, University of Missouri Kansas City Conservatory of Music and Dance, New York University and the London School of Design.

Criteria & Guidelines for Finalist Nomination

1. No high school may nominate more than one finalist per category.

Only High School Art Faculty in private and public school systems who have graduating senior high school students who reside in Johnson County, KS, may nominate finalists.

2. The nominated student must be a senior in high school and may compete in only one category.

3 The nominated student must plan to enroll in an accredited college, university or certified arts school.

5.

4 The participation of a senior high school student in extracurricular and community activities or volunteerism, especially if it relates to his/her artistic talent, will be considered in choosing scholarship recipients.

PERFORMING ARTS CATEGORIES

ONATE TODAY

Click this link and donate today in support of the excellent programs and advocacy of the Arts Council of Johnson County!

HELP STUDENTS ACHIEVE THEIR DREAMS

2024 Emcee

Lonita Cook Lonita Cook

Lonita is a creative producer, film critic and arts advocate. As a critic, she contributes to KCTV5's My KC Live and Hello Iowa in Des Moines with memberships in the world's largest professional collective of critics, Critics Choice Association and the nation's second oldest critic's group, Kansas City Film Critics Circle where she serves the Board.

She travels the world from Los Angeles to London for electrifying and fun film junkets

It is her joy to be there when artist and filmmaker dreams come true.

Over her years of volunteerism, she's served arts orgs including Johnson County Arts + Heritage Museum Foundation/Friends as President and 13 years at Sundance Film Festival. She currently serves on the Arts Council of Johnson County Advisory Board, Johnson County Park + Rec Foundation Board and ArtsKC Advocacy Committee. Get Lost! is her current project. A midlife coming-of-age, open road travel show at KCPBS.

Two Dimensional Art Two Dimensional Art FFinalists inalists

AJ Bettes, Shawnee Mission West High School

Honey Brown, Gardner Edgerton High School

Payton Butler, Olathe East High School

Emma Clement, Mill Valley High School

Leo Connelly, Blue Valley Southwest High School

Sienna Cox, Saint James Academy

Danny Fischer, Olathe Northwest High School

Owen Hamer, De Soto High School

Audrey Hart, Blue Valley High School

Lillia Kleinow, Shawnee Mission Northwest High School

Abby Lee, Shawnee Mission East High School

George Newham, Olathe North High School

Noah Panjada, Shawnee Mission North High School

Lee Rea, Blue Valley Northwest High School

Rhea Sadagopan, Blue Valley North High School

Andrea Santamaria, Olathe South High School

Mallory Terrell, Heritage Christian Academy

Samantha Woods, Blue Valley West High School

Kate Wren, Notre Dame de Sion High School

Three Dimensional Art Three Dimensional Art FFinalists

inalists

Alex Bergman, Shawnee Mission Northwest High School

Annabelle Cavanaugh, Shawnee Mission East High School

Adriana Cazares, Olathe East High School

Iris Doering, Olathe Northwest High School

Logan Fixsen, De Soto High School

Anafely Hernandez Perez, Shawnee Mission West High School

Gabriella Jordonova, Blue Valley Northwest High School

Jillian Kramp, Shawnee Mission South High School

Meave Marien-McManus, Pembroke Hill Upper School

Lucas Nguyen, Blue Vallley West High School

Geremi Onentia, Blue Valley High School

Alea Schrock, Blue Valley Southwest High School

Sam Smith, Olathe North High School

Photography Photography

FFinalists inalists

Jai'Den Dirks, Shawnee Mission Northwest High School

Elizabeth Ford, Blue Valley West High School

Reaghan Gaffney, Pembroke Hill Upper School

John Hudson, Blue Valley High School

Alexa Oatman, Gardner Edgerton High School

Sebastian Reyes, Shawnee Mission West High School

Alex Robertson, Blue Valley North High School

Rue Swanson, Shawnee Mission East High School

Caitlyn Toubia, Olathe East High School

Literature Literature

FFinalists inalists

Nathan Anderson, Mill Valley High School

Cil Hoch, Shawnee Mission East High School

Natalie Hopper, Heritage Christian Academy

Harrison Jones, Blue Valley High School

Nathan Montemayor, Olathe North High School

Alexa Newsom, Blue Valley North High School

Joey Shonkwiler, Kansas City Christian High School

John Wallace, Olathe East High School

Production & Design Production & Design FFinalists inalists

Rose Cox, Shawnee Mission Northwest High School

Ian Flynn, Shawnee Mission East High School

Ellie Parks, Gardner Edgerton High School

Michael Rathman, Olathe South High School

Ainsley Steenhard, Olathe North High School

Leo Steger, Olathe West High School

Theatre Performance Theatre Performance

FFinalists inalists

Caroline Alley, Mill Valley High School

Julianna Bowles, Olathe South High School

Brodie Breckenridge, De Soto High School

Sydney Carter, Olathe East High School

Faryn Clevenger, Shawnee Mission West High School

Andrew Coddington, Olathe North High School

Hannah Hatton, Blue Valley Northwest High School

Layla Ledford, Shawnee Mission East High School

Randall Marcum, Heritage Christian Academy

Riley Martin, Shawnee Mission South High School

Brooke Mertz, Maranatha Academy

Leah Pal, Olathe Northwest High School

Lily Reiff, Shawnee Mission Northwest High School

Isabelle VanSyckle, Blue Valley North High School

Brooklyn Werth, Saint Thomas Aquinas High School

Voice Classical Voice Classical FFinalists inalists

Leah Abai, Olathe Northwest High School

Ellison Bonge, Shawnee Mission Northwest High School

McKinley Graves, Mill Valley High School

Braden Magistro, Saint James Academy

Josh McCall, Olathe South High School

Emma Molteni, Shawnee Mission East High School

Kaitlyn Rongish, Shawnee Mission West High School

Samantha Scoggins, Gardner Edgerton High School

Lily Seitz, Blue Valley West High School

Katie Stegeman, Saint Thomas Aquinas High School

Noah Tarjan, Blue Valley North High School

Tyler Taylor, Olathe North High School

Lucy Wittek, Notre Dame de Sion High School

Strings Strings

FFinalists inalists

Sylvia Brown, Shawnee Mission South High School

William Clark, Blue Valley West High School

Gabriel Decker, Blue Valley North High School

Eddy Jiang, Blue Valley High School

Matthew Lee, Olathe Northwest High School

Carter Steenhard, Olathe North High School

Winds & Percussion Winds & Percussion

FFinalists inalists

Ishaan Buddharaju, Blue Valley West High School

Andrea Diehl, Olathe Northwest High School

Claire Heigele, Olathe East High School

Griffin Marschall, De Soto High School

Kate Marten, Mill Valley High School

Ben Nix, Blue Valley North High School

Maren Tims, Shawnee Mission West High School

Ruby Wagner, Shawnee Mission East High School

Kevin Ward, Blue Valley Southwest High School

Alex Wood, Olathe South High School

MEETYOUR JUDGE

Multidisciplinary Indigenous Visual Artist

2D Visual

Mona Cliff (Aniiih) is a multidisciplinary indigenous visual artist, she explores the subject of contemporary Native American identity through her use of native cultural materials. Her upcoming Exhibits 2024 she will have a large-scale beaded piece at the National Museum of Women in the Arts in Washington D.C for the Women to Watch exhibition and a large beaded at the Autry Museum in L.A.

Mona Cliff

MEETYOUR JUDGE

Hector Casanova

Assistant Professor, KCAI

2D Visual

A native of Mexico City, Héctor Casanova graduated from the Kansas City Art Institute in 1998 with a double major in Illustration and Art History. He has been working as an illustrator and fine artist in Kansas City for over 25 years, doing work for magazines, newspapers and private collectors nationally and abroad His work ranges from editorial illustration and comics to large mural projects and multi-media collaborations with other artists and musicians. As a staff artist at The Kansas City Star ('99-'15), he illustrated hundreds of articles and magazine covers, winning a handful of awards and accolades. He was co-founder and curator of the Green Door Gallery, an alternative art space dedicated to showcasing the work of established and emerging artists from Kansas City and beyond His comics work includes Screamland with writer Harold Sipe (Image Comics), and The Lurkers with writer Steve Niles (IDW), as well as his weekly comic strip Guffman & Godot. Héctor has received awards from American Illustration, Print and Society of News Designers, and was the recipient of The Pitch’s 2008 Mastermind Award for his artistic contributions to Kansas City. In 2020, he was appointed by the Office of the Mayor of Kansas City to the Municipal Art Commission, whose mission is to serve as a catalyst for artistic growth and aesthetic excellence in Kansas City.

MEETYOUR JUDGE

Philipp Elrich

Gallerist, Cerbera Gallery

3D Visual

Philipp Eirich was born in Wurzburg, Germany. He came to the United States in his early twenties and lived in Chicago for 20 years before moving to Kansas City. He now owns and runs Cerbera Gallery, a contemporary fine art gallery located at the heart of Kansas City’s Crossroads Art District. Eirich serves on the Kansas City Artists

Coalition’s Board of Directors – from 2021-2023 as Board President. He also is a Board Member of the LUMI Neon Museum, a member of KCUR’s Gen Listen Leadership Circle and serves on the judging panel of Art Westport.

MEETYOUR JUDGE

Rodrigo Carazes Portal

Assistant Professor, KCAI

3D Visual

Rodrigo Carazas Portal was born in Lima and raised in the Callao Province of Peru. He studied in the art department at the Pontificia Universidad Católica del Perú, and later relocated to the U.S.A in 2009.

Carazas earned his BFA from George Mason University’s School of Art in 2015. Also, he holds a MFA in Curatorial Practice from the Maryland Institute College of Art/MICA (class of 2020). Recent awards include the Graduate Merit Scholarship MICA (2018-2020), the Meyerhoff Fellowship (2019), [R.A.T] Fellowship -Mexico City (2019), the Best New Project Prize -Lima Biennial Art/“ABLi” (2016), and the Academic Excellence Distinction in Sculpture (GMU, 2015).

MEETYOUR JUDGE

Lisa Maione Photography

Assistant Professor of Graphic Design, KCAI

Lisa J. Maione is a designer, artist and educator. Born in Tokyo, Japan and raised in California and Texas, her creative practice investigates the nature of the screen as a material and mode of perception in relationships between images, reading and memory. Her visual research-based work has been exhibited nationally and internationally, including galleries in New York, Texas, Missouri, Rhode Island, Korea and the Netherlands. She runs for instance, a design practice, working on collaborative projects in the arts, architecture, publishing and education. Lisa holds an MFA and BFA in Graphic Design from Rhode Island School of Design and a post-graduate certificate in Typeface Design from TypeatCooper NYC.

Since 2008, Lisa has been teaching, leading and collaborating in higher education within private and public institutions. She has taught design in undergraduate and graduate graphic design and visual communication programs at Parsons School of Design, Queens College City University of New York (CUNY), Marymount Manhattan College, Rhode Island School of Design (RISD), Oklahoma State University, Maryland Institute College of Art (MICA) prior to her time with Kansas City Art Institute (KCAI).

MEETYOUR JUDGE

Carlos Morena

Photojournalist, KCUR

Photography

Carlos Moreno has spent all his adult life as a photojournalist. He has a degree in journalism with an emphasis in photography from the University of Texas at Austin. But he also has a master’s degree in mass communication from Eastern New Mexico University and a Master of Fine Arts in creative nonfiction writing from Queens University in Charlotte, North Carolina. He will tell you he is often the most educated person in a room but never the smartest.

Along the way, he has owned a video production company, taught a variety of classes at different colleges, and freelanced as a writer, photographer, and videographer. Currently Carlos works as a photojournalist and newscaster at KCUR Public Media. He lives in Lee’s Summit with his wife and two daughters.

MEETYOUR JUDGE

Author Grace Suh Literature

Grace Suh was born in Seoul, South Korea, survived 20 years in New York City, and loves living in Kansas City. Her work has received awards from the Hedgebrook Writers in Residence Program, Edward F. Albee Foundation, Overbrook Foundation, Djerassi Resident Artist Program, the National Endowment for the Arts USC Arts Journalism Fellowship, and (in Kansas City) the Charlotte Street Foundation Rocket Grants program and Crossroads Artboards program.

MEETYOUR JUDGE

Sarah Aptilon

Playwright, Translator, and Educator

Literature

Sarah Aptilon is a playwright, translator and educator. Her plays have been produced and developed at The Living Room Theatre, The Fishtank, Just Off Broadway Theatre, Rising Tide Productions, and Potluck Productions, and she serves as a playwright mentor for Young Playwrights Live! at Spinning Tree Theatre in Johnson County Her full-length play Deep Dark Nothingness was selected by Kansas City Public Theatre as part of its Theatre Lab series and will be presented in a staged reading in February 2024. Sarah is Associate Professor of Religious Studies at Johnson County Community College, where she teaches courses on world religions, Asian religions, and Japanese culture. As an intercultural trainer and consultant, Sarah has conducted hundreds of training and teambuilding courses for global Japanese companies throughout the U.S. and Mexico. She earned a B.A. in East Asian Studies from Yale University and a Ph.D. in Religious Studies from Stanford University. Sarah is originally from Johnson County and returned to the Kansas City area with her family in 2012.

MEETYOUR JUDGE

Gary Mosby

Assistant Professor of Theatre, KCKCC

Production & Design

Gary Mosby is a full-time faculty member at Kansas City Kansas Community College heading the Theatre Technology area of the department. As well as his teaching responsibilities, he serves as Scenic and Lighting Designer. and Technical Director for all activities in the Performing Arts Center. He continues to stay active in thriving Kansas City professional theatre community working with several companies; KC Public theatre, where he is a board member, Kansas City Repertory Theatre, Kansas City Actors Theatre and the Unicorn Theatre, just to name a few. I am very pleased to, once again, participate in the Shooting Stars program. Congratulations to all the talented students participating in this valuable program.

MEETYOUR JUDGE

Jordan Malone

Technical Director, JCCC

Production & Design

Jordan Malone serves as the Technical Director and Production Manager for the Academic Theatre Department at JCCC. After attending JCCC as a student, he transferred to the University of Central Missouri to study Theatre Production and Education.

Jordan’s experience in Lighting, Projections, Construction and Digital Drafting/Rendering has served him well, both at JCCC and at Shawnee Mission Theatre in the Park, local secondary education institutions and Whim Productions at The Black Box in Kansas City. He also serves as the Founding Artistic Producer for Warehouse Ensemble, which unites JCCC students with local professionals to produce original stage plays and short films which have premiered at local theatres and film festivals.

MEETYOUR JUDGE

John Rensenhouse

Actor, Director, and Producer

Theatre Performance

John Rensenhouse is an actor, director, and producer based in Kansas City. Nationally, his credits include the Broadway tours of The Lion King and Noises Off, as well as work at some of the major regional theatres, including the Oregon Shakespeare Festival, Hartford Stage, St. Louis Rep, Cincinnati Playhouse, Arena Stage D.C., McCarter Theatre, and our own Kansas City Rep. His film and television credits include a role in the original Candyman and a year long stint as Hector Wilson in the bygone soap opera The Edge of Night. Here in town, Mr. Rensenhouse serves as President of Kansas City Actors Theatre, and has played leading roles at the New Theatre and the Heart of America Shakespeare Festival. He is currently appearing in the KCAT production of Gaslight (Angel Street) at City Stage in Union Station.

MEETYOUR JUDGE

Jessalyn Kincaid

Audience & Donor Relations Manager, Music Theatre Heritage

Theatre Performance

Jessalyn Kincaid has been a professional actor, stage manager and director in the Kansas City area for 24 years, including turns at Music Theater Heritage, KC Repertory Theatre, The New Theatre, Kansas City Actors Theatre, The Unicorn Theatre, The Coterie Theatre, Quality Hill Playhouse, and American Heartland Theatre. She has had the distinct honor of working on new works with Harry Connick, Jr. and Stephen Schwartz and was an original company member of the world premiere productions of The Happy Elf, Disney’s Geppetto & Son, and Seussical.

MEETYOUR JUDGE

Dr. Raymond Feener

Audience & Donor Relations Manager, Music Theatre Heritage

Classical Voice

Praised for his beautiful lyric baritone voice and outstanding acting ability, Raymond Feener’s performing career has taken him throughout the United States and Europe. He has performed with opera companies such as Opera Theater of Lucca, Italy, Opera Columbus, Columbus Light Opera, Sarasota Opera, Lake George Opera, Dorian Opera, Springfield Opera, Wichita Grand Opera, Kansas Concert Opera, Civic Opera Theater of Kansas City, The Lancaster Festival and Theater Lancaster (Ohio). Raymond Feener has performed a wide range of operatic roles, including Figaro in Il Barbiere di Siviglia, Papageno in The Magic Flute, Baron Duphole in La Traviata, Escamillo in Carmen, Marcello in La bohème, Guglielmo in Così fan tutti, the title role in Gianni Schicchi, Silvio in I Pagliacci, Malatesta in Don Pasquale, the Man with a Shoe Sample Kit in Postcard from Morodco and Strephon in Iolanthe. “Raymond Feener as Strephon…simply outstanding in every way, vocally and in (his) natural yet convincing character portrayal.” Barbara Zook, Columbus Dispatch (Ohio). Raymond Feener has also performed the role of Lord Byron in the world premiere of John Mueter’s opera, The Everlasting Universe, as well as premiering the role of Benedict Arnold in Julian Livingston’s Twist of Treason.

His solo, concert, and recital works include: Da Si Ming (world premiere) by Pulitzer Prize winning composer, Zhou Long, at the Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts, Helzberg Hall (Kansas City), Carlyle Sharpe’s Proud Music of the Storm (world premiere) with the Springfield-Drury Orchestra (Missouri), An Evening of Bach Cantatas with the Idaho State University Baroque Festival, The Faure Requiem & Fantasia on Christmas Carols with the Lancaster Chorale (Ohio), Bach’s St. Matthew Passion with the UMKC Signature Series, (conducted by Andrew Megill), Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony with the St. Joseph Symphony (Missouri), Brahms’ Ein deutsches Requiem with the UMKC combined choirs under the direction of world-renowned conductor, Dr. Joseph Flummerfelt, An Evening of Classical Broadway Concerts with Sarasota Opera, Concert of Opera and Broadway Selections with the Huntington Symphony Orchestra (West Virginia), and A Night in Old Vienna & Salute to Broadway with the Ocean City Pop’s Orchestra (New Jersey). In addition to performing art song recitals in Austria and Luxembourg, Raymond Feener was also featured as a guest artist in recital for the 40th Anniversary of N.A.T.O. in Brunssum, The Netherlands.

Raymond Feener’s lecture recital, The Evolution of Everyman, is his own multi-media semi-staged production of Frank Martin’s work, Sechs Monologue aus Jedermann, which he has performed throughout the United States.

Dr. Feener has served on the voice faculties of the American Institute of Musical Studies (AIMS) in Graz, Austria, the Bay View Summer Music Festival in Michigan, and the Vianden International Summer Music Festival in Luxembourg. From 2001–2005 he served as Assistant Professor of Voice at Ohio University Glidden School of Music and has since served on the voice faculty at the University of Missouri-Kansas City Conservatory of Music and Dance as Associate Professor of Voice and is the current Chair of the Vocal Studies Division.

MEETYOUR JUDGE

Dr. Aidan Soder

Associate Professor of Voice, UMKC Conservatory

Classical Voice

Dr. AIDAN SODER, mezzo soprano, enjoys a diverse career as artist, educator, and scholar. Dr. Soder is an Associate Professor of Voice at the UMKC Conservatory where she teaches applied voice to undergraduate through doctoral students pursuing degrees in Performance, Music Education, and Music Therapy. A graduate of Rice University’s esteemed Shepherd School of Music in Houston, TX, Dr Soder has performed extensively in concert, opera, and recital, throughout the US and abroad, with diverse repertoire that includes Schoenberg’s Pierrot lunaire, Bach’s St Matthew Passion, Britten’s Albert Herring, Mahler’s Kindertotenlieder and Symphony #2, and the Requiem masses of Mozart, Duruflé, and Verdi An advocate of contemporary music, she has premiered and recorded two song cycles by Canadian-American composer Karim Al-Zand: Tagore Love Songs and Orange Torches Against the Rain. Well-regarded as a pedagogue and technician, Dr. Soder is in demand as a masterclass clinician, and she has served on the faculties of the University of South Dakota, the International Performing Arts Institute (IPAI) in Germany, and Michigan’s prestigious Interlochen Arts Camp. She is the recipient of several awards, including one for her book on vocal performance practice in Schoenberg’s Pierrot lunaire; Conservatory and University awards in Teaching, Service, and Research; and most notably, the Fulbright Scholar Award, which allowed her to teach, research, and perform in Kolkata, India during the 2014 -15 academic year Dr Soder’s current and former students are enjoying successful careers as opera singers and professional choristers, as teachers and music therapists in the Greater KC area, and as professors at colleges and universities around the country.

MEETYOUR JUDGE

Destiny Mermagen

Violinist, Educator, and Founder, Prairie Classical Foundation

Strings

Pioneering Musician and American Violinist Destiny Ann Mermagen is the firstever artist alongside pianist Heather Adelsberger to record the complete works of Henri Vieuxtemps’ Bouquet Américain A collection of charming, witty, and virtuosic pieces based on popular American and Irish folk tunes that are written in the typical “Classical Music” style, while at the same time giving a nod to the “American Fiddling” tradition. These works are featured on her 2018 world premiere album, Classical Cowgirl ~ Bach to Barn Burners™. As the winner of international competitions and performance awards, Destiny Ann has appeared as violin soloist and chamber musician in many prestigious venues across the United States, in Russia, Prague, and elsewhere in Europe. More information can be found on her website, www.destinyviolin.com.

MEETYOUR JUDGE

Michael Mermagen Strings

Professor of Music, Cello UMKC

Cellist Michael Mermagen (M.M. The Juilliard School, B.M. The Peabody Conservatory of Music) is Professor of Cello at UMKC Conservatory and Head of Strings. He was formerly Associate Professor of Cello and Chamber Music and Head of the Instrumental Division at the Benjamin T. Rome School of Music at The Catholic University of America. Michael has toured and given recitals, concerto performances, master classes and chamber music performances around the world. Michael performed live with Richard Westenberg’s ensemble Musica Sacra on A Prairie Home Companion with Garrison Keillor and performed as a substitute cellist in the New York Philharmonic, Buffalo Philharmonic, New York City Ballet, Orchestra of Saint Lukes, 92nd Street Y Orchestra, Philharmonia Virtuosi of New York, American Symphony Orchestra, Brooklyn Philharmonic, and the Long Island Philharmonic. He performs on a Nicolo Gagliano cello, Naples, 1774. (Full bio online)

MEETYOUR JUDGE

Will Briggs

PhD Student, Music Education, Music Therapy, KU

Winds & Percussion

Will Biggs is currently a PhD student in the Music Education Music Therapy program at the University of Kansas. He received his Bachelor’s in Music Education from KU, a Master of Music in Trombone/Euphonium Performance from Emporia State University, a Master in School Leadership from Pittsburg State University, and an Educational Specialist in School District Leadership from Pittsburg State University. Will has held numerous positions in Kansas Music Educators Association and is currently serving as the East Central District President. He brings over 20 years of public school teaching experience to Shooting Stars. Will is the proud father to Gabe and Eli and is ever thankful to wife Annie for all of her support.

MEETYOUR JUDGE

Allegra Wolff

Assistant Director of Bands, Blue Valley Southwest High School

Winds & Percussion

Allegra Wolff is the Assistant Director of Bands at Blue Valley Southwest High School in Overland Park, Kansas. Influenced by her mentors, Dr. Joseph Parisi, Steven D. Davis, and Dr. Julia Baumanis, Allegra enjoys getting to teach musical instruments daily to students sixth through twelfth grade. Her staff experiences include working with the Pride of Branson High School Bands as a woodwind and guard instructor, the Blue Springs South Jaguar Pride as a woodwind and visual instructor, and the University of Central Missouri as a graduate teaching assistant and director of color guard programs. Allegra holds a Bachelor of Business Administration from the University of Missouri –Kansas City, a Bachelor of Music Education from Missouri Western State University, and a Master of Arts in Music in Conducting from the University of Central Missouri. She is a consistent performer in the Crossroads Wind Symphony and judges for local district and state auditions and solo and ensemble contests. Most recently, Allegra performed in the Band Director’s Marching Band in the 2023 Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade.

Nominating Nominating Teachers Teachers

Kat Buchanan

Anna Hubbard

Kristen Huang

Casey Engel

Deirdre Zongker

Amber McElfresh

Stacy Goddard

Amy Andersen

Kimberly Ruttan

Brandon Lesando

Emily Hensen

Mary Schulte

Melissa Sellers

Kristen Pickell

Caro Thomas

Jennifer Hensley

Justin Love

Adam Finkelston

Ryane Jewell

Carla Roberts

Shawnasea Holst

Alex Toepfer

Thomas DeFeo

David Hastings

Joseph Patterson

Dustin Pearce

Alisha Morris

Jonathon Wiebe

Joel Martin

Andrew Book

Judy Erpelding

Matt Bradford

Michele Foster Lowman

Elijah Schraad

Amy Fear

Cecily Mahan

Mark Swezey

Jason Hagg

Rachel Cain

Starr Peterson

Saya Bryant

Steve Gordon

Kim Spillman

Daniel Freeman

Brian Cappello

Edward Shafer

Jonathon Copeland

Sydney Kohart

Nominating Nominating Teachers Teachers

Derek Cross

Jason Lips

Ashley Garcia

Lori Ludwig

Abbey Thomas

Stephanie Kates

Aimee Price

Carly Kimbrough

Sheila Wilkins

Tim Barnes

Madison Sedillo

Jeff Smikahl

Liz Smith

Terra Henderson

Thomas Holland

Emily Patterson

Toni Britt

Douglas Catloth

Darby Murdock

Sheila Wilkins

Melissa Sellers

Rodger Messersmith

Adam Finkelston

Allison Mangold

Kristin Howard

Mark Mosier

Chris LaValley

Michael Albrechtsen

Melissa Terryberry

Stephanie Dalley

Erica Matyak

Derek Cross

Catherine Boone

Ken Foley

Kimberly Modelski

Elizabeth Mulkey

Elisa Peterson

Jason Cole

Hannah Stevens

Cassie Banion

Jaclyn Krulik

Jessie Reimer

Pamela Williamson

Micah Horton

Deb Steiner

Bill Thomas

Robert Davis

Chad Coughlin

Board of County Commissioners:

Chairman Mike Kelly

1st District Commissioner Becky Fast

2nd District Commissioner Jeff Meyers

3rd District Commissioner Charlotte O’Hara

4th District Commissioner Janeé Hanzlick

5th District Commissioner

Michael Ashcraft

6th District Commissioner Shirley Allenbrand

ACJC Governing Board:

Jennifer Wampler, President

Matthew Walter, Vice President

Joe Waters, Treasurer

Julie Karins, Johnson County Board Liaison

JoAnne Northrup

Jeff Serven

Jasmine Thompson

ACJC Advisory Board:

Hannes Zacharias, Chair

Emily Behrmann

Lonita Cook

Dr. Donna Davis

Angi Hejduk

Cheryl Kimmi

Dana Knapp

Kelly Seward

Casey Wilhm

Bonnie Limbird

ACJC Staff:

Sarah VanLanduyt, Executive Director

Katie Coen, Programs and Communications Assistant

Shooting Stars Volunteers:

Amy Bagnall

April Bishop

Allison Bowman

Evie Craig

Mary Eads

Allie Hennes

Ed Márquez

Ellen Merrill

Joanna Polley

Jane Rapps

Sally Roberts

Vandra Solomon

Mary Tearney

Judy Tuckness

Kyle VanLanduyt

Marcianne Wagner-Heaton

Jennifer Wampler

Casey Wilhm

Laura Woolsey

Shooting Stars Chairman Emeritus:

Robert G. Endres

Arts Ambassadors:

Gerald Baird

Lynne & Peter Brown

Terry Calaway

Linda Carlsen

Richard Carrothers & Dennis Hennessy

Eileen Cohen

Joni Cohen

Art Ambassadors Continued:

Mark Gilman

Pam & Gary Gradinger

Shirley & Barnett Helzberg

Linda & Topper Johntz

Demi Lloyd

David Kiersznowski

Diana & Len Kline

Kay Martin

Lee & Carl McCaffree

Pat & Beth McCown

Larry Meeker

Susan & Lewis Nerman

Marti & Tony Oppenheimer

Ann & Bob Regnier

Mary Tearney

Shooting Stars Judge’s Selection Committee:

Arzie Umali

Sidonie Garrett

Mark Mattison

Kreshaun McKinney

Russ Pieken

Shooting Stars Prep Workshop Leaders:

Darcy Deal

Jose Faus

Raymond Feener

Jim Lane

Kate McNair

Michael Mermagen

Joe Straws III

Aubrey Urban

Community Arts Mapping Advisory Committee:

Melanie Arroyo

Allison Bowman

Ted Collins

Greg Dixon

Angi Hejduk

Jaimie James

Melanie Johnson

Stacie McDaniel

Linnaia McKenzie

Matthew Schulte

Bryan Voell

Matthew Walter

Arts & Economic Prosperity Study 6 Advisory Committee:

Lonita Cook

Debbie Froelich

Lorna Jarrett

Bonnie Limbird

Susan Mong

Brittany Noriega

JoAnne Northrup

Brittany Paddock

Suzanne Ryanstrati

Jasmine Thompson

Carlos Vides

Alexandria Washington

Diana Zwahlen

Thank you to our Generous Supporters

Contributing to The Arts Council of Johnson County as of March 29, 2024

Johnson County Government

Kansas Creative Arts Industries Commission

Johnson County Community College

Henderson Engineers, Inc.

Charitable Foundation

Midwest Trust Center

Nerman Museum of Contemporary Art

Mid-America Arts Alliance

Muriel McBrien Kauffman Foundation

Kansas City Art Institute

Bryan and Jennifer Wampler

Prairie Village Arts Council

Friends of Overland Park Arts

Cornerstone Bank

Leawood Arts Council

PGAV

Hannes Zacharias and Marcia Higginson

Ron and Stephanie Olsen

Sally Roberts

Brian Williams and Matthew Walter

SFS Architecture

Emily Behrmann

Mark and Nancy Gilman

JoAnne Northrup

David and Susan Shen

Joe and Nancy Waters

Bonnie Limbird

Casey Wilhm

Pam and Gary Gradinger

John and Ann Kenney

JoAnne Northrup

Kelly Seward

Connie and Joe Schlageck

Shelly Trewolla

Ellen Merrill

Roger Messersmith

Vandra Solomon

Tricia Suellentrop

Nancy Kaiser-Caplan

Diane Botwin

Jeffery and Deborah Huffman

Nancy and Steve Ingram

Barbara Nash

Aaron Lindberg

Allison Bowman

John and Kathleen Kelley

Becky Silvermintz

Sonja Butler

Suzanne Newsom

Heather Nix

Heather Anderson

Addie Clement

Angela Hopper

Barbara McCall