Georgia Wins ASPVA YouthCast Competition
The Austin School for the Performing and Visual Arts (ASPVA) is a non-profit organization that began with a dream and a desire to provide a platform for students to pursue their own dreams which may include professional careers in art, dance, music and theater.
ASPVA is a place for students who want to pursue academic and artistic excellence where they will be honored by passionate, inspiring teachers while celebrating creativity, community and service. ASPVA currently offers an outreach program to support students in need of financial assistance, a public after school and summer camp program; and finally, a school offering a full academic curriculum, a world-class arts education, and daily wellness program at a downtown location upon securing a change of use permit from the City of Austin.
To launch the school and its inspiring mission, ASPVA has created YOUTHCAST(TM), a public talent event for students of all ages to showcase their talents in the disciplines of dance, music, theater and more.
An exciting season finale was held at The Long Center on Saturday, May 23 where Georgia Napolitano, a singer-songwriter born in London, was awarded with the ASPVA Cup; a new tradition in Austin where the grand prize winner’s name will be engraved upon the cup for years to come.
Over 200 students participated in casting calls hosted around the greater Austin community, and those selected went onto compete for the YouthCast Choice Award, an award presented to the top six highest scorers determined by a panel of industry professionals. Eighteen YouthCast Choice Awards were presented, and recipients were invited to compete in this season finale. The judges panel represented industry professionals and included Michael Druck, a booking agent and talent scout with The Atherton Group (TAG Talent), a licensed talent agency. TAG Talent represents professional, award-winning talent, as well as the most impressive rising stars in the business.
Recent television credits include principal roles in HEROES, FRIDAY NIGHT LIGHTS, HANNA MONTANA, PRISON BREAK, DAYS OF OUR LIFES, ONE TREE HILL, ARMY WIVES, AND COLD CASE, as well as numerous commercials including Bank of America, Toyota, Southwest Airlines, Verizon, HEB, etc. Recent and upcoming film credits include SHORTS, MICROWAVE PARK, THE TWO BOBS, HAROLD AND KUMAR, FIREFLIES IN THE GARDEN, KINGS OF THE EVENING, GRINDHOUSE, ROCK ON, THE CURIOUS CASE OF BENJAMIN BUTTON, GLORY ROAD, TREE OF LIFE AND A MIGHT HEART. Kathryn Berlin Schinbag is the head coordinator for the Kids Are Alright Fest, a teen music festival founded by James Mays, producer of SXSW and creator of SXSW Underage. It has grown into an under-21 culture festival being held in June of 2010 in Austin. This is a multi-stage music, action-sports, gaming and fashion fest with an emphasis on technology and education organized by a steering committee of a diverse group of teens. Berlin is a Plan II and Business major at UT. She has played the cello since she was seven, and was a member of the Austin Youth Philharmonic Orchestra. Berlin’s scholastic focus on the music business and her connection with the pulse of the youth, puts her at a distinct advantage to know what’s hot with America’s young music audience. Dan Shaw is an Assistant Director of feature films, network and cable television including RESCUE ME, FRIDAY NIGHT LIGHTS, LAW & ORDER CRIMINAL INTENT, and SPYKIDS. As owner of Eleven Pictures, an Austin-based production company, from 1998-2002, Dan produced and directed live multi-camera webcasts for artists including Willie Nelson, Black Eyed Peas, and The Jayhawks. Dan has been a guest lecturer at UT and Texas State University. A member of the Directors Guild of America since 1996, Dan was nominated for a DGA award in 2004.
Ed Spacek established The Spacek Company after serving as Vice-President of Promotion and Artist Development for MCA Records. Recipient of over thirty gold records, Spacek's career includes film credits for COAL MINER'S DAUGHTER, RAGGEDY MAN, and MISSING, as well as co-production of television's MID-NIGHT SPECIAL. The Spacek Company offers Artist Development and Career Enhancement with an emphasis on Record Promotion and Marketing. His clients include Elton John, Willie Nelson, and LeAnn Rimes to name a few. The Spacek Company has also served such clients as Atlantic Records, RCA Records, Warner Brothers Records, and Universal Pictures. Elizabeth Young, a former member of the Houston Metropolitan Dance Company, an award-winning Houston Texan Cheerleader, and choreographer for the NFL, has performed with the South Carolina Ballet and Jazz Dance World Congress. Elizabeth graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Public Relations from Sam Houston State University where she served as captain of the dance team. During this time, the SHSU dance team was presented with the College Dance Team National Championship in 2005. Elizabeth continues to dance and serves numerous charitable organizations including The Austin School for the Performing and Visual Arts, National Charity League, Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure and Big Brothers Big Sisters. She also established a successful dance program for the Catholic Charities After-School Program for Refugee Children.
YOUTHCAST and ASPVA share a common goal to provide an environment which promotes academic success, exposes students to the variety of artistic endeavors, and challenges students to continue to develop and perfect their unique talents. Be sure to subscribe to the ASPVA newsletter at www.theaustinschool.org to be the first know about upcoming YouthCast events!