Creating innovative approaches to positively impact accessibility to the arts.
Emerging Young Artist Award
The Foundation supports emerging artists who are on the threshold of a professional career in the performing, visual and literary arts, by providing monetary awards. Since 2010, the Foundation has presented the Emerging Artist Award (formerly the National Project Award) to deserving recipients who have demonstrated exceptional artistic potential. The Pierians, Incorporated proudly recognizes these exceptionally talented recipients of the Emerging Artist Award!
“Arts education aids students in developing the skills needed in the workplace: flexibility, the ability to solve problems and communicate, the ability to learn new skills, to be creative and innovative, and to strive for excellence.”
Our Award Recipients
Emerging Young Artist Awardee 2024
Ms. Anne-Marie Atanga
– submitted by the Flint, MI Chapter
Emerging Young Artist Awardee Ms. Anne-Marie Atanga (Flint MI Chapter) Anne-Marie Atanga is a soprano studying Opera Performance and Neuroscience at the University of Michigan (Ann Arbor). She is a student of Stanford Olsen. During her time there, Anne-Marie as performed in the ensemble for Gilbert and Sullivan's “H.M.S. Pinafore” and played a featured role in Adolphus Hailstork's opera “We Rise for Freedom.'' Anne-Marie performed three featured roles in Leoš Janáček’s opera, “The Cunning Little Vixen.” She also performed as the soprano soloist for the Grand Blanc Choral Society’s presentation of Handel’s “Messiah” in both November 2022 and 2023. She has performed in a Masterclass for Thomas Hampson and was a finalist in the 2024 University of Michigan’s Undergraduate Concerto Competition. Anne-Marie’s involvement in the arts started at an early age. At the Flint School of Performing Arts (FSPA) she studied voice at age 10 and ballet and piano at 6 years old. While at the FSPA she performed as a soprano soloist for many churches and local community events. She also played piano at pre-show concerts for the Flint Symphony Orchestra at the Whiting Auditorium. Anne-Marie was a ballet dancer with the Flint Youth Ballet and danced in the Flint Symphony Orchestra's Production of the Nutcracker for 6 years. Being able to have many performance opportunities and the ability to take lessons impacted Anne-Marie’s overall academic achievements. She understands what a privilege it is to have an arts education. Anne-Marie has won many merit scholarships for classical piano, voice, and ballet through the Flint School of Performing Arts and the St. Cecilia Music Society.
Past Award Recipients:
Candace Burgess (Soprano, 2022-2024)
The Emerging Young Artist Award in 2022 was awarded to Soprano, Candace Burgess. The Pittsburgh native holds a B.S. in Performance Voice from Duquesne University and specializes in the styles of opera/classical, jazz, musical theatre, and contemporary music.
Njaimeh Njie (Photography & Multi-media) 2020 - 2022
Njaimeh Njie is a freelance videographer, photographer, writer and curator whose focus is social justice and cultural enrichment. She is “committed to working with young people, women and people of color – groups that are moving the needle forward in our culture, but that aren’t always represented fairly in media making.”
Alexandra Hutchinson (Ballet Dancer) 2018 - 2020
Alexandra Elizabeth Hutchinson is an American ballet dancer who has studied formal classical ballet for more than 20 years at the Academy of the Dance in Delaware, The Washington School of Ballet, and Indiana University’s Jacobs School of Music, with summer studies at Alvin Ailey Dance Theater, Alonzo King Lines Ballet, Carolina Ballet, Ballet Chicago, L’Academie Americaine de Danse de Paris, and Nashville Ballet.
Dylan Guest (Artist) 2016 - 2018
Dylan Guest is an interdisciplinary artist from Baltimore, Maryland. He attended the George Washington Carver Center for Arts and Technology and then graduated from Maryland Institute College of Art (MICA) receiving a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in Interdisciplinary Sculpture.
Darian Clonts (Vocalist) 2014- 2016
Darian’s musical ability earned him the Music Department’s 2008 Presidential Scholarship at Morehouse College, where he was a Vocal Performance Major. He traveled the UnitedStates and Canada, singing Tenor in the Morehouse College Glee Club and the Morehouse College Glee ClubQuartet. At Morehouse, he studied voice under Dr. Uzee Brown, Jr. and Dr. David Morrow.
Aaron B. McCoy-Jacobs (Vocalist) 2012- 2014
Aaron McCoy-Jacobs, a native of Burton, Michigan, graduated from Central Michigan University, receiving a Bachelor of Arts in 2011, with a major in Vocal Performance (Opera). In 2001, at age 16, in conjunction with his violin studies, he began formal voice training at the Flint Institute of Music under the tutelage of Sylvia Pittman, department chair, and Shonda Thurman. He is presently studying with Nada Radaikovich, an accomplished soprano and author, who has premiered in the United States and Europe
Jonathan Woody (Vocalist) 2010 - 2012
Jonathan Woody is a native of Prince George's County, Maryland. He attended and graduated from DeMatha Catholic High School. Jonathan graduated Magna cum laude from the University of Maryland, College Park, Maryland receiving a Bachelor of Music in Vocal Performance, with a GPA of 3.92. While in high school, he was a member of the String Ensemble, the school band, and the all state chorus. He received numerous awards and certificates for participation in all of the above mentioned activities.
Alicia Graf Mack (Dancer) 2005-2008
After a career as a dancer— she retired in 2014 from Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater and had been a lead dancer with both Dance Theatre of Harlem and Complexions Contemporary Ballet—Alicia Graf Mack joins Juilliard as director of the Dance Division. A graduate of Columbia University, where she majored in history, Graf Mack has a master’s in nonprofit management from Washington University in St. Louis.
