Gene Kelly Awards Scholarships
“I just wanted to thank you for all of the hard work that you put into the Kellys to make a night like that not only possible, but a smashing success. North Hills may not have won anything Saturday night, but the support and encouragement I personally received from so many means more to me than award ever could.”Katie Esswein (Best Actress in a Supporting Role Nominee, 2008), Student, North Hills
Gene Kelly Scholarships
Pittsburgh CLO awards monetary scholarships annually to high school seniors who participate in the Gene Kelly Awards and are continuing their education at a school for the performing or technical arts. The scholarships are based on auditions before a panel of judges. Five scholarships, totaling $28,000, were presented to deserving college-bound seniors at the 2009 Gene Kelly Awards.
For 2009, the Pittsburgh CLO presented cash awards totaling $5,000 to three high school seniors. This year’s recipients include:
- Joseph Paulina from Pine-Richland. Joseph will be studying dance at Point Park University in the fall.
- Shannon Knox from Avonworth. Shannon will be studying Theatrical Design at Penn State University.
These merit-based scholarships are made possible through the generous donations of Sandra and Seymour Baskin, Paul E. Block, Virginia S. Nicklas in memory of Gene Kelly, Sandra Short, Mary Alice Tripp in memory of Art Tripp, Jr. and Mr. and Mrs. Robert B. Williams.
CLO Ambassadors’ Scholarships
For the second year in a row in 2009, the CLO Ambassadors awarded scholarships to college-bound students who will be pursuing a major outside of the arts. This $1,500 scholarship was awarded to two students whose work on their high school musical exemplified enthusiasm, dedication and an appreciation for the collaborative efforts of theater.
The 2009 CLO Ambassadors’ Scholarship winners are:
- Sean Thomas from Pittsburgh Schenley. Sean will be attending Slippery Rock for criminal justice in the fall.
- Andrew Gentlicore from Riverview. Andrew will be studying engineering at the University of Pittsburgh.
University Scholarships
Point Park University’s Conservatory of Performing Arts
Beginning in 2007, the University of Pittsburgh, Point Park University and Westminster Choir College each awarded a scholarship to a student who had applied to their institution and who participated in the Gene Kelly Awards.
In 2009, Joe McGoldrick, Director of Conservatory Recruitment at Point Park University, presented Chris Williams from Central Catholic a $20,000 four-year scholarship to attend Point Park University’s Conservatory of Performing Arts as a Dance major.
For more information about the Gene Kelly Scholarships, call 412-281-2234 or email CLOAcademy@pittsburghCLO.org.