Gia Bautista is excited to recieve SWAC Douglas I. Smith Scholaship for a second time. She has played the piano since she was 7 years old. She annually participates in the Royal Conservatory Certificate Program (level 8), is a 5-year winner of the National Piano Guild, and enjoys performing in community events like Classics for a Cause (for 3 years), Celebration of Great Composers, Polished Pianists recitals. Over the summer 2017, Gia studied at Peabody Preparatory and participated in the final piano recital at the Goodwin Recital Hall, Peabody Conservatory, Baltimore, MD.

Erin Welch received a Salisbury Wicomico Arts Council Douglas I. Smith Scholaship to be used for her piano lessons with Luba Paskova. She has been playing  piano for 9 years and has participated in many musical venues available in Salisbury, like Classics for a Cause (3 years), Celebration of Great Composers (4 years)... see more Piano Guild Auditions (7 years), Royal Conservatory Certificate Program (level 7 performance and theory assessments) Aside from piano she plays field hockey, dances, takes voice lessons, and hangs out with friends.

Christina Sun, the Executive Director of Classics for a Cause 2017 Student Committee, is a senior at James M. Bennett High School. Music, from piano to concert choir, has been an inseparable part of her life and her self-expression for as long as she can remember. Over her years of studying piano, Christina has participated in National Guild auditions, completed Level 7 of the Royal Conservatory Certificate Program and Theory programs, played at the Celebration of Great Composers and Polished Pianists, and been a keyboardist at Bennett’s local Rock and Roll Revival show. A performer in Classics for a Cause for three years, Christina has poured her passion for the arts and for the community into this event. She plans to minor in music and continue to perform piano in college.

"It was an honor to be a part of the New Music Faculty recital at Salisbury University. The recital featured music from living composers. It was an amazing opportunity to play amongst the Salisbury University professors and advanced students."
         Hannah Hoang