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Betsye Kay Finch Foundation Awards 4th Scholarship

2023 Janiyah McAllister & Alexis Rocker.jpg

Alexis Rocker awarded Janiyah McAllister, of Davenport, the 4th annual Betsye Kay Finch scholarship at the May 23, 2023 awards ceremony.

Photo: Robin Phillips

 Congratulations to this year's $2,500 scholarship winner, Janiyah McAllister of Davenport! Janiyah, a 2023 Harrison School for the Arts graduate, performed in Mary Poppins and The Hunchback of Notre Dame at Harrison and in community theatre and other musicals. An extraordinary singer, dancer, and actor, Janiyah will pursue a Bachelor's in Music Theatre at Baldwin Wallace University, Music Conservatory in Berea, Ohio.

Enjoy our May 23, 2023 scholarship award ceremony celebrating Janiyah McAllister, a 2023 Harrison School for the Arts graduate. An outstanding singer, dancer, and actor, Janiyah will attend Baldwin Wallace University Music Conservatory in Ohio.

Talent Illuminated our
2nd Annual Gala

Our 2nd annual gala, “A Touch of Broadway, Act 2,” wowed the crowd with songs and dances from Broadway luminaries including the Gershwin brothers, Irving Berlin, and Lin-Manual Miranda. Tap dancers from the Highland School of Dance kicked off the live event on Oct. 20, 2022, and Lakeland Mayor William Mutz introduced the acts. Former Radio City Music Hall Rockettes Karyn Tomczak and Kelly Croteau rocked the audience with their talent, and Theatre Winter Haven Academy performed an act from Disney’s Moana Jr. A budding musical theatre major, Madalyn Macko, lit up the stage at the Junior League Building in Lakeland, with her rendition of Shall We Dance. Singers Ashleigh Christian-Massey and Rebecca Renfroe-Borneman performed the BKF Foundation’s theme song, Dancing in the Tune, accompanied by Josh Dampier, violinist. Many thanks to our sponsors, silent auction contributors and volunteers!

Fundraiser Photo BKF.jpg

Dancers left to right: Mae Sharrett, Teagan Youngblood, Kailey Rutledge, Chloe Lantham, Cambry Stafford, Logan Patton, Caitlin Kaiser, Lilly Stewart.  Photo Courtesy of Phllips Photography

A special thanks to our Sponsors for making our second annual

Betsye Kay Finch Gala a huge success.

Opening Night Level

Ann & Ward Edwards

Ansley & Greg Masters

 

 

Rockette Level

The Carol and Barney Barnett Family Foundation Fund

within the GiveWell Community Foundation

 

Scott & Denese Langston

 

The Brant Martin Family

Debbie, Ansley, Dennis, Hunter & Greg

 

Donna Bebber

Choreographer Level

Hollis & Debbie Hooks

 

Candi Packett

 

Debbie & Jay Dominick

 

Doris & Bill Ellsworth

 

The Kay Girls

 

Ed & Charlotte Kay

 

Kay Annis Wilson

 

Denise K. Crenshaw

 

Chantele Aldridge

 

Melissa, Gavin, & Alex Finch

 

Anonymous

 

Thomas Hall & Ken Jewett

And many thanks to our Cast Level Sponsors who were highlighted in our event program.

2022 Scholarship Award Ceremony: Oshea Darrington, recipient

"The Fruits of Giving" by Abby Rogers

“Dancing gives wings

to my passion;

musical theater

gives voice to my soul.

-Betsye Kay Finch

Past Happenings

The Impact of Dance and Musical Theater 

GivingTuesday, December 1, 2020

Facebook Live! at the Historic Polk Theatre, January 28,2021

Fundraiser for the Betsye Kay Finch Performing Arts Foundation, Inc.

...In the Media

Visit our Archives for past publications

Dancing in the Tune
by Rebecca Renfroe-Borneman

Dancing In The TuneRebecca Renfroe-Borneman
00:00 / 02:39

LALtoday.com, June 2023

Polk ArtBeat, June 2023

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