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  Betsye Kay Finch Foundation Awards 5th Scholarship

BKFF 24 Scholarship Winner 8070 .jpg

Photo credit: Robin Phillips

Alexis Rocker awarded Justin Brock, of Bartow, the fifth annual Betsye Kay Finch scholarship at the June 6, 2024 awards ceremony.

Congratulations to this year's $3,000 scholarship winner, Justin Brock, of Bartow! Justin, a 2024 Harrison School for the Arts graduate, performed in numerous dance concerts at Harrison and in various dance productions with the Florida Dance Arts in "The Nutcracker " and the Highland School of Dance with "Alice in Wonderland." An outstanding dancer, Justin will pursue an Associates of Arts degree in Dance at Hillsborough Community College in the Fall.

Enjoy our June 6, 2024 event scholarship award ceremony celebrating Justin Brock!

Lakeland Chamber of Commerce feature, June 2024

Check out our latest feature on the Lakeland Chamber of Commerce website, announcing our latest scholarship recipient. 

Mr. Charles Strouse, Broadway Composer and friend of the BKF Foundation, has taken a minute to comment on his review of our October 26, 2023 video

Stellar Song & Dance Highlight
3rd Annual Gala

Music and dance lit up the stage at our 3rd annual Gala, “Broadway Revisited!” on October 26, 2023. Talented students and professional performers rocked the stage, while Broadway star and Lakeland native, Quentin Earl Darrington, wowed the audience as a surprise guest. Former Radio City Music Hall Rockette, Kelly Croteau, kicked up her heels while dancing in the kickline with students from Highland School of Dance. Also performing were students from Rochelle School of the Arts, Broadway Beginnings and Theatre Winter Haven Academy. To close the successful evening, artists Rebecca Renfroe-Borneman and Ashleigh Christian-Massey sang the BKF Foundation’s theme song, “Dancing in the Tune,” composed by Ms. Renfroe-Borneman. Many thanks to Lakeland Mayor Bill Mutz for participating along with business leader Amy Wiggins. We also greatly appreciate our sponsors, silent auction contributors and volunteers!

BKFF_Kickline2023.jpg

Dancers left to right: Mae Sharrett, Lilly Stewart, Cambry Stafford, Kelly Croteau, a former Radio City Rockette, Kacie Anderson, Logan Patton, Cheyenne Jennings

 Photo Courtesy of Robin Phillips

A special thanks to our Sponsors for making our third annual

Betsye Kay Finch Gala a huge success.

Opening Night Level

Ansley & Greg Masters

Anonymous

 

 

Rockette Level

The Carol and Barney Barnett Family Foundation Fund

within the GiveWell Community Foundation

Brad & Melissa Murray

 

Debbie & Brant Martin

 

Donna Bebber

Wood-MacMillan Charitable Fund, a Donor Advised
Fund of Renaissance Charitable Foundation

Choreographer Level

Paula M. Todd Fund within the GiveWell Community Foundation

 

Melissa, Gavin, & Alex Finch

 

Candi Packett

 

 Kay Annis Wilson

 

Jose & Naida Disla
Healthy Alternatives

 

Ed & Charlotte Kay

 

Robert & Kristy Peddy

 

Doris & Bill Ellsworth

 

Chantele Aldridge

Anonymous

 

Thomas Hall & Ken Jewett

 

CPS Investment Advisors

 

Hollis & Debbie Hooks

  Schichtel Family
Heath Funeral Chapel & Crematory

Sunshine Ophthalmic & ENT

Liz & Bill Daughtrey

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

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.

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.

Circle of Cinderella Friends Cabaret

May 2024
 

Betsye Kay Finch was one of many recognizable NYC Rehearsal Club Alums who was honored at the Circle of Cinderella Friends Cabaret, May 7 at 7 p.m., at the Greenroom 42 in New York City. Boockvor Productions.

Here is the 51 second video:

...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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