Grand Bahama Performing Arts Society committee members Colleen O’Connor Lewis, Gloria McGlone, Penny Ettinger, Sue McCrea and Christopher Baker pose along with winners Gerniqua Smith and Savannah Anastacia Sawyer. (Photo: David Mackey/TheBahamasWeekly.com)

TWO Grand Bahama students will be off to New York this August to attend the French Woods Performing Arts Camp.

They are Savannah Anastacia Sawyer, a 16-year-old vocalist and dancer who attends Sunland Baptist Academy, and Gerniqua Smith, a 15-year-old dancer of the same school.

They were presented with camp scholarships by the Grand Bahama Performing Arts Society (GBPAS).

The girls auditioned with 10 other students in competition for the coveted scholarships, according to a press release.

Gloria McGlone of the GBPAS said all the students were very talented, but noted that both Savannah and Gerniqua rose above the rest.

“In addition to their considerable talent, they are both high achieving students academically and they demonstrated a passion for their craft and dedication to excellence,” said Ms. McGlone.

Miss Sawyer is a member of the Grand Bahama Youth Choir, and has also studied dance with Lois Seiler. Miss Smith has studied dance at the Georgia’s School of Dance and Theatre for the past 13 years and is a student teacher and choreographer at her school.

French Woods Performing Arts Camp provides students with a unique opportunity to explore their interests and improve their abilities in a wide variety of performing and visual arts as well as more traditional camp activities.

The extensive programme includes dance, theatre, music, circus, magic, visual arts, as well as sports and horseback riding programmes. Most importantly, the camp provides an opportunity to meet students from other countries who share similar passions.

The GBPAS was founded in 2008 to foster the growth and appreciation of the performing arts in Grand Bahama.

GBPAS typically presents three or four productions per year, with all the net proceeds used for scholarships. In addition, every visiting artist and performing group is asked to include an educational component to their visit. These have included master classes, workshops and free concerts for students.

Since its inception, GBPAS has donated over $85,000 in scholarships and funding for Grand Bahama performing arts students.

This includes college scholarships, performing arts summer programmes abroad, local scholarships and music and arts programme funding.

By Denise Maycock,  Tribune Freeport Reporter

Click here to read more at The Tribune