Dancer chosen for week in Miami

MIAMI, FLA. - Downey resident Nathaniel Trasoras, a young dancer and senior at Orange County High School of the Arts in Santa Ana, is one of 141 high school seniors selected from a pool of 6,000 applicants nationwide to participate in youngARTS Week, the core program of the National Foundation for Advancement in the Arts (NFAA).The Miami-based program annually rewards exceptionally talented 17- and 18-year-old artists with an all-expense paid residency at youngARTS Week in Miami. Nathaniel is also eligible for more than $500,000 in prize money. As one of the 2009 winners, Nathaniel will participate in a week of workshops, classes, showcases, performances, exhibitions, and personal mentoring by some of America's leading artists. "Each year youngARTS offers the most talented of America's young artists the encouragement and means to transform their dreams into a reality as it has done for many of our alumni," said Christina DePaul president and CEO of NFAA. Past recipients include three-time Tony Award-nominee Raul Esparza, visual artist Doug Aitken, Broadway star and modern dancer Desmond Richardson, National Book Award-nominee Allegra Goodman and 2009 Grammy-nominee violinist Jennifer Koh. ********** Published: January 16, 2009 - Volume 7 - Issue 39