Congratulations to 2024 Tapestry Singers award winner Kayla Cruz. One of Tapestry Singers’ stated charter purposes is to foster interest in and understanding of choral music among students in its community. To that end, Tapestry Singers awards an annual cash gift to a local student who demonstrates outstanding musical skills, commitment and potential.
2024 Award Winner – Kayla Cruz
Kayla Cruz has been a member of Tapestry Singers for 3 years and has sung multiple solos with Tapestry Singers. At Lincoln Academy Kayla has been an active participant in the performing arts singing with the Lincolnaires, acting and performing musical roles in the theater program, and this year playing the leading role in Lincoln Academy’s film project “Gettin Along”. She has been selected multiple times to Maine’s District 3 Honors Choir and Maine All-State Choir. In addition this year she was selected to participate in the ACDA East Honors Choir in Providence, Rhode Island. Kayla has studied privately with Beth Preston. In addition to her roles in the performing arts she has also won awards for her visual artwork. Academically Kayla was President of Lincoln Academy’s chapter of National Honor Society and was salutatorian of the class of 2024. This fall Kayla will be attending Lehigh University where she plans on majoring in Architecture and possibly minoring in music.
2023 Award Winners – Ava Nery and Matthew Long
Descriptions shared by their director, Emily Anderson
Ava Nery has been an outstanding contributor to the Lincolnaires from the first day of freshman year. For the past few years, I could even count on her to lead rehearsals for me when there was a sub. Ava’s strong vocal and personal presence in the choral program will be sorely missed, and I can’t wait to see what scientific and musical contributions she will make to the world! Ava will be attending Hobart and William Smith Colleges and is the 2023 Lincoln Academy salutatorian.
Matthew Long is one of those students who lives and breathes music. The amount of growth he has demonstrated throughout the last four years through sheer force of will and passion for the subject is staggering. I could always count on Matthew to put in extra time working, reflecting, and practicing for the benefit of the ensemble. The field of music education is lucky to have him! Matthew will be attending Gordon College and is the 2023 Lincoln Academy valedictorian.
2022 Award Winner – Alice Skiff
Tapestry Singers is delighted to announce their 2022 annual $1000 student award to Lincoln Academy’s Alice Skiff. Alice is the daughter of Linda Skiff of Newcastle and James Skiff of Newcastle. She attended Great Salt Bay Community School and Lincoln Academy. She has participated in theater and dance productions and has always been a member of the school chorus. She will be attending the University of Maine at Farmington to study special education. She loves spending time with her friends and her faithful dog Rocky. She has been a member of the Lincoln Academy Choral Program for all 4 years of high school.
“When we went on our trip to New York City, Alice was always game for new adventures. Her effervescent personality lit up the tour bus. You could hear that cheery soprano speaking voice coming from a mile off,” said Beth Preston, retired L.A. choral director. According to Paula Schuster, tour chaperone, “I remember Alice buying a Lego kit for her brother at the Lego Store, which was so sweet! Alice is such a wonderful girl. I love chatting with her at Reny’s. I am thrilled that she is getting a special award.” Lincoln Academy Choral Director, Emily Anderson said, “Alice shows up every day ready to learn and is a shining example of what a member of the choir should be. Her musicianship and work ethic both in the rehearsal room or from home during remote learning are remarkable and she is always striving to improve and challenge herself. We will miss Alice’s warm smile and friendly demeanor and look forward to seeing how she continues to celebrate the joy of music in future endeavors”.
Award Winners over the Years
2021 Brennan Cruz
2020 Emmie Ferrell
2019 Kayleigh Tolley / Jonah Daiute
2018 Sammie Aho / Miles Jackson
2017 Caleb Eugley
2016 Sam Bailey
2015 Rowan Carroll-Christopher
2014 Abbey Hutchins / Eli Daiute
2013 Sue Hunt
2012 Quinn Gormley
2011 Christine McCormick
2010 Julian Howland
2009 Lesley Yates
2008 Jennifer Willis
2007 Ryan Mitchell
2006 Danny Gay
2005 Greta Warren
2004 Ben Mason