First Time Award from JTF

 Representing the Nashville-area community, our students spent months preparing a competitive 15-minute performance that highlighted strong storytelling, vocal excellence, and dynamic choreography. During the festival, Carpe Artista received recognition in storytelling, meaningful connections with characters, and personal integrity of the group. Our students Pearl Russell, Gavyn Elliott, Cadence Elliott, and Lexi Morel participated in Choreography Video Auditions. All of our students had poise, committed to character, and put their best foot forward reflecting the creativity, precision, and collaborative effort of our students and instructors.

In a milestone achievement for the organization, Carpe Artista earned the Excellence in Acting Award—the first time our program has received this prestigious recognition. This award underscores the depth of character work, emotional authenticity, personalization of character development, and performance confidence developed through our training.

Individual student achievements were also celebrated. Kenner Barnes and Cadence Elliott were named JTF All-Stars, recognizing their outstanding performance and leadership within the group. They were selected to take a class with Broadway dancers and a special Q and A session with professionals as well. Gavin Pearson and Taylor Ann McGill contributed significantly through social media coverage, helping share the Carpe Artista experience with a wider audience and taking classes from Broadway social media experts.

Participation in JTF provided invaluable professional feedback, performance experience, and inspiration—further affirming Carpe Artista’s mission to cultivate confident, skilled, and expressive young artists through high-quality arts education.