Neshaminy High School graduates awarded Neshaminy Valley Music Theatre scholarships
By Samantha Bambino
The Times
Pursuing a career in the performing arts is no easy feat. The journey to simply getting a foot in the door often involves time, effort and money, with longtime success rarely guaranteed. But for three Langhorne residents, the road to the spotlight is already off to a pretty good start.
At an end-of-the-year ceremony recently held at Neshaminy High School, it was announced that graduates Jarod Mellus, Mae Prasch and Joseph Stanford were the recipients of Neshaminy Valley Music Theatre’s college scholarship grants, which totaled $4,000.
Neshaminy Valley Music Theatre (NVMT), a nonprofit and three-time International Music and Entertainment Association Awards winner, has distributed more than $150,000 in scholarships since its founding in 1956. The awards are given to local high school seniors who plan to pursue a college education in the fine or performing arts.
The scholarships are funded thanks to proceeds from NVMT’s annual Broadway-esque musical, which this year was Mel Brooks’ Young Frankenstein. All performers, most of whom are non-professional, and stage crew members volunteer their time to put on a top-notch show. Their mission is to not only draw a crowd, but add more to the scholarship fund through ticket sales. It’s a true community effort.
“NVMT’s scholarship grant program has been one of the most positive and rewarding forces behind the success of our theater group for more than a half century,” said Tom Urquhart, president of the organization. “While we strive for excellence in our stage productions, it is always with the objective of providing funds for our scholarship grants in order to support deserving young people such as these in their quest to achieve their dreams. We’ve been most proud of our recipients and truly happy to have been able to help them.”
So who is this talented trio about to embark on the musical journey of a lifetime? Mellus, who served as section leader and president of the Neshaminy High School marching band, performed with the Pennsylvania Music Educators Association district and regional bands and orchestras, as well as the Pennsylvania All-State Band.
Mellus received support from NVMT through both the Joseph J. McGlade Scholarship Fund and the George W. Kinsley IV Scholarship Fund for Students of the Woodwind Instruments. Additionally, he has been selected for membership in the Bucks County Educators Association, the Pennsylvania Music Educators Association, and the Youth Orchestra of Bucks County. With a strong affinity for musical theater, Mellus plans to pursue a degree in Drexel University’s unique music industry program with a focus on music technology.
Prasch, whose scholarship is supported through NVMT’s Dotti Gelenberg Memorial Scholarship Fund, will be majoring in music education at West Chester University, pursuing a lifelong passion for music. She is an active volunteer at her church and has participated in a dual enrollment program, taking college-level courses at Bucks County Community College while completing her high school studies.
In addition to being a member of the Neshaminy High School marching band, for which she served as a section leader, Prasch’s time was also spent with the wind ensemble, symphonic band and jazz ensemble.
Stanford, who received support from NVMT through both the Evelyn McLean Memorial Scholarship Fund and the George W. Kinsley IV Memorial Fund for Students of the Woodwind Instruments, will study music education at Youngstown State University, practicing his strong belief in the benefits of arts education for young people.
Stanford has been a four-year member of the Neshaminy High School marching band, wind ensemble, and jazz band, serving as section leader for the marching and jazz bands and first chair for the wind ensemble and jazz band. He has performed with county, district and regional bands, as well as with the Pennsylvania Music Educators All-State Jazz Band and All-State Wind Ensemble.
The application process for 2019 scholarships, open to graduating seniors of Neshaminy High School, will be available next spring. The company will announce its 2019 production later this summer, which will be performed in the spring.
For more information on Neshaminy Valley Music Theatre and its scholarship program, visit nvmt.org, email [email protected] or call 267–733–8876. ••
Samantha Bambino can be reached at [email protected]
