{"id":23798,"date":"2022-03-08T16:47:09","date_gmt":"2022-03-08T16:47:09","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/artsjoco.org\/acjc\/?p=23798"},"modified":"2023-06-06T16:57:15","modified_gmt":"2023-06-06T16:57:15","slug":"2022-shooting-stars-judges","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/artsjoco.org\/acjc\/2022-shooting-stars-judges\/","title":{"rendered":"2023 Shooting Stars Judges"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<div class=\"wp-block-media-text alignwide is-stacked-on-mobile\" style=\"grid-template-columns:25% auto\"><figure class=\"wp-block-media-text__media\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"683\" height=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/artsjoco.org\/acjc\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/image0-683x1024.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-23916 size-full\" srcset=\"https:\/\/artsjoco.org\/acjc\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/image0-683x1024.png 683w, https:\/\/artsjoco.org\/acjc\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/image0-200x300.png 200w, https:\/\/artsjoco.org\/acjc\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/image0-768x1152.png 768w, https:\/\/artsjoco.org\/acjc\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/image0-700x1050.png 700w, https:\/\/artsjoco.org\/acjc\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/image0.png 1024w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 683px) 100vw, 683px\" \/><\/figure><div class=\"wp-block-media-text__content\">\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Ebonee Thomas, 2023 Shooting Stars Winds &amp; Percussion Category Judge<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Ebonee Thomas<\/strong> is currently the Second Flute and Piccolo of The Dallas Opera. She has previously served as Principal Flute of the Knoxville Symphony, Principal Flute of the Florida Grand Opera, and Second Flute of the Houston Symphony. Ebonee spends her summers as a flutist with the Central City Opera in Colorado. She has also been guest principal with the Seattle Symphony, Fort Worth Symphony, San Antonio Symphony, and Santa Fe Opera. She received her Bachelor of Music degree from Southern Methodist University, her Master of Music degree from the New England Conservatory of Music and completed a fellowship with the New World Symphony. In the Fall of 2021, Ebonee joined the faculty of the University of Missouri Kansas City Conservatory as Assistant Professor of Flute.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:100px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-media-text alignwide is-stacked-on-mobile\" style=\"grid-template-columns:25% auto\"><figure class=\"wp-block-media-text__media\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"880\" height=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/artsjoco.org\/acjc\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/Joe-Straws-III-Headshot-880x1024.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-23922 size-full\" srcset=\"https:\/\/artsjoco.org\/acjc\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/Joe-Straws-III-Headshot-880x1024.jpg 880w, https:\/\/artsjoco.org\/acjc\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/Joe-Straws-III-Headshot-258x300.jpg 258w, https:\/\/artsjoco.org\/acjc\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/Joe-Straws-III-Headshot-768x894.jpg 768w, https:\/\/artsjoco.org\/acjc\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/Joe-Straws-III-Headshot-700x814.jpg 700w, https:\/\/artsjoco.org\/acjc\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/Joe-Straws-III-Headshot-1100x1280.jpg 1100w, https:\/\/artsjoco.org\/acjc\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/Joe-Straws-III-Headshot.jpg 1242w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 880px) 100vw, 880px\" \/><\/figure><div class=\"wp-block-media-text__content\">\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Joe Straws III, 2023 Shooting Stars Winds &amp; Percussion Category Judge<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Joseph A Straws III<\/strong>, born and raised in Wyandotte County, graduate of Sumner Academy of Arts and Science, and KCKCC with a degree in Audio Engineering, Joseph had been teaching and educating students for over 20 years in the inner city core, at the high school and middle school level. Owner of 2 the MAAXE Audio Video Solutions, he provides services that include music production, recording, vocal training, and performance coaching. He himself is an accomplished and published percussionist that has played Jazz Drums across the country for the past 25 plus years. His passions are the youth and the advancement of the arts back into the fabric of the inner city lives of kids, through dance, music, tech and more.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-css-opacity is-style-wide\"\/>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-media-text alignwide is-stacked-on-mobile\" style=\"grid-template-columns:25% auto\"><figure class=\"wp-block-media-text__media\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"688\" height=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/artsjoco.org\/acjc\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/Erik-Headshot-1-688x1024.jpeg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-24420 size-full\" srcset=\"https:\/\/artsjoco.org\/acjc\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/Erik-Headshot-1-688x1024.jpeg 688w, https:\/\/artsjoco.org\/acjc\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/Erik-Headshot-1-202x300.jpeg 202w, https:\/\/artsjoco.org\/acjc\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/Erik-Headshot-1-768x1142.jpeg 768w, https:\/\/artsjoco.org\/acjc\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/Erik-Headshot-1-1033x1536.jpeg 1033w, https:\/\/artsjoco.org\/acjc\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/Erik-Headshot-1-1377x2048.jpeg 1377w, https:\/\/artsjoco.org\/acjc\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/Erik-Headshot-1-700x1041.jpeg 700w, https:\/\/artsjoco.org\/acjc\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/Erik-Headshot-1-1100x1636.jpeg 1100w, https:\/\/artsjoco.org\/acjc\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/Erik-Headshot-1.jpeg 1385w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 688px) 100vw, 688px\" \/><\/figure><div class=\"wp-block-media-text__content\">\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Erik Meixelsperger, 2023 Shooting Stars Theatre Performance Category Judge<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Erik Meixelsperger<\/strong> is a professional actor, writer, and teacher in the Kansas City area. Erik completed his Bachelor of Fine Arts in Acting at the University of Minnesota Duluth, where he was a two-time Irene Ryan regional finalist in the Kennedy Center American College Theater Festival (KCACTF), as well as a national finalist in the Gary Garrison Ten-Minute Play competition. Erik later received his Master of Fine Arts in Acting at the Florida State University\/Asolo Conservatory for Actor Training. During his time at FSU, he became a company member of the celebrated Asolo Repertory Theatre, where he trained and collaborated with various theatre professionals. Erik\u2019s acting work in Florida comprises numerous productions, including the Asolo Repertory\u2019s touring productions of The Tempest, Oedipus Rex, The Rehearsal, Much Ado About Nothing, and The Crucible, to name a few. Additionally, he spent a summer abroad in London training with renowned vocal coach Patsy Rodenburg. Most recently, Erik was seen as Paris in Heart Of America Shakespeare\u2019s production of Romeo &amp; Juliet.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:100px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-media-text alignwide is-stacked-on-mobile\" style=\"grid-template-columns:25% auto\"><figure class=\"wp-block-media-text__media\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"768\" height=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/artsjoco.org\/acjc\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/Matt-Schwader-Headshot-768x1024.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-24421 size-full\" srcset=\"https:\/\/artsjoco.org\/acjc\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/Matt-Schwader-Headshot-768x1024.jpg 768w, https:\/\/artsjoco.org\/acjc\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/Matt-Schwader-Headshot-225x300.jpg 225w, https:\/\/artsjoco.org\/acjc\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/Matt-Schwader-Headshot-1152x1536.jpg 1152w, https:\/\/artsjoco.org\/acjc\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/Matt-Schwader-Headshot-1536x2048.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/artsjoco.org\/acjc\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/Matt-Schwader-Headshot-600x800.jpg 600w, https:\/\/artsjoco.org\/acjc\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/Matt-Schwader-Headshot-700x933.jpg 700w, https:\/\/artsjoco.org\/acjc\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/Matt-Schwader-Headshot-1100x1467.jpg 1100w, https:\/\/artsjoco.org\/acjc\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/Matt-Schwader-Headshot-scaled.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px\" \/><\/figure><div class=\"wp-block-media-text__content\">\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Matt Schwader<\/strong> Harbor, 2023 Shooting Stars Theatre Performance Category Judge<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Matt Schwader Harbor<\/strong> has been a professional actor since 1998. Notable stages include the Goodman, Chicago Shakespeare, Indiana Rep, Actors Theatre of Louisville, ACT Theatre in Seattle, American Players Theatre, the Royal Shakespeare Company, the Old Globe and more. Currently he performs and directs with Kansas City Actors Theatre (KCAT), where he is a core company member. You can hear him in KCAT\u2019s radio plays on the Kansas City Actors Theatre Podcast. Matt has an MFA from the University of Delaware\u2019s Professional Theatre Training Program and is a member of SAG\/AFTRA and Actors Equity Association. He is the Director of Performance Studies at Avila University in Kansas City, MO, where he teaches acting.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-css-opacity is-style-wide\"\/>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-media-text alignwide is-stacked-on-mobile\" style=\"grid-template-columns:25% auto\"><figure class=\"wp-block-media-text__media\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"681\" height=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/artsjoco.org\/acjc\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/Mike-Mermagen-Headshot2-1-681x1024.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-24418 size-full\" srcset=\"https:\/\/artsjoco.org\/acjc\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/Mike-Mermagen-Headshot2-1-681x1024.jpg 681w, https:\/\/artsjoco.org\/acjc\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/Mike-Mermagen-Headshot2-1-200x300.jpg 200w, https:\/\/artsjoco.org\/acjc\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/Mike-Mermagen-Headshot2-1-768x1154.jpg 768w, https:\/\/artsjoco.org\/acjc\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/Mike-Mermagen-Headshot2-1-1022x1536.jpg 1022w, https:\/\/artsjoco.org\/acjc\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/Mike-Mermagen-Headshot2-1-1363x2048.jpg 1363w, https:\/\/artsjoco.org\/acjc\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/Mike-Mermagen-Headshot2-1-700x1052.jpg 700w, https:\/\/artsjoco.org\/acjc\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/Mike-Mermagen-Headshot2-1-1100x1653.jpg 1100w, https:\/\/artsjoco.org\/acjc\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/Mike-Mermagen-Headshot2-1-scaled.jpg 1703w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 681px) 100vw, 681px\" \/><\/figure><div class=\"wp-block-media-text__content\">\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Michael Mermagen, 2023 Shooting Stars Strings Category Judge<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p>Cellist <strong>Michael Mermagen<\/strong> (M.M. The Juilliard School, B.M. The Peabody Conservatory of Music) is Professor of Cello at UMKC Conservatory and Head of Strings. He was formerly Associate Professor of Cello and Chamber Music and Head of the Instrumental Division at the Benjamin T. Rome School of Music at The Catholic University of America.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Michael made his debut at the age of sixteen with Baltimore Symphony Orchestra after receiving the Young Soloist\u2019s Award. Michael began his studies at Peabody Preparatory where he studied with Paula Skolnick-Childress and Mihaly Virizlay. Principal teachers in college were Stephen Kates at Peabody Conservatory, and Zara Nelsova at The Juilliard School. As the Juilliard School\u2019s concerto competition winner, he performed with Juilliard Orchestra under Otto-Werner Mueller in Alice Tully Hall. He was soloist with National Orchestra of New York, where he held the prestigious Emanuel Feuermann principal cello chair and performed in Violoncello Society of New York Master Classes lead by Yo-Yo Ma, Janos Starker, and Bernard Greenhouse.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Michael toured regularly with The Aspen Ensemble, the American Chamber Players from 1997 to 2003, and with Arista Piano Trio (named Chamber Music America\u2019s Artists to Watch) from 1987 to 1995. During his tenure at The Catholic University of America, he joined violinist Jody Gatwood and pianist Marilyn Neeley in the Rome Trio. He collaborated with the San Francisco Ballet and was featured as the cello soloist for the New York premiere of two works by the renowned choreographer Mark Morris. Michael is currently performing around the country with the Aspen String Trio, formerly the ensemble in residence at the University of Baltimore.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>As an artist-faculty member at the Aspen Music Festival and School, Michael has held the prestigious position of principal cellist of the Aspen Chamber Symphony for over twenty-five seasons. He has performed chamber music in Aspen with such artists as Joshua Bell, Sarah Chang, Jeremy Denk, Vladimer Feltzman, Lynn Harrell, Robert McDuffie, Susanne Mentzer, Anton Nel, Nadja Salerno- Sonnenberg, Gil Shaham, The Tak\u00e1cs Quartet, and the Weilerstein family. He has also collaborated with many distinguished conductors, including Comissiona, Conlon, Levine, Maazel, Marriner, McGegan, Robertson, Skrowaczewski, and Zinman.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Michael has toured and given recitals, concerto performances, master classes and chamber music performances around the world. He has participated in Grand Canyon Music Festival, Prince Albert Music Festival in Kauai, and Bay Chamber Concerts in Rockport, Maine. He has been heard on WQXR\u2019s <em>Concerts Plus<\/em>, WNYC\u2019s <em>Around New York<\/em>, and regularly on NPR\u2019s <em>Performance Today<\/em>. Michael performed live with Richard Westenberg\u2019s ensemble Musica Sacra on <em>A Prairie Home Companion<\/em> with Garrison Keillor and performed as a substitute cellist in the New York Philharmonic, Buffalo Philharmonic, New York City Ballet, Orchestra of Saint Lukes, 92nd Street Y Orchestra, Philharmonia Virtuosi of New York, American Symphony Orchestra, Brooklyn Philharmonic, and the Long Island Philharmonic.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Michael recorded and performed the Patrick Zimmerli Piano Trios for Arabesque label, after a celebrated debut of the same pieces at Seattle Chamber Music Society. He made the premier recording and critical edition of composer and Holocaust victim James Simon\u2019s \u201cArioso\u201d for solo cello. He performed and recorded for the documentary film featured on PBS and Netflix, <em>Defiant Requiem<\/em>, a film about a most dramatic example of intellectual and artistic courage in the Theresienstadt (Terez\u00edn) Concentration Camp during World War II. Upcoming commercial releases include the Music of Martinu for Naxos label with the Aspen String Trio. Recent appearances include the performance of Brahms Double Concerto with violinist Livia Sohn and Stockton Symphony, again with violinist David Perry and the Baltimore Chamber Orchestra and the Prince George\u2019s Philharmonic, Beethoven Triple Concerto with Elisabeth Adkins and Edward Newman and the Maryland and Fairfax Symphonies, and Vivaldi Concertos with conductor Nicholas McGegan. He performs on a Nicolo Gagliano cello, Naples, 1774.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:100px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-media-text alignwide is-stacked-on-mobile\" style=\"grid-template-columns:25% auto\"><figure class=\"wp-block-media-text__media\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"534\" height=\"800\" src=\"https:\/\/artsjoco.org\/acjc\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/D.-Mermagen-Headshot-2.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-23801 size-full\" srcset=\"https:\/\/artsjoco.org\/acjc\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/D.-Mermagen-Headshot-2.jpg 534w, https:\/\/artsjoco.org\/acjc\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/D.-Mermagen-Headshot-2-200x300.jpg 200w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 534px) 100vw, 534px\" \/><\/figure><div class=\"wp-block-media-text__content\">\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Destiny Mermagen, 2023 Shooting Stars Strings Category Judge<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p>Pioneering Musician and American Violinist <strong>Destiny Ann Mermagen<\/strong> is the first-ever artist&nbsp;alongside pianist Heather Adelsberger to record the complete works of Henri Vieuxtemps\u2019&nbsp;Bouquet Am\u00e9ricain\u2014A collection of charming, witty, and virtuosic pieces based on popular&nbsp;American and Irish folk tunes that are written in the typical \u201cClassical Music\u201d style, while at the&nbsp;same time giving a nod to the \u201cAmerican Fiddling\u201d tradition. These works are featured on her&nbsp;2018 world premiere album, Classical Cowgirl ~ Bach to Barn Burners<strong>\u2122<\/strong>. As the winner of international competitions and performance awards, Destiny Ann has&nbsp;appeared as violin soloist and chamber musician in many prestigious venues across the United&nbsp;States, in Russia, Prague, and elsewhere in Europe. More information can be found on her website,&nbsp;<a href=\"http:\/\/www.destinyviolin.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">www.destinyviolin.com<\/a>.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-css-opacity is-style-wide\"\/>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-media-text alignwide is-stacked-on-mobile\" style=\"grid-template-columns:25% auto\"><figure class=\"wp-block-media-text__media\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"819\" height=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/artsjoco.org\/acjc\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/LisaMaione_MAAA-819x1024.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-24448 size-full\" srcset=\"https:\/\/artsjoco.org\/acjc\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/LisaMaione_MAAA-819x1024.jpg 819w, https:\/\/artsjoco.org\/acjc\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/LisaMaione_MAAA-240x300.jpg 240w, https:\/\/artsjoco.org\/acjc\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/LisaMaione_MAAA-768x960.jpg 768w, https:\/\/artsjoco.org\/acjc\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/LisaMaione_MAAA-1229x1536.jpg 1229w, https:\/\/artsjoco.org\/acjc\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/LisaMaione_MAAA-1639x2048.jpg 1639w, https:\/\/artsjoco.org\/acjc\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/LisaMaione_MAAA-700x875.jpg 700w, https:\/\/artsjoco.org\/acjc\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/LisaMaione_MAAA-1100x1375.jpg 1100w, https:\/\/artsjoco.org\/acjc\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/LisaMaione_MAAA-scaled.jpg 2048w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 819px) 100vw, 819px\" \/><\/figure><div class=\"wp-block-media-text__content\">\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Lisa Maione, 2023 Shooting Stars 2D Visual Arts Category Judge<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Lisa\u00a0J. Maione <\/strong>is a designer, artist and educator. Her creative practice investigates the nature of the screen as a material that complicates perceptions of histories, social economy, and the self in relation to others. She runs a studio,\u00a0<em>for instance, a design practice<\/em>, working on collaborative projects in the arts, architecture, publishing and education.\u00a0Lisa\u00a0holds an MFA and BFA in Graphic Design from Rhode Island School of Design and a post-graduate certificate in Typeface Design from Type@Cooper NYC. She is currently an Assistant Professor of Graphic Design at Kansas City Art Institute.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:100px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-media-text alignwide is-stacked-on-mobile\" style=\"grid-template-columns:25% auto\"><figure class=\"wp-block-media-text__media\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"999\" src=\"https:\/\/artsjoco.org\/acjc\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/IMG_2386-1024x999.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-24445 size-full\" srcset=\"https:\/\/artsjoco.org\/acjc\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/IMG_2386-1024x999.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/artsjoco.org\/acjc\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/IMG_2386-300x293.jpg 300w, https:\/\/artsjoco.org\/acjc\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/IMG_2386-768x749.jpg 768w, https:\/\/artsjoco.org\/acjc\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/IMG_2386-1536x1499.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/artsjoco.org\/acjc\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/IMG_2386-2048x1998.jpg 2048w, https:\/\/artsjoco.org\/acjc\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/IMG_2386-700x683.jpg 700w, https:\/\/artsjoco.org\/acjc\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/IMG_2386-1100x1073.jpg 1100w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure><div class=\"wp-block-media-text__content\">\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Jennifer Short, 2023 Shooting Stars 2D Visual Arts Category Judge<\/strong> <\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p>Over the past 15 years, <strong>Jennifer Short<\/strong> has been active in teaching and instructing fine art to a diverse range of learners. Ms. Short has been on staff at Nelson- Atkins Museum of Art in their education department teaching studio workshops and connecting with community organizations through the museum\u2019s outreach programs. Additionally, Ms. Short has taught in a variety of traditional K-12 art classrooms, as well. She is currently teaching in the Center School District. She is passionate about her learners and tries to instill the values of how a fine art education can enrich a person\u2019s life. Ms. Short holds degrees from William Jewell College and UMKC&nbsp; in Fine Art and Art Education. She has had the distinguished pleasure of being a juror of the National&nbsp; Congressional Art Competition and Prairie Village Art Shows, as well as being recognized by the National Park Service as an art educator liaison for helping students create ornaments for the President\u2019s Christmas Tree in 2012.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-css-opacity is-style-wide\"\/>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-media-text alignwide is-stacked-on-mobile\" style=\"grid-template-columns:25% auto\"><figure class=\"wp-block-media-text__media\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"683\" height=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/artsjoco.org\/acjc\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/IMG_8757-1-1-683x1024.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-24431 size-full\" srcset=\"https:\/\/artsjoco.org\/acjc\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/IMG_8757-1-1-683x1024.jpg 683w, https:\/\/artsjoco.org\/acjc\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/IMG_8757-1-1-200x300.jpg 200w, https:\/\/artsjoco.org\/acjc\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/IMG_8757-1-1-768x1152.jpg 768w, https:\/\/artsjoco.org\/acjc\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/IMG_8757-1-1-1024x1536.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/artsjoco.org\/acjc\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/IMG_8757-1-1-1365x2048.jpg 1365w, https:\/\/artsjoco.org\/acjc\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/IMG_8757-1-1-700x1050.jpg 700w, https:\/\/artsjoco.org\/acjc\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/IMG_8757-1-1-1100x1650.jpg 1100w, https:\/\/artsjoco.org\/acjc\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/IMG_8757-1-1-scaled.jpg 1707w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 683px) 100vw, 683px\" \/><\/figure><div class=\"wp-block-media-text__content\">\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Jason Piggie, 2023 Shooting Stars Photography Category Judge<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Jason Piggie<\/strong> (born 23 January 1971 in Kansas City, Missouri), is an Afro American photographer, filmmaker, writer, curator, and director. Piggie got his start in a high school photography class.Piggie continued his study in photography though out high school and into college years, where he received his BA in Comminution. Piggie creates thought provoking work by capturing images of everyday life, things, and people.&nbsp;&nbsp;He prefers his expression to be without enhanced manipulation. Piggie\u2019s photography has been exhibited in numerus regional group and solo exhibitions. Piggie photography has exhibited at Spiva Center for the Arts, American Jazz Museum, Kansas City Museum, Johnson County Museum, and the Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Piggie received the first-place award at the 3\/5\/7 Film Festival in the 5-minute category in 2009. In 2012, Piggie won best in show at an Arts KC show.&nbsp;&nbsp;Piggie has received grants and has been awards local residencies, Piggie is a Founding member of the African American Artist Collective in Kansas City.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:100px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-media-text alignwide is-stacked-on-mobile\" style=\"grid-template-columns:25% auto\"><figure class=\"wp-block-media-text__media\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"992\" src=\"https:\/\/artsjoco.org\/acjc\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/Andrew_Mcilvaine-1024x992.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-24441 size-full\" srcset=\"https:\/\/artsjoco.org\/acjc\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/Andrew_Mcilvaine-1024x992.png 1024w, https:\/\/artsjoco.org\/acjc\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/Andrew_Mcilvaine-300x291.png 300w, https:\/\/artsjoco.org\/acjc\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/Andrew_Mcilvaine-768x744.png 768w, https:\/\/artsjoco.org\/acjc\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/Andrew_Mcilvaine-700x678.png 700w, https:\/\/artsjoco.org\/acjc\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/Andrew_Mcilvaine.png 1028w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure><div class=\"wp-block-media-text__content\">\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Andrew McIlvaine, 2023 Shooting Stars Photography Category Judge<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Andrew Mcilvaine<\/strong> is a Mexican American interdisciplinary artist. Born in San Antonio, Texas, and later moved to Missouri, Mcilvaine creates work about displacement and replacement and how these issues effect both cultural and personal memory, identity, and a sense of self. Mcilvaine earned his BA in studio art from the University of Missouri \u2013 Kansas City. After receiving his BA, Mcilvaine moved to St. Louis, Missouri, where he attained his MFA from Washington University in St. Louis in painting and drawing. Currently, Mcilvaine lives and works in Kansas City and holds a visiting lecturer position in the foundation program at KCAI.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-css-opacity is-style-wide\"\/>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-media-text alignwide is-stacked-on-mobile\" style=\"grid-template-columns:25% auto\"><figure class=\"wp-block-media-text__media\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"604\" height=\"402\" src=\"https:\/\/artsjoco.org\/acjc\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/Daniel-Doss.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-24422 size-full\" srcset=\"https:\/\/artsjoco.org\/acjc\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/Daniel-Doss.jpg 604w, https:\/\/artsjoco.org\/acjc\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/Daniel-Doss-300x200.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 604px) 100vw, 604px\" \/><\/figure><div class=\"wp-block-media-text__content\">\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Daniel Doss, 2023 Shooting Stars Voice Classical Category Judge<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Daniel Doss<\/strong> has established himself as a Music Director, Conductor, Composer and Collaborative Pianist in over 90 musical theater productions across the globe since 2002, including the National Tours of THE COLOR PURPLE, THE ADDAMS FAMILY and RAGTIME and has served as Music Director for the New Theatre &amp; Restaurant in Overland Park, Kansas since 2015. Daniel\u2019s composition credits include TRUMAN &amp; PENDERGAST: The Musical; NELLY DON: The Musical, which has also been made into a feature film premiering in late 2023; WILD AND WILLFUL WOMEN, which was selected as one of three original musicals for the 2014 TRU Musical Reading Series in New York City; RED DEATH, an original one act opera based on the short story by Edgar Allen Poe which was awarded the \u2018Best of Kansas City Fringe Festival 2014\u2019; and multiple choral works including WHEN I KNEW, commissioned by the Heartland Men\u2019s Chorus which premiered at GALA Choruses Festival 2012 in Denver.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:100px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-media-text alignwide is-stacked-on-mobile\" style=\"grid-template-columns:25% auto\"><figure class=\"wp-block-media-text__media\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"684\" src=\"https:\/\/artsjoco.org\/acjc\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/Long-Headshot-1024x684.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-24423 size-full\" srcset=\"https:\/\/artsjoco.org\/acjc\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/Long-Headshot-1024x684.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/artsjoco.org\/acjc\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/Long-Headshot-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/artsjoco.org\/acjc\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/Long-Headshot-768x513.jpg 768w, https:\/\/artsjoco.org\/acjc\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/Long-Headshot-1536x1025.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/artsjoco.org\/acjc\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/Long-Headshot-2048x1367.jpg 2048w, https:\/\/artsjoco.org\/acjc\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/Long-Headshot-700x467.jpg 700w, https:\/\/artsjoco.org\/acjc\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/Long-Headshot-1100x734.jpg 1100w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure><div class=\"wp-block-media-text__content\">\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Dr. Neal Long, 2023 Shooting Stars Voice Classical Category Judge<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Dr. Neal Long<\/strong> enjoys a diverse career as a singer, pianist, and arts administrator. Neal has performed leading tenor roles in opera and especially finds joy in championing contemporary vocal works. In his role as Director of Learning at Lyric Opera of Kansas City, Neal oversees the company\u2019s programs of education and community engagement\u2013 all crafted with the goal of promoting societal artistic literacy in Kansas City. A recent highlight of his work includes the development of Opera Unlocked, a sequential and comprehensive in-school education initiative serving area schools.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-css-opacity is-style-wide\"\/>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-media-text alignwide is-stacked-on-mobile\" style=\"grid-template-columns:25% auto\"><figure class=\"wp-block-media-text__media\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"956\" src=\"https:\/\/artsjoco.org\/acjc\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/Demery_Headshot-1024x956.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-24427 size-full\" srcset=\"https:\/\/artsjoco.org\/acjc\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/Demery_Headshot-1024x956.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/artsjoco.org\/acjc\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/Demery_Headshot-300x280.jpg 300w, https:\/\/artsjoco.org\/acjc\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/Demery_Headshot-768x717.jpg 768w, https:\/\/artsjoco.org\/acjc\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/Demery_Headshot-1536x1433.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure><div class=\"wp-block-media-text__content\">\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Kevin Demery, 2023 Shooting Stars 3D Visual Arts Category Judge<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Kevin Demery<\/strong>&nbsp;is an interdisciplinary artist from the San Francisco Bay Area. He holds a BFA from California College of the Arts and an MFA from the School of the Art Institute of Chicago. Demery received the Municipal Art League Grant from SAIC and participated in the Artist in Residence programs at Kala Art Institute in Berkeley, CA, The Bemis Center for Contemporary Arts in Omaha, NE, and Acre Residency in Steuben, WI, among others. He has exhibited work both nationally and internationally at the University of Chicago\u2019s Arts Incubator, H&amp;R Block Space at the Kansas City Art Institute, and the Art Berlin fair in Berlin, Germany. He most recently had a solo exhibition at SakhileandMe gallery in Frankfurt, Germany in 2022. He is currently a Visiting Assistant professor and AICAD fellow at the Kansas City Art Institute and an Artist in Residence at the Charlotte Street Foundation in Kansas City, Missouri.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:100px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-media-text alignwide is-stacked-on-mobile\" style=\"grid-template-columns:25% auto\"><figure class=\"wp-block-media-text__media\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"877\" height=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/artsjoco.org\/acjc\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/sam-picBW-877x1024.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-24428 size-full\" srcset=\"https:\/\/artsjoco.org\/acjc\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/sam-picBW-877x1024.jpg 877w, https:\/\/artsjoco.org\/acjc\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/sam-picBW-257x300.jpg 257w, https:\/\/artsjoco.org\/acjc\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/sam-picBW-768x897.jpg 768w, https:\/\/artsjoco.org\/acjc\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/sam-picBW-1316x1536.jpg 1316w, https:\/\/artsjoco.org\/acjc\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/sam-picBW-1754x2048.jpg 1754w, https:\/\/artsjoco.org\/acjc\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/sam-picBW-700x817.jpg 700w, https:\/\/artsjoco.org\/acjc\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/sam-picBW-1100x1284.jpg 1100w, https:\/\/artsjoco.org\/acjc\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/sam-picBW.jpg 1802w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 877px) 100vw, 877px\" \/><\/figure><div class=\"wp-block-media-text__content\">\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Sam Davis, 2023 Shooting Stars 3D Visual Arts Category Judge<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Samuel Davis<\/strong> is a ceramic and mixed media artist from Knoxville, Tennessee. He earned his BFA in Visual Arts from the University of Tennessee in 2006 and his MFA in Visual Arts from Clemson University in 2009. In 2008 he completed an Artist\u2019s Residency at Tainan National University of the Applied Arts in Tainan, Taiwan. He also studied abroad in Japan, learning from and working with various artists and craftsmen in Kyoto and Mashiko. He currently teaches as an Adjunct Professor at Johnson County Community College.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-css-opacity is-style-wide\"\/>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-media-text alignwide is-stacked-on-mobile\" style=\"grid-template-columns:25% auto\"><figure class=\"wp-block-media-text__media\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"722\" height=\"722\" src=\"https:\/\/artsjoco.org\/acjc\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/headshot-.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-24433 size-full\" srcset=\"https:\/\/artsjoco.org\/acjc\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/headshot-.jpg 722w, https:\/\/artsjoco.org\/acjc\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/headshot--300x300.jpg 300w, https:\/\/artsjoco.org\/acjc\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/headshot--150x150.jpg 150w, https:\/\/artsjoco.org\/acjc\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/headshot--550x550.jpg 550w, https:\/\/artsjoco.org\/acjc\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/headshot--500x500.jpg 500w, https:\/\/artsjoco.org\/acjc\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/headshot--700x700.jpg 700w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 722px) 100vw, 722px\" \/><\/figure><div class=\"wp-block-media-text__content\">\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Em Swenson, 2023 Shooting Stars Production &amp; Design Category Judge<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Em Swenson <\/strong>has been working in Kansas City theatre as a professional designer for over a decade. She has designed props, lighting, scenic, and projection designs. She recently received her Master\u2019s in Public Administration with an emphasis in Non-profit Management from UMKC. Em works as the Director of Development at Unicorn Theatre, where she continues to design cutting edge theatre.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:100px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-media-text alignwide is-stacked-on-mobile\" style=\"grid-template-columns:25% auto\"><figure class=\"wp-block-media-text__media\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"502\" height=\"653\" src=\"https:\/\/artsjoco.org\/acjc\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/GARYmosby_crop-1170x658-2.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-24444 size-full\" srcset=\"https:\/\/artsjoco.org\/acjc\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/GARYmosby_crop-1170x658-2.jpg 502w, https:\/\/artsjoco.org\/acjc\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/GARYmosby_crop-1170x658-2-231x300.jpg 231w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 502px) 100vw, 502px\" \/><\/figure><div class=\"wp-block-media-text__content\">\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Gary Mosby, 2023 Shooting Stars Production &amp; Design Category Judge<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Gary Mosby<\/strong> has been making his living in technical theatre for 32 years now. Gary is primarily a scenic designer and technical director\/ builder. He has worked for most of the theaters&#8217; in Kansas City, MO. including American Heartland Theatre, Coterie Theatre, The Unicorn Theatre; where he currently serves as resident designer. Gary was the owner of a professional scenic studio, Design Production Services for ten years serving primarily live theatre and some industrials and display work, including the space and water areas of Kaleidoscope at Hallmark. Gary Is part of the Full-Time faculty at Kansas City Kansas Community college where he heads the theatre technology area, designs scenery and lighting for all of the department productions. He also serves as the technical director for the department of theatre and the Performing Arts Center itself.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Throughout his career Gary has either taught or had some association with students of the arts and finds that association to give real value to his career. Collaborating with other artists on a project to create a truly unique theatrical experience is his favorite part of his work. Gary holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts from Tarkio College and a Master of Fine Arts from University of Missouri, Kansas City, both in Theatre Design and Technology.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-css-opacity is-style-wide\"\/>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-media-text alignwide is-stacked-on-mobile\" style=\"grid-template-columns:25% auto\"><figure class=\"wp-block-media-text__media\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"377\" height=\"461\" src=\"https:\/\/artsjoco.org\/acjc\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/JoseFaus_003.595411b4d87d4-1024x683-1.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-24446 size-full\" srcset=\"https:\/\/artsjoco.org\/acjc\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/JoseFaus_003.595411b4d87d4-1024x683-1.png 377w, https:\/\/artsjoco.org\/acjc\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/JoseFaus_003.595411b4d87d4-1024x683-1-245x300.png 245w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 377px) 100vw, 377px\" \/><\/figure><div class=\"wp-block-media-text__content\">\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Jose Faus, 2023 Shooting Stars Literature Category Judge<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Jose Faus<\/strong> is a visual artist, performer, writer, independent teacher\/mentor with an interest in the role of artists as creative catalysts for community building.&nbsp;He is a founder of the Latino Writers Collective and sits on the boards of The Latino Writers Collective, The Full Frame Initiative, UMKC Alumni Assn, and Charlotte Street Foundation. His chapbook&nbsp;<em>This Town Like That<\/em>&nbsp;was released by Spartan Press. His book of poetry&nbsp;<em>The Life and Times of Jose Calderon<\/em>&nbsp;was published by West 39 Press. He maintains caridostudio in downtown Kansas&nbsp;City, KS.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:100px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-media-text alignwide is-stacked-on-mobile\" style=\"grid-template-columns:25% auto\"><figure class=\"wp-block-media-text__media\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"681\" height=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/artsjoco.org\/acjc\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/20160922_StevePaul_1123-681x1024.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-24425 size-full\" srcset=\"https:\/\/artsjoco.org\/acjc\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/20160922_StevePaul_1123-681x1024.jpg 681w, https:\/\/artsjoco.org\/acjc\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/20160922_StevePaul_1123-200x300.jpg 200w, https:\/\/artsjoco.org\/acjc\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/20160922_StevePaul_1123-768x1154.jpg 768w, https:\/\/artsjoco.org\/acjc\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/20160922_StevePaul_1123-1022x1536.jpg 1022w, https:\/\/artsjoco.org\/acjc\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/20160922_StevePaul_1123-1363x2048.jpg 1363w, https:\/\/artsjoco.org\/acjc\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/20160922_StevePaul_1123-700x1052.jpg 700w, https:\/\/artsjoco.org\/acjc\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/20160922_StevePaul_1123-1100x1653.jpg 1100w, https:\/\/artsjoco.org\/acjc\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/20160922_StevePaul_1123-scaled.jpg 1703w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 681px) 100vw, 681px\" \/><\/figure><div class=\"wp-block-media-text__content\">\n<div style=\"height:100px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Steve Paul, 2023 Shooting Stars Literature Category Judge<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p>After retiring from a long career in daily journalism, <strong>Steve Paul <\/strong>has turned his writing practice toward literary biography. His recents books include&nbsp;<em>Hemingway at Eighteen<\/em>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<em>Literary Alchemist: The Writing Life of Evan S. Connell<\/em>. The latter is the first biography of this overlooked and intriguing Kansas City-born writer and won the Society of Midland Authors&#8217; Brommel Award for best biography in 2022. He is currently at work on a biography of the Kansas-born poet William Stafford (1914-1993). He writes regular cultural columns for KC Studio magazine and serves on the board of the Biographers International Org. <\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>Photo credit: Julie Denesha<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Ebonee Thomas, 2023 Shooting Stars Winds &amp; Percussion Category Judge Ebonee Thomas is currently the Second Flute and Piccolo of The Dallas Opera. She has previously served as Principal Flute of the Knoxville Symphony, Principal Flute of the Florida Grand Opera, and Second Flute of the Houston Symphony. Ebonee spends her summers as a flutist with the Central City Opera in Colorado. She has also been guest principal with the Seattle Symphony, Fort Worth Symphony, San Antonio Symphony, and Santa Fe Opera. She received her Bachelor of Music degree from Southern Methodist University, her Master of Music degree from the&#8230;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[16,144,130],"tags":[143,188,187],"class_list":["post-23798","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-art","category-arts-in-education","category-shooting-stars","tag-arts-education","tag-blog","tag-judges"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v27.4 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>2023 Shooting Stars Judges - The Arts Council of Johnson County<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Ebonee Thomas, 2023 Shooting Stars Winds &amp; Percussion Category Judge Ebonee Thomas is currently the Second Flute and Piccolo of The Dallas Opera. She\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/artsjoco.org\/acjc\/2022-shooting-stars-judges\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"2023 Shooting Stars Judges - The Arts Council of Johnson County\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"Ebonee Thomas, 2023 Shooting Stars Winds &amp; Percussion Category Judge Ebonee Thomas is currently the Second Flute and Piccolo of The Dallas Opera. 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