Looking Out for the Good: Utah Arts Academy students get national recognition
Dec 30, 2024, 11:12 AM | Updated: 11:17 am
SALT LAKE CITY — Last year, KSL featured Utah Arts Academy students in St. George who created a live album together. Now, they’re getting national attention.
Emerson Williams received the National YoungArts award with distinction for Voice/Singer-Songwriter and Roxie Sparling won for Voice/Popular.
This is the first time students from Utah have earned this top honor.
The artists will travel to Miami this week to train with industry professionals.
“Music is embedded in my soul,” said Williams. “I think I wrote my first song when I was in fourth grade.”
Sparling has attended a performing arts school ever since she was in the first grade.
“My passion was fueled by the people around me and I’ve always wanted to be the best and I want to be better.”
The two other winners from Utah Arts Academy were Melanie Petersen for theater/musical and Sadie Barrowes for voice and singer/songwriter.
