Inaugural Conservatory of Performing Awards Presented to Nine Deserving Students

Jupiter, FL (March 6, 2008) - The donors who built the Maltz Jupiter Theatre Conservatory of Performing Arts (COPA) recently recognized the outstanding efforts of nine students in the inaugural COPA Awards ceremony on Monday, March 3 at the Maltz Jupiter Theatre. Curt Fonger, WPEC News 12 anchor served as master of ceremonies for the evening and students from the Conservatory performed throughout the evening.

The first award of the evening was presented by Dr. Bernard and Phyllis Eisenstein for Cultural Heritage. The Cultural Heritage Award went to Ethan Kaslow, a student at the Benjamin School in Palm Beach Gardens.

Ralph and Muriel Saltzman presented the Jodi Ann Saltzman Memorial Award for the Most Spirited to Aidan Renda from Jupiter. Aidan truly exemplifies true passion, spirit and character as he has already under gone open heart surgery at the young age of 9.

Mary Ellen and Dermot Healey presented the Leadership Award to Sam Tanabe, a Kings Academy High School senior, who presented leadership qualities most befitting a student of the theatre.

The O'Hagen Family Award for Outstanding Improvement was presented to two deserving students, Mackenzie McGahee, from West Palm Beach and Timothy Coughlin from Jupiter who attends BAK Middle School of the Arts. Both awards were presented by the theatre's managing director, Murray Green.

Dan DiRenzo, Carol Wright and Myra Hoffstein, on behalf of the Maltz Jupiter Theatre Guild, presented the Guild Outstanding Improvement Award to Alex Murrant-Johnson, a Stuart resident and Stephenne Warembourg, from Palm Beach Gardens.

"Having natural ability to perform is a gift; but what you do with your gift - the energy and determination to improve is what we chose to recognize for the two Guild awards," said DiRenzo, president of the Guild.

Rick and Peggy Katz presented the final awards of the evening to one male and one female student who excelled in all three major art disciplines dance, voice and acting. The two award winners were Spencer Ballantyne of Stuart and Lexi Carter of Jupiter.

"The COPA Awards were conceptualized by a committee of donors and the development office at the theatre as a platform to recognize the outstanding efforts of our students," said Tricia Trimble, Director of Development. "Our mission for the Conservatory Awards is to impart the message that hard work, determination and a positive attitude is so important to succeed in today's world, it really goes beyond natural ability," states Trimble. Faculty of COPA selected this year's winners from the 150 students who are enrolled in classes at the Maltz Jupiter Theatre Conservatory.

For more information on COPA call 561.575.COPA (2672).

The Conservatory of Performing Arts was founded to bring quality education in the performing arts to children, teens and adults of all abilities. Classes are currently offered to children, teens and adults in Acting, Musical Theatre, Introduction to the Performing Arts, Ballet, Jazz, Voice and Dance Technique for the acting student. COPA is located inside the Maltz Jupiter Theatre, a professional nonprofit regional theatre dedicated to the performing arts whose mission is to entertain, educate and inspire our community. The theater is a member of the prestigious League of Resident Theatres and is located at 1001 E. Indiantown Road and State Road A1A in Jupiter. For more information visit http://www.jupitertheatre.org/.