Submitted by the Washington Center for the Performing Arts
The Washington Center for the Performing Arts is thrilled to announce three winners of the Anacker Scholarship for the Arts for 2024! “We were in a fortunate situation to be able to provide three scholarships this year,” says Jill Barnes, Executive Director. “Our Anacker Scholarship committee was thrilled with the applications and inspired to expand the support.” This is the largest group of scholarships in the Anacker Scholarship history.
Cooper Brown has played trumpet for Olympia High School (OHS) and Student Orchestras of Greater Olympia (SOGO). He has won spots on Washington Music Educator Association (WMEA) All-State honor ensembles as well as the National Association for Music Education’s (NAfME) All-Northwest honor ensembles. He was featured in SOGO’s annual Handel’s Messiah sing along. According to OHS Director of Bands, Erik Curley, “Cooper has distinguished himself not only as a quality performer, but as a leader among his peers.” He is planning to double major in music education and music performance.
Natalie Holder plays the guitar, piano, and sings. She has been part of the Olympia High School Chamber Choir as well as a cheerleader. Natalie is planning to become an elementary school music teacher and has been working with a local preschool teaching music. Her cheer coach, Eric Harbour, says ,“she leads others by modeling behaviors of positive work ethic and overcoming challenges.”
Taylor Hopps is planning to major in trumpet performance. He has played trumpet for Olympia High School, Student Orchestras of Greater Olympia and Tacoma Youth Symphony. He has won spots on the WMEA All-State Convert Band, All-State Symphony and the NAfME All-Northwest Concert Band. He was admitted into the orchestra program at Interlocken Center for the Arts. Director of Bands, Erik Curley, says that Taylor is “punctual and prepared for each rehearsal and is enthusiastic about the work of learning.”
The Washington Center is thrilled to award Cooper, Natalie, and Taylor with the Anacker Scholarship to support their future education.
First awarded in 2014, the Washington Center Anacker Scholarship for the Arts recognizes, encourages, and supports a Thurston County Scholar’s study in the field of the arts. The scholarship was endowed by former Washington Center Board President Sally Anacker, who believes the arts exist to enrich our lives. “If the arts exist to enrich our lives… then the Washington Center’s mission must surely be not only to provide the various art forms but to nurture the pursuit of them in our young people,” said Anacker.
Box Office Information
- Box Office hours are Tuesday through Saturday 12 p.m. – 5:30 p.m.
- For ticketing questions or more information about upcoming events please visit the Washington Center for the Performing Arts website or call the Box Office at 360.753.8586.
