Submitted by The Washington Center for the Performing Arts
The Washington Center for the Performing Arts is thrilled to announce two winners of the Anacker Scholarship for the Arts for 2025! According to Education and Community Engagement Director, Jennifer Hermann, “This scholarship signifies not only recognition of these students many accomplishments but also our belief in their potential to make a meaningful impact through their dedication to the arts.”
Gabriel Kendall has been an active saxophonist for Tumwater High School. He won the Chinook Music Educators Association Regional Solo & Ensemble contest for soprano-alto saxophone. He has volunteered with a local Elementary School and Middle School as an assistant band director, coach and mentor to young music students. He will be studying Music Education in the fall and hopes to return to the Olympia area to teach music as a band director. Gabriel says, “Performing has allowed me to express myself in a way that’s otherwise impossible. It’s given me self-confidence, a strong purpose, and has helped me develop my closest friendships.”
Michael Miller has been active in the Timberline High School choir. He will be studying Vocal Performance and Piano Performance in the fall. Throughout his life, Michael has been involved in a variety of musical communities, including band, choir, jazz band, and musicals. Michael says “Choir helped define who I am when it comes to music, friends, and even work ethic. It helped me become part of something, something I belong to.”
The Washington Center is thrilled to award Gabriel and Michael 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.
The Washington Center for the Performing Arts is a not-for-profit performance venue with a mission to inspire audiences and artists of all ages through live performances, enriching the vibrancy of our community.
For more information please contact:
Jennifer Hermann, Education and Community Engagement Director
education@washingtoncenter.org
Box Office Information:
- Normal Box Office hours are Tuesday through Saturday 12:00 pm – 5:30 pm.
To purchase tickets, visit the Washington Center for the Performing Arts website.
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.
Read more Thurston County local news here.
Read more the Washington Center for the Performing Arts news here.
