2025 Celebration Reception
NSAL-DC hosted its annual Spring celebration at the Arts Club of Washington in downtown Washington, DC on June 12, 2025. View program flyer here. Chapter members and guests were welcomed by Sue Hamilton, NSAL-DC Secretary followed by a State of the Chapter report from Ron Ivey, President. He reported that the chapter’s finances are strong and treasurer Daisy Berexa gave a detailed report. Ron reported there are 37 members including three student members. The chapter awarded $9400 in scholarships in the two vocal competitions and three of our four awardees in the Martorella vocal competition placed at the National competition. A total of $22,000 was awarded in the visual arts competitions by both our chapter and National and for the second year in a row, one of our Winston Art finalists won first place at the National competition. This was the last year for the Frank Wright awards with the funds fully dispensed and a new visual arts competition is planned for next year to honor a bequest from Harriet Newbill. Ron is Treasurer of the National Society of Arts and Letters so he briefly reported on their highly successful annual meeting in Pittsburgh during May. See news release for more details.
The visual arts competition winners were highlighted by chair Celia Josephs as their artworks were displayed (now available at this YouTube link). NSAL-DC Winston Art Scholarship finalist, Elizabeth Chen was awarded first place at the National competition. A video presentation was played of Elizabeth discussing and displaying her art.
President Ron Ivey announced the winners of the Winston and Martorella vocal competitions for chair Kate Vetter Cain who could not be present. A selection of video performances were played for first place winner (3rd place at National) Esther Tonea which you can view here and for Ilanna Starr (2nd place at National) which you can view here. Third place Winston vocal competition winner Isabel Marcus, a student at the University of Maryland, College Park, performed three works accompanied by pianist Paul Rossen.
President Ron Ivey introduced 16 year old Sava Brizhik from Poolesville, Maryland, our chapter entry in National’s ballet competition held in Pittsburgh in May. Sava’s contemporary dance performance video was played and Sava talked about the experience of competing and spending time with the other contestants.
A reception followed with Paul Rossen playing piano in the background.
President Ron Ivey presented visual arts chair Celia Josephs with a Certificate of Appreciation acknowledging her hard work as competition chair. She and her judges have identified artists who have subsequently won the top award at the National competition in the past two years, four times since 2017.
Winston Vocal Competition winner Isabel Marcus sang three pieces accompanied by pianist Paul Rossen.
Sava Brizhik spoke about his experience as our ballet contestant at the National competition in Pittsburgh. A video of his contemporary dance performance was played on an adjoining screen.
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