Artists on the Rise

There are talented people. We all know some. But then there are others. The ones who make it all look so easy, moving gracefully and almost effortlessly. You would never even begin to guess the years of rehearsing, the hours of practicing, the countless moments of sacrifice. You instantly become absorbed in their work. Whether it be a dance, a show, a song, a picture, they abandon themselves and surrender to the gift, going where they could never go on their own. They stand out, catching your eye with their brilliance. Pure life exuding from their very beings. Continuing in our series of the bright young stars of our city, we introduce you to the living masterpieces of Topeka.

Bethany Kennedy
Actress, Singer
4th Grade
9 years old
Pauline South Elementary School

My kind of music: The Used. They are an amazing rock band with great music videos. The guitar is awesome!
My favorite teacher: Lena Andrews, our voice teacher, is the best teacher ever. She is really good with us and makes us work hard, but we still have fun. Like the time we got to clean her floors when she was pregnant. Her vacuum is really awesome! And we always get candy when we are done.
My favorite performance: Annie in Annie Warbucks at Topeka Civic Theatre. I liked meeting new people, and it made me feel special to be Annie.
Someone I look up to: Sara Kennedy, my sister. She is a really good singer and actress, and when she does something wrong, she knows how to fix it. And she is pretty.
My favorite actress: Emily Osment. She can sing AND act. She is in Hannah Montana and in movies, and she is good in all of them. Plus, my brother thinks she is hot!
What I want to be when I grow up: A singer and actress, mostly for television, like on the Disney channel or another TV series.

Sara Kennedy
Actress, Singer, Dancer
11th Grade
16 years old
Washburn Rural High School

My favorite role: Tina Louis, Ruthless at Topeka Civic Theatre and Academy. It was my first lead role, and it was so exciting because I was only 10.
My preshow ritual: I take some chill time and listen to music instead of getting nervous.
We usually jump around backstage to get all of our energy flowing. Then at TCTA we made up this special handshake for right before we go on stage.
My inspiration: Holly Kennedy, my mom. She has always supported everything that I do and been there for me. No matter the cost or time involved, she always makes it work.
She amazes me how she lives her life day-to-day with MS and always seems so strong.
My dream: I want to be an actress on TV. I just want to get out there and act onscreen. I realize it is pretty hard to get into this field, but I was always taught to do what I love to do. I would rather be poor and doing what I love than rich and unhappy.
My college plans: Eventually I would love to go to UCLA or USC and major in theatre.
But, depending on finances, I may start at KU.
My favorite possession: My cell phone. I canʼt live without it! And my lucky bracelet.
Most embarrassing fact: I am probably the biggest clutz in the world. I havenʼt tripped on stage yet. Yet being the operative word!

Lucas Long
Vocalist, Bass Baritone
11th Grade
16 years old
Topeka High School

My favorite class: Madrigals. We are like a family. We know how to connect with each other to create a real ensemble.

My favorite performance: Singing All I Ask of You by Andrew Lloyd Weber with Abbey Squires for SRO (Student Run Organization) talent show at Topeka High.
My favorite type of music to sing: Broadway tunes. They can be a challenge but are fun to sing. And usually have the best melodies.
My highest recognition: Getting a 1 at regionals and a 1 at state with Madrigals.
My college plans: Washburn University, to major in vocal performance.
My inspiration: Marian Long, my grandmother. She has encouraged me to sing since I was little, and she still helps me practice for performances and competitions. She taught me to always be myself and follow my dreams.
My favorite teacher: Mr. Steve Eubank, Topeka High Vocal Director. He knows how to motivate us, and he has a lot of experience.

Josie Price
Dancer, Singer, Actress
12th Grade
17 years old
Seaman High School

Most recent awards: Topeka Performing Arts Center Young Artist of the Year 2008, won both in Musical Theatre category and overall.
When it all began: 15 years ago I began dancing and I havenʼt stopped since!
My favorite performance: Gabriella in High School Musical at Topeka Civic Theatre. I love everybody at TCTA; they always motivate and encourage me. Plus, it was so much fun to be famous to the little kids!
My favorite music: All music I can dance to!
My mentors: Angie Price, my mom, and Amber Bonnell, my aunt. They co-own Center Stage Dance World. I admire how they organize and teach classes.
My passions: Dancing, choreographing, acting, singing.
My college plans: Washburn University, majoring in music and vocal performance. I just made the dance team, Dancing Blues.

Patrick Elisha
Cellist, Pianist
9th Grade
15 years old
Washburn Rural High School

Most recent music awards: Music Teachers National Association Piano Alternate, 2008; Second place overall in Kansas City Symphony Young Artists Competition (Piano); Second place in Piano Division of Topeka
Symphony youth talent audition; Winner in both piano and cello for CMENC.
My favorite music to play: Classical.
My mentors: Drs. Steven and Larissa Elisha, my parents. I think it is great to have parents who are professional, world-class musicians. You get the chance to absorb their experiences and knowledge in your own home every day, and it is incorporated into your lifestyle.
An inspiring teacher: Professor James Rivers, Washburn University. Every time he teaches it is like opening a treasure chest; there is always something new.
My most rewarding experience: Piano Master Class with John Perry of USC Thornton School of Music at the National List Festival at Kansas University.
My current project: Blanche Bryden Sunflower Chamber Music Institute at the White Concert Hall. I was only one of two pianists selected at the high school level.
My dream: To become a performing concert pianist and cellist with my solo debut in Carnegie Hall.

Kelli McGuire
12th Grade
18 years old
Topeka West High School

Most recent award: Winner of the regional Scholastic Art and Writing Guild Gold Key Award. Her portfolio was sent to New York to be judged on the national level.
My mentor: Mr. Jason Berryman, photography teacher at Topeka West.
My favorite type of photography: Developing pictures using a cyanotype process. It involves using special chemicals that are hand-painted on the paper and then dried in sunlight.
My passions: Photography, traveling - any place with good history and really cool architecture - and cooking!
My favorite places to photograph in Topeka: Gage Park and downtown.
My college plans: Kansas State University, major in international relations and minor in photography.
Community involvement: Four H, with digital photography.
TK