Today the Cultural Council of Palm Beach County revealed the two winners of the 2017 Randolph A. Frank Prizes for Performing Arts.
Dylan Evans of Delray Beach is winner of the Randolph A. Frank Prize for the Performing Art (Emerging Performing Artist), and Demetrius Klein of West Palm Beach is winner of the Randolph A. Frank Prize for the Performing Arts (Performing Artist).
The awards were conferred at a special Member Appreciation Luncheon to honor members who have supported the Cultural Council of Palm Beach County for ten years or more. The event, which took place at the Cultural Council’s main gallery on Lake Avenue, was hosted by the Board of Directors of the Council and Rena Blades, President and CEO.
About the Winners
Demetrius Klein
Demetrius Klein is a performer, choreographer, and teacher. His 501c3 non-profit arts organization, DKDC/DIY Projects, is committed to the creative process and to producing dance works of uncompromising integrity in traditional and non-traditional settings.
Since forming the Demetrius Klein Dance Company in 1986, Demetrius Klein has made a significant impact on the world of dance; performing, creating and teaching in Palm Beach County. Mr. Klein has presented over eighty works on the stages of major regional venues, nationally and internationally. He and his diverse company members continue to break new ground by actively pursuing and engaging new dance audiences by rehearsing and performing in public places.
Mr. Klein was named 1998-1999 Fellow of the John Simon Guggenheim Foundation. He has received three choreographic fellowships from the state of Florida, the Hector Ubertalli Award for Artistic Excellence from the Palm Beach County for the Arts, and a National Endowment for the Arts Choreographic Fellowship. His work has been commissioned by Ballet Florida, the Wexner Center, Jacobs Pillow, Southeastern Center for the Contemporary Arts, The Florida-Brazil Festival, Danza Del Lobo, Minnesota Dance Alliance and most recently the Downtown Development Authority of West Palm Beach.
Dylan Evans
At just 23, baritone Dylan Evans has dedicated most of his life to the study of music and vocal performance. He sings with the Palm Beach Opera, Masterworks Chorus of the Palm Beaches, Delray Beach Chorale (DBC), and St. Vincent Ferrer Catholic Church, in addition to teaching private lessons to high-schoolers. Dylan recently joined the Board of Directors of DBC as the youngest member ever to serve on the board. It is his first venture into non-profit governance.
Dylan grew up in Delray Beach where he attended Bak Middle School of the Arts and A.W. Dreyfoos School of the Arts. Both schools focus on a choral curriculum, which is his principal passion. At Dreyfoos, he was inspired by former classmate, Nadine Sierra, who went on to sing with Palm Beach Opera and is now, at the age of 29, renowned internationally as one of the most promising emerging talents in the opera world today. Dylan aims to follow in her footsteps.
He received a Bachelor of Music in Vocal Performance from the New England Conservatory of Music. Upon graduation, he returned to Delray Beach and established himself with a number of local music organizations. Through his participation in larger and more established organizations, such as the New York Lyric Opera, he has acquired knowledge that he is eager to share.
About the Randolph A. Frank Prize for the Performing Arts
Inaugurated in 2009 by Founding Chairman Steven Caras, the Randolph A. Frank Prize for the Performing Arts recognizes and rewards individual performing artists and dedicated educators who enrich the quality of the performing arts in Palm Beach County. Categories alternate each year between Performing Artists and Performing Arts Educator. For 2017, the categories are for Performing Artist and Emerging Performing Artist.
All established and emerging individuals who regularly perform or engage in performing arts education in Palm Beach County are eligible for consideration. The recipient of the Performing Artist Award receives $6,000, and the Emerging Performing Artist winner receives $2,000.
The 2017 Randolph A. Frank Prizes for the Performing Arts are generously sponsored by Mr. and Mrs. Ellis J. Parker.
Contact:
Judith Czelusniak
jczelusniak@palmbeachculture.com
(561) 471-1602
