What's next?
You, or someone you know, could be a 2026 YAD! Winner!
Apply by 1/16/2026!
Mark your calendar to attend the Young Artists Debut! on April 24, 2026 at The Reser
Visual Artist Chloe Lin, age 12, is named as the first Young Artists Debut! Zorro Award Recipient
May 21, 2025 - We are thrilled to announce that our first $1,000 YAD! Zorro Award recipient is 12-year-old visual artist Chloe Lin! Along with being an incredible visual artist, Chloe went above and beyond to fulfill YAD! program requirements with enthusiasm and dedication. Chloe attended all meetings and events, met every marketing challenge, created new works, collaborated with other artists and staff, and sold more than 30 tickets to the YAD! on May 21st at The Reser. Congratulations, Chloe! Special additional recognition for artistry and fulfilling program requirements, which included selling and filling more than 20 YAD! Tickets—along with $500 honoraria —went to Samuel Lipke (the top ticket seller with more than 35!), Jin Nakajima, and Elaina Stuppler. Congratulations to all artists who receive $100 honoraria for completing the YAD! We appreciate you!
Oh, what a night!
31st Young Artists Debut! at The Reser
Wednesday, May 21, 2025 - The expansion of the Young Artists Debut! has been an outstanding success! With a focus on collaboration, creativity, and the beauty of ALL art forms and artistry, we are proud to share the videos from the exceptional performances. We will be continuing with the expanded program format in 2026. Thank you to our supporters including the Herbert A. Templeton Foundation. Enjoy the breathtaking show!
The talented thirteen Young Artists Debut! Winners who shared their artistry on May 21, 2025 were...
WINNING ENSEMBLE
Taiko, performed “Sora no Tori” (A Bird in the Universe), written by their Takohachi director, Yumi Torimaru. Karen Craig performed on the Shamisen (Japanese string instrument), Jin Nakajima performed on the Shinobue (Japanese bamboo flute), and Calvin Stuczynski performed Taiko (Japanese Drums).
INSPIRING WINNING PERFORMING ARTISTS
Shriya Marla, Dancer; Ciel Kim, Pianist; Sean Kim, Pianist; Samuel Lipke, Pianist; Jacob Peizner, Saxophonist; Elaina Stuppler, Trombonist (the first in our 31-year YAD! history!)
WINNING VISUAL ARTISTS
As a part of the YAD! on May 21, attendees visited the Artists Alley and explored our visual artists incredible creativity up close. From Chloe's remarkable crochet creatures, sculptures, and still life paintings, Evelyn's evocative life-like paintings and sculptures, Miriam's hyper-realistic line drawings, and Hazel's world-building anime-inspired creations, everyone was inspired by these young artists!
Chloe Lin, Evelyn Kirtley Filipo, Hazel Chi Nhem, Miriam Willey
Meet the Artists at Portland Playhouse on May 1, 2025
