Eight talented, young musicians and vocalists took home a total of $36,000 in scholarships after competing in the annual music contest organized by the Performing Arts Scholarship Foundation, April 27.

A professional panel of judges selected first and second place winners in the Adult Instrumental, Junior Instrumental, Adult Vocal and newly added Junior Vocal categories.

Fourteen finalists competed in the event in Lehmann Hall at Music Academy of the West. Awards ranged from $500-$6,000.

This year marks the first time the foundation presented awards in the Junior Vocal Division.

First prize in that category went to Arturo Cabrera Balaguera, a baritone. Second prize was awarded to Nikki Seppala Kurnik, a soprano.

In the Adult Vocal Division, there was a tie for first prize between soprano Ariana Horner Sutherland, and Xeni Tziouvaras, a mezzo-soprano.

The 2025 Adult Instrumental winner is Cam Audras, a violist and returning competitor, who won second prize in 2024. Pianist Ellen Butler won second place in this year’s Adult Instrumental division.

Pianist Annabelle Zhang took first prize in the Junior Instrumental. Second place was awarded to violinist Seungyoo Kim-Jung.

This year’s judges were Brynn Albanese, Armen Guzelimian, and Robert Koenig.

The Performing Arts Scholarship Foundation is a nonprofit organization whose mission is to support students of the performing arts in the Santa Barbara community.

Scholarship winners are encouraged to use the funds to develop their musical careers, such as by paying for music lessons, music school tuition, summer music programs, or instrument improvement.

For more about PASF, visit pasfsb.org.