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The Dreyfoos School of the Arts Foundation hosted its “Defying Gravity” celebration on March 30 at the Kravis Center, bringing together supporters, alumni, and community leaders for an inspiring evening honoring longtime board member and dedicated advocate George Elmore. His decades of leadership, generosity, and belief in arts education have been instrumental in shaping Dreyfoos into the nationally recognized institution it is today, creating lasting opportunities for generations of students.
The evening also marked a significant milestone for the Foundation with the appointment of Andrew Vahab, a 2001 Communications alumnus, as the first alumni Board Chair. His leadership reflects the enduring impact of the school’s mission and the legacy established by Elmore and other early champions.
A highlight of the celebration was a special performance by Broadway star and Dreyfoos alumna Talia Suskauer, whose return served as a powerful full-circle moment. Her performance, along with a meaningful duet with a current student and a masterclass for Theatre majors, beautifully captured the connection between past and present generations of Dreyfoos artists.
Overall, “Defying Gravity” was both a tribute to visionary leadership and a celebration of community, reinforcing the Foundation’s commitment to investing in the next generation of artists and supporting programs that continue to inspire and uplift Dreyfoos students.
| | Dreyfoos School of the Arts Foundation Chairman Andrew Vahab & Principal Blake Bennett | | Defying Gravity Honorary Chair
Marti LaTour & Defying Gravity Honoree George Elmore | | Alumna and Guest Performer
Talia Suskauer & Michelle Suskauer | | Top photo: Dreyfoos School of the Arts Student, Jenna Bennett performs with Talia Suskauer at Defying Gravity. All photos by CAPEHART. | |
Alumni Spotlight
Alex Calle: Designing Experiences Across the Globe
Spotlight written by Music major John Luca Barefoot
| From the halls of Dreyfoos to leading international design projects, Theatre alumnus Alex Calle has built an impressive career in visual storytelling. As the founder of a thriving design firm, Calle works on immersive experiences for clients such as Princess Cruises and Crayola, with projects spanning the globe. Reflecting on his journey, he credits Dreyfoos with giving him a strong foundation in storytelling and encourages students to embrace challenges as opportunities to learn and grow. Read more about his inspiring path from theater student to creative entrepreneur.
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2026 Alumni Spotlight:
Alena MacDonald
Spotlight written by Visual Arts major Amalia Barefoot
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Recent Dreyfoos graduate Alena MacDonald is combining her love of art and science as she prepares to study environmental engineering at Michigan State University’s Honors College. She credits her visual arts education with helping her think creatively and solve problems from new perspectives, skills she applied in STEM competitions, an internship focused on renewable energy, and award-winning artwork selected for exhibition at the Norton Museum of Art. Through leadership roles and community service, Alena has demonstrated how creativity, innovation, and giving back can go hand in hand.
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Dreyfoos School of the Arts Foundation Names Ellen Liman Fine Arts Wing
The Dreyfoos School of the Arts Foundation recently celebrated the naming of the Ellen Liman Fine Arts Wing in recognition of Ellen Liman's generous support and dedication to arts education. A longtime Foundation board member and advocate for the school, Ms. Liman's contribution will help enhance opportunities and resources for Dreyfoos students for years to come. The naming serves as a lasting tribute to her commitment to fostering creativity and supporting the next generation of young artists.
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Congratulations, Dreyfoos Class of 2026!
The Dreyfoos School of the Arts Class of 2026 has achieved an outstanding 100% graduation rate, a testament to their hard work, dedication, and artistic excellence. As they take their next steps, these talented graduates will go on to attend some of the nation's most prestigious institutions, including Harvard, Yale, Stanford, MIT, NYU, Juilliard, Columbia, Duke, UCLA, the University of Florida, Florida State University, the University of Miami, Cooper Union, SCAD, RISD, Ringling, Pratt Institute, and many others.
We are incredibly proud of all they have accomplished and look forward to seeing the impact they will make as artists, scholars, innovators, and leaders. Congratulations, Class of 2026! Your Dreyfoos family is cheering you on every step of the way.
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Pathfinders 2026
We’re proud to announce that several outstanding Dreyfoos students earned top honors at the 2026 Pathfinder Scholarship Awards:
- Mathew Harper – 1st Place, Music/Instrumental
- Scarlett Huang – 2nd Place, Mathematics
- Cecily Mendelson – 2nd Place, Academic Excellence
- Mara Popa - 2nd Place, Art
- Sienna Sossi – 2nd Place, Communications
- Ashwin Kishor – 4th Place, Forensics/Speech
Their dedication and excellence are an inspiration to our entire community.
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DSOA Dean of Dance Heather Lescaille Honored with 2026 Randolph A. Frank Prize
Dreyfoos School of the Arts proudly congratulates Heather Lescaille, Dean of Dance and Palm Beach School of the Arts alumna, Class of 1995, on being named the recipient of the 2026 Randolph A. Frank Prize for the Performing Arts in the category of Performing Arts Educator.
Presented by the Palm Beach Symphony, the Randolph A. Frank Prize honors individuals whose artistic contributions have made a lasting impact on the cultural landscape of Palm Beach County. Heather was recognized for her many years of dedication to arts education and her unwavering commitment to nurturing the next generation of artists.
As both an accomplished educator and distinguished alumna, Heather continues to inspire students through her leadership, passion, and dedication to excellence in dance education. This prestigious honor is a testament to the profound influence she has had on the arts community throughout Palm Beach County.
Congratulations, Heather, on this well-deserved recognition!
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SOAFI Scholarships
The Dreyfoos School of the Arts Foundation proudly awarded more than $790,000 in scholarships to over 190 students during its annual Scholarship Ceremony. The awards support a variety of opportunities, including college education, summer arts intensives, and specialized training programs that help students further develop their artistic talents.
Made possible through the generosity of donors, alumni, and community partners, these scholarships provide life-changing opportunities for DSOA students as they pursue their educational and artistic goals. SOAFI is honored to help invest in the next generation of creative leaders and artists, ensuring students have the resources they need to thrive both in and beyond the classroom.
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Two Dreyfoos Students Selected as Japan Student Ambassadors
Pearce Boylan (10th Grade, Communications) and James Smith (9th Grade, Digital Arts & Photography) have been selected to represent Delray Beach as official Student Ambassadors in the Sister Cities of Delray Beach Japan Exchange Program - two of just seven students chosen from across Palm Beach County.
Their selection arrives in a year that carries exceptional meaning. 2027 marks the 50th Anniversary of Delray Beach’s sister city relationship with Miyazu, Japan - a bond made tangible for generations of South Florida families through The Morikami Museum and Japanese Gardens. Pearce and James will carry that legacy forward.
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| | | Dreyfoos Seniors Honored with Prestigious Palm Beach Symphony Awards | |
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We are incredibly proud to celebrate three exceptional Dreyfoos seniors who have been honored with the Palm Beach Symphony’s 2026 Lisa Bruna B-Major Award.
Congratulations to Michael Li, violin, who earned First Place; Josefina Ezcurra, piano, who received Second Place; and Elias Cohen, violin, who was awarded Third Place.
As part of this prestigious recognition, each student received a professional-level instrument to support their college auditions and future musical careers, a truly life-changing opportunity.
These talented young artists have distinguished themselves not only through their musical and academic excellence, but also through their dedication to serving the community. Their passion, discipline, and artistry represent the very best of the Dreyfoos School of the Arts community.
We look forward to seeing all they accomplish in the years ahead.
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| Dreyfoos Jazz Earns 3rd Place in the World at Essentially Ellington | |
The Dreyfoos School of the Arts Jazz Ensemble earned 3rd Place at the 31st Annual Essentially Ellington High School Jazz Band Competition & Festival at Jazz at Lincoln Center in New York City, placing Dreyfoos among the top high school jazz programs in the world.
Selected from 119 schools worldwide, Dreyfoos students performed on one of the most prestigious stages in jazz and received additional honors for Outstanding Rhythm Section and Outstanding Brass Section. Individual student awards were also presented to Daniel Goodwin (Outstanding Tenor Saxophone), Nate Ratchford (Outstanding Trombone), Mathew Harper (Outstanding Trumpet), and Sage Duke (Outstanding Vocals).
This achievement comes during a meaningful full-circle moment for DSOA Jazz Director Christopher De León, who was recently featured in People magazine for a story highlighting mentorship and legacy after reuniting at Essentially Ellington with a former student, now a fellow band director.
Together, these recognitions reflect the extraordinary talent, dedication, and lasting impact of the Dreyfoos jazz community.
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Dreyfoos Jazz Wins Fourth Consecutive DOWNBEAT Award
Fresh off their unforgettable Essentially Ellington experience, Dreyfoos School of the Arts Jazz Ensemble 1 has once again earned national recognition from DOWNBEAT Magazine. For the FOURTH consecutive year, the ensemble received a Student Music Award, this year earning the distinction of WINNER in the Performing Arts High School Large Jazz Ensemble category. This marks the Jazz Program’s ninth recognition from DOWNBEAT Magazine.
Since 1934, DOWNBEAT Magazine has been a leading global publication dedicated to jazz music and education, with its prestigious Student Music Awards recognizing outstanding student musicians and ensembles from around the world since 1977.
We are incredibly proud of our talented students and grateful to our families, supporters, and community whose continued encouragement makes achievements like this possible.
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| DSOA Journalism Makes History | |
Congratulations to The Marquee yearbook staff for once again being inducted into Walsworth’s prestigious Gallery of Excellence. Their award-winning yearbook will be showcased at Walsworth’s corporate office and shared with yearbook programs across the country as a model of exceptional student journalism and design.
The Marquee staff also earned national recognition in the Columbia Scholastic Press Association Gold Circle Awards, a nationwide competition recognizing excellence in high school journalism. Alexander W. Dreyfoos School of the Arts students honored in the competition included Ava Fiala, who earned First Place in Yearbook Cover Design; Bailey Arnone, who received a Certificate of Merit in Yearbook Personality Profile for “Kicking Cancer”; Betsy Linkhorst, who received a Certificate of Merit in Yearbook Feature Photo for “Red White Blue”; and Sara Lipnitzky, who received a Certificate of Merit in Yearbook Feature Presentation for “Time is Tik-ing.”
We are incredibly proud of these talented Dreyfoos students for representing the school with creativity, professionalism, and excellence on a national stage.
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The Muse staff and the DSOA Today crew also earned statewide recognition in the Florida Scholastic Press Association Spring 2026 Digital Contests. Students received All-Florida honors across multiple categories including review writing, commentary, campus and off-campus news reporting, photography, design, feature packages, and multimedia storytelling. Recognized students included Vi Erisha, Cole Hoffman, Natalie Vidal, Jaya Ramanujan, Lila Goldin, Liliana Kirby, London Franklin, Kiara Benoit, Gavin Murray, Keegan McLendon, Valentina Saenz-Daza, Ethan Malka, Amber Ray, Monica Chirolde, Kaitlyn Maldonado, and Zander Pickman.
Congratulations also to The Muse co-editor-in-chief Sienna Rose Sossi, who earned Third Place in the Todd C. Smith Student Journalist of the Year competition for the state of Florida, the highest honor recognizing student journalists statewide.
| | | | DSOA Communications took 1st Place at STN! | |
We’re #1 in the Nation!
Dreyfoos School of the Arts Foundation was thrilled to have the DSOA Today crew represent our school in Tampa at the Student Television Network’s National Conference. For the second year in a row, DSOA Today won first place in the nation in the “Daily Prerecorded Show” category.
We are incredibly proud of our talented students and faculty for this outstanding national achievement and for continuing to showcase the excellence of Dreyfoos School of the Arts on a national stage.
Watch the award-winning show here
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| DSOA Theatre Brings Home Cappies Honors | Bravo to the DSOA Theatre Department on an outstanding showing at the South Florida Cappies Gala! Recognized for their creativity, collaboration, and unforgettable production work, DSOA students brought home awards for Featured Actor in a Play (Dior Knight), Props in a Play (Niko Gerrard, Charlie Faldetta, and Adela Jacenko), Special Effects in a Play (Phoenix Bevan and Zyan Robinson), Costumes in a Play (Mykell Brown, Josephine Kohring, and Kylie Motta), Supporting Actor in a Play (Connor Hollander), and Ensemble in a Play for the Students of Hogwarts. This year’s honors were especially meaningful as the award for Special Effects marked a first-time Cappies win for DSOA collaborators in the Digital Arts and Photography departments. Congratulations to all involved for bringing a little Dreyfoos magic to the stage and creating a production that audiences and peers alike will remember for years to come! | | |
Dreyfoos Students and Alumni Earn Top Honors at the Dream Awards
Dreyfoos students and alumni shined brightly at this year’s Dream Awards at the Kravis Center, earning recognition across multiple categories for their exceptional talent and dedication to the performing arts. Congratulations to alumna Elizabeth Kronhaus, recipient of the Alumni Spotlight Award, and RJ Moore, who received the Generosity of Spirit Award. Student honorees included Kevontay Oliver and Sofia Giannetti, recognized as Outstanding Male and Female Dancers; Sophia Caputo, recipient of the Broadway Artists Intensive Scholarship; and Max Leighton and Kayla Brown, named Outstanding Lead Actor and Outstanding Lead Actress Alternates. We are incredibly proud of these Jaguars for representing Dreyfoos with excellence and sharing their artistry on one of South Florida’s premier stages.
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