2 WHS students named among nation's most accomplished young artists

Graeham Guerin

Two Westlake High School seniors earned recognition from the National YoungArts Foundation as being among the nation’s most accomplished young artists.

WHS senior Graeham Guerin was named the finalist in Jazz/Double Bass, while senior Tim Picard was recognized for Jazz Guitar at the Merit Level.

The two are among 686 of the nation’s most accomplished young artists in the visual, literary and performing arts. Selected from thousands of applications and representing artists residing in 40 states and six countries, all 2020 YoungArts winners gain access to financial, creative and professional development opportunities throughout their careers.

Graeham has played double bass for four years and is planning to major in Jazz Studies/Double Bass in college. He hopes to have a career as a professional musician. Graeham is a College Credit Plus (CCP) student at Cuyahoga Community College (Tri-C), where he takes courses in math, English, sociology and music. He also participates in several Jazz ensembles at Tri-C.

Tim has played guitar since fifth grade, participating in the Lee Burneson Middle School Jazz Band. He, too, is a CCP student at Tri-C, where he takes music courses and participates in several ensembles. He is planning to major in Jazz Studies in college and similarly hopes to work as a professional musician. Tim’s older brother, Rob, also was a YoungArts Merit winner his senior year in Jazz Percussion. Rob is a junior at Jackie McLean Institute of Jazz at the University of Hartford.

Selected through a blind adjudication process, the winners represent the top 10% of applications. Graeham will be among the finalists attending National YoungArts Week in Miami in January. During this intensive, weeklong program, finalists will participate in master classes and workshops with internationally recognized leaders in their fields, and will showcase their work to the public at the New World Center and the YoungArts campus.

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Volume 11, Issue 24, Posted 10:09 AM, 12.17.2019