Nazrus “Rus” Halsey Selected as East End Arts Council’s Frances Ligon Memorial Scholarship Winner

(Riverhead, N.Y.) – The East End Arts Council is pleased to name Nazrus “Rus” Halsey of Flanders as the 2009 recipient of the Frances Ligon Memorial Scholarship. The scholarship was inaugurated in 2007 by the East End Arts Council in honor of the memory of Mrs. Frances Ligon, who served on the Board of Directors for the Arts Council from 2005-2007 and was a well-known advocate for the arts and education of youth throughout the East End community, as well as an active gospel vocalist in several local choirs.
 
Scholarship recipient Rus Halsey is a 9th grade student at Riverhead High School who first began playing the upright bass in the 5th grade. He has already achieved a NYSSMA level 5 with a score of “Excellent.” Rus began studying bass at the School of the Arts in July of 2007. His passion for music led him to add electric bass, drums and piano to his music studies. Rus says that coming to the School of the Arts has been an encouragement to him because he has “learned a lot from his wonderful teacher Stan Wright!” Rus also participates in the School of the Arts Chamber Ensemble under the direction of James Lewin, and most recently participated in the School of the Arts RYTHM Program where he worked with a group of music students to write, perform and record an original piece of music under the guidance of EEAC recording engineer, Clifton Torres. In addition to his music, Rus is active in his church youth group where does volunteer community service work and with whom he enjoys playing flag football on Saturdays. For additional information, please contact the School of the Arts at (631) 369-2171, or visit www.eastendarts.org.
 
The EEAC School of the Arts has 500 students each semester studying voice, piano, drums, violin, guitar and other instruments, as well as music composition and recording. Currently, we are able to provide scholarships for 27 deserving students, but many more are on a waiting list. For more information on how to contribute to the Arts Council Music Scholarship fund or to include the Arts Council Scholarship Fund in your estate planning, please contact Cathy Gerardi, Development Director at (631)727-0900 ext. 303 or cgerardi@eastendarts.org.

Photo: Rus Halsey playing bass with EEAC Chamber Ensemble
 
East End Arts Council, established in 1972,  is a 501(c)3 not-for-profit organization recognized by the IRS and the NYS Bureau of Charities.  Proceeds of all events, sales, classes, donations and memberships benefit our mission of bringing the arts to everyone and inspiring our communities through service, advocacy and education.