Winners from Past Competitions

2025 National Ballet Winners left to right are Jacob Shapiro, Meghan Gutowski, Stella Urbino, Parker Rozzano-Keefe and Jacquelyn Ng

The hallmark of NSAL is its National Awards Competition which is held each year in one of the following categories: dance, drama, music (instrument), and musical theater. Participants in the National Awards Competition compete at the local chapter level for a series of monetary awards. First-place winners of the local chapter competitions are sent to the NSAL National Competition which is held each spring during the Society’s annual meeting. Participants in the National Competition compete for a first place award of $15,000 or more, and a series of other awards that can total another $30,000 or more.

Alumni Testimonials

2025 National Competition in Ballet

First Place - Jacob Shapiro was born and raised in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and has been dancing ballet for 10 years. He has been awarded first place in classical and contemporary at the Youth America Grand Prix, Washington DC Grand Prix, Jewels Festival, and World Ballet Art Competition. He has attended various summer intensives at the Paris Opera Ballet, Joffrey Ballet, Colorado Ballet, and Next Generation Ballet. He is a first-year Indiana University student pursuing a dual degree in Finance at the Kelley School of Business and ballet at the Jacobs School of Music. He would like to thank NSAL for the ability to do what he loves and perform and the entire IUBT and NSAL staff for their hard work in granting students such exceptional opportunities.

Second Place. - Meghan Gutowski has trained in the Vaganova Tschnique for 14 years and in. several contemporary styles for 8 years. She has four years of partnering experience, 7 years en pointe, and 2 years of choreographing experience. Currently trainingg at Alabama Dance Academy since January 2020. She dances 25+ hours a weeks under Pamela Merkle and has attended prestigious summer courses, such as Pacific Northwest Ballet and Royal Winnipeg Ballet on full scholarship. Meghan. is a two-time Legacy Award winner at the Universal Ballet Competition. and has placed in the top 12 at YAGP.

Third Place - Stella Urbino, originally from Jacksonville, FL, began dancing at age 4, and quickly knew she wanted to pursue a professional career in ballet. When she was 9, she joined the Florida Ballet .subsequently joined the full-time conservatory program. Stella participated in levels 2-6 of the ABT National Training Curriculum Exams earning scores with High Honors. At age 17 she moved to Pittsburgh, PA to join Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre’s Graduate Program. She has performed in multiple productions including Terrence S. Orr’s The Nutcracker, Trey McIntyre’s Peter Pan, Balanchine’s Serenade & Houston Thomas’ Steel City Elegy. Stella has enjoyed competing in several competitions such as YAGP, Universal Ballet Competition, and Miami International Ballet Competition. She has attended summer intensive programs at The Royal Ballet, Royal Danish Ballet, Boston Ballet, American Ballet Theatre, Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre, Colorado Ballet, and Orlando Ballet. Stella is grateful for the opportunity to compete at the NSAL National Competition, and she would like to thank the Pittsburgh chapter for this honor.”

Fourth Place - Parker Rozzano-Keefe, NSAL 1st place winner from Arizona, has been dancing ballet since he was five years old and dances with Phoenix Ballet in cooperation with Master Ballet Academy in Scottsdale, Arizona. His many awards include a 2023 USA International Ballet Competition Finalist; 2023 and 2024 ADC/IBC Finals Gold Medal: and a Gold Medal in the Korean International Ballet Competition. His repertoire includes performing in The Nutcracker, Swan Lake, Don Quixote, Flames of Paris, and more. Parker aspires to become a principal dancer in a large company.

Fifth Place - Jacquelyn Ng, 16, trains in ballet and contemporary movement at Hollywood Ballet Academy. Last summer, she attended the prestigious Prix de Lausanne Summer Intensive and Royal Ballet School’s Summer Intensive. She has also trained at programs with the American Ballet Theater, School of American Ballet, Kaatsbaan Ballet, and the Miami City Ballet. She received invitations to YAGP Finals and ADCIBC Finals, and placed first at the Miami Int’l Ballet Competition and Dance Open America Grand Prix, among other honors. She received invitations and scholarships to the Boston Ballet, Houston Ballet, Harid Conservatory, among others.

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2024 National Competition in Musical Theatre

First Place : ALBERT STERNER is an actor from Libertyville, Illinois who recently graduated from Illinois Wesleyan University. He is honored to represent the Illinois Chapter at the NSAL National level. Recent credits include Maine State Music Theatre (9 to 5 [Ensemble]/ Titanic [Barret U/S]); Music Theatre Wichita (Kinky Boots [Angel/Charlie U/S], 42nd Street [Ensemble], Wizard of Oz [Ensemble]). Feel free to visit his website https://AlbertPSterner.com if you want to get to know him more! Shout out to his parents for their incredible support as he starts his professional career.

Second Place : CHRISTIAN CLAUSNITZER is a graduating Senior Musical Theatre major at West Virginia University. He recently won the Ohio River Valley Chapter competition and is so excited to be given the opportunity to perform here at nationals. Christian has performed at various regional theatres across the country and plans on moving to New York City as soon as he graduates to continue his dream of a successful acting career. He wants to thank his friends and family for their constant love and support. You can follow Christian on IG and TikTok @christian.clausnitzer. You can also look him up at his Website: christianclausnitzer.com

Third Place : PARNASSUS FUNK (she/her) is the St. Louis representative, and is thrilled and honored to be competing! She will begin her senior year at the Sargent Conservatory of Theatre Arts at Webster University in the fall, where she is pursuing a BFA in Musical Theatre. Born and raised in Madison, Wisconsin, Parnassus is a loyal Midwesterner and loves all things art. In her free time, she loves reading, being with friends and family, and hunting down the best cup of coffee in the St. Louis area. Special thanks to all the National Chapters for making this happen!!

Fourth Place : ALLISON DORSEY is a current sophomore musical theatre major at Carnegie Mellon University's School of Drama, and is thrilled to be representing the Pittsburgh Chapter of the NSAL Musical
Theatre competition. She has so much gratitude f — Fourth Place : ALLISON DORSEY is a current sophomore musical theatre major at Carnegie Mellon University's School of Drama, and is thrilled to be representing the Pittsburgh Chapter of the NSAL Musical Theatre competition. She has so much gratitude for her friends, family, and professors that got her here, and is so happy to spend the weekend doing what she loves with good people around her.

Fifth Place : JOSÉ ANDRÉS URIBE GARZA, proudly Mexican, is thrilled and proud to represent Arizona at the national convention of NSAL. He is in his 4th and final semester at Mesa Community College as a music theatre major, where he played Lord Evelyn Oakley in Anything Goes, the Minstrel in Something Rotten, and was in the ensemble of The Addams Family. In February José won 1st place in the Music Theater Initiative at the Region 8 Kennedy Center American College Theater Festival. He will compete in the national KCACTF festival in April. He is thankful to his family, friends, and teachers who have helped him follow his dreams, and looks forward to performing on Broadway in the future.

Honorable Mention : RACHEL OPPMAN Representing the Birmingham Chapter in the 2024 Musical Theatre National Competition RACHEL IS a senior at Central Magnet School in Murfreesboro, TN. Rachel’s passion is theatre; she has been performing since age seven (Zuzu Bailey in It’s A Wonderful Life) and just closed her 27th production in which she was Elle Woods in Legally Blonde. Other favorite roles include Little Red in Into the Woods, Little Sally in Urinetown the Musical, and Alyssa Greene in The Prom. Last year, she was a national semi-finalist (top 15) in the National Association of Teachers of Singers vocal competition. She has earned All-State recognition in musical theatre, acting, and technical theatre annually since 2020.

2023 National Competition in Drama

First Place : MALIK JAMES, NEW YORK CHAPTER -- Malik James is a rising fourth-year actor at the David Geffen School of Drama at Yale. He is a Texas native who holds a BFA in Acting with a minor in Mass Communications from Texas State University. Some of his credits include Choir Boy (AJ), The Crucible (John Proctor) and The Harvest (Chuck). He is extremely grateful to his family, friends and loved ones for their unwavering support. He hopes that in the creation of his art he can beget more art and creativity in men of color, like himself.

Second Place : DYLAN CHACE LEE, HAWAII CHAPTER -- Dylan Chace Lee was born and raised in Wai’anae on the island of O’ahu. After graduating from the University of Hawai’i: Mãnoa, Dylan represented the state of Hawai’i at the National Society of Arts and Letters competition in Washington, D.C. (2019). In the fall of 2019, Dylan was cast in Au’a ‘la: Holding On, a full-length theatre performance done entirely in the native Hawaiian language. The production was then given an opportunity to tour New York City, where it completed a sold-out two-show run at the Theatre for the New City. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Dylan found himself working in network television with Magnum P.I. and NCIS: HI as a production assistant. He has taken classes with Sally Jackson with a focus in Stella Adler’s method, classes with Gregg Berger and Charlie Adler with a focus in character acting, and classes with David Sobolov with a focus in Meisner technique. ‘A’ohe pau ka ‘ike i ka hãlau ho’okahi- The knowledge is not finished in the first classroom.

Third Place: ANDREW LEBUHN, PITTSBURGH CHAPTER -- Andy LeBuhn was born and raised in the Bay Area with his two sisters, a bearded dragon, two rats, three hermit crabs, a cat and a couple dogs. Whether he was pulling rabbits out of hats (literally) or crashing his older sister’s tap dancing class, Andy has always been drawn to art and performance. He spent his early years learning and performing around his community at theaters such as Berkeley Rep, A.C.T, and Magic Theatre. After graduating high school, Andy became a preschool teacher, chef, and busboy while also attending College of Marin where he received his Associates Degree in Drama. After two years of community college and 40-hour work weeks, Andy was accepted into the Carnegie Mellon Acting Class of 2023. While at CMU, Andy learned to take risks, have fun, and develop a unique artist identity. He is thrilled and honored to be a part of the NSAL Drama Competition Nationals.

Fourth Place : A’KEYAH WILLIAMS,
FLORIDA CHAPTER -- A 28-year-old native of Boynton Beach, FL, A’Keyah Williams is known for her leading role as Mya in the feature film Me Little Me, directed by Elizabeth Ayiku. Me Little Me received its World Premi — Fourth Place : A’KEYAH WILLIAMS, FLORIDA CHAPTER -- A 28-year-old native of Boynton Beach, FL, A’Keyah Williams is known for her leading role as Mya in the feature film Me Little Me, directed by Elizabeth Ayiku. Me Little Me received its World Premiere at SXSW in 2022, won Best Narrative Feature at Urbanworld Film Festival 2022, and screened at multiple festivals across the US. She received her Bachelor of Arts in Theatre from Fordham University in 2017. While there, A’Keyah worked with directors such as: Geoffrey Owens (The Luck of the Irish), Elena Araoz (Force Continuum), Dawn Saito (Phoebe in Winter), and Seret Scott (Bishop). The NSAL has allowed her to remember a version of herself that felt completely free to dream, to leap, and to achieve! She is devoting her career to creating art and telling stories that uplift communities so they may become their own heroes. A’Keyah’s ultimate career goal: restoring humanity within us all.

Fifth Place : JAYLON MUCHISON, ILLINOIS CHAPTER -- Jaylon Muchison is a rising 4th-year Acting major at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. In Illinois Theatre, he performed in six productions: The Heist as Hawk, narrated in the stage reading of Redline, Sweat as Chris, the stage reading of A Darkling at Nightfall as Abbas Samar, Urinetown as Caldwell B. Cladwell, and The Royale as Jay. With the Illinois Shakespeare Festival he played Lord, Sexton, Messenger in Much Ado About Nothing, Duke of Burgundy and Soldier in King Lear, Tour Guide, Friar, and Don John in Much Ado About Quite A Lot. Jaylon also plays Fish in The American Players Theatre’s The Royale. In a short film, he worked on Subliminal as Male Protagonist. Good theatre moves the soul, and theatre from the soul is what Jaylon strives to create.

Sixth Place: ALYCYA THOMAS, ARKANSAS CHAPTER -- Alycya Thomas, born and raised in Jonesboro, Arkansas, is a graduate of Southern Arkansas University with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Theatre. Alycya is an actress and a professional stage manager. A few of her credits as an actress are Dr.Fine/Dr.Madden in Next to Normal and Squeak in The Color Purple. As a stage manager she has worked in major American Repertory theatres, on- and off-Broadway, as well as local community theatres. Credits include: Disney’s Lion King (Minskoff Theatre), The Waves (New York Stage & Film), Eugene Onegin (Santa Fe Opera), Much Ado about Nothing (Arkansas Shakespeare Theatre). Alycya is thrilled to showcase her talent and is truly thankful for the opportunity!