Washington Adventist University Hosts Successful 2025 Music Fest

Academy students attend WAU's 2025 MusicFest.

February 20, 2025 ∙ by vmbernard ∙ in UpFront, Washington Adventist University, This Month's Issue

Story by Simonique Dietz

Washington Adventist University (WAU) welcomed 176 academy students to its annual Music Fest, Feb. 12–15. Students from Atholton Adventist Academy, Pine Forge Academy, Shenandoah Valley Academy, Spencerville Adventist Academy, Takoma Academy, several academies from outside the union and several homeschool programs gathered for a musical experience that featured band, choir and orchestra performances.

Led by WAU professors Samantha Clarke, Anwar Ottley and Preston Hawes, the festival provided young musicians with the opportunity to refine their skills through collaboration and mentorship. The National Symphony Orchestra’s performance and residency was a major highlight, as the professional musicians conducted master classes and offered personalized coaching to the students.

The festival culminated in a final Sabbath evening concert, which drew a large crowd of church members, family and friends. In keeping with tradition, the university awarded more than $1 million in merit scholarships, helping to support students’ academic and artistic pursuits.

The 2025 Music Fest was a resounding success, leaving participants inspired and encouraged to foster a strong sense of community through the power of music, say school leaders.

WAU remains committed to providing young musicians with transformative experiences that nurture their talents and encourage lifelong appreciation for the arts.

Scholarship Recipients

Atholton Adventist Academy

Atholton Adventist Academy
Alec O'Ffill, $10,000 per year, $40,000 total
Junyoung Chung, $40,000 total
Larraina Blyden, $16,000
Caitlin Liu, $32,000
Moses Gonzalez, $20,000
Moises Velasquez, $40,000
Abigail Manigat, $8,000
Jaeron Celestial, $14,000
Zoe Yoash Cepeda, $14,000
Sophia Rengifo, $14,000
Raul Velasquez, $20,000

Home School
Maia Scabazz, $8,000
Hannah Moon, $32,000

Pine Forge Academy
Ilishé Iheme, $4,000
Jourdyn Pettigrew, $16,000
Justin Edgar, $32,000
Andres Trellis, $4,000
Maylin Chavers, $40,000
Nasya Romelus, $16,000
Darby Holder, $24,000
Thokozani Kulemeka , $16,000
Kennedy Ricks, $24,000

Shenandoah Valley Academy
Kyle Goodwin, $24,000
Naomi Pakkianathan, $16,000
Michael Herold, $32,000
Andres Munoz, $16,000
Sophia Trigo, $20,000

Spencerville Adventist Academy
Michelle Fernando, $4,000
Erica Hooley, $24,000
Sam Miranda, $24,000
Christopher Hooley, $32,000
Joseph Shin, $32,000
Sunon Jones, $40,000

Shenandoah Valley Academy
Nolynn Dahlberg, $40,000
Sam Girven, $40,000
Abigail Moore, $8,000
Jordan Rivera, $16,000

Takoma Academy
Gabriel McLean, $32,000
Raissa Jae Labrador, $40,000
Kaelan Smith, $24,000
Jaden Smith, $8,000

Read the March/April 2025 Visitor Magazine

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