SELECT ENSEMBLE

PART OF THE HELLER AWARDS FOR YOUNG ARTISTS

SELECT ENSEMBLE

Professional Training | Performance Opportunities | Personal Development

Select Ensemble is an annual program that offers top-level training, performance opportunities, and personal and professional development, free of charge, to a cohort of high school students from seven Central Texas counties. Selected through a rigorous audition process each October, participants represent the best of Central Texas youth talent, serving as ambassadors of the Heller Awards (HAYA) program.

ABOUT SELECT ENSEMBLE

Each year, up to 40 students are chosen for the Select Ensemble, a prestigious program designed to cultivate both artistic talent and essential life skills. Beyond performing, participants engage in a collaborative environment that teaches:

  • Discipline, Respect, and Teamwork: Working with peers and professionals from diverse backgrounds.

  • Confidence and Eloquence: Learning how to use their voices and present themselves with passion.

  • Leadership and Problem-Solving: Gaining experience in time management, fundraising, marketing, and public speaking.

Select Ensemble performers represent a range of race, gender identity, learning ability, socioeconomic status, and skill level, mirroring the diversity of the Central Texas community. Ninety percent of former participants were accepted into college programs, with 70% now studying theatre or musical theatre at universities across the nation.

TRAINING AND DEVELOPMENT

At the heart of the Select Ensemble experience is top-tier musical theatre training. Participants rehearse weekly, receiving guidance from industry professionals in areas such as:

  • Vocal Performance

  • Acting and Character Development

  • Dance and Choreography

  • Ensemble Work

  • Stage Presence

These sessions not only prepare students for the culminating performance at the HAYA ceremony but also equip them with the tools they need to succeed in future theatre endeavors.

PERFORMANCES

Select Ensemble members have had the privilege to perform at prestigious events across Central Texas, including:

  • Opening and Closing Performances for the Texas Medal of the Arts

  • Holiday Performances at Accenture, Pease Park, and Indeed

  • Fundraisers attended by hundreds of guests

  • House Parties and Private Events

These performances provide valuable stage experience and offer the students a platform to shine as representatives of their schools and the Heller Awards program.

BOOK SELECT ENSEMBLE

Looking for live entertainment for your event?

The Select Ensemble is available for bookings at:

  • Fundraisers

  • Corporate Events

  • Private Parties

  • Community Celebrations

With a wide repertoire and high-energy performances, the Select Ensemble is the perfect addition to any event. For booking inquiries, click the button below to fill out an inquiry form.

DONATE TO SELECT ENSEMBLE

The Select Ensemble thrives because of the support from our community sponsors. By sponsoring this program, you are contributing to the growth and development of Central Texas youth, helping provide them with the opportunity to train and perform at the highest level, free of charge.

Sponsorships directly fund:

  • Professional Training

  • Rehearsal Space

  • Performance Costs

  • Costumes and Equipment

  • Scholarships for Higher Education

If you are interested in becoming a sponsor for the Select Ensemble, please donate to ensure we keep the program accessible to all students.