Recipients of The ASCAP Foundation 2004 Jerry Herman Legacy Scholarship

The purpose of the Jerry Herman Legacy Series is to bring our American musical theatre heritage to students across the country. Jerry Herman, who wrote Hello, Dolly! and Mame, generously funds the program, which has two components. The first component includes a concert performance, a seminar on the craft of writing/working in musical theatre and master classes in musical theatre performance. These take place at least three times a year in three different cities. The second component enables students in cities across the country to see touring productions of musical theatre classics by providing students with theatre tickets. Following the performance, the students participate in a discussion focusing on the creative aspects of the production and in particular on the composer/lyricist contribution to the work.

Ruthie Baker
Ruthie Baker is a recent graduate from University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point. While at college, she received two scholarships for Excellence in Theatre and in Musical Theatre. This mezzo/soprano has acted in Assassins, Evita, Once Upon a Mattress, and Pride and Prejudice. While at University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point, she had roles in Working, Children of Eden, Guys and Dolls, Into the Woods, and I Stand Before You Naked. She also has been a dancer and a character in MN Renaissance Festival's Maypole Dances. She has been in three productions at ValleyFair Amusement Park including in Pop Goes The Music; Live! as singer/dancer and team leader. She has been studying dance (tap, ballet, and jazz) for 18 years and has played flute for 8 years. Baker is a complete artist, who is excited and eager to go into professional theatre.

Edward Gelhaus
Edward Gelhaus will be graduating in 2005 from St. Mary's University of Minnesota. He dreams of using his education to perform at the Broadway level and is very motivated in reaching his goals. This singer/dancer has already performed in High School musicals including Music Man, Kiss Me Kate, and Story theatre. In St. Mary's University of Minnesota productions, he performed in The Importance of Being Earnest Baby, Zoo Story and Cabaret Under the Sea as well as being one of the principal characters in Laramie Project. He also recorded selections with David Haas on With You By My Side: Volume 1 & 2 in 2001. Edward has earned first place honors in State Solo/Ensemble Competition for Vocal Performance for the past six years.

Kira Lace
Kira Lace is a recent graduate from St Olaf College in Northfield. Graduating with a BA in theatre and Music, Kira will stay in the Twin Cities in Minnesota to begin her acting career. At Anoka Highschool, she was fortunate to have leading roles in The Secret Garden, Cinderella, The Sound of Music, and Annie Get Your Gun. At St Olaf College, she acted in Sweeney Todd, The Adventures of Herculina, The Laramie Project, and played the baker's wife in Into the Woods, Sarah Jane Moore in Assassins, as well as Titania in A Midsummer Night's Dream. She has studied directing with Gary Gisselman, acting with Dona Werner-Freeman, and voice with Janis Hardy.