Ted Swaldo, New Wave Nation lead EN-RICH-MENT awards slate
CANTON ? Ted Swaldo, New Wave Nation and Vicki Boatright are among those highlighting the EN-RICH-MENT Fine Arts Academy's 2023 awards.
Recipients were honored recently at EN-RICH-MENT's fourth annual awards gala at the DoubleTree by Hilton hotel in downtown Canton.
Founded in 2012, the Canton-based EN-RICH-MENT provides free music and arts education to students, and also features a drumline, as well as dance, theater, music, art and cooking programs.
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Betty Smith, executive director of EN-RICH-MENT, said the awards are intended to shine a light on those who contribute positively to the Canton area arts community.
Here's a rundown of this year's award winners:
Swaldo receives Special Recognition Award
Swaldo, founder and owner of Gervasi Vineyard, also serves as director emeritus of the board of trustees for Bluecoats, a world-renowned drum and bugle corps.
Swaldo served as volunteer executive director of the Bluecoats from 1984-94.
Swaldo's "vision and enthusiasm served as a catalyst that propelled the Bluecoats organization into national recognition not only as a competitive drum corps, but also as a role model for other youth organizations throughout the country," EN-RICH-MENT said in presenting the award.
Swaldo is also currently heading a $1.75 million fundraising campaign to renovate the former Ziegler Tire building in downtown Canton into a permanent home for EN-RICH-MENT. The project is a collaboration between Bluecoats and the arts academy.
EN-RICH-MENT also presented Dr. Don Bartlette with a Special Recognition Award.
New Wave Nation receives O'Jays Award
Founded by Ken Harding and Jay Secrest, the '80s tribute band marked its 25th anniversary in September with a concert at the Canton Palace Theatre.
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Since forming more than two decades ago, the Stark County-based New Wave Nation has performed locally, regionally and outside Ohio.
Playing songs by Duran Duran, Michael Jackson, Def Leppard, Cyndi Lauper and other '80s music stars, New Wave Nation often performs at Stark County festivals and events.
Harding and Secrest describe the band as more of an '80s experience than a cover band, incorporating modern technology into their concerts, including LED video walls and specialty lighting.
Also in the band are Randy Horn on bass and Moe Thomas on drums.
Vicki Boatright honored as outstanding artist
Vicki Boatright, who creates art under the name of BZTAT, is a longtime Canton-based painter who owns and operates BZTAT Studios, which recently relocated to Market Avenue S in downtown Canton.
BZTAT Studios is now part of Canton Creator Space, 730 Market Ave. SW, which also includes The CUT Cinema.
Neil Weakland, of The CUT Cinema, owns and operates Canton Creator Space, while Boatright serves as site manager.
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Boatright has gained a following both locally and outside the area for her paintings of cats and urban wildlife. She also paints custom portraits of cats and dogs and other pets on commission.
Julie Dewald receives music education award
Dewald was honored with the Ayani Joy Buckmon Music Education Award.
A 1998 graduate of Massillon Washington High School, Dewald has taught in Ohio public schools for 30 years, including the last 17 at Massillon City Schools, where she has served as associate choir director for eight years.
Dewald also has directed or produced several musicals at Washington High. Her choirs have performed in Chicago, New York City and Europe. She's also the music teacher at Franklin Elementary School, where she established a select third-grade choir, The 16th Street Singers.
Katherine Baylock receives Community Advocate Award
Baylock was honored with the Cindy Lazor Community Advocate Award.
The Walsh University graduate and her husband, Edwin A. Baylock, started the Canton-based We Are Troubled On Every Side Outreach Programs (WATOES).
She serves as executive director of the organization, which provides services to families, including mental health support for those who have lost a loved one. Programming is also provided for the elderly, including games and dinner outings. Educational field trips and summer activities are provided for children.
Meghan Bowen, Outstanding Dance Award
For more than 25 years, Bowen has been teaching children dance. Her competitive choreography has won awards, and she coached the 2018 bronze winners for all-male hip-hop at The Dance Worlds competition.
Jonah Hughes, Milini Outstanding Guitar Award
Hughes, 15, attends the Bio-Med Science Academy in Rootstown. The student has taken music classes through EN-RICH-MENT and hopes to attend the Oberlin Conservatory of Music after high school graduation.
Melvin Morgan Jr., EN-RICH-MENT Honoree Award
Known by many as MJ, Morgan is a 2022 GlenOak High School graduate who participated in EN-RICH-MENT from age 10 to 18. Currently a sophomore at Morehouse College, Morgan majors in dance and choreography and serves as a new student orientation leader and production assistant with Spelman's Dance Student Association.
Justin Chase Williams, Elec Simon Percussion Award
The Canton musician is a skilled drummer and DJ, EN-RICH-MENT said in its awards presentation. "Whether it is jazz, rock, polka or funk, Chase effortlessly adapts his drumming style to suit the unique flavor of each musical endeavor," EN-RICH-MENT said.
Other EN-RICH-MENT award recipients were:
Macy Gray Rising Star Award, Ayata Muhammad
EN-RICHMENT Honoree Award, Miracle Walker
Spotlight Award, Ida Ross-Freeman
Leadership Award, Cayden Floyd
Parent Volunteer of the Year Award, Stacey Kelly
Outstanding EN-RICH-MENT Partners Award, Cami Lewis (Beacon Academy) and Dana Reinhard (Canton City Schools)
Volunteer awards, Adam Grimm and Steve Miller
Top Sponsor of the Year Award, Downtown Canton Partnership (Mike Sturdivant)
This article originally appeared on The Repository: EN-RICH-MENT in Canton honors Gervasi's Ted Swaldo, New Wave Nation
