Pictured L-R: Mary Neiheisel, Chair Jean Breaux Award; Audrey deMahy, AcA Community Engagement Coordinator; Elise Riley; Jonas Johnson; A’Myra Menard; Ashtyn Raxdale; Anna Kojevnikov, AcA Community Engagement Director; Addyson Broussard; Kenneth Granger, Chair Courtney Granger Memorial Award
LAFAYETTE, LA – May 19, 2025 – Acadiana Center for the Arts is excited to announce this year’s recipients of the Jean Breaux Award and Courtney Granger Memorial Award. These programs will provide a total of $5,500 to six student artists in Acadiana.
Both of these Student Artist Awards support the artistic pursuits of Acadiana-based high school and college students at a critical stage in their careers. The Courtney Granger Memorial Award, in honor of the eponymous late musician, focuses specifically on students with a passion for traditional Louisiana music genres.
Courtney Granger’s father Kenneth, who helps chair the award selection in his son’s name, says, “As a young artist Courtney was fortunate to be surrounded by family and friends who were artists in their own right and helped him to reach his dreams…and it’s our responsibility to pass it on.”
The 2025 Courtney Granger Memorial Award recipients are:
- Addyson Broussard, a high school student, will be taking accordion and voice lessons with Kylie Griffin of Poisson Rouge
- Elise Riley, a college student, will be taking fiddle lessons with master-fiddler David Greely
The Jean Breaux Award provides funding to students across all artistic disciplines, and that is reflective of this year’s recipients. Dr. Mary Neiheisel, committee chair of the Award, says “ACA is pleased and honored to provide these awards to dedicated, talented students. We are grateful to Jean Breaux family, friends, Sissy Breaux, John Chappuis and others for this memorial to Jean Breaux. Congratulations to all. ”
The 2025 Jean Breaux Award recipients are:
- A’Myra Menard, a college student, will be training with the Zeitgeist Dance Theatre in Santa Fe, NM, culminating in a performance at the New Century Dance Project Festival in Salt Lake City
- Ashtyn Raxsdale, a college student, will be traveling with the UL Lafayette Chamber Singers to participate in Cantarode, an international youth choir competition in the Netherlands
- Emma Zaunbrecher, a high school student, will be attending Texas Ballet Theatre’s Summer Intensive Program in Fort Worth
- Jonas Day Johnson, a high school student, will be using the funds for private euphonium lessons with Dr. Charles Goodman, Professor of Euphonium & Tuba at LSU, and Dr. Benjamin Yates, Professor of Low Brass at UL Lafayette
Acadiana Center for the Arts Executive Director, Sam Oliver, says “Seeing the growth of these young artists is like watching Acadiana grow. As we reach 50 years here at AcA, it’s exciting to see a glimpse of what the next 50 will be like.”
The public can donate to continue the legacy of the Courtney Granger Memorial and Jean Breaux Awards at acadianacenterforthearts.org or by contacting Corinne Sprague at corinne@acadianacenterforthearts.org
