“I really appreciated the experience of the competition and I know other young musicians did too! I have participated in the festival for many years and I always learn something valuable from the experience. These scholarship funds will go towards my education at UBC in Vancouver, where I hope to continue engaging in music through choirs and other ensembles”
August 26th, 2026
6:00 – 8:00 PM
Kerry Park
Kelowna, BC
Free entry!
OVATION in the Park
Join the Central Okanagan Performing Arts Festival for OVATION in the Park, a free outdoor concert celebrating the incredible musical talent of our community.
Set against the beautiful backdrop of Kerry Park, this special evening will feature outstanding performances in classical voice, piano, and strings by emerging and established artists from across the Central Okanagan. Whether you’re a longtime lover of classical music or experiencing it for the first time, this concert promises an inspiring evening for audiences of all ages.
Date: Thursday, August 20, 2026
Time: 7:00 PM – 8:00 PM
Location: Kerry Park, Downtown Kelowna
Admission: Free
Bring a lawn chair or blanket, gather your family and friends, and enjoy an evening of beautiful live music by the lake.
Presented by the Central Okanagan Performing Arts Festival in partnership with Meet Me on Bernard and the Downtown Kelowna Association.
2026 Awards and Scholarships
At COPAF, we are proud to recognize and celebrate the outstanding talent, dedication, and artistry of our performers through our Awards and Scholarships program.
In 2026, we presented the following honours:
Adjudicator’s Choice Awards ($300)
Selected by our adjudicators, these awards recognize exceptional performances across all disciplines for their artistry, technique, and overall impact.
- Alice Cheung – Voice – Late 20th Century
- Isla Young – Popular Voice
- Marcy Machinbroda – Open Voice
- Ava Heales – Contemporary Ballet
- Tepi Porcelli-Newlands – Stage – Hip Hop Dance
- Brooke Young – Jazz Dance
- Emily Moore – Jazz Dance
- Julianna Cavaliere, Resse Heit, Sienna Lieuwen, Sofia Briglio, Tavia Backmeyer, Vivien Munegatto, Adrianna Randell, Alexandra Cavaliere, Aubrey Marriott, Aubree Munegatto, Ava Crabtree, Ava Lavigne, Avery Podovennikoff, Brenna Dewing, Charis Park, Emma Thomas, Everyley Russell, Gabby Kinvig, Isabelle Lancaster, Jayda Sampogna, Jillian Crabtree, Ksenia Backmeyer, Micah Sampogna, Mylee Ward, Olivia Briglio – Stage Lyrical – Large Group Dance
- Ava Crabtree, Gabby Kinvig, Jayda Sampogna, Brenna Dewing, Jillian Crabtree, Mylee Ward, Olivia Briglio – Stage Lyrical – Small Group Dance
- Annalise Dionne – Stage Dance
- Gabby Kinvig – Interpretive Contemporary Dance
- Alexandra Cavaliere, Gabby Kinvig – Duo Contemporary Dance
- Mark Radchenko – Baroque/Early Keyboard
- Ben Jeckel – Twentieth and Twenty-Frist Century Contemporary Piano
- Ellie Wingrove – Baroque/Early Keyboard
- Carriage House Junior Orchestra – Junior Chamber Music
- Kieran Kassel – Concerto Strings
Rising Star Scholarships ($500)
These scholarships celebrate performers who demonstrate outstanding promise and potential. Made possible through the generous support of local individuals and businesses, they help support the continued growth of emerging artists.
- Alexandraina Thiessen, Classical Voice – Lori Gordon Rising Star Scholarship
- Benjamin Nunes, Stage Song & Dance – Kiwanis Club of the Central Okanagan Rising Star Scholarship
- Charles Weathermon, Sonata Strings – Paul Dykstra Rising Star Scholarship
We extend our sincere congratulations to all recipients on this well-deserved recognition, and our heartfelt thanks to the sponsors who make these awards possible.
Proudly Sponsored by the Rotary Clubs of the Central Okanagan
We are deeply grateful to the Rotary Clubs of the Central Okanagan for their unwavering support and partnership. Their generosity, community spirit, and commitment to youth and the arts make this festival possible. We truly couldn’t do it without them.
Our Commitment
The Central Okanagan Performing Arts Festival (COPAF) is a board-governed, non-profit charitable organization that produces an annual regional festival open to public membership.
We believe that meaningful collaboration with stakeholders and a focused strategic approach are essential to the festival’s continued growth. This foundation enables us to deliver high-caliber programming and respond to the expanding needs of the performing arts community.
Real Life Impact
“I was very honoured to receive the Shining Star award from Chamber Music Kelowna. Thank you very much for the award, it will help go towards a new violin that I have been saving for. I look forward to next year’s festival”
“I was the successful recipient of your generously awarded Achievement Scholarship for Best Intermediate Musical Theatre. For the past five years I have studied Musical Theatre and Classical Voice. I also love playing the piano and bass guitar. I plan to pursue the performing arts as my future career. I will be using these funds toward furthering my vocal studies. Thank you so much for supporting my musical education”