“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”
OVATION Gala – May 15
Join us for OVATION, an unforgettable evening celebrating the incredible talent and dedication of COPAF performers.
The evening begins from 5:30 – 6:30 PM with a welcoming reception, where guests can enjoy food, drinks, and the opportunity to connect with artists, families, and community members in a relaxed, celebratory setting.
At 6:30 PM, the spotlight shifts to the stage for a dynamic showcase of local excellence. From 6:30 – 7:20 PM, audiences will experience a curated lineup of standout performances in dance, piano, strings, and voice, featuring some of the top talent from this year’s festival.
Following a brief intermission, the evening continues from 7:35 – 8:30 PM with a special guest performance by CANDESCA, bringing a powerful close to the night. Awards and scholarships will also be presented throughout the evening, recognizing outstanding achievement across the festival.
OVATION is a celebration of community, creativity, and the next generation of performing artists. We look forward to sharing this inspiring night with you.
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 ($295)
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.
Support a Rising Star.
Through a $500 named scholarship, you directly support a young artist at a meaningful stage in their development. These scholarships help offset training costs while recognizing dedication, discipline, and artistic growth.
As a COPAF Rising Star Scholarship Partner, you receive:
• A named scholarship in your name or your business
• Recognition as a COPAF Community Partner
• A social media announcement acknowledging your support
• Five complimentary tickets to the COPAF Festival Gala on May 15th, 2026
• The opportunity to present the scholarship on stage, if desired
Standing on stage to present or witness a scholarship award is a powerful moment — one that reminds young performers that their community believes in them.
This is a meaningful and visible way to invest in youth and strengthen the cultural fabric of our region.
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”