Showcasing Artistically Gifted & Talented
​Youth from Across the State!

For more than 15 years, RISING STARS has been recognized and embraced in South Carolina for highlighting Artistically Gifted and Talented students across the state. Originally created by arts educator and administrator Larry Barnfield, RISING STARS assembles a cast of students from a variety of classical arts disciplines for a showcase of talent. Students not only have an opportunity to share their artistic talents with a real audience, but are also invited to chat with the host to share their thoughts in creating the art they just shared on stage. A series of two programs, each program will feature 6-7 young artists and/or ensembles in a conversation and performance format.

This year's performances are with the Piccolo Spoleto Festival and will be at our favorite venue, St. Matthew's Lutheran Church, just off of Marion Square in downtown Charleston!

Support Gifted & Talented Students through the Rising Stars program!

Purchase Tickets in advance or at the door. All tickets are $10 (+$1.50 fee) and all proceeds go towards the Rising Stars program!

Join us for these Performances!

May 27, Performances in Charleston, 11am & 3pm​
Many thanks to our 2024 Donors and Partners!!

Larry Barnfield, Creator & Host
Fox Music House
City of Charleston Office of Cultural Affairs
St. Matthew's Lutheran Church
Francis E. Anderson
William O Boggan
Richard & Carolyn Trammell
​Diane G. Hoffman

2023 Rising Stars Piccolo Spoleto Performers

Monday, May 29, 2023                11:00 AM
Featuring the talents of....

Henry Sun (Piano)
Breyawna Seabrook (Fashion Design)
Greyson Aldredge (Saxophone)
Caroline Rush (Dance)
Mary Swaim (Cello)
Michelangelo Funfrock (Piano)

Monday, May 29, 2023                    3:00 PM
Featuring the talents of....

Lauren Marberry (Violin)
Sage Wren (Vocal)
Delaney Parker (Dance)
Andrew Ning (Piano)
Ari Floyd (Classical Guitar)
Kendall Montgomery (Percussion)
Steven Humphries (Violin)

Saturday, June 3, 2023                     1:00 PM
Featuring the talents of...

Lauren Ji (Violin)
Alexandria Picciano (Visual Art)
Luciano Chen (Classical Guitar)
Savannah Bordine (Visual Art)
Alexia Liu (Piano)
The Thalia Quartet (Strings)
        Margie Moore.               Christian Curron
        Lydia Plante.                  Adam Kremer

Saturday, June 3, 2023                     4:00 PM
Featuring the talents of...

Benjamin Stickley (Piano)
Sanjana Gangaraju (Violin)
Alexia Liu (Creative Writing)
Molly Millwood (Dance)
The Fighting Gnomes (Improv Theatre)
        Alecia Jenkins.                   Gavin Lahmon       
        Morgan Schatmeyer         Teagan Allen
        RJ Jenkins                          Ramir Kelly
        Law Foxb                             Reilly Dukes
        Jesse Price                         Sully Eppes

Saturday, June 10, 2023                11:00 AM
Featuring the talents of...

Myles Thompson (Visual Art)
Faith Bulford (Dance)
Amara Listar (Visual Art)
Evey Carpenter (Flute)
Sophie Melchor (Violin)

​

Saturday, June 10, 2023                3:00 PM
Featuring the talents of...

Dorrell Howard (Visual Art)
Silas Moody-Laird (Dance)
Karis King (Visual Art)
Ashwin Ashok (Guitar)
Grace Peters (Visual Art)
Rachel Thompson (Piano)

Special Thanks to our incredible partners and donors in helping make this year's Rising Stars a success!

St. Matthew's Lutheran Church
Fox Music House
City of Charleston Office of Cultural Affairs
Larry Barnfield, Creator & Host
Francis E. Anderson
Carolyn and Dick Trammel
John Burkel