Young Performers Program

The 2025-2026 Arts4All Florida Young Performers Program is now OPEN! Please use the links below to nominate your favorite young performer!

Music

Dance

Theater

Arts4All Florida is thrilled to announce the winners of the 2025 Annual Young Performers Competition, a prestigious program dedicated to recognizing and nurturing talented artists with disabilities, aged 14-24. This initiative aims to empower young performers by providing opportunities to showcase their skills and pursue successful careers in the arts. Through a rigorous adjudication process led by esteemed professors of music and theatre, winners were selected from a diverse pool of applicants across three categories: Vocal, Music, and Theatre. These exceptional individuals exemplify dedication, creativity, and resilience, and Arts4All Florida is proud to support their artistic journeys with professional development opportunities.

Meet the 2025 winners and learn about their inspiring stories:

Vocal Category

Carson Monticello, Age 24

Carson’s love for music ignited at a young age, fueled by Broadway musicals, classic rock, and timeless standards. Through years of private vocal training and performance workshops, he has honed his voice and stage presence, performing with authenticity and passion. A former member of the Arts4All Florida Young Performers Ensemble, Carson credits the experience with teaching him discipline and collaboration. He aspires to expand his musical style, collaborate with others, and share his talent on larger platforms, dreaming of a career that uplifts and connects with diverse audiences.

Peyton Kazee, Age 24

Peyton’s musical journey began before they could speak, humming in tune and singing Johnny Cash by age 6. From mainstream musical theater camps to rocking out with School of Rock bands covering The Beatles and Metallica, Peyton’s passion lies in classic rock. After a pandemic hiatus, they resumed performing with vocal coaches, recording songs, and singing at open mic nights hosted by the local autism society. Currently working with a coach in Lakeland, Peyton is eager to write the next chapter of their singing career.

Gage Torbett, Age 17

Born and raised in Jacksonville, Florida, Gage discovered his calling at age 6 when he spontaneously sang Nat King Cole’s “The Christmas Song” at a church event. With autism shaping his social experiences, music became his bridge to connect with others. A seasoned performer, Gage has won talent shows at North Florida School of Special Education for four consecutive years and performed at events like Holiday on the Farm and the Rotary Club of Deerwood, where he raised $1,000 for his school. He also shines in musical theater, playing roles like Troy in High School Musical Jr. and the Scarecrow in The Wizard of Oz. Gage dreams of a professional career that inspires others to chase their dreams.

Music Category

Kaleb Williams, Age 14

Kaleb began playing piano at age 4 and started formal lessons at 7, practicing nearly every day since. For him, music is more than a hobby—it’s what makes him feel alive. He has performed at his church’s Christmas concerts, school talent shows (placing second last year), and Boca Music Lesson Piano Shows, consistently delighting audiences. Accepted into a high school piano program, Kaleb is determined to pursue a career in music, bringing joy to others through his passion and skill.

Theatre Category

Sophie Somaru, Age 15

Sophie’s flair for performance emerged in second grade when she turned the national anthem into a daily show. Hooked since her first rehearsal, she has appeared in 21 plays and musicals, including standout roles like the Genie in Aladdin and Maui in Moana. A student at St. Augustine High School’s SJCCA program and Apex Theatre Studio, Sophie is currently mastering stage combat as Farrah in She Kills Monsters. Theatre brings her joy, confidence, and community, and she hopes to perform forever.

Aidan Garrett, Age 16

With six years of acting training, four years of voice lessons, and extensive dance experience, Aidan is a versatile performer. A member of Thespian Troupe 11452, where they serve as Vice President, Aidan has tackled roles like Nancy Nostradamus in Something Rotten and Christopher Boone in The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Nighttime. Their goal is to pursue a BFA in musical theatre or acting, and they see this award as a chance to represent their community with pride.

Tessa Garrett, Age 16

Tessa has spent nine years in musicals and plays, supported by private lessons in acting, voice, and dance. As co-social media officer for Thespian Troupe 11452, she has shone in roles like Hermia in A Midsummer Night’s Dream and Bea in Something Rotten JR. Tessa plans to earn a four-year degree in musical theatre or acting, and she views this award as an honor to represent Arts4All Florida and her peers.

Hailey Buxton, Age 24

Raised in Pinellas County, Hailey began theatre training in high school and joined Theatre eXceptional in 2016, performing in productions like The Wizard of Oz and Monty Python’s Spamalot. Now studying at St. Petersburg College with plans to transfer to the University of South Florida for a theatre degree, Hailey advocates for performers with disabilities. Grateful for Arts4All Florida’s support, she aims to amplify their voices on professional stages in her final eligible year.

Arts4All Florida is pleased to announce the winners of our Annual 2024 Arts4All Florida Young Performers Competition.

This contest seeks to identify talented artists with a disability, aged 14-24, to encourage and support the likelihood of a successful career in the arts. Through a strict adjudication process facilitated by professors of music and theatre, students in each category were selected from a pool of applicants. This outstanding program provides opportunities to serious performing arts students to showcase their abilities and take advantage of professional development opportunities when they become available.

This year’s winners in the vocal category are 22-year-old Carson Monticello from Nassau County and 18-year-old Joseph Hill from Calhoun County. The instrumental category includes 16-year-old Edward N.  (piano) from Lake County, 17-year-old Maximillian Angus (percussionist ) from St. Johns County, and 20-year-old Milosz Gasior (piano) from Pinellas County.  Theatre category winners are 17-year-old Addison Rogers from Seminole County and 23-year-old Hailey Buxton from Pinellas County.

More about the winners:

Joseph Kade Hill 

Joseph is an 18-year-old senior at Altha Public School.  He is a dual-enrolled honor student who is primarily self-taught with guitar, bass guitar, and music composition.  He first picked up the guitar when he was in the 5th grade when his uncle taught him a few chords.  During the COVID shut down he had a lot of free time on his hands, and he was able to focus on honing his craft with the guitar.  It was then he discovered his love of rock music, primarily the Foo Fighters.  In addition to the guitar, Kade is currently learning how to play the drums.  His goal is to continue his education at Chipola College and major in music and eventually transfer to a 4-year university focusing on a music industry degree.  He would like to work in the music industry as either a performer, songwriter, or producer.  He is a winner in the vocal category of Young Performers for his outstanding potential in singing and composing.

Carson Monticello

Carson is a 22-year-old from Nassau County.  She was diagnosed with Autism at the age of six a few years later her parents learned of her talent with singing. Throughout her middle school and high school career, she participated in various chorus and musical theater classes and productions.  During Arts4All Florida 40th Anniversary Celebration, Carson was a featured performer. She is a winner in the vocal category for her impressive voice with power and good range.

Edward N.

Edward is a 16-year-old pianist from Lake County, he is a sophomore in high school and started playing piano around 9 years old.  He finds that the piano is a stress reliever. His future goals include a degree in music and education to be a band teacher and play private and public events.  He is a winner in the instrumental category for his great interpretation of selections.

Maximillian Angus

Maximillian is a 17-year-old percussionist from St. Johns County, his first love for music started in the 3rd grade with his music teacher Mrs. Dowdie who introduced him to reading music.  Since then he has grown his craft and continued music through both middle school and high school.  He’s been involved with chorus, musical theatre and band for the past 7 years.  He hopes to attend college and earn a degree in music composition for visual media.  Maximillian is a winner in the instrumental category for articulation and dynamics.

Milosz Gasior

A trailblazing musician, Milosz graduated (May 2023) as the first piano major with severe to moderate autism from Pinellas County Center for the Arts (PCCA), a distinguished four-year High School program modeled after college arts conservatory programs. The program, with a focus on individualized instruction in various arts disciplines, granted Milosz the opportunity to immerse himself in his passion for music. Post-graduation, Milosz continued honing his piano skills through dedicated lessons, demonstrating an unwavering commitment to musical excellence. His journey extended beyond academic confines, with captivating performances at prestigious events
and venues. Milosz graced galas dedicated to benefiting autism, leaving an indelible mark on audiences at renowned locales like the St. Petersburg Yacht Club, the James Museum of Western Art and Culture, and the Tampa Museum of Art.

In the holiday seasons of December 2022 and 2023, Milosz became a familiar presence at the Tampa International Airport, sharing the magic of his music with travelers and passersby. This range of performances showcases Milosz’s versatility and dedication to bringing the joy of music to diverse audiences.

One of resilience, talent, and a genuine passion for sharing the transformative power of music, his story focused on musical training and experience, and stands as a testament to his suitability for this prestigious award.

A YouTube channel, “Milosz Gasior Defying Autism with Music,” features his playing, inviting listeners to experience his talent. In December 2022, Milosz’s encounter with Broadway producer Mark Schoenfeld led to the publication of a book chronicling Milosz’s life story, titled “I Heard the Light: A Mother’s Story of Her Son’s Journey Through Autism to Self-Expression,” available in various formats on Amazon.  

Addison Rogers

Addison is a 17-year-old autistic actor from Oviedo, FL.  Always enjoying going to shows with her mom she decided to try theatre for herself at the age of 8.  Since then, performing has brought her confidence in herself and helped her learn skills that continue to impact her life every day.  Currently, she is training within a performance company called “The Four Counts” at the Dr. Phillips Center and apprenticing at the Orlando Family Stage. Addison is also taking acting classes for TV and film with The Miracle Project. One of her biggest dreams is to continue educating and advocating for accessibility in all things performing arts. 

Hailey Buxton

Hailey is from Pinellas Park and graduated from Seminole High School in 2018 participating in the school’s theatre program including their annual spring musicals.  She currently attends St. Peterburg College intending to transfer to the University of South Florida for additional theatre training. Hailey is an active member of Theatre Exceptional a community theatre organization for teens and adults with disabilities.  Her most recent role was Patsy in Monty Python’s “Spamalot” which allowed her to explore comedic timing, which was a completely new aspect to her theatre training.