Students Selected for the 2025-26 Vivian Christy Sansoni Award
Scholarship provides tuition assistance to the Shenandoah Conservatory Arts Academy for K-12 students interested in the performing arts
In 2015, the family of Vivian Christy Sansoni created a scholarship to the Shenandoah Conservatory Arts Academy (SCAA) in her memory. Vivian was a youth actress, singer, dancer, and musician, and the arts provided a wonderful outlet for her creativity to thrive.
The award created in her name provides assistance to young performers when financial need prohibits exploration of their talent and creativity. Those selected will receive full or partial tuition assistance for arts instruction at the SCAA through this scholarship. SCAA is a division of Shenandoah Conservatory of Shenandoah University, with classes held in downtown Winchester and on the main campus. The SCAA provides community enrichment opportunities and pre-professional studies in the performing arts for students of all ages and abilities. The faculty of more than 30 professionally trained musicians, dancers, and educators share their expertise with budding performers and the next generation of arts patrons.
The recipients for the 2025-26 school year include students ranging in age from 9-14. These students will participate in classes at SCAA, including choir and private lessons in clarinet and violin, for the remainder of the school year.
To be eligible for these scholarships, students must attend Winchester Public Schools and have a financial constraint that would otherwise not allow them to receive extracurricular arts instruction. The intent of this award is to offer students the chance to experience the sense of belonging, excitement, and learning found in the arts. Vivian found self-expression in the arts, and her family wanted to offer this opportunity so that other children may feel the same.
“Every year, we are seeing the legacy of the Vivian Christy Sansoni Award grow and thrive,” said Vivian’s father, Brian Sansoni. “More deserving young people are now able to realize and enhance their talents and dreams through the creative arts education programming at Shenandoah Conservatory Arts Academy. It is a living, breathing representation of the joy Vivian’s life brought to so many people.”
Each year, the SCAA seeks scholarship recommendations from teachers and community leaders and mentors within the city of Winchester for the next batch of Sansoni recipients. Just as it takes a village to raise a child, it also requires one to nurture the creative spirit of a community’s youngest members.
The scholarships can go to students who have an interest in dance, orchestra, choir, theatre, or instrumental/vocal private music lessons. A complete listing of offerings can be found on the SCAA website, scartsacademy.org.
The next round of applications will open in summer 2026. Information on the application process and how to apply can be found online at scartsacademy.org/community/vivian-christy-sansoni-award.
Anyone wishing to support the mission of the Vivian Sansoni fund may give at advancement.su.edu/vivian-christy-sansoni-scholarship.
