UNCSA Awards Full-Ride Scholarships to Three Young Artists

Three talented young artists just earned a golden ticket to pursue their creative dreams without the burden of student debt.

The University of North Carolina School of the Arts announced its 2026-27 Kenan Excellence Scholarship winners, awarding full four-year rides to Konstantin Atev for filmmaking, Elijah D'Elena for acting, and Gabby Farinas for music. Each scholarship covers tuition, required fees, and room and board, valued at over $200,000 per student.

Atev brings a multicultural perspective to his craft, speaking three languages and creating short films, screenplays, and poetry. The Maryland student trained at Bulgaria's Nu Boyana Film Studios and maintained a perfect 4.0 GPA while balancing environmental volunteer work and varsity squash.

D'Elena rose to the top of nearly 700 drama applicants with his captivating stage presence. The Florida student won Best Actor honors twice at district festivals and maintains a 4.5 GPA while ranking in the top 6% of his 400-person class.

Farinas's journey stands out among the three. She immigrated from Havana, Cuba, at age 13 and now performs on clarinet, saxophone, percussion, and piano. The North Carolina student has earned three consecutive spots in the All-State Band and performed at Carnegie Hall, while giving back through community music programs.

Why This Inspires

These scholarships do more than fund education. They remove financial barriers that might otherwise force talented students to abandon their artistic ambitions or graduate with crushing debt.

Executive Vice Chancellor Patrick J. Sims emphasizes that merit-based aid expands access to UNCSA's rigorous conservatory training. When promising artists can focus on developing their craft instead of worrying about costs, the entire arts community benefits from their contributions.

School of Drama recruitment director Quin Gordon calls D'Elena "the epitome of artist-scholar," while filmmaking dean Deborah LaVine describes Atev as someone who "will add immeasurably to the artistic and academic UNCSA community."

The three winners join continuing scholars across multiple programs, creating a community of supported artists who can dedicate themselves fully to their training. Their success stories prove that when talent meets opportunity, amazing things happen.