Hoboken High School Students Shine at Hudson County Teen Arts Festival
Hoboken, NJ, — (Monday. May 18, 2026) — The Music, Theatre, and Dance Departments at Hoboken High School proudly showcased their extraordinary talent and creativity at the Hudson County Teen Arts Festival, held April 21–24 at New Jersey City University.
The annual festival serves as one of Hudson County’s premier celebrations of student achievement in the performing arts. Bringing together high schools from throughout the county, the event highlights excellence in music, theatre, dance, vocal performance, instrumental performance, and interdisciplinary arts while providing students with opportunities to collaborate, perform, and receive professional feedback from accomplished artists and educators.
Throughout the four-day festival, Hoboken High School students distinguished themselves through exceptional performances, artistic dedication, and professionalism. Students participated in a workshop-style adjudication process that encouraged artistic growth, collaboration, and reflection while allowing them to engage with peers from across Hudson County.
Adjudicators Marc Dalio, Dr. Robert W. Prowse, Nathan Eklund, Myron Leshowitz, Patrick Burns, Allan Bezama, and Jessica Totaro — all professors at NJCU — provided meaningful critiques and mentorship that challenged students to continue refining their craft and exploring new artistic possibilities.
“Our students represented Hoboken High School with tremendous pride, creativity, and professionalism,” said Ms. Miller. “The Teen Arts Festival is not only about awards and recognition — it is about artistic growth, collaboration, and giving students authentic opportunities to perform and learn alongside talented peers from throughout the county. We are incredibly proud of everything our students accomplished.”
Hoboken High School students earned recognition in nearly every performance category, highlighting the depth and diversity of the school’s thriving arts programs.
Top Honors
The festival’s highest distinction, Top Honors, was awarded to Jonathan Offer for Small Group Piano. Jonathan’s exceptional musicianship and artistry earned him recognition as one of the festival’s premier student performers.
Jonathan Offer will also be formally recognized during the Hudson County Teen Arts Awards Ceremony on April 28 at Kearny High School.
First Alternate for Top Honors (Gold)
Several Hoboken High School performances were selected as First Alternate for Top Honors, an extraordinary accomplishment recognizing performances that ranked among the very best at the festival.
Recognized groups included:
- Small Group Drama — Pria Wolsky & Rebecca Wu
- Large Group Drama
- Large Group Vocal Ensemble
- Small Group Instrumental
These recognitions reflected the exceptional collaboration, creativity, and performance quality demonstrated by Hoboken students across theatre, vocal music, and instrumental performance.
Gold Awards
Students also earned multiple Gold ratings, including:
- Small Group Dance performances by Kaelah Dealwis and Avery Martinez
- Small Group Musical Theatre performance by Stefan Jovanovski
- Large Group Instrumental performance featuring more than 30 student musicians
These performances demonstrated remarkable technical skill, stage presence, and artistic expression.
Silver & Bronze Awards
Additional student performances earned Silver and Bronze recognition across dance, musical theatre, drama, instrumental music, vocal ensembles, and open category performances.
The wide range of award-winning performances highlighted the strength of Hoboken High School’s performing arts curriculum and the dedication of students who continue to pursue artistic excellence both inside and outside the classroom.
A Celebration of Student Creativity
The Hudson County Teen Arts Festival is designed not only as a competition, but as a celebration of student voice, collaboration, and creative expression. Students had opportunities to observe performances from schools throughout the county, participate in artistic discussions, and receive personalized feedback from professional adjudicators.
For many students, the experience provided valuable preparation for future studies and careers in the arts while reinforcing the importance of teamwork, discipline, confidence, and creative risk-taking.
In total, 76 Hoboken High School students participated in this year’s festival, representing the school with distinction and pride.
Recognition of Dedicated Educators
Ms. Miller also extended sincere appreciation to Hoboken High School’s dedicated arts educators whose leadership, mentorship, and commitment continue to inspire students to pursue excellence in the performing arts:
- Robert See
- Rebecca Polynice
- Fran Azzarto
- Stephanie Safko
- Derek Kinnear
- David Stasiak
- Kelley Larkin
- Christina Cruz
“The success of our students is a direct reflection of the passion and dedication of our educators,” Ms. Miller said. “Their commitment to cultivating creativity, confidence, and artistic growth has created an environment where students can truly thrive.”
The entire Hoboken Public School District community congratulates all participating students and staff members on their outstanding achievements and continued commitment to artistic excellence.
About the Hudson County Teen Arts Festival
The Hudson County Teen Arts Festival is an annual celebration of student achievement in the visual and performing arts, bringing together talented high school students from across Hudson County to showcase their creativity, skill, and artistic growth. Hosted at New Jersey City University, the festival provides students with opportunities to perform, present their work, and engage in meaningful artistic dialogue with professional artists, educators, and peers.
The festival emphasizes both recognition and education through a workshop-style adjudication process in which students receive constructive feedback from experienced professionals in the arts. Categories include music, theatre, dance, vocal and instrumental performance, visual arts, creative writing, and interdisciplinary arts.