Cosmo Lieberman, a junior at Mira Costa High School, has been named a 2022 National YoungArts Foundation Alto finalist for his artistic accomplishments in Jazz, Saxophone. He joins 720 artists from across the country who are honored for their excellence in visual, literary, and performing arts.
Awards are given in three categories including finalist, honorable mention, and merit. Selected through the organization’s prestigious competition, YoungArts award winners, all 15–18 years old or in grades 10–12, are chosen for the caliber of their artistic achievement by esteemed discipline-specific panels of artists through a rigorous blind adjudication process.
Cosmo is part of Mira Costa’s prestigious Grammy-Award winning Jazz Band. He has been playing the saxophone for the past six years and is delighted to be selected for this honor.
“It felt incredible being selected as a YoungArts finalist. It truly is one of the highest honors that a musician my age can receive. I’m especially excited because the other finalists are great friends of mine who are also incredible musicians, and I’m very fortunate I get to experience and learn at National YoungArts Week with them,” said Cosmo Lieberman.
He joins a distinguished group of accomplished artists including Daniel Arsham, Terence Blanchard, Camille A. Brown, Timothée Chalamet, Viola Davis, Amanda Gorman, Judith Hill, Jennifer Koh, Tarell Alvin McCraney, Andrew Rannells, Desmond Richardson, and Hunter Schafer.
YoungArts award winners gain access to one of the most comprehensive programs for artists in the United States, which provides opportunities for financial, creative, and professional development support throughout their entire careers. Cosmo says he already has big dreams about where he hopes to take his passion for music.
“I hope to attend Music Conservatory in New York for college, and continue as a touring jazz musician in my career,” said Lieberman.
YoungArts award winners at the Finalist level, including Cosmo, are invited to participate in National YoungArts Week in January 2023 featuring in person classes, workshops, and mentorship from leading artists in their fields as well as virtual performances and an exhibition for the public.
Finalists are also eligible to be nominated to become U.S. Presidential Scholars in the Arts, one of the highest honors given to high school seniors, bestowed by the President of the United States.
Mira Costa Senior Maddox Chen received an honorable mention in the category of Film, Documentary. For the latest MBUSD news, you can read the Superintendent’s Newsletter.
Hibah Samad is MBUSD Public Information Officer. ER
