Six Douglas Anderson Students Earn National Recognition as 2026 YoungArts Honorees
Dec. 19, 2025 — Jacksonville, Fla. — Douglas Anderson School of the Arts and the Developing Artists Foundations are proud to announce that six DA students have been selected as 2026 YoungArts honorees: one of the nation’s most respected awards for young artists. This year’s selections highlight DA’s continued tradition of excellence across multiple artistic practices.
YoungArts identifies and supports the most accomplished young artists in the United States though a highly selective, discipline-specific review process. Each year, thousands of students from across the country apply for recognition in 10 artistic categories, including dance, theatre, jazz, classical music, writing, visual arts and more. Honorees are chosen for exceptional technical skill, creativity, and potential for continued artistic growth.
Douglas Anderson’s 2026 YoungArts honorees include:
Eiana Claire Nova — Dance / Hip-Hop, Winner with Distinction
Jayden Giselle Register — Theatre / Spoken, Winner with Distinction
Rory Ames — Jazz / Piano, Winner
Ean Bricknell — Jazz / Trombone, Winner
Spencer Carnochan — Jazz / Sax / Tenor, Winner
Leila Warren — Classical Music / Violin, Winner
Eiana Claire Nova and Jayden Giselle Register are two of only 10 students across Florida identified as YoungArts Winners with Distinction, the program’s highest level of recognition. They will represent DA at National YoungArts Week in Miami in January 2026 to participate in master classes, receive mentorship from leading artists and compete for nomination as U.S. Presidential Scholars in the Arts.
This year’s Jazz honorees from DA — Rory Ames, Ean Bricknell and Spencer Carnochan — represent the only winners in their category from Jacksonville. Additionally, Leila Warren is the only Classical Music honoree from the state of Florida.
These recognitions reflect the talent and dedication of DA’s students, which are further cultivated through specialized training, experiences and enrichment opportunities funded by the Developing Artists Foundation. Each year, the Foundation invests in master classes, equipment, travel and programs that elevate students’ preparation to compete and perform at the highest national levels.
“Each of these students represents the very best of what happens when talent, dedication and opportunity come together,” said Jackie Cornelius, Executive Director of the Developing Artists Foundation. “Their recognition by YoungArts — especially at the Distinction level — is a testament to the world-class artistic training that happens at DA every day. Supporting young artists as they learn, grow and pursue their craft is central to our mission, and we are incredibly proud to see this year’s honorees shine on a national stage.”
“YoungArts is one of the most respected arts programs in the country. We are elated to see six of Duval County’s most proficient and promising students recognized among this year’s winners. Their success speaks volumes about the talent, discipline and passion within our school,” said Timothy Feagins, Principal of DA. “These young people are continuing the DA legacy of excellence, and their success inspires us all.”
To learn more about the Developing Artists Foundation and its work supporting Jacksonville’s next generation of artists, visit developingartistsfoundation.org.
###
About the Developing Artists Foundation:
The DA Foundation, a non-profit corporation created in 1987, is committed to supporting the arts with a priority of supporting Douglas Anderson School of the Art’s (DA) critical art’s needs. As in most specialized arts schools the arts needs go far beyond what an individual parent-support group or the school district is able to fund, specifically in regard to the demanding arts departments’ needs; such as, master arts classes, collaborative partnerships, specialized arts equipment and projects, summer arts scholarships, arts teacher fellowships, arts events, public relations and arts programming. The DA Foundation is committed to providing critical funding necessary to ensure that the school is able to meet its mission of supporting arts in our community and providing DA students “cutting-edge” training and intensive arts study, as well as to ensure that DA’s arts programs meet the standards set by our nation’s top arts conservatories, art institutes and universities.
