Chloe Maaike Warnas, Harrison Buchanan, and Megan Keller awarded 2024 Dee Pace Theater Scholarship
May 26, 2024
Salt Lake City, UT — In partnership with the Dee Pace Memorial Foundation, the Utah Music Foundation, is thrilled to announce Chloe Maaike Warnas, Harrison Buchanan, and Megan Keller as the recipients of the 2024 Dee Pace Musical Theater scholarship.
Chloe Maaike Warnas
Chloe Maaike Warnas is a senior at Bingham High School, currently serving as the Bingham Theater Company President, and will graduate with a 3.97 GPA and her State of Utah Hair Design license.
Since the age of three, Chloe has been singing and dancing and has performed on stage in over 25 productions, with some of her favorite roles including Dorothy Brock in 42nd Street, Queen of Heart in Miss Margene's Alice in Wonderland, Kala in Tarzan, and the University of Utah's Opera of Sweeney Todd.
Looking ahead, Chloe is beyond excited to attend Weber State University, pursuing a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Musical Theater and Dance. Chloe has been selected to serve as a Weber State Ambassador and can't wait to begin her journey as a Wildcat.
Chloe would like to thank the Dee Pace Musical Theater Foundation with all her heart for giving her this incredible opportunity and honor to carry forward Mr. Pace's unforgettable legacy, love, and passion for the stage.
Harrison Buchanan
Harrison Buchanan is a senior at Bear River High School in Garland, Utah. Harrison has performed in a number of different musical and theatrical performances, including Tuck Everlasting, The Curious Savage, Cinderella, Annie Jr., Murder On The Ganges, The Music Man, You’re A Good Man Charlie Brown, Different: The Musical, Curtains: A Musical Whodunnit, A Monster Calls, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamboat, A Doll’s House, and Oliver!.
Harrison will be attending Southern Utah University and will be studying Theater, with a minor in Shakespeare Studies.
“I’m ecstatic for the opportunity offered to me by the Dee Pace Memorial Foundation and Utah Music Foundation and plan to use their support to further my career in the performance arts!”
Megan Keller is a senior at Box Elder High School where she will graduate with a 4.0 GPA.
Megan has been heavily involved in the choir and theater programs since her freshman year and a member of the BEHS Madrigals for the last two years. She will be moving to Logan and attending classes at Utah State University next fall where she plans to major in choral education.
She would like to be a high school choir teacher and share her passion for music with students.
“I am thrilled to have been offered such an amazing scholarship,” says Ms. Keller. “This award is especially meaningful to me as I have been blessed with the opportunity to work closely with the Pace family in multiple productions. Both Dee and Nedra Pace were involved in many of my early experiences in theater, and their talent and kindness encouraged me to continue auditioning for productions.”
Megan Keller
These $1,000 scholarships are awarded based on the applicant’s involvement in theater, a recorded musical audition, and a brief essay. This short essay invites students to share the impact theater has made on their community and how they will be involved in theater going forward. The application process opens each spring and applicants are invited to apply at www.utahmusicfoundation.org.
To view other scholarship recipients, please visit the Utah Music Foundation website.
For more information, please contact: info@utahmusicfoundation.org
About Dee Pace
Allen “Dee” Pace was born June 5, 1951 and grew up in Spanish Fork, Utah, the son of Allen D. Pace and Arleane Porter and the eldest of six children. A graduate of Southern Utah State College, he went on to teach drama in Richfield, Utah from 1975-1976. In 1978, he and his wife, Nedra, relocated to Tremonton, Utah where he taught drama for 15 years. At that time, Pace became a school administrator—serving as Principal of Honeyville and Bear River Elementary Schools and Vice Principal of Bear River and Box Elder High Schools. He retired in 2008 after 30 years of service in public education only to return to the classroom as drama teacher at Box Elder Junior High School and Student Teacher advisor at Weber State University. As an educator, Pace had a profound impact on his students, many of whom were in touch with him at the end of his life.
Pace met his wife, Nedra, while performing at the Promised Valley Playhouse. He enjoyed performing with his wife and children and was deeply involved with local theaters throughout Northern Utah performing in and directing countless productions. He quickly became a favorite at the Heritage Theater in Perry, Utah where he served on the Board of Directors for several years. He delighted audience members and developed a large following of friends and fans.
In addition to his service as an educator and community member, Pace was admired for his ability to reach out and make others feel important and loved—particularly those most in need of friendship. His family remember him as a friend to everyone and recall having frequent visits from former students and guests at most family nights and holiday celebrations. Pace’s wife, children, and students created the Dee Pace Memorial Foundation to honor his legacy of service.
About Dee Pace Memorial Foundation
The Dee Pace Memorial Foundation is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization founded to perpetuate Dee's legacy in performing arts education and humanitarian service. Visit www.deepacefoundation.org for more information.
About Utah Music Foundation
Founded in 2018, the Utah Music Foundation is a non-profit organization dedicated to helping students in Utah reach their musical and academic potential. Utah Music Foundation offers scholarships to musical high school students to help alleviate the financial burden of their college education. Utah Music Foundation is recognized by the IRS as a public charity with 501(c)(3) tax exempt status. Visit www.UtahMusicFoundation.org for more information.