Avery Kirksey and Roxanne Sparling awarded 2025 Dee Pace Musical Theater Scholarship
June 2, 2025
Salt Lake City, UT — In partnership with the Dee Pace Memorial Foundation, the Utah Music Foundation, is thrilled to announce Avery Kirksey and Roxanne Sparling as the recipients of the 2025 Dee Pace Musical Theater scholarship.
Avery Kirksey
From her first role at age six to performing in more than 20 productions in school and the community, Avery Kirksey has found her voice and passion on the stage. Some of her favorite roles include Ariel in The Little Mermaid, Baker’s Wife in Into the Woods, Cinderella in Cinderella, and most memorably, Hodel in Fiddler on the Roof—an experience that reaffirmed her passion for storytelling and the impact of live performance. This fall, Avery will begin her studies toward a Bachelor of Fine Arts at the University of Utah to become a theater teacher. She dreams of inspiring the next generation of performers the way theater has inspired her. Avery is incredibly grateful for this scholarship and honored to carry on Mr. Pace’s legacy of passion for performance and education.
“I would like to express my gratitude for selecting me to receive the Dee Pace Musical Theater Scholarship. This generous support is not only a tremendous help in continuing my education, but it also holds deep personal meaning for me, especially knowing that the scholarship honors the legacy of a theater teacher, Mr. Dee Pace.”
“As an aspiring theater educator, I feel a strong connection to the namesake of this award. To walk a path once taken by someone who dedicated their life to teaching through the arts is both humbling and inspiring. It reminds me that education and creativity can have a lasting impact, and it motivates me to carry that spirit forward in my own career.”
Roxanne Sparling
Roxanne Sparling is a passionate vocalist and performer known for blending raw emotion with powerful storytelling. As a YoungArts Winner with Distinction in Popular Voice, she has performed on prestigious stages and worked alongside top industry professionals. She is a committed student leader and artist and strives to uplift others through music.
Roxanne is a 2025 graduate of the Utah Arts Academy will be attending the University of Southern California this fall.
“I am deeply honored and grateful to be selected as a recipient of your scholarship. Thank you for supporting my educational and musical journey. Your generosity means so much to me as I continue to grow as a performer and student.”
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.