Bridgewater Student James Lin Named County's 'Aspiring Young Artist'

Bridgewater student James Lin will be one of seven winners of the 2013 Somerset County Excellence in the Arts Awards to be honored at a dinner to be held on Oct. 24.

Lin, a violinist who was invited to participate in the prestigious Boston University Tanglewood Institute Young Artists Orchestra in 2012,was named the county arts program's Aspiring Young Artist Award for his "excellence in, and commitment to, music performance."

The awards program honors individuals and organizations that show exemplary leadership and dedication to the fine and performing arts in Somerset County, according to information from the Somerset County Cultural and Heritage Commission.

Recipients of each year's awards either live or work in Somerset County. The master of ceremony will be Nicholas Paleologos, executive director of the New Jersey State Council on the Arts.

The evening will begin at 6 p.m. with a cocktail reception, followed by dinner on Thursday, Oct. 24, at the Twin Brooks Country Club at 600 Mountain Blvd. in Watchung.

Tickets are $55 per person and the public is invited to attend.The registration deadline is Oct. 16. 

“The awards dinner provides an opportunity for the community to show its appreciation for the many talented artists, art advocates and educators that are dedicated to promoting the arts in Somerset County,” said Freeholder Patricia Walsh, Cultural and Heritage Commission liaison.

This year’s recipients, Walsh said, have shown "exceptional commitment and dedicated service to the arts, have exemplified talent and professionalism and, most importantly, have been an inspiration to the community."

Contact to attend

Anyone wishing to attend can contact Cultural and Heritage Commission Program Coordinator Kaitlin Bundy at 908-231-7000, ext. 7246 or bundy@co.somerset.nj.us.