Congratulations Haley!

We are thrilled to announce that Haley Petrushun has won the 2026 Hickory Tree Chorus Diane Cecala Memorial Scholarship!   Haley has been performing throughout New Jersey since the age of four. She has vocal training in both classical and musical theater and has studied dance and improvisation with local studios. She also has performed internationally in Europe and with several state and regional choirs throughout her high school career.  Notable performance credits include "Delilah" in Between the Lines, "The Baker's Wife" in Into the Woods, "Abuela Claudia" in In the Heights, "Hermia" in A Midsummer Night's Dream, "Katherina" in The Taming of the Shrew, and "Pamela" in Head Over Heels. Additionally, Haley originated the role of "Much, the Miller's Son" in the premiere production of Marian: the True Tale of Robin Hood while a part of the resident junior company ensemble at Music Mountain Theater in Lambertville, New Jersey.  Recent accolades include nominations for "Outstanding Solo Performance" and an "Honorable Mention - Outstanding Performance in a Female-Identified Supporting Role" for her portrayal of Abuela Claudia in In The Heights at the 2026 Papermill Playhouse Rising Stars Awards and again as a nominee for "Best Leading Actress" at the 2026 Central Jersey Marquee Awards. She also received nominations for "Best Leading Actress" for her performance as The Baker's Wife at the 2025 Bergen PAC High School Musical Awards and again at the 2025 Central Jersey Marquee Awards.
Haley was awarded two "Superior" ratings at the 2026 New Jersey State Thespian Festival: one for "Musical Theater" and another for "Contrasting Monologues." She also was selected as a "Qualified Musical Theatre Soloist" for the 2025 and 2026 NJ State Teen Arts Festivals and has performed in the New Jersey All-State Choir for 2024, 2025, and 2026.
Haley will be attending Northern Michigan University in the fall, joining their BFA Musical Theatre Department.