Select Ensemble is an annual program that offers top-level training, performance opportunities, and personal and professional development, free of charge, to a cohort of high school students from seven Central Texas counties. Selected through a rigorous audition process each October, participants represent the best of Central Texas youth talent, serving as ambassadors of the Heller Awards (HAYA) program. Each year, up to 40 students are chosen for the Select Ensemble, a prestigious program designed to cultivate both artistic talent and essential life skills. Beyond performing, participants engage in a collaborative environment that teaches: Discipline, Respect, and Teamwork: Working with peers and professionals from diverse backgrounds. Confidence and Eloquence: Learning how to use their voices and present themselves with passion. Leadership and Problem-Solving: Gaining experience in time management, fundraising, marketing, and public speaking. Select Ensemble performers represent a range of race, gender identity, learning ability, socioeconomic status, and skill level, mirroring the diversity of the Central Texas community. Ninety percent of former participants were accepted into college programs, with 70% now studying theatre or musical theatre at universities across the nation. At the heart of the Select Ensemble experience is top-tier musical theatre training. Participants rehearse weekly, receiving guidance from industry professionals in areas such as: Vocal Performance, Acting and Character Development, Dance and Choreography, Ensemble Work, Stage Presence. These sessions not only prepare students for the culminating performance at the HAYA ceremony but also equip them with the tools they need to succeed in future theatre endeavors.