The University of Trinidad and Tobago's (UTT) Academy for the Performing Arts (APA) Community is pleased to announce that the 2025 Medal of Excellence has been awarded to Mr Denis Frederick.

Mr Frederick has recently completed the Bachelor of Fine Arts in Digital Media Arts programme with a specialisation in Music Technology.

The Medal of Excellence is awarded on an annual basis to an APA student who best exemplifies the ideals of creativity, collaboration, and a commitment to excellence in all areas of endeavor. Additionally, it is conferred upon the student who shows the greatest potential for success in their chosen creative field.

The award consists of a Medal designed by renowned designer, Gillian Bishop, a Certificate of Achievement, and a Letter of Commendation from the Academy for the Performing Arts. The award will be formally presented to the Mr Frederick at the 2025 Medal of Excellence Award Showcase, to be held at the Academy for the Performing Arts, Theatre One on September 27, 2025.

The nominating period ran from early 2025, where each faculty member of the Academy was invited to nominate one student in their final year of study with a Cumulative Grade Point Average at 3.00 or above. Nominees compiled a dossier consisting of a statement of purpose, testimonials and recommendations, and examples of work. The dossiers were reviewed by an external panel of industry professionals and additionally interviewed by the panel. At the end of the process, the panel selected Mr Frederick as the Award recipient for 2025.

Mr Frederick is an exceptional student who is very committed to his educational journey, and continually delivers a high standard of work. Despite having a wealth of previous professional experience, Mr Frederick was consistently open to learning new approaches, as well as provided support and guidance to his junior peers with lesser experience.

For these reasons he is highly deserving of the award of the APA Medal of Excellence, 2025.

The Academy also wishes to extend congratulations to the other nominees: Anneilia Daniel, Anisa Halliday, Amber D'Ornellas, Jezreel Marshall, Sydnie Maharaj and Nkosi Waldron for their achievement.