Many young artists grow up with big dreams but face even bigger odds. For Shannen “Shine” Pacis, a Filipina born and raised in Singapore, the odds were steep—yet she rose above 2,500 applicants worldwide to earn the prestigious Kenan Excellence Scholarship at the University of North Carolina School of the Arts (UNCSA). On May 29, 2025, her name was announced among just five scholars selected this year—making her the only Asian and one of the few international students awarded the school’s top undergraduate scholarship.
The Kenan Excellence Scholarship (KES), UNCSA’s most distinguished merit-based program, covers full tuition, fees, and room and board for all four years of undergraduate study. Only five incoming students across the university’s arts schools are chosen annually, and each must demonstrate exceptional talent, academic achievement, leadership, and a commitment to the arts. Shine, who will be joining the School of Music as a voice major, embodies all of that—and more.
From karaoke sessions to the opera stage
Shine’s musical journey started humbly—singing along to karaoke machines and YouTube backing tracks at home. But what began as a pastime soon evolved into a serious passion. She has since trained under renowned voice coach Tina Lee for the past seven years, and her dedication has taken her from living room performances to the international stage.
She is a graduate of Perpetual Hope International Academy in Singapore, a Christian K-12 international school known for its values-based education and strong arts program. There, she not only maintained a perfect 4.0 GPA and earned honors all four years, but also became a dynamic presence in her community. Shine’s high school years were marked by artistic exploration, academic rigor, and community engagement—an experience she credits as being instrumental to her growth both as a student and as an artist.
Beyond solo performances, she has also found joy in collaboration—especially when singing with her younger sister. Together, they’ve won numerous awards at student conventions across the region. Shine’s love for ensemble singing reflects her belief that music is a shared experience, a way to build bridges and foster connection.
Amplifying unheard voices through music and film
Despite her growing success in classical music and opera—earning roles in scenes from Carmen and Suor Angelica during her summer scholarship at the Brevard Music Center in 2024—Shine never lost sight of her larger mission: to make the arts more accessible and inclusive. Whether busking on Singapore’s street corners or teaching kids how to play piano and ukulele, she sees art as a means of reaching people where they are.
This sense of purpose also led her to establish a multimedia club at her school, a space that gave a platform to third-culture kids like herself. As a scriptwriter, director, and mentor, she used film to spotlight the diverse voices within her community—voices that are often overlooked.
