Young Musicians Contest 2014
The 2014 Young Musicians Contest was held on Sunday, February 23, from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm. We congratulate the winners and thank YMC coordinator Yeami Kim and judges Lisa Arkis, Hee Jung Kim, and Reva Youngstein (ages 8 and under, and 9-11) and Julietta Currenton, Zara Lawler, Jackie Martelle, and Barbara Williams (ages 12-14 and 15-17). The winners played at a concert at the Flute Fair on March 16.
Our 2014 Winners
Age 8 and Under:
Kay Considine, student of Noelle Perrin
Kay Considine is 7 years old and is a second grade student at Smith School in Tenafly, New Jersey. She started her flute lessons when she was 5 years old. Kay loves math, tennis, dancing and playing with her dog, Georgie. She is a student of Noelle Perrin.
Ages 9 to 11:
Sophia Reyes, student of Valerie Holmes, and Claire Kwak, student of Soo-Kyung Park
Sophia Reyes is eleven years old and is currently a fifth grade student at the Special Music School [SMS] - PS 859 in Manhattan. She began studying the flute in kindergarten. Sophia has been fortunate to study under the direction of Valerie Holmes from the first time that she picked up her recorder and her flute. Sophia also participates as member of the SMS Flute Ensemble andenjoys performing at many community events, such as the annual Winter's Eve program at Lincoln Center. The Flute Ensemble also enjoyed an extraordinary opportunity to perform with Sir James Galway this past December 2013 in Tim Janis' "The American Christmas Carol" at Carnegie Hall. In September 2013, Sophia joined the Carnegie Hill Orchestra, a program of the InterSchool Orchestras of New York, and enjoys studying and performing under the direction of Conductor, Steven Rochen. Sophia enjoys reading, arts and crafts and playing on her computer.
Claire Kwak, age 10, is in the 5th grade at the Elisabeth Morrow School in Englewood, New Jersey. Her interest in the flute began after she watched “The Magic Flute” in the Met Opera at the age of five. With her love for the opera, she finally started learning flute two years ago at eight.Though the flute is her most favorite musical instrument, Claire also loves to play piano and guitar. She enjoys writing, video gaming and playing tennis. She is a student of Soo-Kyung Park.
Ages 12 to 14:
Audrey Emata, student of Brad Garner, and Jonah Murphy, student of Frances Brodeur/Laura Gilbert
Audrey Emata, 12, is currently enrolled in the Pre-College Division of the Juilliard School, where she studies with Dr. Bradley Garner. Audrey has won first prizes at the Mid-Atlantic Flute Fair, Philadelphia Flute Society, Pocono Flute Festival, and New York Flute Club competitions. She has performed at the Kennedy Center as a winner of the Asian American Music Society’s International Competition and has soloed with the Lansdowne, Ambler, and Warminster symphony orchestras as a winner of their young artist competitions. In 2013, she was chosen as a winner of the Philadelphia Orchestra’s Albert M. Greenfield Competition, and recently celebrated her debut as a soloist with the orchestra in Verizon Hall. Audrey has received a Yamaha Prize at the Julius Baker Master Classes in Danbury, CT, and has received a scholarship to both the Scottish International Flute Summer School in St. Andrews and the Northern California Flute Camp in Carmel Valley. She has performed in master classes for Carol Wincenc, Ian Clarke, Gary Schocker, Bradley Garner, Tadeu Coelho, Lorna McGhee, and Linda Toote. Audrey attends the seventh grade at Strath Haven Middle School in Wallingford, PA. She loves to cuddle with her pugnacious pug, Lorelei.
Jonah Murphy, 14, attends Mannes Preparatory Division, Honors Program, and is a winner of the Mannes Prep 2013 Concerto Competition. He was also invited to participate in the Honor Orchestra of America 2014 (Indianapolis, IN; with Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra). Jonah is a member of Face the Music and is co-principal flute in the InterSchool Orchestra’s Symphony Orchestra as well as assistant principal in ISO’s Symphonic Band, and was first place runner-up in the ISO Concerto Competition 2014. With ISO, Jonah will be traveling to Scotland this summer and representing the U.S. at the Aberdeen International Youth Festival. Other honors include an Honorable Mention from the New York Flute Club Young Musicians Contest 2013. He studies flute with Frances Brodeur and Laura Gilbert.
Ages 15 to 17:
Yibiao Wang, student of Brad Garner
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Yibiao Wang
Yibiao Wang was born in 1998 in Beijing, China. In 2009, Yibiao performed in the National Flute Association Convention and received appreciation from Sir James Galway. Yibiao has also made appearances on PBS and Nick Jr. in 2010. He received the first place award at the New York Flute Club Young Artist Contest in 2010-11. In 2011, Yibiao competed in the Juilliard Pre-College Open Concerto competition, and received the chance to perform the Ibert Concerto with Adam Glaser and the Pre-College Orchestra at the Peter Jay Sharp Theater in Lincoln Center. In August 2012, Yibiao participated in the National Flute Association High School Soloist Competition, receiving the newly commissioned piece award. Later in 2012, Yibiao received first price, best performance, and Judges’ Distinction award at the American Protégé Flute Competition. In 2013, Yibiao received first prizes in the American Protégé Romantic Music Competition, and in 2014, the American Fine Arts Concerto Competition and the New York Flute Club Young Musicians Contest for a second time in the age 15-17 category.Yibiao is currently studying in Juilliard Pre-College with Dr. Bradley Garner.
Honorable Mention:
Age 8 and under: Sophie Malagraph, student of Zara Lawler
Ages 9-11: Carissa Liu, student of Noelle Perrin, and Faith Shim, student of Soo-Kyung Park
Staff accompanists: Barbara Lee, Johann Peiris
Volunteers: Thank you to our volunteers Charlotte Baik, Lareine Han, Zach Hicks, Min Hee Kim, Mina Kyung and Heesoo Yim.
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