April 6, 2021
Contact: Lynn Provenzano 915-449-0619 www.epsmf.org
El Paso, Texas–The El Paso Society for Musicians of the Future (EPSMF) announces seven finalists for the 2021 Competition for Young Musicians. This competition calls to exceptionally talented students between the ages of eight and nineteen to compete for cash awards with classical music repertoire. The competition has grown to cross borders with local, national, and international applications. The top award is $1800 and the opportunity to perform in EPSMF’s events followed by second and third place awards of $700 and $500. All of the seven finalists in this competition will be publicly recognized for their achievements.
Competition performances will be recorded at a location/date concurring with safety guidelines and social distancing during pandemic conditions.
The 2021 Competition Finalists are:
Joanne Caranto- piano
Joanne Caranto is seventeen and a senior at Jesus and Mary Academy. She studies piano with Anna Habicht. She has been a finalist in an EPMTA competition and achieved first place in a Baroque Competition. She loves the music of Frédéric Chopin.
Judy Caranto- piano
Judy Caranto is thirteen and attends the St. Philomena Homeschool Academy. She studies piano with Anna Habicht. She has played in an EPMTA ensemble and sings in her church choir. She likes the music style of Enrique Granados. “It’s very calming and I enjoy listening to his pieces.”
Andrew Griñé- trombone
Andrew Griñé is fifteen and a sophomore at Coronado High School. He studies trombone with Susan Hernandez. He plays with the Coronado High School Band and Orchestra, the El Paso Symphony Youth Orchestra, and the El Paso Youth Jazz Ensemble. He has also participated in the Philadelphia International Music Festival, and the Winter Solo Performance Preparation Program. He admires John Williams and “…would like to dive deeper into how he writes his music …to help fuel my creative passions.”
Kathryn Haluschak- piano
Kathryn Haluschak is fifteen and is homeschooled. She studies piano with Anna Habicht. She has played in several ensembles, All State Festivals and numerous Sonatina and Solo Festivals through EPMTA. She currently plays for her church youth choir. Kathryn was a finalist in the 2019 and 2020 EPSMF competitions. She appreciates the composer, Maurice Ravel, “because I admire the impressionistic style of his compositions.”
Taekyu Lee- piano
Taekyu Lee is eighteen and a senior at Coronado High School. He studies piano with Anna Habicht. He participates regularly in EPMTA competitions and plays with the Coronado High School Symphonic and Chamber Orchestras. He has been a finalist in previous EPMSF competitions. Taekyu also plays the cello. He enjoys Sergei Rachmaninoff’s music stating that he has “thoroughly enjoyed practicing his Moment Musicaux. I love how full-sounding and nuanced his compositions are....”
Kathleen Liang- piano
Kathleen Liang is seventeen and a senior at Coronado High School. She studies piano with Anna Habicht. She plays in the Coronado High School Varsity Orchestra and Music Ensemble. She has participated in the ASTA/ National Orchestra Festival and TMTA Competitions. According to Kathleen, she “was always interested in music as a child.”
Sahid Palacios- violin
Sahin Palacios is seventeen and a senior at El Dorado High School. He studies violin with Sergio Ramos. He plays in the El Dorado High School Orchestra, the El Paso Symphony Youth Orchestra, and in a local Mariachi group. He has participated in the El Paso Border Folk Festival and in the State Mariachi Festival. He admires Friedrich-Max "Fritz" Kreisler “…because I love his compositions and is someone who inspired me to start composing.”
The 2021 INSTRUMENTS FOR YOUNG LIVES AWARDS RECIPIENTS will also be introduced at this competition.
This year’s instrument recipients are:
Christian Chaparro- oboe
Hannia Jiménez- flute
Hannia Jiménez is fifteen years old and a sophomore at Coronado High School. She participates in the Coronado High School Marching Band and the El Symphony Youth Orchestra. Hannia states, “…I feel that music has been the most rewarding music that I have ever come across.”
Christian Chaparro- oboe
Christian Chaparro is fourteen years old and an eight-grade student at Ysleta Middle School. He has participated in the YISD Young Band Festival, the District Honor Band, and the Hanks Jazz Festival. Christian shared, “…it would be fulfilling knowing that my hard work paid off for something that is out of my reach.”
Applications for the 2021-2022 Competition for Young Musicians and Instruments for Young Lives Program will be available in September 2021.
Watch for announcements regarding EPSMF competitions, events, and application deadlines.
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The El Paso Society for Musicians of the Future (EPSMF) is a nonprofit organization dedicated to providing quality classical music programs. The organization has a growing commitment to outreach to the youth of the Borderland.
EPSMF events are made possible with the support of the El Paso Museum and Cultural Affairs Department as well as the El Paso Community Foundation and donations from the community at large.
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