April 10, 2022
Contact: Lynn Provenzano 915-449-0619
El Paso, Texas–The El Paso Society for Musicians of the Future (EPSMF) announces seven finalists for the 2022 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 six finalists in this competition will be publicly recognized for their achievements.
Competition performances will be recorded at a location/date concurring with safety guidelines.
The 2022 Competition Finalists are:
Catherine Claire Ancell- piano
Claire Ancell is fourteen and attends El Paso High School. She has been studying piano for eight years and currently studies with Dr. Ezekiel Meza. Claire has performed in several EPMTA affiliate recitals as well as Sonata Festivals and Solo Festivals. She is inspired by Argentine-Swiss classical concert pianist Martha Argerich.
Judy Caranto- piano
Judy Caranto is fourteen and attends the St. Philomena Homeschool Academy. She studies piano with Anna Habicht. She has performed in several solo and sonatina festivals and baroque competitions. Judy was a finalist in the EPSMF 2021 Competition for Young Musicians. She enjoys listening to Mozart compositions.
Ricardo Chacón - cello
Ricardo Chacón is seventeen and a senior at Americas High School. He has been playing the cello for more than six years and currently studies with Jose Rios. He performs with the El Paso Symphony Youth Orchestra, the UTEP Symphony Orchestra, the Americas High School Varsity Orchestra, and the TMEA All Region Symphony Orchestra. He is inspired by YoYo Ma.
Kathryn Haluschak- piano
Kathryn Haluschak is sixteen 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, 2020 and 2021 EPSMF competitions. She enjoyed learning Claude Debussy’s L’isle Joyeuse.
Sahid Palacios- violin
Sahid Palacios is eighteen and a freshman at New Mexico State University. He currently studies violin with Simon Gallo and performs with the NMSU Philharmonic 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 of his incredible charm and the nostalgia that he puts into his pieces.”
Vincent Yang - piano
Vincent Yang is seventeen and attends I-University Prep/ He has been playing piano for thirteen years and currently studies with Dr. Ezequiel Meza. He was the winner of the 2020 EPSMF Competition and has attended the International Keyboard Odyssiad and Festival U.S.A. Vincent would like to perform for Sofia Gubaidulina and talk with her about interpretations of her work.
The 2022 INSTRUMENTS FOR YOUNG LIVES AWARDS RECIPIENT will also be introduced at this competition.
This year’s instrument recipient is:
Luis Flores-Trejo - flute
Luis Flores-Trejo is sixteen and a junior at Ysleta High School. He has performed with the Ysleta Marching Band and the Ysleta Honor Concert Band. He has participated in All-Region Auditions and State Solo and Ensemble. He is the 4th Chair in the Symphonic All-Region Band.
Applications for the 2022-2023 Competition for Young Musicians and Instruments for Young Lives Program will be available in September 2022.
Watch for announcements regarding EPSMF competitions, events, and application deadlines.