El Paso, Texas–The El Paso Society for Musicians of the Future (EPSMF) announces the winners for the 2023 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 top award is $1800 followed by second and third place awards of $700 and $500. All of the finalists in this competition will be publicly recognized for their achievements.
Competition performances were live and recorded on Sunday, May 14, 2023, at St. Mark’s United Methodist Church (5005 Love Road, El Paso, TX 79922) at 3PM. A recording of the finalists' performance will be available on the EPSMF website (www.epsmf.org).
The 2023 Competition for Young Musician Standings are:
WINNER: Kathryn Haluschak- piano
Kathryn Haluschak is seventeen 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. Kathryn was a finalist in the 2019, 2020 and 2021 EPSMF competitions and placed second in the 2022 EPSMF Competition for Young Musicians.
2nd PLACE: Sunny Ellsworth - cello
Sunny Ellsworth is sixteen and is homeschooled. She has studied the cello for twelve years and currently studies with Hyerim Mapp. She has attended the University of North Texas Summer Strings Institute and the Louisiana State University Collaborative Piano Institute. Last year, she was invited to play with the New Mexico State Philharmonic.
3rd PLACE: Judy Caranto - piano
Judy Caranto is fifteen and attends the St. Philomena Homeschool Academy. She has studied piano for seven years and currently 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 and placed third in the 2022 EPSMF Competition.
RECOGNITION FOR ACHIEVEMENT: Sophia Cao - piano
Sophia Cao is ten and attends a public school. She has studied piano for five years and currently studies piano with Anna Habicht. She has participated, in the past three years, in the Texas Music Teachers Association Baroque Piano Competition.
RECOGNITION FOR ACHIEVEMENT: Ittai Schweiger - piano
Ittai Schweiger is fifteen and attends I-University Prep/ He has been playing piano for seven years and currently studies with Anna Habicht. He has won awards in two Baroque festivals. He also plays with his church worship band.
RECOGNITION FOR ACHIEVEMENT: Stephan Hatem - piano
Stephan Hatem is sixteen and attends Eastwood High School where he is in the Top 20 of his class. He has studied the piano for seven years and currently studies with Dr. Ezequiel Meza.
The 2023 INSTRUMENTS FOR YOUNG LIVES AWARDS RECIPIENT:
Alexa Ortiz-Hernandez – Bb clarinet
Alexa Ortiz-Hernandez is eighteen and a senior at El Dorado High School. She has performed with the All Region Band (2020-2023), Aside from playing in El Dorado High School bands and orchestra, she has participated in the All State Band (2023) and the Southwest Honor Band (2022-2023). She has received the Drum Major Award and has recognized as an Outstanding Honor Ban Member. According to Alexa, “my passion for music is huge… an instrument of my own would be the best tool to not only study my passion but to spread my love for it to those around me.”
Competition finalists will receive their awards at the EPSMF OM/NI Talk: String 2023 event on Sunday, August 13, 2023, at St. Mark's United Methodist Church (5005 Love Road) at 3PM. This event is free to the public. All are welcome to attend.
EPSMF is a 501 ( c ) 3 non-profit organization. The 2022-2023 EPSMF events and programs have been made possible with the support of the El Paso Museums and Cultural Affairs Department, the El Paso Community Foundation, the Paso del Norte Foundation, Texas Commission for the Arts, and generous patrons from the community. www.epsmf.org