WINNERS ANNOUNCED FOR THE 60TH ANNUAL YOUNG ARTIST COMPETITION

Lima, OH (April 6, 2022) – Winners were chosen Saturday night for the 60^th Annual Young Artist Competition that took place on Saturday, April 2 at the Martha W. Farmer Theatre for the Performing Arts in Reed Hall on the campus of Ohio State University at Lima. Hosted by the Friends of the Symphony and the Lima Symphony Orchestra, the competition this year features strings and vocal performers. Cash awards were presented to eight finalists after the evening Finalist Concert. A post-concert reception was held to celebrate the competition’s 60^th anniversary. This year’s eight finalists are:

• 1^st Place Junior Strings ($600): Kristine Clair U. Galano, violin, Cincinnati College Conservatory, Cincinnati, Ohio
• 2^nd Place Junior Strings ($400): Javier Torres, violin, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan
• 1^st Place Junior Voice ($600): Antoinette Pompe van Meerdervoort, Mezzo-Soprano, Indiana University, Jacobs School of Music, Bloomington, Indiana
• 2^nd Place Junior Voice ($400): Anthony Josep, Baritone, Indiana University, Jacobs School of Music, Bloomington, Indiana
• 1^st Place Senior Strings ($1,000): Layang Ka, violin, Cincinnati College Conservatory, Cincinnati, Ohio
• 2^nd Place Senior Strings ($700): Benjamin Penzner, viola, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan
• 1^st Place Senior Voice ($1,000): David X Lee, Baritone, Indiana University, Jacobs School of Music, Bloomington, Indiana
• 2^nd Place Senior Voice, ($700):  Sadiyah Babatunde, Soprano, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio

Including both a Junior and Senior Division, these competitors represent the finest Universities and Conservatories in the country. The winners of this renowned competition receive cash prizes. First place winners, upon recommendation of the Lima Symphony Orchestra Music Director, may appear as a featured soloist with the Lima Symphony Orchestra in a future season. The junior division is for competitors ages 17-21 enrolled in a college or conservatory degree program. The senior division is for competitors ages 22-26 enrolled in a college or conservatory degree program.

The 61^st Young Artists Competition will feature brass, woodwinds, and piano and will be held in spring of 2023.  Information on the Friends of the Symphony and other educational programs and opportunities can be found on the symphony’s website: www.limasymphony.com