Michelle Cardenas (violin), twenty-year old violinist Michelle Cardenas
began taking violin lessons at the age of six. Following her father, who served in the U.
S. Army, Michelle lived in Korea, Texas, Alaska, and Georgia. She placed second in the
Savannah Symphony Orchestra Concerto Competition in 2001. While attending Luzerne Music
Festival during the summer of 2002, she first met and studied with her current teacher,
the renowned violinist, Sergiu Schwartz, and inspired by her peers' love for music,
Michelle began to make music and violin her main focus.
After moving from Georgia to South Carolina that same year, she began to commute to
Atlanta, Georgia to study with esteemed instructor Sonja Foster, driving five hours
each Saturday to take lessons. At the age of sixteen, Michelle made her solo debut with
orchestra, playing the third movement of Mendelssohn's Violin Concerto in E minor with the
Buckhead Youth orchestra in Atlanta, Georgia. In 2005, she was an Arts Recognition and
Talent Search Merit Award Winner. After she successfully auditioned and was accepted into
several music conservatories, including the Cleveland Institute of Music, the Cincinnati
College-Conservatory of Music, the Eastman School of Music, and the School of Music at
Northwestern University, Michelle transferred to the Schwob School of Music, Columbus
State University, where she pursues her violin studies with Turner Distinguished Violin
Professor Sergiu Schwartz
.
As a winner of the 2007 Atlanta Community Symphony Orchestra Concerto Competition,
Michelle will appear as a soloist with the orchestra performing the Vieuxtemps Violin
Concerto No. 5 under Maestro Juan Ramirez. Summer 2007, Michelle Cardenas has been awarded
a full scholarship to attend the prestigious Bowdoin International Music Festival.
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Nelli Jabotinsky (violin), began studying the violin at the age of six
with her father, Alex Jabotinsky, in Israel, where she moved from her native Russia, in
1989. She continued her studies in Israel with Haim Taub, concertmaster of the Israel
Phiharmonic Orchestra. A recipient of annual scholarships and prizes from the
America-Israel Cultural Foundation, Nelli attended summer courses for chamber ensembles at
the Jerusalem Music Centre, founded by Isaac Stern and Pablo Casals and participated in
the Keshet Eilon Violin Master Courses, where she also studied with famed violinist Ida
Haendel.
Nelli has performed in solo and chamber music concerts throughout Israel. As a winner of
the 2002 Young Talent Competition, she appeared as a soloist with the Haifa Symphony
Orchestra. While studying with Sergiu Schwartz at Lynn University Conservatory of Music in
Florida, Nelli won the 2005 Conservatory Concerto Competition and performed the Bruch
Violin Concerto with the Lynn University Philharmonia Orchestra. As a winner of the
2007 Atlanta Community Symphony Orchestra Concerto Competition, Nelli will appear as a
soloist with the orchestra performing the Tchaikovsky Violin Concerto under Maestro Juan
Ramirez.
Currently, Nelli Jabotinsky is a junior at the Schwob School of Music, Columbus State
University, where she pursues her violin studies with the Turner Distinguished Violin
Professor Sergiu Schwartz. Summer 2007, Nelli will attend the prestigious Bowdoin
International Music Festival.
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Steven Naimark (clarinet), Alpharetta, GA, has performed as a featured soloist with
the Columbus State University Philharmonic Orchestra as a winner of the 2006 Columbus
State University Concerto Competition and has also performed as a featured soloist with
the Centennial High School Band and Alpharetta City Band. In April 2007 Steven will
perform with the Atlanta Community Symphony Orchestra as a winner of the 2007 Atlanta
Community Symphony Orchestra Young Artist Concerto Competition. He is currently principal
clarinet of the CSU Philharmonic Orchestra and the CSU Wind Symphony, performing regularly
in Columbus and touring to Savannah, Atlanta, and Charleston, SC. Steven is also an active
freelancer in Georgia, performing as guest principal clarinet of the LaGrange Symphony
Orchestra in LaGrange, GA, and in the orchestra pit at Georgia’s historic State
Theatre, the Springer Opera House. He also performs frequently as a chamber musician,
performing with the CSU clarinet quartet at the 2007 Georgia Music Educators Association
In-Service Conference. In March of 2007, Steven performed by invitation in a regional
masterclass for Chicago Symphony Associate Principal clarinet and recording artist John
Bruce Yeh held at Columbus State University.In the summer of 2005 Steven attended the
Domaine Forget Music Academy in Quebec, Canada, and in the summer of 2006 he studied music
history in Paris, France as a part of the CSU Study Abroad program. A member of the
International Clarinet Association, Steven was the official photographer of the ICA’s
2006 Clarinetfest held in Atlanta, GA, and his photographs will be published in the
ICA’s journal The Clarinet in 2007. Steven plans to attend the Belgium
Clarinet Academy in Ostend, Belgium in July 2007, where he will study with Eddy
Vanoosthuyse and Robert Spring. Steven is a junior majoring in clarinet performance at the
Schwob School of Music at Columbus State University, Columbus, GA, where he studies with
Dr. Lisa Oberlander.
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Robyn Quinnett (soprano), born on the island of Montserrat in the Caribbean, Robyn
Quinnett began playing the violin at the age of eight. She completed high school at
fifteen in order to dedicate more time to pursue her violin studies. Meanwhile, she was
actively pursuing her interest in Figure Skating winning World Figure Skating Competitions
in her age category, with one silver and nine gold medals. At fifteen she became the
youngest person to win First Prize of the national Mariam Hayes Young Artist Competition.
Her solo engagements include appearances with the Fayetteville Symphony Orchestra, New
World Chamber Orchestra in Miami, and the Symphony Orchestra of the University of North
Carolina at Pembroke. Recently she became a Semi-Finalist in the Sphinx Competition where
she was awarded a full scholarship to attend the Aspen Music Festival and School. Robyn
gives frequent recitals throughout the southeast United States. As a winner
of the 2007 Atlanta Community Symphony Orchestra Concerto Competition, Robyn will appear
as a soloist with the orchestra performing the Saint-Saens Introduction and Rondo
Capriccioso under Maestro Juan Ramirez. Currently she is studying with
renowned concert violinist and pedagogue Sergiu Schwartz at the Schwob School of Music,
Columbus State University. The violin Robyn now plays is a modern instrument by the
Italian maker Maurizio Tadioli generously sponsored by David Kerr Violin Shop in Portland,
Oregon. Robyn’s other prominent interests include world literature, philosophy,
visual arts, and modern compositions.
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| 2006 Winners - Katie Baughman
& Stephen Upshaw & Keru Cai |
| Katie
Baughman |
Gounod
- Soprano |
| Stephen
Upshaw |
Walton
- Viola |
| Keru
Cai |
Rachmaninoff
- Piano |
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Katie Baughman (soprano), recently graduated Magna Cum Laude from Georgia State
University with a degree in a vocal performance where she is now pursuing her Master's
degree in the studio of Dwight Coleman. During her time at GSU, she was the recipient of
the Florence Kopleff Vocal Scholarship, Peter Harrower Opera Scholarship as well as winner
of the GSU Honor's Recital Competition.
Recent performances include the Young Artist Regional Concerto Competition Concert with
Buckhead Youth Orchestra, Handel's Messiah with the Atlanta Hanaro Choir, and the
premier of scenes from Curtis Bryant's new opera, The Anarchists. Upcoming
engagements include the role of Miss Wordsworth in Britten's Albert Herring,
soprano soloist in Mozart's Requiem and Laurey in Oklahoma!.
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Stephen Upshaw (viola), having already amassed an impressive list of musical
accomplishments, violist Stephen Upshaw has furthered his musical study at the Amelia
Island chamber music festival in Florida, the Interlochen Center for the Arts in Michigan,
and most recently, the Heifetz International Music Institute in New Hampshire. These
institutions have provided invaluable connections and experiences; Stephen has had the
opportunity to work with world renowned musicians as well as teachers from the New England
Conservatory, Yale University and the Juilliard School.
In addition to his summer studies, Stephen has held the principal viola position at
Harrison High School for four years; he has also held the principal viola position in the
Georgia All state orchestra for four years and as of this year, is the principal violist
of the Atlanta Symphony Youth Orchestra. Outside of Georgia, he held the principal viola
position with the World Youth Symphony in Interlochen, Michigan and was featured in
concerts in New Hampshire, Illinois, Maine and Michigan. In addition to his orchestral
experience, Stephen has participated in numerous competitions with much success.
His principal teachers have included Elana Nolte, Herold Levine, Michelle LaCourse and his
current teacher and mentor, Dr. Marilyn Seelman. Next year, Stephen hopes to attend a
music conservatory and eventually play in a professional orchestra.
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Keru Cai (piano), was born in China on March 4, 1990, and moved to the United
States with her parents at the age of 2. She started her piano lessons in 1995 with Ms.
Wenzao Chen. Keru has also taken lessons with several other well-known piano teachers in
Atlanta area, including Ms. Pingyun Hsu, Ms. Virginia Hutchins, Ms. Edith Schiff, and Dr.
David Watkins of Kennesaw State University. She is now taking lessons with Dr. William
Ransom, head of the piano faculty at Emory University, as one of his few private students.
During the last 11 years of her piano career, Keru has won numerous awards and
recognitions in local, state, and national piano competitions and performances, including
first place in the GMTA Spring Auditions for 4 years, first place in the GMTA Concerto
Competition in 2005, first place winner in the Kawaii National Recording Competition in
2004, first place of the National Youth Conference Keyboard Competition in 2004 and 2005,
first place in the Cobb Symphony Orchestra Young Artists Concerto Competition 2005, first
place in the GHP Concerto Competition in 2005, second place in Margaret Guthman Piano
Competition in 2005, and first place in the Atlanta Community Symphony Orchestra Ruth Kern
Young Artists Concerto Concert in 2006. Keru has also been participated in several
intensive piano and music study programs, including the University of Georgia Summer Music
Camp in 2004 and the Georgia Governor's Honors Program in 2005, both as a piano major. In
addition to piano, Keru has also studied cello for 6 years. As a key member of her middle
and high school orchestras, she has played as first chair in several musical events.
In addition to music, Keru has also achieved exceptional accomplishment in her school
academics. She graduated from Chalker Elementary School in 2000 and J.J. Daniel Middle
School in 2003, both with the honors of the Principal's Lists. She had also won numerous
awards and recognitions in the both schools, including the President's Awards. She has
been recognized by Who's Who among America's High School Students, The National Society of
High School Scholars, and National Honor Society. She is currently a junior in the
International Baccalaureate Program at Campbell High School of Cobb County, and she is
currently the Valedictorian of her class. In her first SAT test on January 2006, Keru
scored 2400, a perfect score that only a handful of students have achieved across the
nation.
Keru participates in numerous extra-curricular and community service activities, and she
is the Captain of Academic Bowl Team, the Treasurer of Orchestra, the President of French
Club, an Officer of Math Team, and an active member of several interest clubs. She has
been a volunteer piano player for a local church for 4 years, and she enjoys performing
piano and cello at nursing homes. She also teaches private piano lessons in her spare
time.
Keru likes classical music, movies, history, French, literature, psychology, and Chinese
culture. She wants to go to Harvard or Yale and become a college professor of history or
psychology, playing piano all the way.
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| 2005 Winners - Tony Fan &
Malcolm Parsons & Jessica Richards |
| Tony Fan |
Beethoven #5, 1st Movement - Piano |
| Malcolm
Parsons |
Saint
Saens #1, 1st Movement - Cello |
| Jessica
Richards |
Vaughan
Williams, 1st Movement - Oboe |
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| 2004 Winners - Simon Cartoon
& Laura Floyd & Duncan Osborn & Brian Sung & Denise Yen |
| Laura Floyd |
Gilbert & Sullivan: "The Hours Creep
on Apace," from H.M.S. Pinafore |
| Duncan
Osborn |
Saint
Saens: Introduction & Rondo Capriccioso for Violin and Orchestra |
| Brian
Sung |
Lalo:
Concerto in D minor, 3rd mvt for Cello and Orchestra |
| Simon
Cartoon |
Mozart:
Concerto #20, 1st mvt. for Piano and Orchestra |
| Denise
Yen |
Prokofiev:
#3, 1st mvt. for Piano and Orchestra |
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| 2003 Winners -
Corky Chocallo & Gregory Pak & Jessica Tsai & Richie Zah |
 |
The 29th Annual Ruth Kern Young Artists' Concerto Competition
Winners in concert with The Atlanta Community Orchestra. Receiving their
awards after playing their concert
April 13, 2003 - 3:00pm
Georgia State University - Recital Hall |
| 2003 Winners
|
Charles "Corky" Chocallo (piano), fourteen, has been playing the piano
since the age of four. He is home schooled and lives in Marietta, GA. Since moving to the
Atlanta area in 2001 from Florida, Corky has studied with David Watkins, Coordinator of
Keyboard Studies at Kennesaw State University. He has won many competitions in the Atlanta
area and across the nation.
In 2003, his accomplishments include winning first place in The Southern Division MTNA
Baldwin Junior High School Competition, second place in the La Grange Young Artists
Concerto Competition , winner of the Buckhead Youth Orchestra Regional Concerto
Competition, Junior Division and selected as one of the twelve finalists in piano
auditions for Curtis Institute of Music in Philadelphia.
Corky has performed numerous times locally in Atlanta, including a forty minute concert on
the Horowitz piano for the Atlanta Steinway Society, a concert at the Jimmy Carter
Presidential Library for the Pro-Mozart Society (fundraiser for the Atlanta Symphony
Orchestra). He has participated in master classes given by Jeffrey Siegal, Seymour
Bernstein, Tajeus Majewski, Ann Koscielney, Maria Jaguaribe, and Johnathan Bass. Corky
hopes to make music his career.
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Gregory Pak (piano) is a senior at Collins Hill High School. He studies piano at the
Atlanta Music Academy where he has been a student of Dr. Nancy Elton for 4 years. Last
year he was Convention Recitalist at both the Georgia Music Teacher's Association and
Georgia Music Educator's Convention. From the fourth grade, when the Georgia Music
Teacher's Association first awarded him Outstanding Performer at the state level, he has
been actively involved in school and church programs, accompanying the school choruses and
plays and performing in many recitals and concerts through the years.
Greg is also a composer, spending many hours with this computer and instruments. He has
submitted works to various online music organizations, while also being acting in his
church. He was just awarded a music scholarship to UGA, where he will study composition
and piano.
His lifelong goal and mission is to glorify God through the gifts with which he has
been blessed.
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Jessica Tsai (piano) is a 17 year old junior at Norcross High School. Recently, she
was the second place state winner of the Music Teacher's National Association High School
Competition , as well as of the Margaret Guthman Piano Competition at Georgia Tech. She
won second place at the Joe Evans piano competition last spring and has twice been named
the Georgia Music Teacher's Association convention recitalist, in 1998 and in 2002. In
addition to piano, Jessica plays the violin and has participated several times in the
Georgia Music Educators Associations All-State Orchestra. She also dances with the Atlanta
Chinese Dance Company. Jessica has played the piano for eleven years and has participated
in master classed by Seymour Bernstein and Walter Hautzig. She studied for several years
with Ping-Yung Hsu and currently studies with Mrs. Edith Schiff of Atlanta.
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Richie Zah (violin) is a fifteen-year-old violinist who has been avidly pursuing
violin since he was four years old. Now a serious young virtuoso, he was recently awarded
Honorable Mention at the ASYO Concerto Competition as well as Alternate at the 2002-03
GMTA-MTNA High School Strings Competition . In 2000, he was awarded the ASYO Scholarship.
Ritchie has studied three years with Sonja Foster, a Juilliard graduate who has a studio
for exceptionally gifted violinists and violists.
Last summer, Ritchie attended the Bowdoin Music Festival and in 2001, he was a student at
Meadowmount School of Music, studying with Charles Avasharian. Also in 2001, he
participated in the Starling-Delay Symposium on Violin Studies at the Juilliard School.
Ritchie has been a member of the Atlanta Symphony Youth Orchestra for three years. In
addition, he has been a member of the All State Orchestra since 1999. He is Concertmaster
of the Wheeler High School Chamber Orchestra. He was Assistant Concertmaster of the
Metropolitan Youth Orchestra in 1999.
He was awarded the Ann Weeks Music Scholarship of the Georgia PTA in 1997, 1998, and 1999.
He was chosen Outstanding Performer and Convention Recitalist for GMTA in 1999. Also he
won the NSOA with ASTA Award in 2002.
Ritchie has had Master Classes with Brian Lewis, William Preucil, Paul Cantor and Peter
Zazofsky. His previous teachers include Que Yang, Keiko Furness and Jun Ching Lin.
He excels in school and is in the Magnet Program for Math and Science as Wheeler high
School. He has a passion for computers and he is an excellent runner and swimmer.
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| 2002 Winners - Elineta Link
(violin) & Charles "Corky" Chocallo (piano) |
 Elenita Link,(16 years old) violin. Elenita also was recently
the first place winner of the Atlanta Jewish Community Center's Ruth Kern Young Artist
Competition and the state winner of the Music Teacher's National Association Junior High
School Competition. She has also appeared as soloist with the Atlanta Symphony Youth
Orchestra and participated in master classes led by David Cerone and Felix Ayo. Elenita
spent seventh grade at the Conservatorio Superior "Joaquin Rodrigo" where she
and her brother Joel were the youngest members of its semi-professional orchestra and had
the opportunity to tour Spain and the Philippines. While in Spain, Elenita won the
"Premios Veo Veo," an important televised talent competition.
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 Charles "Corky"
Chocallo, piano. Corky has been playing piano since he was 4. He is thirteen years old and
is home schooled. A few of Corky's recent accomplishments have been:
Steinway Young Artist of 2002, Winner of Florida Music Teachers Association Baldwin
competition and placed third in the Southeastern competition, Winner of the Tuscaloosa
Symphony Concerto Competition, November 2001, at the University of Alabama. Winner of the
the Northwest Florida Concerto Competition; performed with the symphony in 2001, Placed
Third in the college division Sonata Competition of Northwest Florida, 2002, Winner of the
Buckhead Youth Orchestra Young Artists Concerto Competition, 2002. Corky has
participated in several master classes, including Jeffery Siegal, Seymour Bernstein, and
Tadeus Majewksi. As a student in Gulf Breeze, Florida, he was the first student to
accompany the All Country Chorus in Pensacola, in 2000 and 2001. Corky studies with David
Watkins (past winner of an AMC Scholarship Award), directory of Keyboard studies at
Kennesaw State University, and also with Carol Payme of Gulf breeze, Florida. |
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