Amazing Prodigies, Great Concertos

A Gala Concert spotlighting the eight outstanding winners of the 14th Annual Young Artists Competition conducted by Niel Deponte

Friday, April 25, 2008, 7:30pm, Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall

On January 7th, the 2008 Young Artists Debut Concerto Competition winners were announced. The eight soloists, chosen from over 70 entrants at the competition’s final round, held at Portland’s Community Music Center, will perform with Niel DePonte and an orchestra drawn from the ranks of the Oregon Symphony and Oregon Ballet Theatre orchestras on Friday, April 25, 2008, 7:30 PM at the Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall.

The concert is sponsored by Bank of America, The Arnold Marks Family Charitable Trust, The Portland Center for the Performing Arts, and is produced by MetroArts Inc, DePonte’s non-profit arts education organization.

Each young artist will perform a minimum of one movement of a major concerto written for their instrument at the gala concert. In preparation, these artists have been attending coaching sessions with Niel where they discuss not only the interpretation of their concertos, but also how to solo with an orchestra, ways to approach repertoire, and what it takes to be a professional musician.

Niel DePonte, who is also music director and conductor for Oregon Ballet Theatre and who has been nominated for a Grammy Award as a concerto soloist himself has said, “Every year the talent level of the contestants goes up at the final round. There were at least five soloists beyond the eight winners whom I would have been privileged to work with as well! This year’s soloists are playing major works and doing so at the highest levels. It is amazing to witness!”

Purchase tickets now for the Young Artists at Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall April 25, 2008.

Purchase CD - Young Artist Debut! Recital Showcase, Volume 1.

Meet the 2008 Winners of the 14th Annual Young Artist Competition

Felicia Doni of Portland, Oregon, is a 15 year-old pianist and studies with Jean-David Coen of Willamette University and Alexandre Dossin of the University of Oregon. Felicia attends Oregon Episcopal School and will perform the first movement of the Schumann A minor Piano Concerto.

Nanao Nikole Yamada of Wilsonville, Oregon, is a 15 year-old violinist and studies with Carol Sindell. Nanao attends Wilsonville High School and will perform the first movement of the Sibelius Violin Concerto.

Andy Liang of Vancouver, Washington, is a 17 year-old violinist and studies with Kathryn Gray. Andy attends Columbia River High School and is a rare four-time winner of the Young Artists Debut! competition. He will perform the first movement of the Brahms Violin Concerto.

Hanna Choi of Portland, Oregon, is a 17 year-old pianist and studies with Kelli B. Stephens. This is her second appearance at the Young Artists Debut! Concert. Hanna attends Westview High School and will perform the first movement of Tchaikovsky’s Piano Concerto No. 1.

Kayla Wilkens of Salem, Oregon, is a 17 year-old soprano and studies voice with Elizabeth Eck. Kayla attends South Salem High School and will perform a vocal duet with Whitney Steele.

Yusuke Jason Akahoshi, of Lake Oswego, Oregon, is an 18 year-old clarinetist and studies with Dunja Jennings. Jason attends Lake Oswego High School and will perform the Weber Concertino for clarinet.

Rosa Li, of Lake Oswego, Oregon is a 16 year-old pianist and returns as a third-time winner of the Young Artists Debut! Concerto Competition. Rosa studies with Dorothy Fahlman and attends Lake Oswego High School. She will perform the third movement of the Schumann A minor Piano Concerto.

Whitney Steele, a 17 year-old soprano from Tigard, Oregon and attends Tualatin High School. She will be performing a vocal duet with Kayla Wilkens. Whitney studies voice with Anne McKee Reed.