Winners
2024 MTNA Competitive Events Winners (Photos found below the listing of winners)
Florida Junior Composition
Florida Junior Performance Piano
Florida Junior Performance String
Florida Junior Performance Woodwind
Florida Senior Composition
Florida Senior Performance Piano
Florida Senior Performance String
Florida Senior Performance Woodwind
Florida Senior Piano Duet
Florida Young Artist Performance Piano
Florida Young Artist Performance String
Florida Young Artist Performance Woodwind
Florida Junior Composition
- Winner: Gabriel Gregg, student of Valerie Gregg
- Honorable mention: William Wang, student of Colleen Elwood
Florida Junior Performance Piano
- Winner: YoYo Qu, student of Shi-gu Zhang
- Alternate: Izel Gómez-Calderón, student of Yun-Ling Hsu
- Honorable mention: Jundi Ke, student of Zhangqian Huang
- Honorable mention: Christina Koyama, student of Irena Kofman
- Honorable mention: Nicolas Marin, student of Debora Sanchez
- Honorable mention: Steven Xue, student of Ruo Huang-Balko
Florida Junior Performance String
- Winner: Olivia Raicovich, Violin, student of Huifang Chen
- Alternate: Emma Pooler, Violin, student of Leonid Yanovskiy
- Honorable mention: Amanda Nunez, Violin, student of Huifang Chen
Florida Junior Performance Woodwind
- Winner: Christina Koyama, Flute, student of Marie Jureit-Beamish
- Alternate: Sophia Chen, Flute, student of Marie Jureit-Beamish
Florida Senior Composition
- Winner: Andrew Gedde, student of Marina Radiushina
- Honorable mention: Karl-Abraham Fugate, student of Melody Morrison
Florida Senior Performance Piano
- Winner: Quang Vo, student of Michael Baron
- Alternate: Lam Nguyen, student of Michael Baron
- Honorable mention: Jianlin Chen, student of Olga Glick
- Honorable mention: Josetta Wang, student of Ruo Huang-Balko
- Honorable mention: Jayden Lang, student of Maria Gomez
- Honorable mention: Simon Lin, student of Ruo Huang-Balko
- Honorable mention: Levi Brown, student of Sun-A Park
- Honorable mention: Aiden Butler, student of Sean Kennard
Florida Senior Performance String
- Winner: Ivan Kostornyi, Violin, student of Olga Kolpakova
- Alternate: Michael Li, Violin, student of Huifang Chen
- Honorable mention: Regine Lee, Violin, student of Rimma Bergeron-Langlois
- Honorable mention: Amelie Heine, Violin, student of Jason Jerald
Florida Senior Performance Woodwind
- Winner: Caleb Wolf, Saxophone, student of Geoffrey Deibel
- Alternate: Alice Hu, Flute, student of Yan Lu
Florida Senior Piano Duet
- Winner: Quang Vo and Lam Nguyen, students of Michael Baron
- Alternate: Jameson Moore and Mason Huffman, student of Michael Baron
Florida Young Artist Performance Piano
- Winner: Robiyakhon Akromova, student of Sun-A Park
- Alternate: Duy Vu, student of Michael Baron
- Honorable mention: Vu Dang, student of Michael Baron
- Honorable mention: Tuan Vu, student of Michael Baron
- Honorable mention: Le Phuong Pham, student of Michael Baron
- Honorable mention: Jenna Aziza Salliman, student of Roberta Rust
- Honorable mention: David Gonzalez, student of Sean Kennard
Florida Young Artist Performance String
- Winner: William Purser, Violin, student of Shannon Thomas
- Alternate: Christopher Wheaton, Violin, student of Shannon Thomas
Florida Young Artist Performance Woodwind
- Winner: Micah Cheng, Saxophone, student of Geoffrey Deibel
- Alternate: Matthew Johnson, Saxophone, student of J Holmes
- Honorable mention: Kaeden Parks, Saxophone, student of Geoffrey Deibel
Florida Senior Composition
Winner: Andrew Gedde, student of Marina Radiushina
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Florida Senior Performance Woodwind
Winner: Caleb Wolf, Saxophone, student of Geoffrey Deibel
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Florida Junior Performance Woodwind
Winner: Christina Koyama, Flute, student of Marie Jureit-Beamish
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Florida Senior Performance String
Winner: Ivan Kostornyi, Violin, student of Olga Kolpakova
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Florida Senior Performance Piano
Alternate: Lam Nguyen, student of Michael Baron
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Florida Young Artist Performance Woodwind
Winner: Micah Cheng, Saxophone, student of Geoffrey Deibel
Florida Young Artist Performance Woodwind
Winner: Micah Cheng, Saxophone, student of Geoffrey Deibel
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Florida Junior Performance String
Winner: Olivia Raicovich, Violin, student of Huifang Chen
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Florida Senior Piano Duet
Winner: Quang Vo and Lam Nguyen, students of Michael Baron
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Florida Senior Performance Piano
Winner: Quang Vo, student of Michael Baron
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Florida Young Artist Performance Piano
Winner: Robiyakhon Akromova, student of Sun-A Park
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Florida Junior Performance Piano
Winner: YoYo Qu, student of Shi-gu Zhang
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2024 FSMTA Competitive Events Winners (Photos & bios found below the listing of winners)
Gray Perry Young Collegiate Piano Competition:
Byrd Piano Ensemble (Pre-College):
Byrd Memorial Piano Ensemble Competition: Collegiate Category
King Music Education Scholarship:
Local and District Presidents Community Service Award for Ninth Graders:
Community Service Awards for 12th Graders:
Senior String Competition:
FSMTA State Concerto Competition:
Piano Junior:
Piano Intermediate:
Piano Senior:
String Junior:
String Intermediate:
String Senior:
Brass Senior:
Voice Senior:
Gray Perry Young Collegiate Piano Competition:
- 1st: Quang Vo, Student of Michael Baron
- 2nd: Caroline Dratnal, Student of Roberta Rust
- HM: Duy Vu, Student of Michael Baron
- HM: Vu Dang, student of Michael Baron
- HM: Ana-Maria Uzunova, Student of Roberta Rust
Byrd Piano Ensemble (Pre-College):
- 1st: Christina Koyama/ Qiye Alice Yang, Students of Irena Kofman
Byrd Memorial Piano Ensemble Competition: Collegiate Category
- 1st: Tuan Vu/ Minh Le, Students of Michael Baron
2nd: Quang Vo/ Duy Vu, students of Michael Baron; Dylan Rhodes/ Daniel Farias, Students of Heidi Louise Williams
HM: Leon Leu/ Leandro El-Baroudi, Students of Irena Kofman
King Music Education Scholarship:
- Xixi Shen (FSU), student of Diana Dumlavwalla
Local and District Presidents Community Service Award for Ninth Graders:
- Melody Yu, student of Sandra Palme
Community Service Awards for 12th Graders:
- Abraham Medina, student of Marie Hass
Senior String Competition:
- 1st: Sophie De, Student of Janna Lower
- 2nd: Joel Alexander, Student of Lorna Wood
FSMTA State Concerto Competition:
Piano Junior:
- 1st: Victoria Lyang, Student of Hanna Sun
- 2nd: Sasha Yan, Student of Shigu Zhang
- 2nd: Amber Luu, Student of Kenji Suganuma
- HM: Alex Chang, Student of Nadia Mezey
Piano Intermediate:
- 1st : Yo-Yo Qu, Student of Shigu Zhang
- 2nd: Kai Subhawong, Student of Inesa Gagprifti
- 2nd: Madison Fang, Student of Olga Glick
- HM: Sophia Acevedo, Student of Zalina Gurevich
Piano Senior:
- 1st: Josetta Wang, Student of Ruo Huang-Balko
- 2nd: Derek Sung, Student of Olga Glick
- HM: Jennifer Wang, Student of Mika Fugita
- HM: Nathan Kwok, Student of Zalina Guravich
String Junior:
- 1st: Hugo Veronesi, Student of Huifang Chen
- 2nd: Ian Tran, Student of Chih-Jung Hsu
String Intermediate:
- 1st: Regine Lee, Student of Rimma Bergeron-Langlois
- 2nd: Amanda Nunez, Student of Huifang Chen
- HM: Jianlin Chen, Student of Yan Lu Jiang
String Senior:
- 1st: David Xiao, Student of Huifang Chen
- 2nd: Nicholas Shikano, Student of Chih-Jung Hsu
- 2nd: Sophie De, Student of Janna Lower
- HM: Amelie Heine, Student of Jason Jerald
Brass Senior:
- 1st: Andrew Roberts, Student of Laurie Penpraze
Voice Senior:
- 1st: Addison Ridgdill, Student of Candace Sundby
Photos & Bios of Winners
Gray Perry Young Collegiate Piano Competition winner, Quang Vo (District 7)
Quang Vo, a 17-year-old pianist from Vietnam, is currently a piano performance major at Florida Gulf Coast University where he studies with Dr. Michael Baron. He receives the Steinway, Williams, and Nisita scholarships. While studying at the National Academy of Music in Hanoi with Dr. Dao Trong Tuyên, Mr. Vo achieved several prestigious awards, such as the “Autumn Music Competition” and the First Prize in the Young Talent Contest for students from culture and art training institutions nationwide. He was awarded a Certificate of Merit from the Prime Minister of Vietnam and was honored as "The Promising New Face in Culture and Arts of Vietnam". He recently participated in the Kayserburg International Piano Competition where he was awarded first prize as the best pianist in Vietnam and was given a piano as part of his award. Most recently he received first place in the Tampa Bay Symphony Competition. Last week he performed four enthusiastically received performances of the Liszt First Piano Concerto in Tampa and St. Petersburg as part of his award. He also received First Place in the MTNA Competition for the state of Florida in which he competed against the best pianists throughout the state. Mr. Vo has won more than forty domestic and international piano awards. First prizes include the 6th Steinway Youth Competition in Vietnam, the Crescendo Competition of Pesaro, Italy, the Luigi Cerritelli International Competition, the V. Danbia Liszt International Competition of Hungary, the Orbetello Piano Competition of Italy, the Tiziano Rossetti Competition of Hungary, The Wonder Keys Competition of Russia, the Constanta International Competition of Romania, the Chicago International Music Competition, the Città de San Donà di Piave in Italy, the Atlanta Festival Academy Competition, the Asia & Oceania International Competition in London, the Putra International Piano Competition in Malaysia, the 5th Chopin Competition in Thailand, the 8th Mozart Competition in Thailand, the China-Asean Piano Competition in China, and many others. He has also participated in many solo performances as well as performances as soloist with orchestras in Thailand, Malaysia, China, Hungary, Germany, and the United States. Mr. Vo is also an accomplished violinist and cellist and has studied five languages. He is well known for his brilliant facility and strong musical personality.
Quang Vo, a 17-year-old pianist from Vietnam, is currently a piano performance major at Florida Gulf Coast University where he studies with Dr. Michael Baron. He receives the Steinway, Williams, and Nisita scholarships. While studying at the National Academy of Music in Hanoi with Dr. Dao Trong Tuyên, Mr. Vo achieved several prestigious awards, such as the “Autumn Music Competition” and the First Prize in the Young Talent Contest for students from culture and art training institutions nationwide. He was awarded a Certificate of Merit from the Prime Minister of Vietnam and was honored as "The Promising New Face in Culture and Arts of Vietnam". He recently participated in the Kayserburg International Piano Competition where he was awarded first prize as the best pianist in Vietnam and was given a piano as part of his award. Most recently he received first place in the Tampa Bay Symphony Competition. Last week he performed four enthusiastically received performances of the Liszt First Piano Concerto in Tampa and St. Petersburg as part of his award. He also received First Place in the MTNA Competition for the state of Florida in which he competed against the best pianists throughout the state. Mr. Vo has won more than forty domestic and international piano awards. First prizes include the 6th Steinway Youth Competition in Vietnam, the Crescendo Competition of Pesaro, Italy, the Luigi Cerritelli International Competition, the V. Danbia Liszt International Competition of Hungary, the Orbetello Piano Competition of Italy, the Tiziano Rossetti Competition of Hungary, The Wonder Keys Competition of Russia, the Constanta International Competition of Romania, the Chicago International Music Competition, the Città de San Donà di Piave in Italy, the Atlanta Festival Academy Competition, the Asia & Oceania International Competition in London, the Putra International Piano Competition in Malaysia, the 5th Chopin Competition in Thailand, the 8th Mozart Competition in Thailand, the China-Asean Piano Competition in China, and many others. He has also participated in many solo performances as well as performances as soloist with orchestras in Thailand, Malaysia, China, Hungary, Germany, and the United States. Mr. Vo is also an accomplished violinist and cellist and has studied five languages. He is well known for his brilliant facility and strong musical personality.
Byrd Piano Ensemble (Pre-College) Winners: Christina Koyama/Qiye Alice Yang (District 6)
Christina Koyama is a 7th grade student at BAK Middle School of the Arts. Under the guidance of her teacher, Dr. Irena Kofman, Christina has participated in many piano events and has won many prizes. In 2021, she was the winner of piano solo elementary III of Florida Federation of Music clubs (FFMC). At the same year, she won second place in elementary concerto completion of Florida State Music Teacher Association (FSMTA). She also won best performance for Romantic Piece at Cremona International Music Festival. Christina has performed at Carnegie Hall, the opening event for Atlantic Classical Orchestra and Youth Art Celebrations at Lyric Theatre. In her free time, Christina enjoys playing flute, road trips and playing with her friends.
Christina Koyama is a 7th grade student at BAK Middle School of the Arts. Under the guidance of her teacher, Dr. Irena Kofman, Christina has participated in many piano events and has won many prizes. In 2021, she was the winner of piano solo elementary III of Florida Federation of Music clubs (FFMC). At the same year, she won second place in elementary concerto completion of Florida State Music Teacher Association (FSMTA). She also won best performance for Romantic Piece at Cremona International Music Festival. Christina has performed at Carnegie Hall, the opening event for Atlantic Classical Orchestra and Youth Art Celebrations at Lyric Theatre. In her free time, Christina enjoys playing flute, road trips and playing with her friends.
Alice Yang is a 7th grade student communications major at BAK Middle School of the Arts. She has been playing piano since she was little. In her free time she enjoys designing, writing, and video production.
Byrd Memorial Piano Ensemble Competition: Collegiate Category Winners: Tuan Vu/ Minh Le (District 7)
Tuan Vu had his first piano lessons at the age of 6. In 2018, he started his study for Bachelor Degree in Piano Performance under Dr. Huy Phuong Nguyen in Vietnam National Academy of Music. During this time, he competed and won prizes in national and regional piano and chamber competitions such as Hanoi International Piano Competition, China - ASEAN Piano Competition, Vietnam International Music Competition for Violin and Chamber music. He also perform regularly in concert events in Vietnam. In 2022, he graduated as the valedictorian and was offered scholarship to continue his study in Florida Gulf Coast University under Dr. Michael Baron.
Tuan Vu had his first piano lessons at the age of 6. In 2018, he started his study for Bachelor Degree in Piano Performance under Dr. Huy Phuong Nguyen in Vietnam National Academy of Music. During this time, he competed and won prizes in national and regional piano and chamber competitions such as Hanoi International Piano Competition, China - ASEAN Piano Competition, Vietnam International Music Competition for Violin and Chamber music. He also perform regularly in concert events in Vietnam. In 2022, he graduated as the valedictorian and was offered scholarship to continue his study in Florida Gulf Coast University under Dr. Michael Baron.
Minh Le started learning piano at the age of 9. At 11, he enrolled at the Vietnam National Academy of Music, studying piano performance with Professor and Vietnamese People's Artist Tran Thu Ha.
Minh has won awards in national and international piano competitions, such as Gold Prize at the 2017 Asia International Piano Competition in South Korea, 2nd prize at the 30th FLAME Concours 2019 in France, Third prize at the Vietnam National Competition "Autumn" 2019, Second prize at the Kayserburg Youth Vietnam Piano 2022. In addition to prizes from piano competitions, Minh was one of the recipients of the Toyota Scholarship for Vietnamese Young Music Talents 2019 for excellent academic record, sponsored by Toyota Motor Vietnam and Vietnam's Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism.
Minh auditioned for undergraduate studies at Florida Gulf Coast University where he received the Anne and John Roberts full scholarships to study under the guidance of Dr. Michael Baron, Head of Keyboard Studies at the Bower School of Music.
Minh has won awards in national and international piano competitions, such as Gold Prize at the 2017 Asia International Piano Competition in South Korea, 2nd prize at the 30th FLAME Concours 2019 in France, Third prize at the Vietnam National Competition "Autumn" 2019, Second prize at the Kayserburg Youth Vietnam Piano 2022. In addition to prizes from piano competitions, Minh was one of the recipients of the Toyota Scholarship for Vietnamese Young Music Talents 2019 for excellent academic record, sponsored by Toyota Motor Vietnam and Vietnam's Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism.
Minh auditioned for undergraduate studies at Florida Gulf Coast University where he received the Anne and John Roberts full scholarships to study under the guidance of Dr. Michael Baron, Head of Keyboard Studies at the Bower School of Music.
Senior String Competition Winner: Sophie De (District 3)
Sophie De (17) began playing the violin at the age of six at a music school in Armenia. There she learned piano, music theory and vocal training. She currently is a high school senior dual enrolling at Santa Fe College and will receive her Associate of Biological Sciences degree in May. She has been the Concertmaster of the Alachua County Youth Orchestra for the last two consecutive years, she was also the concertmaster of the Super String Orchestra conducted by Itzhak Perlman. Besides having exceptional academic grades, Sophie has won numerous competitions around the world – in Ukraine, Slovenia, Poland, Malta, Serbia, Armenia, Belgium, and Switzerland. She has First Prizes from the Junior String Competition in Florida State by the MTNA, State Concerto Competition by the FSMTA, First Prize winner, gold medalist and an outstanding instrumental soloist at the 4th and 7th Annual Sacred Music Florida Competition.
She was the winner of the “Kaleidoscope of Talents” in Poland, the Oskar Rieding 4th International Project for Young Musicians in Slovenia, the Malta International Music Competition, the 11th International Music competition in Serbia, and the ISCART International Music Competition in Lugano, Switzerland. She also played as a first violin in the University of Florida Summer Symphonic Orchestra for two years. Sophie is also a winner of the violin concerto, solo, ensemble, and fiddle categories of the FFMC competition, as well as the GMTA Jeremy Avram Kushner Orchestral Instrument Award and the Dorothy Reaves String Award.
She currently studies with Prof. Janna Lower.
Sophie De (17) began playing the violin at the age of six at a music school in Armenia. There she learned piano, music theory and vocal training. She currently is a high school senior dual enrolling at Santa Fe College and will receive her Associate of Biological Sciences degree in May. She has been the Concertmaster of the Alachua County Youth Orchestra for the last two consecutive years, she was also the concertmaster of the Super String Orchestra conducted by Itzhak Perlman. Besides having exceptional academic grades, Sophie has won numerous competitions around the world – in Ukraine, Slovenia, Poland, Malta, Serbia, Armenia, Belgium, and Switzerland. She has First Prizes from the Junior String Competition in Florida State by the MTNA, State Concerto Competition by the FSMTA, First Prize winner, gold medalist and an outstanding instrumental soloist at the 4th and 7th Annual Sacred Music Florida Competition.
She was the winner of the “Kaleidoscope of Talents” in Poland, the Oskar Rieding 4th International Project for Young Musicians in Slovenia, the Malta International Music Competition, the 11th International Music competition in Serbia, and the ISCART International Music Competition in Lugano, Switzerland. She also played as a first violin in the University of Florida Summer Symphonic Orchestra for two years. Sophie is also a winner of the violin concerto, solo, ensemble, and fiddle categories of the FFMC competition, as well as the GMTA Jeremy Avram Kushner Orchestral Instrument Award and the Dorothy Reaves String Award.
She currently studies with Prof. Janna Lower.
*** 1st Prize winners of the State Concerto Competition
Piano Junior Winner: Victoria Lyang (District 5)
Victoria Lyang, a 9 year old pianist from New Jersey, now resides in Orlando, Florida and studies piano with Professor Hannah Sun.
Victoria had her first orchestral debut with SEEN orchestra conducted by Conner Gray Covington for semifinal round of International Young Artist Concerto Competition in Chicago in January 2024. She graced the stage with her debut recital with Hannah Sun and Yohann Ripert at Orlando Steinway Piano Gallery in October 2023.
Victoria also won many prestigious accolades such as the top prize of 2023 Walgreens National Concerto Competition and 2023 DePaul National Concerto Competition: the first prize and special judges' recognition award at 2023 Carmel Klavier Piano competition.
Victoria Lyang, a 9 year old pianist from New Jersey, now resides in Orlando, Florida and studies piano with Professor Hannah Sun.
Victoria had her first orchestral debut with SEEN orchestra conducted by Conner Gray Covington for semifinal round of International Young Artist Concerto Competition in Chicago in January 2024. She graced the stage with her debut recital with Hannah Sun and Yohann Ripert at Orlando Steinway Piano Gallery in October 2023.
Victoria also won many prestigious accolades such as the top prize of 2023 Walgreens National Concerto Competition and 2023 DePaul National Concerto Competition: the first prize and special judges' recognition award at 2023 Carmel Klavier Piano competition.
Piano Intermediate Winner: Yo-Yo Qu (District 4)
Yo-Yo Qu is the first prize winner of the 2022 Florida Federation Music Clubs Junior Concerto Competition, 2022 Florida State Music Teachers Association Junior Concerto Competition, 2022 Chopin Foundation Florida Junior Chopin Prize, 2022 and 2023 Florida State MTNA Junior Piano Performance Competition, 2023 Oxana Yablonskaya Piano Institute Kovachevitsa Piano Festival Senior Group. He received 2024 University of Florida International Piano Festival Full Fellow Scholarship award. He studies with Professors Shigu Zhang, Shijun Wang, and Hsiang Tu. He took masterclasses with Professors Gary Graffman, Oxana Yablonskaya, Ernest Barretta, Hung-Kuan Chen, Ran Dank, Soyeon Kate Lee, Tamila Azadaliyeva, Svetlana Vest, Elena Dabul, and Byeol Kim.
Yo-Yo Qu is the first prize winner of the 2022 Florida Federation Music Clubs Junior Concerto Competition, 2022 Florida State Music Teachers Association Junior Concerto Competition, 2022 Chopin Foundation Florida Junior Chopin Prize, 2022 and 2023 Florida State MTNA Junior Piano Performance Competition, 2023 Oxana Yablonskaya Piano Institute Kovachevitsa Piano Festival Senior Group. He received 2024 University of Florida International Piano Festival Full Fellow Scholarship award. He studies with Professors Shigu Zhang, Shijun Wang, and Hsiang Tu. He took masterclasses with Professors Gary Graffman, Oxana Yablonskaya, Ernest Barretta, Hung-Kuan Chen, Ran Dank, Soyeon Kate Lee, Tamila Azadaliyeva, Svetlana Vest, Elena Dabul, and Byeol Kim.
Piano Senior Winner: Josetta Wang (District 6)
Josetta Wang is a sixteen-year-old junior piano major at A. W. Dreyfoos School of the Arts. She studied piano under Ruo Huang-Balko’s tutelage for nine years and with Michael Ruiz for three years. A young pianist, Josetta has won multiple state-level piano solo and piano concerto competitions. She is honored to be nationally recognized by the Chopin Foundation of the United States as a Junior Chopin Prize and Chopin Foundation Scholarship winner. She has performed in various venues across South Florida, including the Harriet Himmel Theater and the Kravis Center. In addition to playing piano competitively, Josetta devotes her time to spreading the love and joy of music to others. She is the founder and CEO of The Crescendo Project, a non-profit organization that provides free piano lessons to elementary students in Title I schools. Music is an integral part of her life, and Josetta believes it is a privilege to share that joy with others.
Josetta Wang is a sixteen-year-old junior piano major at A. W. Dreyfoos School of the Arts. She studied piano under Ruo Huang-Balko’s tutelage for nine years and with Michael Ruiz for three years. A young pianist, Josetta has won multiple state-level piano solo and piano concerto competitions. She is honored to be nationally recognized by the Chopin Foundation of the United States as a Junior Chopin Prize and Chopin Foundation Scholarship winner. She has performed in various venues across South Florida, including the Harriet Himmel Theater and the Kravis Center. In addition to playing piano competitively, Josetta devotes her time to spreading the love and joy of music to others. She is the founder and CEO of The Crescendo Project, a non-profit organization that provides free piano lessons to elementary students in Title I schools. Music is an integral part of her life, and Josetta believes it is a privilege to share that joy with others.
String Junior Winner: Hugo Veronesi (District 6)
Hugo Veronesi is a 10-year-old violinist who began playing the violin at the young age of 3 through the Suzuki method program at Frost Preparatory at the University of Miami. He is currently a student of Ms. Huifang Chen and is in the 4th grade at Sunset Elementary School in Miami. Hugo is the concertmaster of the advanced orchestra at his school and also enjoys participating in violin ensembles, duets, and trios. He has achieved great success in his musical endeavors, winning first place in the 5-10 age category at the 2023 American Classical Young Musician Award.
In addition to his musical activities, Hugo is also trilingual, speaking Japanese, French, and English, and enjoys playing fencing on a weekly basis.
Hugo Veronesi is a 10-year-old violinist who began playing the violin at the young age of 3 through the Suzuki method program at Frost Preparatory at the University of Miami. He is currently a student of Ms. Huifang Chen and is in the 4th grade at Sunset Elementary School in Miami. Hugo is the concertmaster of the advanced orchestra at his school and also enjoys participating in violin ensembles, duets, and trios. He has achieved great success in his musical endeavors, winning first place in the 5-10 age category at the 2023 American Classical Young Musician Award.
In addition to his musical activities, Hugo is also trilingual, speaking Japanese, French, and English, and enjoys playing fencing on a weekly basis.
String Intermediate Winner: Regine Lee (District 5)
Regine Lee ,14, is a homeschooled ninth grader from Mt. Dora, Florida. She began her violin studies with Olga Kolpakova at the age of 6 at the Saint Andrew’s Conservatory of Music and has received multiple awards from the Florida Federation of Music Clubs Junior Convention (FFMC) for violin and piano events. She has participated in programs such as the MasterWorks Festival, the OPO Summer Music Camp, and the Stetson String Institute. She is member of the Florida Symphony Youth Orchestras' Symphonic Orchestra and also participants in Saint Andrew’s Chapel 's Youth String Ensemble and Youth Choir. Regine likes to read, listens to music, spend time with her friends, three other siblings and her two cats.
Regine Lee ,14, is a homeschooled ninth grader from Mt. Dora, Florida. She began her violin studies with Olga Kolpakova at the age of 6 at the Saint Andrew’s Conservatory of Music and has received multiple awards from the Florida Federation of Music Clubs Junior Convention (FFMC) for violin and piano events. She has participated in programs such as the MasterWorks Festival, the OPO Summer Music Camp, and the Stetson String Institute. She is member of the Florida Symphony Youth Orchestras' Symphonic Orchestra and also participants in Saint Andrew’s Chapel 's Youth String Ensemble and Youth Choir. Regine likes to read, listens to music, spend time with her friends, three other siblings and her two cats.
String Senior Winner: David Xiao (District 6)
David Xiao is a student in the Class of 2024 at the American Heritage School Plantation. He studies violin with Ms. Huifang Chen. David received the Judges’ Distinction Award & 1st Place at the American Protégé International Concerto Competition 2022. He was also chosen as a 1st Place Winner of the American Protégé International Music Talent Competition in Spring 2022 and performed solo at its Winners Recital at the Weill Recital Hall of the Carnegie Halls in 2023. David won consistently in 8 years of participation in the FFMC (Florida Federation of Music Clubs), FSMTA (Florida State Music Teacher Association), and other competitions. Some awards include 1st Place in the 2024 and 2022 FSMTA District 6 Senior Strings Concerto Competitions, winner of the highest violin solo level, Violin Solo Advanced Class II (and recipient of its Endowment Award), at the FFMC 2022 Junior Music Convention and State Competitions, and 2nd Place in the 2022 FSMTA State Senior String Concerto Competition. David has served as concertmaster in the 2024 Florida All-State 11-12th grade Orchestra, 2023 New World Symphony Side-by-Side Orchestra, 2022-2024 Florida Youth Orchestra’s Principal Orchestras, and 2022-2023 Broward All-County Gold Orchestras. David performs violin for church worships, hospitals, fundraisings, senior communities, children’s groups, libraries, and meetings heavily. He also taught violin in youth summer programs every year in high school. He is therefore nominated for the 2024 "Miami Herald Silver Knight Award" by American Heritage School in the "Music and Dance" category. David is also a 2024 Arts for Life! Award Winner presented by former Florida First Lady Columba Bush and the Foundation for Excellence in Education. He will be studying Violin performance at Vanderbilt University Blair School of Music starting Fall 2024.
David Xiao is a student in the Class of 2024 at the American Heritage School Plantation. He studies violin with Ms. Huifang Chen. David received the Judges’ Distinction Award & 1st Place at the American Protégé International Concerto Competition 2022. He was also chosen as a 1st Place Winner of the American Protégé International Music Talent Competition in Spring 2022 and performed solo at its Winners Recital at the Weill Recital Hall of the Carnegie Halls in 2023. David won consistently in 8 years of participation in the FFMC (Florida Federation of Music Clubs), FSMTA (Florida State Music Teacher Association), and other competitions. Some awards include 1st Place in the 2024 and 2022 FSMTA District 6 Senior Strings Concerto Competitions, winner of the highest violin solo level, Violin Solo Advanced Class II (and recipient of its Endowment Award), at the FFMC 2022 Junior Music Convention and State Competitions, and 2nd Place in the 2022 FSMTA State Senior String Concerto Competition. David has served as concertmaster in the 2024 Florida All-State 11-12th grade Orchestra, 2023 New World Symphony Side-by-Side Orchestra, 2022-2024 Florida Youth Orchestra’s Principal Orchestras, and 2022-2023 Broward All-County Gold Orchestras. David performs violin for church worships, hospitals, fundraisings, senior communities, children’s groups, libraries, and meetings heavily. He also taught violin in youth summer programs every year in high school. He is therefore nominated for the 2024 "Miami Herald Silver Knight Award" by American Heritage School in the "Music and Dance" category. David is also a 2024 Arts for Life! Award Winner presented by former Florida First Lady Columba Bush and the Foundation for Excellence in Education. He will be studying Violin performance at Vanderbilt University Blair School of Music starting Fall 2024.
Brass Senior Winner: Andrew Roberts (District 1)
Andrew Roberts is 16 years old and is a trombone student of Laurie Penpraze and Ingrid Roberts. He is a Junior at Niceville High School and is currently the Principal Trombone of the NHS Wind Symphony, Lead Trombone of the NHS Jazz Big Band, and Trombone Section Leader of the NHS Eagle Pride Marching Band. Andrew was 1st Place Winner of the 2023 FSMTA District 1 and 2023 FSMTA State Intermediate Brass Concerto Competition. He was also the Florida State Representative for the 2023 MTNA Brass Competition. Andrew has served as Principal/1st Chair Trombone of the 2024 Okaloosa All-County High School Honor Band, the 2023 Carnegie Hall Honors Performance Series National High School Symphonic Band in NYC, the 2023 Fort Walton Beach Florida Stake Orchestra, and Co-1st Chair Trombone of the 2021-2022 Sinfonia Youth Orchestra. He was selected as 1st Trombone for the 2023 Honor Band of America and 4th Chair Trombone for the 2022 Sousa National High School Honor Band. In 2021 & 2023, Andrew was honored to be in the FBA Florida All-State Band. Andrew is a 3-year recipient of the Summer Music Camp Scholarship awarded by the Choctaw Bay Music Club. In addition to being a talented trombone player, Andrew is an accomplished pianist recently receiving the 2023 Paderewski Medal by the American College of Musicians National Piano Guild. He also plays on the NHS Varsity Tennis Team, where he was the 2022 District Team Champion, 2022 Regional Team Champion, 2022 State Team Final Four, 2023 District Singles Champion, and 2023 District Doubles Champion.
Andrew Roberts is 16 years old and is a trombone student of Laurie Penpraze and Ingrid Roberts. He is a Junior at Niceville High School and is currently the Principal Trombone of the NHS Wind Symphony, Lead Trombone of the NHS Jazz Big Band, and Trombone Section Leader of the NHS Eagle Pride Marching Band. Andrew was 1st Place Winner of the 2023 FSMTA District 1 and 2023 FSMTA State Intermediate Brass Concerto Competition. He was also the Florida State Representative for the 2023 MTNA Brass Competition. Andrew has served as Principal/1st Chair Trombone of the 2024 Okaloosa All-County High School Honor Band, the 2023 Carnegie Hall Honors Performance Series National High School Symphonic Band in NYC, the 2023 Fort Walton Beach Florida Stake Orchestra, and Co-1st Chair Trombone of the 2021-2022 Sinfonia Youth Orchestra. He was selected as 1st Trombone for the 2023 Honor Band of America and 4th Chair Trombone for the 2022 Sousa National High School Honor Band. In 2021 & 2023, Andrew was honored to be in the FBA Florida All-State Band. Andrew is a 3-year recipient of the Summer Music Camp Scholarship awarded by the Choctaw Bay Music Club. In addition to being a talented trombone player, Andrew is an accomplished pianist recently receiving the 2023 Paderewski Medal by the American College of Musicians National Piano Guild. He also plays on the NHS Varsity Tennis Team, where he was the 2022 District Team Champion, 2022 Regional Team Champion, 2022 State Team Final Four, 2023 District Singles Champion, and 2023 District Doubles Champion.
Voice Senior Winner: Addison Ridgdill (District 7)
Addison Ridgdill is a 15-year-old singer, actor, and dancer. She is also a sophomore at Moore Haven Middle-High School. Addison takes private voice and piano lessons once a week, `as well as private dance lessons in Ballet, Lyrical, Tap, and Jazz twice a week. Some of her accomplishments include acting in three of her school’s Spring Musical productions. These productions include: “The Wizard of Oz”, “You’re a Good Man Charlie Brown”, and “Legally Blonde”. Addison claims her favorite production she has done is “Legally Blonde”, where she played Elle Woods. She is currently working on the production of “Grease”, in which she’ll play Sandy Dumbrowski. She claims that there is nothing better than creating music with people who share similar passions. Addison is also involved in an organization called The Glades County Season of Fine Arts, in which musical groups are brought into Glades County to showcase the beauty of music to those who may not have seen it yet. Addison plans to attend a Performing Arts College to pursue the field of music in her future. This is Addison’s very first vocal competition, and she is beyond excited to be participating, and she hopes to be able to participate in more competitions in the near future.
Addison Ridgdill is a 15-year-old singer, actor, and dancer. She is also a sophomore at Moore Haven Middle-High School. Addison takes private voice and piano lessons once a week, `as well as private dance lessons in Ballet, Lyrical, Tap, and Jazz twice a week. Some of her accomplishments include acting in three of her school’s Spring Musical productions. These productions include: “The Wizard of Oz”, “You’re a Good Man Charlie Brown”, and “Legally Blonde”. Addison claims her favorite production she has done is “Legally Blonde”, where she played Elle Woods. She is currently working on the production of “Grease”, in which she’ll play Sandy Dumbrowski. She claims that there is nothing better than creating music with people who share similar passions. Addison is also involved in an organization called The Glades County Season of Fine Arts, in which musical groups are brought into Glades County to showcase the beauty of music to those who may not have seen it yet. Addison plans to attend a Performing Arts College to pursue the field of music in her future. This is Addison’s very first vocal competition, and she is beyond excited to be participating, and she hopes to be able to participate in more competitions in the near future.