If you missed the Concerto Competition recital, you missed an amazing musical experience. All of our finalists played marvelously and the judges had a very tough decision to make. This year's prestigious group of judges included David Bjella - Professor of Cello at Stetson University, Keiko Andrews - Pianist with the Orlando Philharmonic Orchestra, and Joey Vascik - Trombonist with the Orlando Philharmonic Orchestra. Congratulations are in order to our 3 concerto winners who will be performing with FSYO's Symphonic Orchestra at these concerts:
Celebration Foundation, Classic Concert Series - February 8, 2015:
Hannah Lindvall, Violin: Violin Concerto No. 5 in A Major, K.219, W.A. Mozart
Children Helping Children - March 15, 2015:
Matthew Mignardi, Trumpet: Concerto, Alexander Arutunian
FSYO Season Finale - May 10, 2015:
Jessica Chancey, Flute: Fantaisie Pastorale Hongroise, Op 26 - Franz Doppler
For more information and to purchase tickets to these concerts click here.
Finalists, in alphabetical order by last name:
Dillon Acey, Clarinet: Dillon Acey is a senior music major at Osceola County School for the Arts in Kissimmee, Florida, where he is principal clarinetist in the Wind Ensemble and the Symphony Orchestra. Dillon has been a member of FSYO for the past four years, and this year is the principal clarinetist in the Symphonic Orchestra. He has been a member of Florida All-State orchestra/bands for the past four years. Dillon also plays bass clarinet and baritone saxophone. In addition to his primary interest in classical performance, Dillon is a member of the OCSA Jazz Band A, which was selected last year as a finalist in the Essentially Ellington Competition, performing at Jazz at Lincoln Center in New York City. For the past six years he has studied clarinet under Mr. William Goldstein. After graduation from OCSA Dillon plans to pursue a career in classical music performance.
Jessica Chancey, Flute: Jessica is a senior at Lake Mary High School where she's Drum Major of the marching band, 1st chair flute/piccolo in the wind ensemble and lone flutist in the jazz band. She has participated in All-State Band/Orchestra three times, Seminole All-County Honor Band four times and Tri-state Band. Jessica's earned "Superior" marks for flute/piccolo solos at District/State Solo/Ensemble events since middle school. She was a finalist in the 2014 Florida Flute Association's High School Young Artist Solo Competition. She also attended Interlochen Center for the Arts Summer Music Program where she was Principal Piccolo/2nd flute in the World Youth Wind Symphony. She's a member of the Tri-M Music Honor Society and National Honor Society. This is Jessica's 5th season with FSYO and is currently Principal Flute in the Symphonic Orchestra. Jessica studies with mentor, Colleen Blagov, and plans to continue her orchestral education as a flute performance major in college.
Emily Erdman, Violin: Emily Erdman is enjoying her eighth season with FSYO as the concert mistress of the Symphonic Orchestra. She is a sophomore at Seminole High School, holding a 4.5 GPA in the International Baccalaureate program, is a member of Beta Chi and Key Club, and the concert mistress of the Seminole High School Symphonic Orchestra. Emily participates in many community service events and is a member of the Teen Team at the Central Florida Zoo.
Emily has been playing violin for over ten years and is privileged to study with Dr. Lev Gurevich. She has participated in the Florida All State Orchestra since the 7th grade, the 2013 and 2014 Arts Alive in Seminole gala events, annual Florida Federation of Music Clubs and Florida Music Educators Association events, master classes with principal players of the Philadelphia Orchestra, and led the top orchestra at the Philadelphia International Music Festival this past summer.
Vanessa Huber Weber, Violin: Vanessa Huber Weber, a freshman, has played with FSYO since Kindergarten. This is her third year as a first violinist in Symphonic. She is an assistant concertmaster. Vanessa has represented FSYO as a member of chamber ensembles for the past four years. She was Concertmaster of the Chamber Orchestra at the Austrian Master Classes and a State Winner at the 2014 Florida Federation of Music Clubs. Vanessa was a finalist in the FSYO 2013 Concerto Competition, 2013 Orfeo Festival Concerto Competition and the International Competition in Vipiteno, Italy. Vanessa studies with Dr. Alvaro Gomez and is co-concertmaster of Winter Park Chamber Music Academy. Having started her life in an orphanage in China, Vanessa shares her time and talent with Community Based Care and other organizations that assist children and families with foster care and adoptions. Vanessa enjoys competitive fencing and likes to write short stories or bake in her free time.
Hannah Lindvall, Violin: Hannah Lindvall, age 14, is the principal second violinist of the FSYO Symphonic Orchestra. This is her eighth season with FSYO, and she has previously served as concertmaster for the FSYO Overture Strings, Prelude, and Philharmonia orchestras. In 2012, Hannah was an FSYO concerto competition winner and won first place at the FFMC Junior Convention for Violin Solo. She has been a Florida All-State ensemble participant since seventh grade, this year as a member of the All-State Sight Reading Chorus.
Hannah is a freshman at Trinity Preparatory School, where she participates in Vocal Society and Glee Club. She also performs at community events with her string trio and the Oviedo School of Rock House Band. Outside of her musical activities, Hannah is a member of the Mu Alpha Theta math club and does peer tutoring after school. She loves to dance in her spare time. Hannah studies with Dr. Lev Gurevich.
Matthew Mignardi, Trumpet: Matthew Mignardi, a senior at Winter Park High School, found his love for music ten years ago when he started playing piano. Two years later he picked up the trumpet, which soon became his main instrument. As a trumpet player, Matthew has had the honor of performing in the FMEA All-State Convention for five years, being in the semifinals at the National Trumpet Competition 2014, and performing with the Honor Band of America 2014. Matthew has been a featured soloist for The Winter Park High School Marching band for three years including this year's show: Shostakovich. Matthew was the principal trumpet in the All-State Symphonic Band in 2014 and has been principal trumpet in the Winter Park High School Wind Ensemble for two years. He has been in FSYO for two years and is currently the principal trumpet of the Symphonic Orchestra. Matthew plans on majoring in music performance and aspires to become a trumpet professor at a University.
Amber Yang, Piano: Amber Yang is a tenth grade student at Trinity Preparatory School. Born in Atlanta, Georgia, she began her piano studies at age five. Since then, piano remained an important part of Amber's life. From a young age, Amber has always had a passion for music, and this led her to violin lessons at the age of eight. Amber currently studies piano under the direction of Dr. Gary Wolf and the violin under Dr. Lev Gurevich. She would like to thank them both for shaping her into the musician that she is today. In 2008, Amber joined the FSYO and has been a member of the Overture Strings, Prelude, Philharmonia, and Symphonic Orchestras. In 2012, she was an FSYO Concerto Competition Winner. For the past seven years, Amber has received straight superior ratings in piano and violin solo and concerto events at the Florida Federation of Music Clubs and she is a three-time state winner of the Federation piano competitions. Additionally, she has been the winner of the Orlando Music Club Scholarship Audition for Piano Solo and Concerto. In addition to playing the piano and violin, Amber is an active member of the National Speech and Debate Association, Science Olympiad, and the Junior Classical League.
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