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LJS&C Press Releases
Winners of the 2008 La Jolla Symphony & Chorus Young Artists Competition Announced
La Jolla, Calif. (February 5, 2008) - The La Jolla Symphony & Chorus (LJS&C) announces the winners of its 49th Young Artists Competition, which was held January 26, 2008. A total of 8 prizes were awarded in instrumental and vocal categories.
First-place instrumental went to 16-year-old cellist Margaret Zhou, who lives in San Diego and attends Westview High School. Margaret has studied cello for 10 years and is principal cello in the Civic Youth Orchestra. First-place vocal went to 28-year-old mezzo-soprano Victoria Robertson, also of San Diego. Victoria attended the University of California, San Diego for her undergraduate studies and is now a graduate student in music at San Diego State University.
First-place winners receive an award of $1,500 each. In total, $6,500 in cash prizes was awarded to the 8 winners. Other place-winners are:
- Second-place instrumental: Mark Teplitsky, age 16, flute (Torrey Pines High School)
- Second-place vocal: Elda Peralta, mezzo-soprano, age 23, resident of Chula Vista
- Third-place instrumental: Lauren Mindoro, age 23, violin, resident of Chula Vista
- Third-place vocal: Courtney Huffman, soprano, age 24, resident of Carlsbad
- Most promising instrumental: Harold Reeves, 16, violin (Poway High School)
- Most promising vocal: Matthew Herriman, baritone, age 25, resident of Poway
All 8 Young Artists winners performed in a Winners Recital on Sunday, January 27, before a sold-out audience at a private concert venue in La Jolla Farms. First-place winners are also offered an opportunity to perform with the LJS&C during the following season. This season, the 2007 first-place instrumental winner, violinist Pasha Tseitlin, will be featured on the LJS&C's February 9-10 concert, performing Prokofiev's Violin Concerto No. 1.
The LJS&C Young Artists Competition is open to contestants who reside in San Diego County or Baja California or have studied with a music teacher in San Diego County or Baja California. In keeping with the LJS&C's mission of performing contemporary as well as classical repertoire, all contestants are required to perform at least one selection composed after 1925.
The La Jolla Symphony & Chorus, San Diego's oldest and largest community orchestra and chorus, is a non-profit musical performing group dedicated to inspiring San Diego with the joy of music. Its 110-person orchestra and 130-person chorus perform groundbreaking orchestral and choral music along with traditional favorites from the classical repertoire. During this 53rd season, Music Director Steven Schick shares the podium with Choral Director David Chase performing works by Antonin Dvorak, Hector Berlioz, Igor Stravinsky, Edgard Varese, Ingram Marshall, Philip Glass, and more.
Competition Winners Perform at Showcase Recital
 1st place instrumental winner, Margaret Zhou (and her mother) |
 1st place vocal winner, Victoria Robertson |
 2nd place instrumental winner, Mark Teplitsky |
 2nd place vocal winner, Elda Peralta |
