Youth Talent Auditions
Scholarships and Awards
2009 Youth Talent Auditions
On January 10, 2009, the Topeka Symphony will hold its 56th annual Youth Talent Auditions. Each year the Symphony sponsors this event to give high school students the opportunity to perform a solo with the Topeka Symphony Orchestra. Out of four areas of competition – keyboard, strings, wind and percussion instruments, and voice – one student is chosen to perform with the Topeka Symphony and the first runner up appears at the Topeka Symphony Youth Orchestra concert. The winner in each category is awarded a scholarship by Capitol Federal.
Contact the TSO office for an application form
2008 Youth Talent Winners
Joo-Eun Michelle Kim, Violin
The overall winner of the 2008 Topeka Symphony Youth Talent Competition is Joo-Eun Michelle Kim of Overland Park, Kansas. Michelle will perform the third movement of the Violin Concerto No. 3 in B minor by Camille Saint-Saëns with the Topeka Symphony Orchestra on March 8, 2008. Michelle is a junior at Blue Valley North High School and started violin at the age of six. At an early age, her musical talent was recognized by receiving the Merit Scholarship at the Community Music School at Michigan State University. Since then she has entered string competitions and won numerous prizes. In 2001 she was the winner of the MMTA String Competition, and placed Kansas State Alternate at the MTNA Senior String Division in 2006. This winter, Michelle was selected to participate in the New York String Orchestra Seminar which gave two performances at Carnegie Hall directed by Jamie Laredo.
The daughter of Geum-Suk Son and Nam-Deuk Kim, Michelle often plays with her sister, Mi-Eun, in duo recitals. The sisters’ many musical performances were recognized by the Missouri Piano Teachers Association which named them “Most Musical Family” in 2006. Michelle also enjoys playing chamber music. Her first appearance with an orchestra was with the Springfield Youth Symphony Orchestra. In addition to her study with Ben Sayevich at the Youth Conservatory for Music at Park University, she has attended the String Academy at Indiana University, the Schlern International Music Academy in Italy, and the Green Mountain Chamber Music Festival. Michelle has also performed numerous recitals in Korea, Italy and the United States
Christina Yuen, Piano
Christina Yuen, piano, is first runner-up and winner of the keyboard division. She will perform at the Topeka Symphony Youth Orchestra concert on March 9, 2008 at 2 p.m. Christina will perform the first movement of the Piano Concerto in A minor by Edward Grieg. Christina is from Overland Park and is a Sophomore at Blue Valley Northwest High School. She has studied piano for seven years and began her piano lessons with Christy Dolan of Lee’s Summit at age eight, giving her first solo recital two years later. Christina currently studies with Dr. Jack Winerock of Kansas University. Christina has won the Missouri Western Competition and was also awarded Top Virtuoso at the Mid-America Music Association. Last year she performed with the Kansas City Symphony and the Kansas City Chamber Orchestra. The daughter of Yong Wang and Chung Yung Yuen, Christina enjoys accompanying her church choir and was a member of the Sharks Swim Team.
Kourtney Pyle, Soprano
Kourtney Pyle, Soprano, is the winner of the Voice Division. Kourtney is from Hiawatha and is a Junior at Walnut Creek Christian Academy. She has been studying voice for almost 2 years and is currently taking private voice lessons from Jennifer Stammers of Atchison. Kourtney also enjoys playing the piano which she has been studying for 7 years. The daughter of Dennis and Jennifer Pyle, Kourtney has been a member of her church choir for three years and enjoys singing for church and other events. She also plays volleyball and enjoys baking and spending time with family and friends.
JoAnn Doll and Timmia Hearn Feldman, Flute Duo
JoAnn Doll (right) and Timmia Hearn Feldman (left) are the winners of the Wind and Percussion Division. They performed the Allegro movement of Domenico Cimarosa’s Concerto for Two Flutes in G Major. They have studied flute under Annie Gonjek for six years but have only collaborated for one year. JoAnn, who is a Junior, and Timmia, who is a Senior, are the principal flutists in the Lawrence High School symphonic band and full orchestra. Both have received awards for solos and small ensembles at regional and state competitions and have participated in district and state honor bands. JoAnn and Timmia were winners of the Lawrence High School concerto competition and the wind/percussion division of the Lawrence Chamber Orchestra competition. They are planning a joint recital in the spring. JoAnn is the daughter of David and Vickie Doll and has also played piano for ten years. Timmia is the daughter of Hume Feldman and Serina Alison Hearn and has also been singing in choirs for many years. They both participate in clubs and National History Day. In her spare time Timmia enjoys long walks and lemon tarts, while JoAnn enjoys mangoes and the music of Emmanuel Pahud.
Jay Mueller, Cello
Jay Mueller, cello, is the winner of the Strings Division. He performed the fourth movement of the Edward Elgar Cello Concerto in E Minor. Jay has studied cello since kindergarten. He has played in many orchestras since the third grade including his school orchestras, the KMEA State Honors Orchestra, the Kansas City Youth Symphony, the annual Puccini Festival in Kansas City, and in the Kansas City Civic Orchestra. Jay is a Junior at Shawnee Mission South High school and studies privately with Larry Figg. Jay is also the winner of this year’s string concerto contest at his high school. The son of Thomas and Heather Mueller, Jay also performs frequently at his church and teaches beginning cello lessons. Outside of music, Jay’s greatest interest is history.
The Topeka Symphony Orchestra offers scholarships to string students accepted as a member of the Topeka Symphony Orchestra. Acceptance into the orchestra is by audition and scholarships are awarded based on the audition and an application.
Elna Friedstrom AwardsThe Topeka Symphony League awards grants to musicians in the Topeka Symphony Youth Orchestra and Philharmonic ensembles. These awards honor the memory of Elna Friedstrom, a long time volunteer and supporter of the Topeka Symphony Youth Ensembles. These grants are awarded in the Spring and are based on applications