POTSDAM - A senior at Manlius Pebble Hill School near Syracuse won the 10th Annual James and Katherine Andrews Young Artist Instrumental Competition, sponsored by the Orchestra of Northern New York, on Saturday, February 13, in Hosmer Hall, SUNY Potsdam.
Kathryn Kovarik, 17, won the first place prize of $500 and the opportunity to perform the Mendelssohn Violin Concerto, third movement, with ONNY at its next concert on March 19 at 7 p.m. in Hosmer Hall. A student of Linda Case, Ms. Kovarik has also won the Onondaga Civic Symphony Youth Concerto Competition in 2014 and 2015. She has been both assistant concertmaster and concertmaster for the Syracuse Symphony Youth Orchestra. Last year, she won the concerto competition for that orchestra. She is the daughter of David and Heidi Kovarik, Syracuse.
Shannon Boyle, 17, from Potsdam took the second place prize of $300 by performing Concertstuck by Gabriel Faure. A home-schooled senior, Ms. Boyle has been studying harp for nine years. She has participated in Crane Youth Music, where she studied harp under Jessica Suchy-Pilalis. Ms. Boyle has also attended the Eastman School of Music summer music program. She is the daughter of John and Catherine Boyle, Potsdam.
Rachel Sohn, 16, of Clifton Park, played the Piano Concerto No. 2, first movement, by Camille Saint-Saens to win the $150 third place prize. Ms. Sohn is a junior at Shenendehowa High School and has been studying piano since the age of four. For the last eight years she has studied with Dr. Young Kim, College of St. Rose. She has won several competitions in central New York. She is the daughter of Jaewoong Sohn and YooHee Kim, Clifton Park.
This year's competition involved seven students from Potsdam, Brownville, Syracuse and the Albany area. Applicants competed on piano, harp, flute, violin and viola.
The competition was established in 2007 to honor James and Katherine Andrews, great supporters of various activities for young people, especially those involving music. The mission of the competition is to inspire young musicians from northern and central New York to reach their highest level of artistry. It is one of the few competitions of its kind to offer both a cash prize and the opportunity to solo with a professional orchestra.
For more information about next year's competition or the Orchestra of Northern New York, contact Kathy Del Guidice, Executive Director, at 315-267-3251 or visit www.onny.org.