Violist Sarvesh Sitaraman, 15, took home First Prize in the Orchestra of Northern New York’s James and Katherine Andrews Young Artist Competition held recently for instrumental students “Pursuing Artistic Excellence.” He earned a $500 cash prize and the opportunity to solo with ONNY in its April 25 and 26 concerts in Potsdam and Watertown, respectively.
Sarvesh performed the First Movement Allegro Moderator of Haendel’s Concerto in B Minor on the viola.
Sarvesh began playing the viola at age 10 and performs with the St. Lawrence University Orchestra. He studied viola initially with Nancy Kear, then with Lorie Gruneisen, and is currently taking private lessons with Christian Hosmer, all of whom are former ONNY musicians.
In 2023, he attended Crane Youth Music, a summer camp at the Crane School of Music,
SUNY Potsdam, on a Scott LaVine scholarship. He has participated in area all-state and all-county orchestra since 2022. He began playing viola at NYSSMA in 2021.
Apart from playing viola, Sarvesh enjoys playing violin, clarinet, and piano. He also loves singing. He has been part of his school band, orchestra, chorus, and select choir since 2019. In 2024, he received coaching and feedback as a participant in ONNY’s Vernice N. Church Challenge for Young Artists.
He is the son of Sitaraman Krishnan and Sinduja Sitaraman, Potsdam.
The James and Katherine Andrews Young Artist Competition was established in 2007 for talented high school students in Northern and Central New York. Mr. and Mrs. Andrews were great supporters of various activities for young people and were especially fond of those involving music. The mission of the YAC is to inspire young musicians to reach the highest level of artistry they can achieve.
For more information about the Young Artist Competition, visit onny.org/youth-programs, email info@onny.org, or call 315-212-3440.