The 19 string players will travel to Detroit for the competition’s semi-finals in January
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The semi-finalists of the 2025 Sphinx Competition have been announced. Nine string players have reached the junior division (ages 17 and under) semi-finals, while ten string players will perform in the senior division (ages 18-30) semi-finals. The semi-finals will begin on 22 January in Detroit, Michigan, at the Max M. & Marjorie S. Fisher Music Center. The semi-finalists are:
Junior division
Kai Isoke Ali-Landing (Violin)
Pyotr Alvarado (Cello)
Elan Dorman Mackenzie (Cello)
Sofia Hernandez-Williams (Cello)
Cyrano Jett Rosentrator (Violin)
Jacqueline Rodenbeck (Violin)
Emma Jane Spence (Cello)
Sonya Moomaw (Cello)
Sydney Li-Jenkins (Violin)
Senior division
Paul Aguilar (Viola)
Julianna Bramble (Viola)
Brendon Elliot (Violin)
Miguel Fuentes (Cello)
Ismael Guerrero Bombut (Cello)
Gabriela Lara (Violin)
Edward Luengo (Cello)
Ethan Takao Murphy (Cello)
Devin O’Brien (Bass)
Andres Sanchez (Cello)
In the semi-finals, the competitors will perform a recital including both unaccompanied and accompanied works. Those who proceed to the finals will play a concerto with the Sphinx Symphony Orchestra on either the 24 January junior division or 25 January senior division finals.
In the junior division, the first prize winner will receive $10,000 and concert engagements. The junior division second prize is $5,000 and third prize is $3,000.
In the senior division, the winner will be awarded the $50,000 Robert Frederick Smith Prize as well as concert engagements. Other prizes include a $20,000 second prize, $10,000 third prize and $5,000 audience choice prize.
All semi-finalists will also have access to scholarships and fine instruments through the Sphinx Organization’s Sphinx Music Assistance Fund.
The 2025 competition jury comprises Danielle Belen, Joseph Conyers, Charlotte Lee, Joshua Roman, Abhijit Sengupta, Melissa White and Mark Wilson.
This is the 28th edition of the Sphinx Competition, the Sphinx Organization’s flagship event. The competition gives young Black and Latino string players the opportunity to compete for an internationally renowned panel and receive mentorship from leading industry figures. Notable past winners of the competition include Joseph Conyers, Melissa White, Elena Urioste and Randall Goosby.
Read: Postcard from Detroit: Sphinx Competition and SphinxConnect convention
Read: Sphinx Organization: Change for good
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