Violist Paul Laraia has won first prize in the senior division at the Sphinx Competition for Black and Latino string players. The 21-year-old, who studies with Kim Kashkashian at the New England Conservatory in Boston, received $10,000, a series of concert engagements and a CD recording opportunity with Naxos.

The $5,000 first prize in the junior division went to violinist Alexandra Alvarado Switala, 16. She lives in Grapevine, Texas, and studies with Roland and Almita Vamos.

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