APPLICATIONS

2015 IYL RECIPIENTS

Odete Higareda - Recipient: alto saxophone

Odete is a junior at Mountain View High School. Odete is a member of the Mountain View High School Band, UIL Solo and Ensemble, TMEA Regional Band and ATSSB Regional Band where she has advanced into area competitions. According to Odete, “it has always been my dream to own my own instrument...I have the potential to make my dreams come true...to study as a music major…”

Daniel Soto- Recipient: alto saxophone

Daniel is a sophomore at Mountain View High School. Daniel plays with the Mountain View High School Marching and Concert Bands TMEA Regional Band, and ATSSB Regional Band. He has also played in the All-State Solo and Ensemble. According to Daniel, “my future aspirations are that I am able to attend UTEP and study in music education so that I can teach what I love to others”.

2014 IYL RECIPIENTS!

Gabrielle Cervantes - Recipient: flute

Gabrielle is an 18 year old senior at Mountain View High School. Gabrielle is a recipient of the Presidential Excellence Scholarship at the University of Texas at El Paso. She has performed with the TMEA All Region Honor Band as well as the NMSU Southwest Honor Band. Gabrielle is an active member in her community and shares that she has “a deep appreciation for beautiful music“and wants to “keep growing artistically as a musician”.

Christopher Terrazas - Recipient: tenor trombone

Christopher is an 16 year old junior at Mountain View High School. Christopher has performed in the All-State ATSSB Symphonic Band and the TMEA All Region Band and Orchestra with additional accomplishments in state and regional competitions. His goal is to graduate high school with honors and continue with college studies in music education and performance. His vision is to teach. According to Christopher, “Having the ability to share our passion with others is not only fulfilling but, perhaps, one of the greatest qualities we, as humans, possess.”

2013 IYL RECIPIENTS

Roxanne Collier - Recipient: flute

Roxanne received her award as an 18 year old senior at Socorro High School. She is a member of the El Paso Symphony Youth Orchestra and also plays in her school’s marching, concert, symphony and pep bands. She also plays piccolo and guitar and has a passion for physics and engineering.

Joe Mexicano - Recipient: trombone

Joe received his award as a sophomore at Jefferson High School. He plays for his high school’s honor band and wind ensemble and also plays piano. He would one day like to be a police officer. His biggest fan is his mother who never misses one of his concerts.

Isaac Rojas - Recipient: bass clarinet

Isaac received his award as a 14 year old eighth grader at Canyon Hills Middle School. He has won all-region band honors for the past two years and hopes one day to play in a college band. He credits his mother and his tutor for his success saying, “they never lost faith in me.”

EPSMF LOOKS FORWARD TO WORKING WITH THESE YOUNG MUSICIANS IN ENRICHING THEIR LIVES AND OTHERS WITH THEIR PASSION FOR MUSIC.

EACH ARE PARTICIPANTS IN THE EPSMF LEADERSHIP PROGRAM AND WILL BE PERFORMING COMMUNITY OUTREACH THROUGHOUT THE YEAR.

CYM 2015 COMPETITION

WINNER

SAMUEL BARRON, piano

Listen to an excerpt of Samuel's performance

5th Movement - Symphonie- espagnole - Édouard Lalo (1823 - 1892)

SAMUEL BARRON, piano, is 15 years old and a sophomore in the IB program at Coronado High School. He was born in Michigan. However, at the early age of two, his family originally from El Paso, returned to the area. Samuel has been playing the piano for ten years under the instruction of Anna Habicht. He has participated in numerous competitions both at the local and state levels and performs frequently in recitals with the El Paso Music Teachers Association. He enjoys outdoor activities, travelling, sports, and spending time with friends and family. At school, he is a member of the Chess Club, Future Doctors of America Club, and Ultimate Frisbee Club. Samuel hopes to study medicine and to become a doctor, yet, according to Samuel “I will always continue to play the piano.“

2nd PLACE

ORLANDO BARAJAS, viola

ORLANDO JAVIER BARAJAS, viola, was born July 28, 1997 in Guadalajara, Jalisco, Mexico. As a child, his family lived in Cuernavaca and Mexico City while his father pursued his medical studies. He began attending a music institute with his church to study piano after the family returned to Guadalajara. Piano was not his love. In 2008, the family moved to Ciudad Juárez and, in 2010, Orlando started learning the viola with the Orquesta Sinfónica Esperanza Azteca (OSEA) Cd. Juárez. He studied with Guillermo Quezada and in February 2013 was admitted into the Orquesta Sinfónica Universidad Autónoma de Ciudad Juárez (OSUACJ). His current teacher is Dr. Stephanie Meyers. Orlando performed with the El Paso Symphony Orchestra in March of 2015 as a result of winning a competition that took place in January of 2015.

3rd PLACE

LEONARD AYALA, baritone

LEONARD AYALA, baritone, was born and raised in El Paso, Texas. He is eighteen years old and a senior at Maxine Silva Health Magnet High School. His family is very musically oriented. As a result, he was constantly surrounded by music. He learned to play guitar and percussion instruments at a young age. However, it was not until he became a member of Elvin Porflit’s Jefferson/Silva High School Chamber Choir his Freshman year that he discovered his talent and passion for classical singing. Since then, he has participated and placed well in numerous competitions and performances including Solo and Ensemble, UIL, a concert with composer Dan Forrest, and the competitions associated with the All-State process. He has honed his vocal abilities through three years of private study with Dan Wright, participated in annual recitals, and has placed first and second in NATS competitions. Leonard was recently awarded the Millennium Gates Scholarship. He seeks to further his education at The University of Texas at Dallas and intends to double major in Political Science and Vocal Performance.

RECOGNITION FOR ACHIEVEMENT

RAÚL DOMÍNGUEZ, viola

RAÚL FERNANDO DOMÍNGUEZ CORTEZ, viola, is a young talented musician from Mexico who began his musical studies in the “Esperanza Azteca" music program in 2010. Raul is studying his bachelor in Music at the Autonomous University of Ciudad Juárez (UACJ), directed by Guillermo Quezada. He is member of the UACJ’s Symphony Orchestra. In 2011 and 2012, he was principal violist at the National Youth Orchestra of Mexico playing at 4 tours around Mexico. Today he is the first viola in the Esperanza Azteca National Orchestra; he has performed with great musicians like Joshua Bell and Placido Domingo. Raúl won the “YOA/Curtis Institute of Music, Scholarship of the Americas”, winning between violists from the whole continent. The Youth Orchestra of the Americas (YOA) awarded him a scholarship to travel to Philadelphia, PA, for the Curtis Summer Fest. He took viola, orchestra and chamber music lessons with Sharon Wei, Brenton Caldwell, Petko Dimitrov, Adam Flatt, Amy Yang, and Rebecca Harris. Raúl won the third place on the Concerto Competition of the Young Artist Program, playing the “Stamitz Viola Concerto”. He played in the masterclass of Mr. Roberto Diaz, President and CEO of the Curtis Institute of Music.

RECOGNITION FOR ACHIEVEMENT

PERLA CARDENAS, cello

PERLA CARDENAS, cello, is a freshman at UTEP majoring in music education and studies with Zuill Bailey. She has played the cello for nine years and is currently a member of the American String Teachers Association Sun City Chapter at UTEP. She graduated in the top ten from El Dorado High School in 2014, received the Presidential Excellence Scholarship, and made it to the TMEA All-State String Orchestra her senior year. She was the section leader in the Varsity orchestra. She received Division 1 ratings in Solo and Ensemble, and received the Outstanding Soloist award in the Texas State Solo and Ensemble Competition. She participated in the All-Region Symphony Orchestra all four years of high school and was in EPSYOs. Perla was in Dual Credit, AP, Academic Decathlon, golf team, book club, sign language club, and won first place in the science fair, literary anthology, and in Social Studies UIL. In high school she tutored students in social studies and gave cello lessons. Perla’s aspiration is to become a music teacher to inspire the community through her love of music.

RECOGNITION FOR ACHIEVEMENT

JEEYOON KIM, violin

JEEYOON KIM, violin, is a sophomore in the IB program at Coronado High School. She started music at the age of six, first with piano, then violin and flute. Jeeyoon has now been playing violin for eight years. She has participated in All Region for the past five years and was in the TMEA All State String Orchestra twice. She hopes to become a four-year all-stater. Jeeyoon is currently vice president of the Coronado Key Club and plays in the Coronado High School Orchestra.

COMPETITION RECITAL: SATURDAY, MAY 9, 2015 - 6:30PM

University Presbyterian Church - 244 N. Resler - El Paso - TX

1st PLACE AWARD: $2000

& Guest Performace at the EPSMF Summer Concert

2nd PLACE AWARD: $500

3rd PLACE AWARD: $200

COMPETITION 2016 FOR YOUNG MUSICIANS

CONGRATULATIONS to the 2016 finalists

for an outstanding competition!

WINNER

JIA LING DIAU - piano

Jia Ling (known as Janice) is a freshman Silva Health Magnet High School. She became interested in piano at the age of six. She has placed first in the Baroque Festival and the EPSYO Young Artist Piano Competition in the intermediate division and, currently, studies with Dr. Oscar Macchioni. She took first place in the EPSMF 2014 Competition for Young Musicians. She enjoys athletic sports.

2nd PLACE

VINCENT YANG - piano

Vincent is in the 6th grade at Radford School. He has been studying piano for seven years. He has also played the Suzuki violin since the age of seven. He has been an active participant in music programs throughout El Paso and currently studies with Anna Habicht. Vincent has fun making his own music and looks forward to being both a pianist and a composer

3rd PLACE

DIEGO GRANADOS - piano

Diego is an Junior at Silva Health Magnet High School. He was a self-taught pianist until he began studying music formally two years ago at the El Paso Conservatory of Music where he studies with Dr. Esequiel Meza. He enjoys reading Shakespeare in his spare time.

RECOGNITION FOR ACHIEVEMENT

DANIEL EDISON - piano

Daniel is a freshman at Coronado High School. He began studying piano at the age of five. In 2014, Daniel won first place in his category at the El Paso Baroque Festival and was recognized for his achievement in the EPSMF Competition for Young Musicians. Daniel currently studies with Dr. Esequiel Meza at the El Paso Conservatory of Music. He also composes music and plays violin and guitar.

RECOGNITION FOR ACHIEVEMENT

NICOLE MELENDEZ - clarinet

Nicole is a sopomore at J.M. Hanks High School. She has been studying the clarinet for six years. She currently studies with Annah Chavarria and plays the tenor sax in Jazz Band, sings in choirs, and is learning to play the flute. She is also passionate about acting and theater.

RECOGNITION FOR ACHEIVEMENT

JANICE HINRICHS - piano

Janice is a freshman at Coronado High School. She has studied piano for eight years. She currently plays viola with her high school orchestra and studies with Ann Hallmark. Janice is a consistent medalist in State Music Theory Tests. She travels often to Germany and is fluent in German, Spanish, and English.

COMPETITION RECITAL

SATURDAY, MAY 21, 2016

1:30PM - 5:00PM

EL PASO MUSEUM OF ART AUDITORIUM

1st PLACE AWARD: $2000

& Guest Performace at an EPSMF Summer Concert

2nd PLACE AWARD: $500

3rd PLACE AWARD: $200

CONGRATULATIONS

2016 IYL RECIPIENTS

Raul Barcenas - Recipient: violin

Raul is a junior at Bowie High School. He has been studying violin for six years. He also plays piano. He participates in UIL actvities, such as Solo and Ensemble, All Region, and Orchestra Competitions. He is also a volunteer with the JROTC. According to Raul, " a violin can help anyone accomplish future goals."

Juan Lucero - Recipient: soprano saxophone

Juan is a junior at Parkland High School. He has been studying the saxphone for six years. He also plays the flute and clarinet. He has played with the Parkland Jazz Band and Concert bands. He currently plays with the Parkland Marching Band and the El Paso Youth Ensemble. According to Juan, "Music is my passion. When nothing else makes sense to me, music always does."

Maria Torres - Recipient: flute

Maria is a junior at Ysleta High School. She has studied the flute for six years. She also plays the piccolo and tenor saxophone. She currently plays in the Isleta High School Marching Band, Jazz Band, and Concert Band. Maria plans to pursue a Master's degree in music therapy. She believes that "being a musician is a privelage and a gift...."

Gabriel Villarreal - Recipient: tenor saxophone

Gabriel is freshman at Coronado High School. He has been studying the saxophone for less than two years. He currently plays with the Coronado Hogh School Band and the Coronado Saxophone Choir. He has received two Solo and Ensemble First Division Medals. According to Gabriel. " ...in having my own instrument, I will be better equipped to let my potential shine..."

ANNOUNCING

2018 COMPETITION WINNERS

1ST PLACE

VINCENT YANG, piano

2ND PLACE

JONATHAN LÓPEZ, clarinet

3RD PLACE

JUAN ALEXIS SÁNCHEZ GONZÁLEZ, violin

RECOGNITION FOR ACHIEVEMENT

ERASTO CORTÉS II, piano

ANDRÉS RICO, piano

KATHLEEN LIANG, piano

BRANDON TORRES, alto saxophone

2018 COMPETITION

FOR YOUNG MUSICIANS RECITAL

MAY 19, 2018

6:00 PM

STAR CITY STUDIOS

120 W. CASTELLANO

EL PASO, TX 79912

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

ABOUT THE MUSICIANS

VINCENT YANG, piano, 14, is an honor student at Radford School who has studied piano with Dr. Esequiel Meza. Vincent performed Shostakovich Concerto No. 2 in the EPYSO 2018 Concerto Competition. He is a semi-finalist in the Texas State Performance Contest and will compete in June 2018. Vincent received third place in the 2017 EPSMF Competition for Young Musicians. He was a semi-finalist in both the 2017 Texas Convention and the 2016 International Keyboard Odyssiad & Festival USA. Vincent performed in the "Catch a Rising Star" Organ Symposium and was featured as a young organist in the New York-based journal publication of the American Guild of Organists. He was invited to perform a solo recital for a 2016 Public Library re-opening ceremony and was featured in an article published by the El Paso Times. Vincent's non-musical achievements: In 2017, he received State recognition for Duke TIP and Top 300 of the National Broadcom Masters Award and was interviewed by NBC News. Vincent was a 1st place Sweepstakes in both 2018 Radford School and the Regional Science Fair. He also placed second in the State and was nominated for the 2018 Broadcom Masters again. He received first place 2017 Gold Medal Taekwondo Championships at the Black Belt 2nd Dan in New Mexico State.

JONATHAN LÓPEZ, clarinet, is an American-born Mexican from El Paso, Texas. Jonathan began his musical studies at age 11 and began studying under Lavinia Richards at age 14. Since the latter, he has received numerous awards and honors. Among them is having qualified 4 times for the TMEA convention as an all-stater and being featured on WQXR and NPR’s From the Top. In conjunction with his appearance on From the Top, Jonathan was awarded the Jack Kent Cooke Young Artist Award. Jonathan has also participated in Carnegie Hall’s National Youth Orchestra of the United States of America and its sister program, the National Youth Orchestra 2. During these prestigious programs, he worked closely with renowned clarinetists Benjamin Lulich, Ricardo Morales, and Stephen Williamson. He has also participated in master classes with Giora Feidman, Julian Bliss, and Corrado Guiffredi. Jonathan now studies at the University of British Columbia under Jose Franch-Balleser.

JUAN ALEXIS SÁNCHEZ GONZÁLEZ, violin, began his studies as a violinist at age 7. In 2010, he began studying with the Esperanza Azteca Symphony Orchestra of Ciudad Juárez. In the following years, he was called to join the National Orchestra in Mexico City. In 2013, he joined the Professional Symphony Orchestra of the UACJ, and later he was invited to play with violinist Joshua Bell. After playing with Mr. Bell, he traveled to New York where he played in two concerts. In 2016, he had the opportunity to premiere a piece by composer Samuel Zyman called Canto a la Música at the Nezahualcóyotl Theater. There he played with world-famous cellist, Yo-Yo Ma and the best of Mexico, Carlos Prieto. In 2017, he had the opportunity to work with director Valery Gergiev. He also took a master class with Lorenz Nasturica-Herschcewici, concertmaster of the Munich Philharmonic. In July of this same year he joined a master class with Erika Dobosiewicz in Torreón. Recently he was accepted at the University of Denver with a full scholarship.

ERASTO CORTÉS II, piano, was born in El Paso, Texas. His piano career began at the age of three when he began taking private lessons with Elvira Spector, learning the value of discipline, time and rigor. In 2013, Erasto won Third Place in the EPYSO Piano Competition, followed by Second Place in 2015, and First Place in 2016. In 2017, he won Second Place in the EPSMF Competition for Young Musicians. He enjoys playing basketball, soccer, and golf. Erasto currently attends Radford School and will transition into Cathedral High School next year. He has traveled internationally including; Italy, Costa Rica, and Cancun, Mexico. One of his highlights was in Nashville, Tennessee. where he played on Elvis Presley's piano at RCA Studios, a unique and rare experience for musicians.

ANDRÉS RICO, piano, was born on March 7, 2001, in Chihuahua City. He started in the musical arts at the age of 6, becoming part of the Symphonic Orchestra at his elementary school, Elizabeth Seaton Institute. Since then, his interest in music has covered different genres, such as classical, jazz and contemporary music. In June 2013, Andrés moved to Cuidad Juárez and began studying at El Paso Conservatory of Music in El Paso under Dr. Ezequiel Meza. He also belongs to the Jazz band assemble lead by internationally recognized jazz musician Mr. Mack Goldsbury. Last year, he was selected to participate in the 26th National Tour of the Mexican Youth Symphonic Orchestra of Mexico (OSIM), directed by Professor Eduardo Garcia Barrios. Currently Andrés is in the 11th grade. He has a cultural scholarship at ITESM, Technological Institute of Monterrey, where he is part of the music ensemble. During this time he has participated in two music festivals, as a song writer, composer, and music performer, qualifying for Nacional Finals in April 2018, with his pop romantic song: “Para que.“ He also has other compositions in classical music as well as rock music.

KATHLEEN LIANG, piano, was born on April 18, 2003. She currently attends Coronado High School. In addition to piano, she plays the violin and is a member of the Coronado High School Orchestra. Her hobbies include cooking, reading, drawing, and playing sports, such as basketball and swimming. Kathleen hopes to attend an Ivy League college, such as Harvard or Yale, enter the medical field, with a minor in music, and teach music in her spare time. Someday, she would like to learn to play the harp, skydive, and go to Paris.

BRANDON LEE TORRES, alto saxophone, joined the Horizon Middle School Band in 2012 at the age of 11. During his middle school years, he participated twice in the All-Region band. In the fall 2015, he joined the Horizon High School Band and he was elected saxophone section leader for three years. He has participated in All-Region auditions and advanced to the Area level once. In the fall of 2017, Mr. Torres was a featured soloist in the State Marching Contest. Mr. Torres is also an avid jazz musician, occupying the lead saxophone chair in the Top Jazz ensemble at Horizon High School. He is also involved in the track & field teams and advanced three times to District competition. Mr. Torres has maintained the valedictorian position for the Class of 2019 .