Madeleine Luffey is fifteen, in the ninth grade and is homeschooled. She studies with Dr. Stephen Nordstrom and has participated in Suzuki Institute programs, the UTEP String Project and numerous music camps, workshops, and master classes.
Recognition for Achievement
Francisco Soto - piano
Francisco Soto is fourteen and an eighth grader at Eastwood Middle School. He studies with Anna Habicht. He sings in the Tenor Bass Choir for Eastwood Middle School and made first alternate for the UIL All Region Jazz Band for Piano.
Recognition for Achievement
Bradley Yoshawirja - piano
Bradley Yoshawirja is twelve and a sixth grader at University Prep. He studies with Anna Habicht,
and has participated in the Borderland Chopin Festival, the El Paso Society for Young Musicians Competition, and in local Solo and Sonatina Festivals.
The 2026 INSTRUMENTS FOR YOUNG LIVES RECIPIENTS:
Penelope Feldman – double bass
Penelope Feldman is sixteen and an 11th grader at Burges High School. She studies with Nathan T, Black, and currently plays with the El Paso Youth Symphony Orchestra. She is the 2026 TMEA All-State 5A Concert Band principal bassist. Her hopes, dreams, and aspirations “include performing as a professional orchestral musician…I believe that experience would challenge me to grow both as a musician and as a colleague, pushing me to reach a higher level of artistry.”
Ivan Navarro – viola
Ivan Navarro is sixteen and an 11th grader at Socorro High School. He studies with Aime De Anda and has consistently qualified in UIL Solo and Ensemble State competitions and has ranked well in the TMEA All-Regions. He plays with the Socorro High School Junior Varsity Orchestra. His future aspiration “is to become a great musician but, not only performing, otherwise stating the importance of music in every aspect.”
Juan Comos-Rios – tenor trombone w/ f-attachment
Juan Comos-Rios is seventeen and an 11th grader at Americas High School. He studies with Dr. Allan Kaplan and has been the Outstanding soloist at the SISD Jazz Fest and Outstanding Soloist at the Essentially Ellington Jazz Festival at NMSU. His dream “is to become a professional trombone player and eventually become a professor at a university.”
Applications for the 2026-2027 Competition for Young Musicians and Instruments for Young Lives Program will be available in September 2026.
Watch for announcements regarding EPSMF competitions, events, and application deadlines.
The El Paso Society for Musicians of the Future is a non-profit organization dedicated to bridging generations through quality classical music programs.
EPSMF events are made possible with the support of the City of El Paso Museums and Cultural Affairs Department, the El Paso Community Foundation and generous contributions from members of the community.