ENKOR News | January 2015

ENKOR Chamber Music Competition '14


We would like to express our sincere thanks to all contestants and their teachers. We are very happy with the fact there are so many young and talented classical musicians. We enjoyed all performances and the decision-making process wasn't easy. Thank you for participating in the competition. We appreciate all your hard work and effort. You are the future of the classical music!

...and the Winners are... read more

ENKOR Winds, Brass & Percussion Competition '15


About the Competition
COMPETITION RULES
HOW TO APPLY
APPLICATION FORM

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RESULTS | Chamber Music 2014 | ENKOR Int'l Music Competition

We would like to express our sincere thanks to all contestants and their teachers. We are very happy with the fact there are so many young and talented classical musicians. 

We enjoyed all performances and the decision-making process wasn't easy. Thank you for participating in the competition. We appreciate all your hard work and effort. 

You are the future of the classical music!

...and the Winners of the 1st Edition of ENKOR Chamber Music Competition 2014 are...

ZORA STRING QUARTET
GRAND PRIZE WINNER

















Age Group: Category B

First Prize
DASCH QUARTET

Second Prize
TRIO NOIR
DUO CHLOROS
TRIO DIONYSUS
UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH ALABAMA PERCUSSION ENSEMBLE
ACCio PIANO TRIO
VIOLETTE TRIO

Third Prize
TRIO AFFETTUOSO
KIOWA ENSEMBLE


Age Group: Category A

First Prize
CLEMENS QUARTET

Second Prize
AYE TRIO

Third Prize
THE FLOWERSTONE DUO


HONORABLE MENTIONS
Giannini String Quartet | USA | Age Group B
Lucia Kobza, Nicole Wendl, Peter Ayuso, Eli Kaynor
Teacher: Brooks Whitehouse

Marcel Ensemble | USA | Age Group B
Nina Scheibe, Taylor Ensminger, Qichen Jiang, Puyin Bai, Yin Yu
Teacher: Scott McBride Smith

All other applicants will receive diplomas for participation.

ZORA STRING QUARTET: Grand Prize 2014

ENKOR Chamber Music Competition 2014
Zorá String Quartet | USA 
Grand Prize Winner

Dechopol Kowintaweewat | violin | Age 26
Seula Lee | violin | Age 23
Pablo Muñoz Salido | viola | Age 24
Zizai Ning | cello | Age 25
Age Group: Category B

Teacher: Sibbi Bernhardsson


Joseph Haydn, String Quartet in E flat major, Op. 20, No. 1, Allegro Moderato


Anton Webern, Langsamer Satz

Artistic biography
Zorá String Quartet was formed in 2013 by four students at Indiana University. Since it’s formed, they have collaborated with the Notus Contemporary Ensemble to perform pieces by the Pulitzer prize-winning composer Caroline Shaw. In the Spring of 2014, the Zorá String Quartet won an audition for a one week residency at the Beethoven Haus in Bonn, Germany, where they performed, attended seminars and studied Ludwig van Beethoven's manuscripts. They also received fellowship to spend Summer 2014 at Aspen Music Festival to work intensely with the Takács Quartet, the American String Quartet and the Pacifica Quartet. Other than that, the Zorá Quartet has also worked closely with Grigory Kalinovsky, Kevork Mardirossian, Darrett Adkins, Earl Carlyss, Yo-Yo Ma, Noah Bendix-Balgley and Keith Robinson from the Miami Quartet. In Fall 2014, Zorá started quartet in residence at Indiana University under the tutelage of the Pacifica Quartet.

Learn more about Zorá String Quartet
NEWS: 12 Ensembles Announced for London’s Wigmore Hall International String Quartet Competition

DASCH QUARTET: 1st Prize

ENKOR Chamber Music Competition 2014
Dasch Quartet | USA 
First Prize Winner

Alastair Wright | soprano saxophone | Age 23
Daniel Arocho | alto saxophone | Age 24
Shawna Pennock | tenor saxophone | Age 27
Chemie Ching | baritone saxophone | Age 24
Age Group: Category B

Teacher: Taimur Sullivan



Jean Rivier, Grave et Presto



David Biedenbender, You've been talking in your sleep

Artistic biography
Formed in 2013 while all studying at the University of North Carolina School of the Arts, Dasch Quartet has quickly built up an enviable reputation as one of the most exciting emerging quartets in the country. Dasch has been praised by Classical Voice of North Carolina as “breathtaking,” “effervescent” and “relentless”, and by cellist Dmitry Kouzov for a “beautiful performance”. Within their first year as a group, they have won the North Carolina Music Teachers National Association Woodwind Chamber Music competition, as well as the North American Saxophone Alliance National Quartet Competition, the most competitive of its kind in the country.

They were the leading chamber ensemble at UNCSA in 2013/2014 and represented the school throughout North Carolina and Virginia, performing recitals and outreach programs throughout local communities. They have performed frequently to a variety of audiences, from music professionals, to church communities, and to several middle and high schools as part of the University of North Carolina Saxophone Ensemble tour in December of 2013, in which they were featured artists.

Dasch has received grants from UNCSA’s Career Development program and from the Seman’s Art Fund, and after further fundraising through recitals, and through a successful online fundraising campaign, the quartet has recorded its debut album “Necessary Edges” which is due for release in early 2015. This CD features several transcriptions of substantial Romantic String Quartets by Dvorak, Smetana and Puccini.

Currently, Dasch is preparing for an appearance at the World Saxophone Congress in France in July of 2015, where they will be premiering new works, which are being written for Dasch by local composers with whom they are developing strong links.

Dasch is coached by Taimur Sullivan, but has had extra support from Grace Anderson and Connie Frigo.

CLEMENS QUARTET: 1st Prize

ENKOR Chamber Music Competition 2014
Clemens Quartet | USA 
First Prize Winner

KJ McDonald | Violin | Age 17
Jason Corbin | Violin | Age 16
Patrick Marsh | Viola | Age 17
Alex Mansour | Cello | Age 17
Age Group: Category A

Teacher's Name: Lorenz Gamma


Bartok, String Quartet No.4 1st movement



Beethoven, String Quartet Op.18 No.4 1st movement

Artistic biography
The Clemens Quartet, comprised of KJ McDonald (violin, 17), Jason Corbin (violin, 16), Patrick Marsh (viola, 17) and Alex Mansour (cello, 17) are all from the Los Angeles area and the group was founded during the ninth season of Junior Chamber Music, a vibrant youth chamber music organization of Southern California. Highlights from the Clemens Quartet’s performances include a recent appearance on NPR’s From the Top (aired nationally the week of December 1, 2014 and on KUSC 91.5 FM on Sunday, December 7, 2014) and numerous master classes with renowned artists such as Ralph Kirshbaum, Paul Katz and Ron Leonard. As a group, they won 1st prize in the California VOCE competition (2013) and were semifinalists at the Fischoff National Chamber Music Competition (2014). The Clemens Quartet also actively participates in the community events such as the Daniel Pearl World Music Days Concerts, the “Beethoven Celebration” Project at the Thornton School of Music in the University of Southern California and the 45th NAACP Image Awards Nominee Luncheon in Hollywood, California. All four members regularly participate in various summer festivals such as the Perlman Music Program, the Montecito Summer Music Festival and the Idyllwild Arts Academy. Coached by violinist Lorenz Gamma in Los Angeles, the group has learned a wide-ranging repertoire of the classical, romantic and modern eras.

UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH ALABAMA PERCUSSION ENSEMBLE: 2nd Prize

ENKOR Chamber Music Competition 2014
University of South Alabama Percussion Ensemble | USA 
Second Prize Winner

Soren Odom | percussion | Age 25
Ben Ivey | percussion | Age 25
Ian Jones | percussion | Age 21
Steven Davidson | percussion | Age 23
Ryan Boehme | percussion | Age 20
Jessica Foster | percussion |  Age 22
Age Group: Category B

Teacher's Name: Dr. Luis C. Rivera


Artistic biography
The USA Percussion Ensemble is dedicated to performing historical and contemporary works for percussion. Based in Mobile, Alabama, the ensemble regularly performs at the university as well as in the community at art functions, youth outreach at local middle schools and high schools, as well as national and international conventions. The USAPE recently competed and performed at the 2014 Percussive Arts Society International Conference in Indianapolis placing 2nd at the inaugural Concert Chamber Percussion Ensemble Competition, and has performed multiple times at the Alabama Days of Percussion held in different cities in the state. Upcoming performances will include the Collide Contemporary Music Festival at the University of Central Florida in Orlando celebrating the percussion music of Adam Silverman, as well as run-out concerts in Mississippi and Florida throughout the spring months.

DUO CHLOROS: 2nd Prize

ENKOR Chamber Music Competition 2014
Duo Chloros | USA 
Second Prize Winner

Alexandros Fragiskatos | Marimba | Age 26
Sarah Hartong | Flute | Age 23
Age Group: Category B

Teacher/s Name: Dr. Elizabeth Buck (Flute), Dr. J.B. Smith (Percussion)


Artistic biography
Duo Chloros has been performing together since 2012 as students at The University of Akron. They have devoted their time to learning and performing a variety of repertoire ranging from J.S. Bach and Ástor Piazzolla to Lou Harrison, Tōru Takemitsu, and Stuart Saunders Smith. In the fall of 2012 Alex composed Unspoken Dialogue for flute and percussion, which was premiered in Akron by the duo and subsequently chosen by the Greater Cleveland Flute Society to be performed at their annual Cleveland Composers Connection Concert in 2013. In the fall of 2014 they both began studies at Arizona State University where Sarah is working on her Master of Music in flute performance and Alex on his Doctor of Musical Arts in percussion. The duo continually looks for opportunities to showcase their passion for contemporary chamber music.

AYE TRIO: 2nd Prize

ENKOR Chamber Music Competition 2014
AYE Trio | USA 
Second Prize Winner

Hesoo Cha | violin | born Oct. 8, 1998
Elena Ariza | cello | born Jun. 16, 1998
Alex Chien | piano | born May 9, 1998
Age Group: Category A

Teacher's Name: Susan Bates


Artistic biography
The AYE Trio formed in the fall of 2013 as an ensemble in the Young Chamber Musicians training program. They have played in the masterclasses for the Alexander String Quartet, Trio Cavatina, St. Petersburg Piano Quartet; pianists, Joyce Yang, Mack McCray, David Gross, and cellist, David Finckel.

In 2014, the AYE Trio performed for the San Francisco Music Day-Next Generation, appeared in recital at Kohl Mansion, and the ensemble was among three finalists for the GALANTE PRIZE sponsored by the Morrison Chamber Music Center.

ACCio PIANO TRIO: 2nd Prize

ENKOR Chamber Music Competition 2014
ACCio Piano Trio | Austria 
Second Prize Winner

Anne Sophie Keckeis | cello | Age 20
Christina Scheicher | piano | Age 22
Clemens Böck | violin | Age 23
Age Group: Category B

Teacher's Name: Prof. Tünde Kurucz


Artistic biography
The ACCio piano trio was formed in 2013 when three chamber-music-loving students of Mozarteum University in Salzburg - Anne, Christina and Clemens (initials ACC) - met at the Sándor Végh Institute in the chamber music class of pianist Tünde Kurucz.

They are also taking classes from violinists Wolfgang Redik (Vienna Piano Trio), Rainer Schmidt (Hagen Quartet), Klara Flieder (Leschetitzky Trio), and the cellist Giovanni Gnocchi (David Piano Trio). Despite their short existence, the ensemble has already received an invitation to perform at the 4th Salzburg Chamber Music Festival in June 2014. In September 2014 a concert tour led the ensemble to play in Wuhan and Shenzhen (China). They played further concerts at the Steinway House Linz, in the chamber music hall ("Solitär") of the University Mozarteum and the Viennese Hall and the Great Hall (Salzburg) of the Stiftung Mozarteum Salzburg.

The ACCio piano trio is a member of the Yehudi Menuhin - Live Music Now Salzburg scholarship program.

TRIO NOIR: 2nd Prize

ENKOR Chamber Music Competition 2014
TRIO NOIR | USA 
Second Prize Winner

David Belkovski | Piano |  Age: 20
Carmen Lavada Johnson-Pájaro| Violin | Age: 20
Laura Andrade | Cello |  Age: 20
Age Group: Category B

Teacher: Margery Hwang


Artistic biography
Trio Noir is a newly formed ensemble studying at the Eastman School of Music. They have received coachings from Mikhail Kopelman, the former first violinist of the Borodin Quartet, as well as Steven Doane and Natalya Antonova. Most recently, Trio Noir has been under the guidance of Margery Hwang. In the spring of 2014, the ensemble performed in Eastman's Kilbourn Hall for a scholarship recital. Recently, the trio has been chosen to perform in the school's Honors Chamber Music recital. David, Carmen, and Laura are all juniors working toward their BM degrees in performance.

VIOLETTE TRIO: 2nd Prize

ENKOR Chamber Music Competition 2014
Violette Trio | Austria 
Second Prize Winner

Elena Veronesi | Clarinet | Age 26
Ekaterina Manafova | Viola | Age 22
Peggy Sung | Piano | Age 27
Age Group: Category B

Teacher: Peter Langgartner


Artistic biography
Coming from three different parts of the world, three musicians met each other during their studies at the University Mozarteum in Salzburg (Austria) and got inspired by their strong passion for chamber music to form a trio.

The members of the Trio are laureates of numerous national and international competitions in Italy, Lithuania, Ukraine, USA, Canada and China.

The Trio constantly receives advice from Peter Langgartner, Alois Brandhofer, Peter Lang and Wolfgang Redik.

In the year 2014 Violette Trio won the Second Prize in “e­Muse” International Chamber Music Competition (Greece) and the Fourth Prize in Plovdiv International Chamber Music Competition.

Violette Trio has intensive concert activities in various international venues and is invited to perform in several festivals, e.g. “Corti, Chiese e Cortili” in Bologna and “Zinettiadi” in Verona, Italy.

The Trio also performs for Schloss Mirabell Salzburg's concert and in Wien for "Gesellschaft für Musiktheater", Austria. In April 2015, they will present a serie of concerts in Reims, France.

In 2014, Violette Trio is invited to represent the Sándor Végh Institute for Chamber Music at the University Mozarteum Salzburg to participate in an exchange programme with the Schulich School of Music at the McGill University in Montreal, Canada and in June 2015 will take part in an exchange program with the Guildhall School of Music and Drama (London, UK).

TRIO DIONYSUS: 2nd Prize

ENKOR Chamber Music Competition 2014
Trio Dionysus | USA 
Second Prize Winner

Alastair Keith Wright | soprano saxophone | Age 23
Dylan Patrick Ward | tenor saxophone/soprano saxophone | Age 21
Juliana Marie Witt | piano| Age 27
Age Group: Category B

Teacher's Name: Taimur Sullivan


Artistic biography
Trio Dionysus has rapidly developed a reputation as a leading ensemble in Winston Salem, NC. Coached by Taimur Sullivan, with additional support from Allison Gagnon, Dionysus has represented the University of North Carolina School of the Arts in several public events, and was selected to participate in a Master Class with renowned pianist Robert McDonald. Dionysus strives to expand the repertoire for this unique and exciting instrumentation through transcriptions and collaboration with active composers of the twenty-first century.

Dionysus is active in community outreach, having given performances at the first UNCSA Community Day, representing the entire woodwind department which celebrated the 50th Anniversary of the school. At the request of the Dean of the School of Music, Dionysus also conducted an open rehearsal in front of parents and members of the local community. Both of these public events allowed the trio to showcase a varied repertoire and introduce the unconventional aspect of our ensemble.

The group advanced to the regional division of the Music Teachers National Association Wind Chamber Group competition which will take place in January. The trio will also be featured artists in the UNCSA Chamber Music Festival next year. As they become more established, Dionysus is in the process of planning recitals in the local community, taking new music to wider audiences, and engaging a variety of music-listeners with our distinctive sound.

THE FLOWERSTONE DUO: 3rd Prize

ENKOR Chamber Music Competition 2014
The Flowerstone Duo | USA 
Third Prize Winner

Malva de Boor | Violin | Age 11
Jasper de Boor | Violin | Age 13
Age Group: Category A

Teacher's Name: Ronda Cole


Artistic biography
Siblings Malva and Jasper have enjoyed playing duets together ever since they can remember. Individually, they have won competitions, and together, they have played in many larger group recitals, but most of their duet playing has been for the pure joy of making music and not for public performance. In February, 2014, they took their duets public and won the chance to play in a Young Artist’s concert at Alden Theatre in McLean, Virginia. This performance was held on October 19, 2014.

TRIO AFFETTUOSO: 3rd prize

ENKOR Chamber Music Competition 2014
Trio Affettuoso| USA 
Third Prize Winner

Puyin Bai | Clarinet | Age 25
Sunnat Ibragimov | Cello | Age 27
Teng Fu | Piano | Age 26
Age Group: Category B

Teacher: Scott McBride Smith


Artistic biography
Formed in 2015, Trio Affettuoso has already participated in many competitions and concerts such as the MTNA chamber music competition in the US. Trio members include clarinetist Puyin Bai, Cellist Sunnat Ibragimov, and Pianist Teng Fu.

KIOWA ENSEMBLE: 3rd Prize

ENKOR Chamber Music Competition 2014
Kiowa Ensemble | USA 
Third Prize Winner

Margaret Lambie | flute | Age 23
Mickayla Chapman | clarinet | Age 20
Mandy Wang | violin | Age 26
Cong Cong Chai | piano | Age 30
Age Group: Category B

Teacher/s Name: Michael Kirkendoll, Scott McBride Smith

Artistic biography
Consisting of students in the University of Kansas School of Music, the Kiowa Ensemble was formed in 2014 and is already creating an exciting resumé. The combined virtuosity of flutist Margaret Lambie, clarinetist Mickayla Chapman, violinist Mandy Wang, and pianist Cong Cong Chai provides the Kiowa Ensemble with a seemingly unlimited array of colors, textures, and moods. The Kiowa Ensemble were the winners of the 2014 MTNA Competition, and will compete in regional and national competitions throughout 2015.