Nearly every seat of Schuler Auditorium was filled Saturday evening, March 10, during the National Young Artist competition celebration concert. The eight winners of the competition dressed in their finest tuxes and gowns to perform their winning pieces with the Coeur d’Alene Symphony Orchestra.
This year’s competition attracted 140 entrants from across the country and Canada, providing a plethora of phenomenal talent.
Coeur d’Alene Symphony conductor David Demand began the evening by thanking the sponsors for their assistance in paying for prizes and travel expenses associated with the competition. Demand built up audience suspense as he described the exceptional talent that was to grace the stage.
The first musician to perform was pianist Nathan Lee, 10, Wash., who won second place in the High School Piano Division. According to Demand, a special allowance was made for Lee in the high school division since he is only 10-years-old.
Lee’s small, tuxedoed body was nearly obscured by the grand piano, but that did not stop him from earning a standing ovation for his playful movement of Mozart’s “Piano Concerto No. 27.”
“It just doesn’t get any better than that,” Demand said.
The next performer was bassoonist Benjamin Roidel-Ward, 19, Wash., who won first place in the Winds, Brass & Percussion College Division. He played the dynamic piece, “Andante e Rondo Ongarese” by Von Weber.
“Amazing,” Demand said. “I don’t know how his fingers move so fast.”
Next was mezzo soprano Kristin Choi, 24, Calif., who won first place in the College Vocal Division. Choi sang Bellini’s “Se Romeo t’uccise un fliglio” from the Italian opera “Romeo and Juliet.” She also sang Thomas’s “Me voivi dans son boudoir” from the French opera. Although both roles were originally meant for men, Choi still delivered a heart-felt and convincing performance in her mauve, silken gown.
The last winner to perform before the 10-minute intermission was Taiwanese born pianist Fan-ya Lin, 22, Utah, who placed first in the College Piano Division. Lin’s dark, turbulent movement of Prokofiev’s “Paino Concerto No. 3” was made even more impressive by the powerful accompaniment of the orchestra and her dramatic, sparkling, black gown.
“The little kid was super, super good,” said Emily Ingle, 19, music, Spirit Lake. “It was crazy. And the piece of the one lady that was really into it – the one in the sparkly black dress. That was really cool. She was really animated and it sounded really awesome.”
After intermission Jasmine Weiss, 14, Utah, who won first in the High School Piano Division, took to the stage. Her performance of Saint Saens’s “Piano Concerto No. 4” was as brilliant and royal as her baby-blue gown.
Seasoned string bassist Nicholas Villalobos, 24, Ariz., performed next. Villalobos won first place in the College Strings Division. He performed his own arrangement of Bottesini’s “Concerto No. 2.” Demand said it was the first time for a string bassist to win in the College String Division.
Joann Martinson, N.C., who won first place in the Professional Vocal Division, delivered two lively performances. During Bernstein’s “Glitter and Be Gay” Martinson used props, such as a diamond bracelet, and placed a tiara on the head of concertmaster Phil Baldwin.
She was queen of the stage in her black and white, form fitting silk gown as she performed Mozart’s “Queen of the Night.” Demand said the category for professional singers was created because most singers don’t reach their peak until 30-40 years old and there aren’t many competitions for that age.
Last, but not least, was violinist Nicole Wald, 15, Oreg., who won first place in the High School Strings Division. Wald is a 15-year-old freshman at Boise State. Saturday morning she won a competition at Boise and then flew back for the NIC concert that evening. In her shimmering red gown, she performed Tchaikovsky’s “Violin Concerto.”
The show ran for approximately two hours. After the show there was a meet and greet in room 102 in Boswell Hall, where guests and performers could mingle with each other.
The Coeur d’Alene Symphony Orchestra will have another performance in the Schuler Performing Arts Center at 7:30 p.m. April 28. Tickets are on sale at the Symphony office, Great Harvest Bread Company and Burts Music.
