The Chico Guild, The League of Redding, and the North State Symphony invite all Northern California music teachers, junior and senior high school music directors, college and university music department chairs, and former Young Artist Audition participants to encourage local music students' participation in the annual Young Artists Auditions. This competition features a Junior/High School Division for students in grades 6–12 and a College/University Division. Through this program, we aim to inspire young musicians to participate in the auditions, ensuring the continued vitality of symphonic music in the future.
The public is invited and encouraged to attend the auditions on Sunday, February 9, at noon, in the Ruth Rowland Recital Hall in the Performing Arts Center (Room 134) at Chico State. Ample free parking is available in nearby university lots.
We look forward to receiving applications from talented students. First-place winners will be featured as soloists in performance with the North State Symphony during the 2025-26 season. Students will receive more detailed information about the event upon receipt of their applications.
Application deadline is January 11, 2025.
Click here for a Young Artist Audition information packet
Click here for a Young Artist Audition application
Click here for a Young Artist Audition Flyer
2024 Young Artist Audition Winners
The judges of the Young Artist Auditions were North State Symphony Music Director Scott Seaton, North State Symphony Section Violinist Joel Quivey, and North State Symphony Principal Flute Tim Koop.
The winner of the High School Division was Catalina Huss, oboe, of Chico. She played Bellini’s Oboe Concerto in Eb Major. She attends Chico High School and studies with North State Symphony Principal Oboist, Susie Lundberg. She wins a cash prize and the opportunity to perform with the North State Symphony in the 2024-2025 season.
Second prize in the High School Division was won by JJ Tiefenbach, cello, of Redding. JJ studies with Michal Palzewicz and performed Elgar’s Cello Concerto in E Minor. JJ wins a cash prize.
The winner of the College/University Division was Oliver Moore, piano, who studies at the San Francisco Conservatory of Music with Garrick Ohlsson. He performed Chopin’s Concerto No. 2 in F Minor, Movement 1. He wins a cash prize and the opportunity to perform with the North State Symphony in the 2024-2025 season. Oliver was also the winner of the 2019 Young Artist Auditions in the High School Division.
Congratulations to our winners and thank you to the Chico Guild and Redding League for their support!
Catalina Huss
JJ Tiefenbach
Olive Moore
Past Finalists
2023
Schools
1st place - Allie Braito - Piano - Shasta Charter Academy junior
2nd place - Sasha Iwabuchi Fomin - Violin - Marsh Junior High School 6th
College
1st Amanda Michelle Britt - Voice - California State University, Sacramento senior
2022
High School
1st Place – James Johnston - Violin – sophomore – Shasta View Academy,
2nd Place – Allie Braito - Piano - Cottonwood
College
1st Place – Sarah Harris-Voice - Sophomore, Shasta College
2nd Place – Cassidy Winkelman- Cello – Shasta College
2021
High School
1st Place – Joshua Van Der Veen - Piano - Elverta, CA
2nd Place – James Johnston - Violin - Shasta View Academy, Anderson, CA
College
2nd Place – Brooklyn Becker -Voice - Junior, CSU, Chico
2nd Place – Sarah Harris - Voice - Freshman, CSU, Chico
2020
High School
1st Place – Sophia Lin Hackler - Piano - University Preparatory School Redding
2nd Place – Allie Braito - Piano - Cottonwood
College
1st Place – Yanting Yu - piano - CSU, Humboldt
1st Place – Valdis Birznieks - Voice - CSU, Chico
2019
High School
1st Place – Oliver Moore - Piano - Inspire School of the Arts and Science
2nd Place – Kaite Braito - Violin - Cottonwood
College
1st Place – Kevin Anderson - Voice - CSU, Humboldt
2nd Place – Valdis Birznieks - Voice - CSU, Chico
2018
High School
1st Place – Eric Whitmer - Marimba - Palo Cedro High School
2nd Place – Oliver Moore - Piano - Inspire School of the Arts and Science
Honorable Mention - Joshua Arce - Alto Saxophone - Colusa
College
1st Place – Chuang Li - Piano - Humboldt State University
2nd Place – Xiaowen Xu - Piano - Humboldt State University
Honorable Mention - Valdis Birznieks - Voice - CSU Chico
2017
High School
1st Place – Jet Glover - Violin - Arcata High School
2nd Place – Eric Whitmer - Marimba - Palo Cedro High School
College
1st Place – Natasha Czajka - Voice - San Francisco Conservatory of Music
2nd Place – Kira Weiss - Cello - Humboldt State University
Honorable Mention - John Maich - Violin - San Francisco Conservatory of Music
2016
High School
1st Place – Diego Bustamante - Piano - Progressive Schoolhouse
2nd Place – Ben Harper - Piano - Trinity High School
Honorable Mention - Sarah Krudler - Voice - Chico High School
College
2nd Place – Anna Perkins - French Horn - CSU Chico
2nd Place – Christopher Sullivan - Voice - Butte College
2015
High School
1st Place – Brianna Ruiz – Violin – Homeschooled
2nd Place – Celeste Peña – Violin – Shasta High School
College
1st Place – Amanda Edwards - Voice – CSU Chico
2nd Place – Anna Perkins – French Horn – CSU Chico
2014
High School
1st Place – Ellie Rose Lundberg – Flute – Freedom Academy
2nd Place – Brianna Ruiz – Violin – Homeschooled
College
1st Place – Ryan McGaughey - Piano – Humboldt State University
2nd Place – Adriana Jimenez – Clarinet – CSU Chico
2nd Place – Elizabeth Nice – Voice – CSU Chico
2013
High School
1st Place – Kira Weiss – Cello – Arcata High School
2nd Place – Diego Bustamante - Piano – Progressive Schoolhouse
2nd Place – Ellie Rose Lundberg - Flute – Freedom Academy
College
1st Place – Christopher Navarrete – Trumpet – CSU Chico
2nd Place – Adriana Jimenez – Clarinet – CSU Chico
2012
High School
1st Place – Nellie Ponarul – Violin– Pleasant Valley High School
2nd Place - John Maich – Violin - Stella Maris High School
College
1st Place – Heather Rice – Voice – CSU Chico
2nd Place – Adriana Jimenez – Clarinet – CSU Chico
2010
High School
1st Place – Anthoni Polcari – Cello – Shasta High School
College
1st Place – Molly Mahoney – Voice – San Francisco Conservatory of Music
2008
High School
1st Place – Adriel Taslim – Violin – American Christian Academy
2nd Place - Emma Lundberg – Violin - Chico High School
2nd Place - Anthoni Polcari – Cello - Shasta High School
2007
High School
1st Place - Chelsea Morden – Violin - North Coast Prep and Performing Arts Academy
2nd Place - Adriel Taslim – Violin - American Christian Academy
College
1st Place - Ayako Nakamura – Trumpet – CSU Chico
2nd Place - George Hayes - Violin – CSU Sacramento