Young Artist Auditions

The North State Symphony is happy to announce the results of the 2024 Young Artist Auditions. The Young Artist Auditions honors young musicians in the North State, both instrumental and vocal. The competition has two divisions, School and College/University.

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 
  posing with her oboe

    Catalina Huss

  • JJ posing with their 
  cello

    JJ Tiefenbach

  • Olive Moore

    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