Young Artist Auditions

header image of concert soloist for Young Artist Auditions webpage


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 student's participation in the annual Young Artists Auditions. This competition includes a Junior/High School Division for students in grades 7-12 and a College/University Division. Through this program we encourage young musicians to participate in these Auditions, thus ensuring healthy symphonies in the future.

The public is invited and encouraged to attend the auditions on Sunday, February 5, 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 2023-24 season. Students will receive more detailed information about the event upon receipt of their applications.
Application deadline is January 28, 2022.

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


Past Finalists

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

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