Hosted by the Rochester Philharmonic League since 1955, the Young Artist Auditions is the region’s most prestigious competition for high school-age musicians, recognizing talent and dedication in Male Vocal, Female Vocal, Strings, Piano, and Instrumental categories. The YAA is judged by professionals in each field, with awards of $500 given for each classification. The winners and runners-up compete for a $1,000 Instrumental Scholarship, a $1000 Vocal Scholarship, and the opportunity to perform in concert with the Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra.
Congratulations to this year’s Winners!
Winners List
(name, instrument, grade, school, private teacher)
Grand Prize: An opportunity to perform with the Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra
Winners: Christine Ott, French Horn, grade 11, Homeschool, Maura McCune Corvington
Jahshanti Henry, flute, grade 12, School of the Arts, Rochester, Jan Angus
Aldridge-Tinker Scholarship for Instrumentalists ($1000 college scholarship)
Winner: Christine Ott, French Horn, grade 11, Homeschool, Maura McCune Corvington
Jan DeGaetani Scholarship for Vocalists ($1000 college scholarship)
Winner: Charles Tomaszewski, Baritone, grade 12, Honeoye Falls-Lima High School, Hannah Harrow
Helen and George Greer Instrumental Award ($500)
Winner: Christine Ott, French Horn, grade 11, Homeschool, Maura McCune Corvington
Runner-up: Jashanti Henry, flute, grade 12, School of the Arts, Rochester, Jan Angus
Mildred and Julius Ness Award for Piano ($500)
Winner: Noah Lee, piano, grade 11, The Harley School, Jacob Ertl
Runner-up: Henry Qin, piano, grade 11, Pittsford Sutherland High School, Alla Kuznetsov
Nobel Hirsh Award for Male Vocalists ($500)
Winner: Charles Tomaszewski, Baritone, grade 12, Honeoye Falls-Lima High School, Hannah Harrow
Ruth and Sidney Salzman Award for Strings ($500)
Winner: Andrew Guo, violin, grade 10, Brighton High School, Renee Jolles
Runner-up: Jessica Tang, violin, grade 11, Pittsford Mendon High School, Jeremy Zhu
Tessa Martin Award for Female Vocalists ($500)
Winner: Olivia Crawford, soprano, grade 11, Wayne Central High School, Susanna M. Adams
Honorable Mention: Clare DeMarco, soprano, grade 11, Mother of Divine Grace (Homeschool), Dr. Mario Martinez