Young Artist Auditions
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 First Round winner awards of $750 and runners-up awards of $300 given for each classification.
Winners and runners-up then compete for a $1,000 Instrumental Scholarship, a $1000 Vocal Scholarship, and the Grand Prize, an opportunity to perform in concert with the Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra.
2023 Young Artist Auditions Winners
Grand Prize (an opportunity to perform with the RPO)
Winner: Catalina Wooldridge, Cello, Grade 12, Williamson Senior High School, Rosemary Elliott
Aldridge-Tinker Scholarship for Instrumentalists ($1000 college scholarship)
Winner: Catalina Wooldridge, Cello, Grade 12, Williamson Senior High School, Rosemary Elliott
Jan DeGaetani Scholarship for Vocalists ($1000 college scholarship)
Winner: Charles Bohrer, baritone, grade 12, Irondequoit High School, Susanna Adams
Helen and George Greer Instrumental Award (Winner: $750, Runner-up $300)
Winner: Elizabeth Runion, Flute, grade 11, Gates Chili High School, Diane Smith
Runner-up: Lina Yang, Flute, Grade 11, Pittsford Sutherland High School, Sophia Gibbs Kim
Honorable Mention: Sophia Chuang, Harp, Grade 11, Our Lady of Mercy, Elizabeth Ojeda
Mildred and Julius Ness Award for Piano (Winner: $750)
Winner: Rebecca Lee, Grade 11, The Harley School, Jacob Ertl
Honorable Mention: Julian Chumacero, Grade 11, Victor Senior High School, Elier Suarez
Nobel Hirsh Award for Male Vocalists (Winner: $750, Runner-up $300)
Winner: Charles Bohrer, baritone, grade 12, Irondequoit High School, Susanna Adams
Runner-up: Vincent Mussumeci, Tenor, Grade 10, Greece Athena High School, Diane Abrahamian
Ruth and Sidney Salzman Award for Strings (Winner: $750, Runner-up $300)
Winner: Elizabeth Norris, Cello, grade 12, Brighton High School, David Ying
Runner-up: Noor Rouhana, Violin, Grade 12, Fairport High School, Virginia Wensel
Honorable Mention: Jonathan Yi, Cello, Grade 12, Clarence High School, David Ying
Tessa Martin Award for Female Vocalists (Winner: $750, Runner-up $300)
Winner: Rylee Pierce, Soprano, grade 12, Brockport High School, Teresa Ringholz
Runner-up: Sophie Hilger, Soprano, Grade 12, Brighton High School, Hannah Harrow
Honorable Mention: Tamsin Spiller, Soprano, Grade 12, Brighton High School, Susanna Adams