South Pasadena Youngsters Win Top Honors in Regional Music Competition

Sixteen students age 7 to 12, from the South Pasadena-based Pascale Music Institute, directed by Susan Pascale, swept top honors at the Diamond Bar Performance Arts Competition held on July 19 in Diamond Bar, California. Five of the winners are South Pasadena youngsters: Holly Lacey, age 7; Jenna Okohira, 11; Reo Snyder, 11; Kaitlyn Ng, 11; Alex Mariano, 11; Annika Gavlak, 12; Jenna Pascale, 12; and Emma Phillips, 12.

The students performed in quintets, quartets or solo, on violin, viola, cello or bass. Some of the winning performances are online at the Pascale Method for Beginning Violin Facebook page, https://www.facebook.com/pages/Pascale-Method-for-Beginning-Violin/437624182975268.

“The DBPAC is a wonderful competition that our students participate in every summer,” notes Pascale. “They work really hard together and individually, and even practice diligently in the summer. Along with the Diamond Bar competition, they performed in several recitals this summer, including two at the Shakespeare Club of Pasadena,” she adds. “Everyone benefits - the kids love the camaraderie and the level of the playing goes up.”

For more information, go to stringsprogram.com or contact the Pascale Music Institute at 626-403-4611.