Pinecrest Senior Evelyn Fuentes Solos with Augusta Symphony

Evelyn Fuentes, a graduating senior at Pinecrest Academy, was the featured guest artist at the Augusta Symphony’s “Symphonic Dances” concert on May 9, the finale of the Symphony’s season.

A Rare and Prestigious Honor

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Evelyn’s appearance with the Symphony is a hard-earned reward for her technical mastery and musical maturity. She secured this coveted spot by winning First Place in the Senior Division of the 2025 Youth Concerto Competition. This honor is reserved for soloists who possess the poise and artistry to lead a full professional orchestra.

A Little Background on the Selection Process

There were two rounds to the audition process for the 2025 Augusta Symphony Youth Concerto Competition. All applicants had to submit a live, unedited video of about 10 minutes of a concerto they would play if selected. Judges reviewed submitted videos and accepted a certain number of finalists to compete in the live round at Augusta University.

Finalists had to play the entirety of their concerto from memory with accompaniment (piano) during this live performance. During the final round, Evelyn competed against mainly orchestral instruments like violinists, cellists, pianists, and flutists, so it was particularly exciting that she won.

A Legacy of Excellence

Evelyn’s resume is a testament to years of disciplined practice. Her journey is marked by several landmark achievements:

The "Six-Year Streak": This year, Evelyn made the Georgia District 9 Honor Band for the sixth time. Maintaining this level of excellence every year since middle school is a remarkable feat of consistency.

All-State Success: In March 2026, Evelyn once again earned a seat in the Georgia All-State Band, performing with the most elite young musicians in the state under the direction of a world-class guest conductor.

NASA Regional Runner-Up: Evelyn took Second Place in the prestigious Region 7 North American Saxophone Alliance (NASA) High School Competition at the University of Tennessee-Knoxville.

Academic Achievement: Beyond the band room, Evelyn was a recipient of the Georgia Certificate of Merit, recognizing her in the top 10% of all students statewide for her scholastic potential.

A Perfect Audition Season: 4 for 4

The ultimate validation of Evelyn’s hard work came in spring of 2026 during the grueling collegiate audition process. After navigating multiple rounds of high-pressure performances at four of the most prominent music schools in the country, Evelyn received acceptance into all four School of Music programs. Her college acceptances include:

* Hugh Hodgson School of Music at UGA
* New England Conservatory
* Peabody Conservatory of The Johns Hopkins University
* The School of Music, Theatre, and Dance at the University of Michigan
* Bienen School of Music at Northwestern University

The University of Michigan and Northwestern University have the two best saxophone programs in the United States, with iconic saxophone players teaching at both.

Being recruited by every top-tier school she applied to applauds her as one of the premier young saxophonists in the nation. Evelyn will be attending Northwestern University in Fall 2026.