A Concert for All Ages

Completely sold out, the much-anticipated Young Artists Award Concert at the Arts Barn Theater on Feb. 26 highlighted the musical achievements of young musicians, aged 12 - 18.

Participating in four categories—piano, wind/brass, strings and vocals—young musicians went through a rigorous selection process. The awards concert provided the opportunity to perform in front of a live audience for award winners. Awards included Honorable Mention, 1st, 2nd and 3rd place.

Although not all award winners were present, Daniel Bogacheck, Paul El-Hallal, Annie Fang, Lillian Gao , Madeline Jentsch, Teresa Lewandowski, Raymond Lin, Jessica Liu, Shaina Martinez, Elena Olshin, Emily Samuelson, Daniel Watson and Christopher Wong held their own superbly on the Arts Barn Stage.

"The kids are extraordinarily talented, and we will be seeing them on stages in the future," said Suzanne Takahashi, the principal coordinator of The Young Artists Award Competition and Concert and Award Ceremony.

"They are so passionate, and it shines through," seconded Carrie Dietz, Director of The Kentlands Community Foundation and also one of the organizers of the event.

Elie Canetti, Master of Ceremonies, lightened up the evening with a few humorous interludes of his own.

"I suppose that's French for Elton John," he chortled when introducing Madeline Jentsch's Chanson Triste by Henri Dupare. A few other noteworthy moments of comic relief included referring to Christina Ebersole, one of the volunteers for the evening, as a professional arsonist and taking a crack at Bernie Madoff at the very beginning. 

Designed to provide the experience of a competitive process, the Young Artist Award Competition receives over 100 applicants each year and provides opportunities to perform in other City of Gaithersburg functions for performers.

Gaithersburg Mayor Sidney Katz and Council member Michael Sesma were in attendance, and Katz presented the awards.

"Tonight was a wonderful night," Katz said. "This is the eigth consecutive year that we hold this event, and each year it is a packed house and a fabulous, unbelievable night. Everyone enjoyed themselves."

The focus was, of course, on the young musicians and vocalists.

"It was exhilirating and fun," said Paul El-Hallal who played Frederick Chopin's Fantasie-Impromptu, Op. 66 on the piano. "I had a good time trying to entertain the audience because pianists don't just perform for self-satisfaction. They do it for those listening." His hands glided across the piano keys as his left and right brain worked in perfect harmony.

"The competition has been a truly engaging experience," commented Daniel Bogacheck, who performed Symphonie Espagnole in D Minor, Op. 21 and was accompanied by his equally talented mother, Natasha Bogacheck on piano. "It gave me the opportunity to develop my technique and performance skills." His technique was heartfelt, to say the least.

"When I was four years old I went to a sort of petting zoo for instruments at The Kennedy Center. I picked up the flute and have not put it down ever since," said Elena Olshin, one of the younger performers in the group. She played Louis Ganne's Andante e Scherzo accompanied by Robert Olshin on the piano.

Participating for the second year in a row, Emily Samuelson, the first place winner in the vocals category, sang Venite, Inginocchiateri from Le Nozze di Figaro in Italian and Disneyland from Smile.

"Last year I got second place. I returned for the gold this year. When I started practicing my Italian needed a lot of work. Then I met my accompanyist, Kayme Henkle, who helped me improve my pronounciation tremendously," she said after delivering an emotionally charged solo with exquisite vocal mastery.

Teresa Lewandowski closed the evening on violin with Henryk Wieniawski's Concerto No.2 in D Minor, Op. 22.

"I am a junior at Wooton High School and have had to cut back on practicing a great deal," she lamented. "I am glad to have been able to participate in this competition and to have been selected as an award winner." Her performance was steady and composed, belying the unexpectedly striking articulation at the closing of her piece.

The evening wrapped up with the awards ceremony and multiple rounds of picture-taking by proud parents, teachers and organizers.