TTU Young Artist Piano competition showcases "some of the best musical talent in the region."
COOKEVILLE, Tenn. – High school students gathered at Tennessee Tech University Oct. 19 for the seventh annual TTU Young Artist Piano competition.
"The technical and musical maturity of these young pianists is inspiring," said Catherine Godes, TTU piano professor and event coordinator. "This competition showcases some of the best musical talent in the region."
Jarrett Takaki, from Wilmette , Ill. , won the first place $600 S.K. Ballal Award. The recipient of the $500 Dave M. McCall Award was Michelle Schodowski, of Kingsport , Tenn. The $350 Rodney Carlson Award was given to Knoxville 's Melissa Yu and Stanley Xiang from Brentwood , Tenn. , won the $250 Hope High Award.
The competition was also filmed for a WCTE documentary set to air in December.
"This documentary will feature interviews with the pianists and judges," said Godes. "It will showcase these fine young pianists and illuminate the inner workings of piano competitions, which have become vital components of developing musical careers throughout the world."
The competition featured three judges: Vicki King, author, pianist, and professor of piano at Tennessee State University ; Grace Choi, TTU pianist; and Fred Kennedy, TTU voice professor.
For more information about the competition, contact Godes at cgodes@tntech.edu.
