The Bristol Music Club’s announces the winners of its 2026 auditions. Judges Joe Moore, Peter Ryan and Karen Smith Hoss selected 12 students to receive awards.
Division I Entrants are in the twelfth grade with intentions of studying music in college. The first-place winner in Division I is Andrew James Darlington who studies piano with Allison Mauger. Darlington is the son of Andrew and Anna Darlington and recently completed 12th-grade homeschooling and plans to attend ETSU and major in Music Composition
The second-place winner in Division I is Isabella Permenter, the daughter of Eliesha Duffey and a violin student of Marianna Brickle. Permenter is a 2026 graduate of Science Hill High School and has been studying violin for 12 years. She served as Concertmaster of the Science Hill High School Orchestra from 2024-2026.
The third-place winner in Division I is Aylin Ballard who has studied voice with Ivy Blair since 2018. Ballard’s parents are Matt and Erika Ballard. She is completing the 12th grade in the Homelife Academy.
Division II entrants are in high school. The first-place winner in Division II is Eliana Ková?ová, who is a violin student of Carolyn Heubl. The daughter of David Kovac and Michaela Ková?ová. she, 17, is from Johnson City, Tennessee, and first began violin lessons at the age of 4 under the instruction of her father. She attended The Academy of Strings Suzuki Program where she studied with Tim Barrett and participated in numerous solo and group concerts including collaborative concerts with the Symphony of the Mountains.
The second-place winner in Division II is baritone Fritz Hagemeier, who studies voice with Ivy Blair. Hagemeier is the son of Nick and Molly Hagemeier and has recently completed the 10th grade at Science Hill High School in Johnson City, Tennessee.
The third-place winner in Division II is Caroline Ning, who studies piano with Jerilyn Paolini. She is the daughter of Ling Wang & Shunbin Ning. Caroline has recently completed the 10th grade at Science Hill High School in Johnson City, Tennessee.
Division III entrants are in Grades seven through nine. The first-place winner is Silas Oliver, who studies violin with David Kovac. The son of Mark and Sarah Oliver, he recently completed the eighth grade at The University School and performs with the ETSU Symphony Orchestra.
The second-place winner in this Division is Finley Rainey, the son of Scott abd Stepahanie Rainey, who studies cello with Audrey Altonen. He recently completed the ninth grade at Providence Academy in Johnson City, Tennessee.
The third-place winner in Division III is pianist Elijah Theurer, the son of Timothy and Amber Theurer, He recently completed the ninth grade at Kolbe Academy Home School. H≠e has studied piano for five years and is a student of John Haggerty.
Division IV is for students in grades four through six.
The first place in Division IV is Elena Webb, the daughter of Jonathan and Maria Webb. She is homeschooled and recently finished the sixth grade. She studies piano with Rebekah Agin.
The second-place winner in Division IV is Levi Kobienia, a violin student of Kim Barrett. Levi excels in academics, violin, arts and soccer. Kobienia played soccer for University High Middle school team. He continues to play violin with Academy of Strings.
The third-place winner in Division IV is Yael Shumakher, who studies piano with Carol Stone. Her parents are Viktoria and Serge Shumakher, and the family is originally from Ukraine.
