Michelle Schodowsk
BRISTOL , Tenn. - On May 4, the Bristol Music Club, which is celebrating its 100th anniversary in 2014, held its 50th annual scholarship auditions at First Presbyterian Church in Bristol , Tenn.
Over 30 students competed in four divisions and nine students were selected as winners. The winners were then presented in a recital on Sunday afternoon, May 5 in the sanctuary of First Presbyterian Church, Bristol , Tenn.
The judges for this year's auditions were Dr. Les Downs, Noah DeLong, Kimberley Ray and Gary Robertz. Each winner received a monetary scholarship to be used toward their continuing musical studies.
Some of these students will be featured in the Tunes @ Noon Young Artists Concert at the Paramount Center for the Arts on June 13. The public is invited to attend that concert and a $5 donation is suggested at the door.
Winners included:
Division I (high school seniors who intend to study applied music in college):
> First: Michelle Schodowski (piano) is a student at the Tennessee Online Public School and East Tennessee State University . She studies with Dr. Chih-Long Hus at ETSU. Michelle has won many prizes at local, national and international music competitions, including being a previous Bristol Music Club Scholarship Audition winner. Michelle will be attending the University of North Texas next year where she plans to major in piano performance. She is the daughter of Dr. Paul and Sharon Schodowski of Kingsport .
> Second: Clay Fissell (alto saxophone) is a senior at Science Hill High School . Clay studies with Tom Crawford and is a member of the Science Hill Band, Jazz Band, Wind Ensemble and Chorus. He has been selected to All East Honor Bands in 2013 and 2014. Next year Clay will attend Lee University where he plans to major in instrumental music education. He is the son of Brad and Andrea Fissell of Johnson City , Tenn.
Division II: Grades 10-12
> First: Cameron Lugo (violin) is a 10th grade home-schooled student. Cameron studies with Dr. Thomas Jonier of Furman University . He is a three-time winner of the Bristol Music Club Scholarship Auditions. He has performed as soloist with the Knoxville Symphony Youth Orchestra and the Ottawa Chamber Symphony. Cameron is the concertmaster of the Symphony of the Mountains Youth Orchestra and has won several first place awards for his compositions at national and international levels. He is the son of Ralph and Dawn Lugo of Jonesborough , Tenn.
> Second: Hollie Matthews (voice) is a 10th grade student at Providence Academy in Johnson City , Tenn. She is a voice student of Nancy Marcum. Hollie has been a winner of the Bristol Music Club Scholarship Auditions for the last two years and is a frequent performer in various stage performances. She is the daughter of Chris and Bobbie Matthews of Kingsport, Tenn.
Division III: Grades 7-9
> First: Natalie Lugo (violin) is an eighth grade homeschooled student. She studies violin with Timothy Barrett. Natalie was the assistant concertmaster for the Symphony of the Mountains Youth Orchestra for the 2013-14 season and was a winner in the Bristol Music Club Scholarship Auditions in 2012 and 2013. Natalie also sings with the East Tennessee Children's Choir and the DaCapo Ensemble. She is the daughter of Ralph and Dawn Lugo of Jonesborough , Tenn.
> Second and Honorable Mention: Jimmy Lu (violin) is a seventh grade student at Liberty Bell Middle School . He studies violin with Jane McMorran and is a member of the Symphony of the Mountains Youth Orchestra. He is the son of Dr. Ybiao Lu and Xiaorong Wang of Johnson City , Tenn. Jimmy was awarded an honorable mention for piano in the Bristol Music Club auditions. He studies with Dr. Chih-long Hu at East Tennessee State University and earned third place in the MTNA state competition in 2013 along with being a 2013 winner in the Bristol Music Club auditions.
> Honorable Mention: Thomas O'Neill (voice) studies voice with Rachel Milligan. Thomas has participated in All County , All District and State Honor choirs. He also sings in his church choir and in the Highland Youth ensemble. He is the son of Thomas and Jennifer O'Neill of Abingdon , Va.
Division IV: Grades 3-6
> First: David Lugo (violin) is a fifth grade homeschooled student. He is a violin student of Timothy Barrett and was a winner in the 2013 Bristol Music Club auditions. David is also a member of the Symphony of the Mountains Youth Orchestra and the East Tennessee Children's Choir. He is the son of Ralph and Dawn Lugo of Jonesborough , Tenn.
> Second: Annie Whaley (piano) is a sixth grade homeschooled student. She studies piano with Ivy Blair and has earned superior ratings at piano festivals in 2012 and 2013. Annie regularly plays at her church and also enjoys playing the mandolin. She is the daughter of Dr. and Mrs. Rob Whaley of Johnson City , Tenn.
