Events

The El Paso Society for Musicians of the Future (EPSMF) announces the finalists for the 2019 Competition for Young Musicians. Six finalists will compete in a recital on Saturday, May 4, 2019 at Star City Studio. This competition calls to exceptionally talented students between the ages of 8 and 19 to compete for cash awards with classical music repertoire. The competition has grown to cross borders with local, national, and international applications.

The top award is $1800 and the opportunity to perform in EPSMF’s annual summer concerts followed by second and third place awards of $700 and $500. All of the seven finalists in this competition will be publicly recognized for their achievements.

Finalists are:

John Esparza - piano

John is 16 and a junior at Eastwood High School. He studies piano with Dr. Esequiel Meza. He has participated in several recitals with the El Paso Conservatory of Music and has been featured at the Music Teachers Association Student Affiliate recitals at the Chamizal National Memorial Auditorium. He has been recognized for his performances in the EPMTA Sonata and Solo Festivals. John has also been an active participant in the Texas All Region Orchestra and is a regular participant in the UIL Solo and Ensemble competition as a violinist. He has earned membership in the National Junior Honor Society. John states, “I have been taught that I achieve anything as long as I dedicate time and effort into it.”

Ryan Esparza - piano

Ryan is 16 and a junior at Eastwood High School. He studies piano with Dr. Esequiel Meza. He has participated in several recitals with the El Paso Conservatory of Music and has been featured at the Music Teachers Association Student Affiliate recitals at the Chamizal National Memorial Auditorium. He has been recognized for his performances in the EPMTA Sonata and Solo Festivals. Ryan has also been an active participant in the Texas All Region Orchestra and is a regular participant in the UIL Solo and Ensemble competition as a violinist. He has earned membership in the National Junior Honor Society. Ryan says, “music has been a part of my life as long as I can remember.”

Kathryn Haluschak- piano

Kathryn 13 and an eighth grader at Loretto Academy Middle School. She studies piano with Anna Habicht. She plays in a youth ensemble and as has participated in semi-finals of the Texas Music Teachers Association summer convention. She likes the music of Josef Hayden because “his music has humor and is fun to play.”

Samuel Kligman- piano

Samuel is 15 and is a freshman at Coronado High School. He is an IB student and has been studying piano for ten years and currently studies with Guillermo de la Garza. Samuel sings with the Coronado Varsity Choir and with the Gentlemen Choir at Coronado. At a very young age, Samuel “felt a connection to musical sounds.”

Taekyu Lee- piano

Taekyu is 16 and a sophomore at Coronado High School. He studies piano with Anna Habicht. He participates regularly on EPMTA competitions and festivals at the Chamizal National Memorial Auditorium. In 2016, he won second place in EPSYO’s Young Artist Piano Competition. Taekyu also plays to cello. He enjoys Rachmaninoff stating that he enjoys “his composing style; it is very powerful in its expression and very passionate.”

Samuel Maddox- piano

Samuel is 15 and a home-schooled sophomore. He studies piano with Dr. Esequiel Meza. Samuel is active in community outreach performances. He has been featured in the Texas Music Teachers Association Student Affiliate recitals and has participated in Solo festivals and Baroque competitions sponsored by the Music Teachers Association. He was the2017 winner of the EPSMF Competition for Young Musicians and, in 2019, was a finalist in the Claudette Sorrel International Piano Competition in New York. He is currently a regular performer with the Bruce Nehring Consort. Samuel is attracted to Beethoven’s pieces because “they are well structured…but they feel like they are taking me on an exciting adventure to a grand destination.”

The El Paso Society for Musicians of the Future (EPSMF) is a non-profit organization dedicated to bridging generations through quality classical music programs.