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For the 13th time, high school-aged musicians came together to compete for a one-in-a-lifetime opportunity and college scholarship. The Levente Medveczky Student Scholarship Competition was held March 23 in the Orem Library’s Ashton Auditorium with the winner receiving a $500 scholarship and a spot performing with the Utah Baroque Ensemble on April 24.

It was a return to form for the scholarship competition, having been skipped in 2021 due to COVID-19. The ensemble itself was unable to perform either of their regular shows in 2020 or for Easter 2021. Competitors each performed a piece by Johann Sebastian Bach.

The winner was Alina Baron, a 16-year-old violinist attending Mountain Heights Academy, an online school. According to the ensemble website, Baron began playing the violin at the age of 3 and has performed with the Utah Symphony, Utah Valley Symphony, Utah Philharmonic Orchestra and Timpanogos Symphony Orchestra. Baron also tutors violin and is the president of the Joyful Sounds Children’s Choir.

According to Diane Teichert, president of the Utah Baroque Ensemble, the competition is a great way to bring out talented young musicians.

“A lot of them are really dedicated musicians. This was more of a competition for students who are serious about going on and continuing their musical studies in college,” Teichert said. “These are cream of the crop kids.”

The nine students competing were Katherine Ricks (piano), Logan Purser (viola), Ella Madsen (piano), Dawson Rasmussen (piano), Spencer Lyle (violin), Kelsey Berges (piano), Zachary Richter (piano), Madelyn Thiriot (violin) and Baron. All other finalists received $100 awards and a certificate for their accomplishments.

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The competition was sponsored by the Utah Baroque Ensemble. It was judged by Martha Sargent, director of the ensemble, and Katy Russell.

Teichert thanked Nathan Robison and the Orem Public Library staff, Community Recreation Association (Cyprus Credit Union), Orem CARE Program, Utah Arts Council and National Endowment for the Arts for their support.

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