Meet the Finalists
2014 Young Chamber Musicians Competition Finalists Bios19-24 Age Group
Chante Piano Trio
Musicians: Maria Parrini, Paul Aguilar, and Stephen Hawkey
Although they have played together in youth orchestra and other chamber configurations for over five years (Maria plays the cello as well), Chante began playing in a piano trio a little over 9 months ago. This past May, the trio competed in the prestigious Fischoff National Chamber Music Competition. Maria will be studying piano performance at the Cleveland Institute of Music on a full scholarship; Stephen will be studying cello performance at Bob Jones University; and Paul will be pursuing a degree in computer science at Thomas Edison State College.
Eurus Saxophone Quartet
Musicians: Jonathan Kierspe, Celeste Terry, JP Davis, Michael Gore
The Eurus Saxophone Quartet was put together in August of 2013 by their professor, Dr. Clifford Leaman of the University of South Carolina. Jonathan Kierspe (Soprano), Celeste Terry (Alto), JP Davis (Tenor), and Michael Gore (Baritone), just completed their freshman year at USC. The quartet performed in various concerts and recitals during their freshman year, and they plan to continue to perform and compete together throughout their college career.
14-18 Age Group
Varsity Brass
Musicians: Christopher Leeper, Joseph Reid, Ben Masters, Robert West, Jacob Underwood
The Varsity Brass is an invitation-only outreach organization of the Unifour Brass Ensemble. This group represents highly talented and motivated high school students from around the Unifour area in North Carolina. Tim Phillips, instructor of trumpet at Lenoir-Rhyne University and founder of the UBE is the group’s primary coach. The quintet is comprised of Christopher Leeper, Trumpet (Hickory High School); Joseph Reid, Trumpet (Hibriten High School); Ben Masters, Horn (William Lenoir Middle School); Robert West, Trombone (Alexander Central); Jacob Underwood, Tuba (Alexander Central).
Liquorice Stix
Musicians: Joshua Alley, Leyna Beery and Chandler Terry
The Liquorice Stix was born from a shared passion for music. These three clarinetists joined forces for the first time just to enter the Young Chamber Musicians Competition. Pictured above (from l – r) Chandler Terry, Joshua Alley and Leyna Beery.