Carlsbad Violinist Wins Scholarship
Violinist Jonathan Wong of Carlsbad earned top honors at the third annual Music Guild Competition March 7, where six high school seniors competed for Westmont music scholarships. Wong won the Guild Scholarship, receiving up to $10,000 in annual music scholarships funds (up to $40,000 over four years) to study at Westmont. Significant music scholarships were given to the other contestants: violinists Mirah Ray of San Anselmo and Sierra Farrar of Denver; pianists Merckx Dascomb of Santa Ynez and Kennedy Hahn of Beaverton, Ore.; and vocalist Kathryn Ogata of Santa Ana.
Wong, a senior at Carlsbad Seaside Academy, has played the violin for 10 years. He has served as concertmaster of the Mainly Mozart Youth Orchestra, San Diego Young Artists Symphony, and Civic Youth Chamber Orchestra. Additionally, he is concertmaster of the San Diego Symphony’s Best and Brightest Side-by-Side Concert. Wong, who also plays the piano, plans to focus his studies on music and science.
The judges for the competition included Grey Brothers, professor of music, Steve Butler, professor of music and music department chair, Steve Hodson, professor of music, Han Soo Kim, assistant professor of music, and Michael Shasberger, Adams professor of music and worship.
“All six finalists are marvelous young musicians and each performed beautifully,” Shasberger said. “Everyone in attendance was blessed by the grace and expressiveness of the performances. We hope these six musicians will continue performing together at Westmont, forming life-long friendships in their musical journey.”
Ogata, an alto who has performed with her high school choir, committed to Westmont immediately after receiving her award. She has also performed with the Foothill High School advanced women’s ensemble, the advanced Madrigal Choir, the Dickens carolers group and the worship team at Trinity Presbyterian Church, where she has been worship leader. Ogata, who plans to major in psychology, also plays the acoustic guitar.
Ray, a senior at San Domenico School, has been playing music since the age of 5, and is also proficient in cello, viola and piano. She coaches the Young Performers Orchestra in Diablo, the Regional Youth Orchestra and the Young Performers Chamber Orchestra in Berkeley. She has performed with the Solano Symphony and Marin Symphony Youth Orchestra.
Farrar, a senior at D’Evelyn Junior/Senior High School in Denver, has been playing the violin for 14 years. Her musical experiences include performing in the Ensembles of the Denver Young Artists Orchestra, Greater Boulder Youth Orchestra, Jefferson Symphony Orchestra and the D’Evelyn Advanced Orchestra. Farrar, who has also played the viola for 11 years, plans to major in kinesiology with a minor in violin performance.
Dascomb, a senior from Santa Ynez Union Valley High School, has been a pianist for nine years. He performs in the quartet Forty Fingers and accompanied two vocalists in the 2012-13 VOCE competition, winning the state level to earning an invitation to perform at the Music Teachers’ Association of California convention. He also plays trumpet, guitar and enjoys singing.
Hahn, a senior home-schooled student, has played the piano for 12 years. Westmont offered her a Presidential Academic Merit Scholarship. In college, she plans to major in health sciences and continue playing music.
The Guild Scholarship program is funded by The Guild for Music at Westmont. For information about becoming a Guild member or any aspect of this competition, please contact the Westmont Music Office at (805) 565-6040.