University of Kansas music students win big at fall MTNA auditions

LAWRENCE (12/08/2011)(readMedia)-- LAWRENCE- Students studying piano and horn performance at the University of Kansas were named winners at the Music Teachers National Association/MTNA auditions on November 5-6 at Emporia State University. The student winners are listed below:

• Junior Piano Competition winner: Chaeyoung Park, student of Professors Jack Winerock and Scott McBride Smith, a student at Veritas Christian School, Lawrence.

• Senior Piano Competition winner: Mingtian Zhao Yang, student of Professor Steven Spooner, from Hainan, China.

• Young Artist Piano Competition winner: Inge Buniardi, student of Professor Steven Spooner, from Jakarta, Indonesia.

• Senior Piano Duet Competition alternates: Mingtian Zhao Yang and Luke Rhodes, students of Professor Smith. Rhodes is from Lawrence.

• Young Artist Piano Competition alternate: Crystal Lam, student of Professor Winerock, from Hong Kong.

• Chamber Music Competition state representative: Wakarusa Horn Trio (Evan Flynn, violin; Michael Cooper, French horn; Crystal Lam, piano). Coached by Professor Scott McBride Smith. Flynn is from Baraboo, Wis. Cooper is from Bonner Springs.

• Young Artist Brass Competition winner: Michael Cooper, student of Professor Paul Stevens.

• Young Artist Brass Competition runner up: Jamie Sanborn, student of Professor Paul Stevens, from Wichita.

Prize winners will go on to participate in the regional MTNA competition at the University of Colorado in January 2012.

The national organization, MTNA, was founded in 1876 with the idea of advancing the value of music study and music-making to society while supporting the careers and professionalism of teachers of music. The MTNA competitions were created to provide educational experiences for students and teachers and to recognize exceptionally talented young artists and their teachers in their pursuit of musical excellence. The state competitions are considered the primary educational level with the division and national levels showcasing outstanding performance and honoring significant pedagogical achievement.

For more information, contact the KU School of Music at 785-864-9742.