Young Musicians Foundation of Colorado
2010 Solo Instrument Auditions

        Twelve of the state’s exceptionally talented young classical musicians comprise YMF’s 2011-2012 Support Roster.  The current class earned their prestigious berths via YMF’s 2010 Biennial Solo Auditions drawing 52 contenders, 25 of whom advanced to th finals.

        The two-round hearings were adjudicated by two independent panels of judges unaffiliated with YMF.  Also at stake in the tri-level competitions were $2,100 in cash prizes for top performers overall and in each age bracket of the two audition divisions: Piano and Non-Piano.  Included were $600 in Shaak awards memorializing the late Denver piano teacher Bernard T. Shaak.

        Like all YMF Roster members, the latest audition winners will be eligible for YMF monetary stipends assisting with “extra” expenses related to pursuing a professional performance career in classical music.  Such expenses might include out-of-state competitions, prestigious master classes, solo recitals, summer institutes and seminars, auditions, accompanists and other career-development needs, excluding basic instruction, music literature and education.  YMF Roster members also receive performance opportunities, counsel (if requested) and general encouragement.  In addition, each audition winner/roster member performs once annually in a YMF-sponsored “Showcase” concert open to the public.        

Career Development Support Available to Roster Members in 2010

        Overall winners in the 2010 Auditions were: Piano Division – Cherry Creek High School student Joseph Eisele, 16, of Centennial, and Non-Piano Division – violinist Janis Sakai, 21- year-old Lamont School of Music student at the University of Denver. Eisele, a Shaak prize winner, was Top Performer in the High School age bracket, and Sakai, a YMF newcomer, was Top Performer in the Non-Piano College age bracket.  Other Top (age bracket) Performers  were: College/Piano -- Juilliard School of Music student Yale Work, 20, of Lafayette;  Junior/Piano and Shaak winner – Henry Zhang, 14, of Longmont (also was Top Junior Piano P erformer and Shaak prize winner in YMF’s 2008 Auditions); High School/Non-Piano – violinist Tommy Peeples,16, of Thornton, and Junior/Non-Piano – violinist Isaac Allen, 13, of Longmont, also a newcomer to YMF.  (Peeples was a 2009-2010 Roster alternate as a pianist.)

        With no automatic carryovers, all current Roster members and alternates must reaudition at the end of 2012 to maintain or upgrade their Roster placements, provided they still meet the age and residency requirements.

        Since its founding in November 1984, YMF has helped nearly 130 young Coloradans further their aspirations of professional performance careers in classical music.  Our mission is to help qualified youth reach the threshold of that goal.

 2011-2012   YMF Roster Members

(Dec. 29, 2010 Audition Results)

Age Divisions - Junior (14 years old & under), High School (15-17 years old), College (18-23 years old)

* Previous YMF Roster Member