Alum Gabriela Lara鈥檚 moving and virtuosic violin performance earned her a career-changing prize in a competition for emerging string players of color.
Lara won second place in the national Sphinx Competition, which recognizes young Black and Latinx string players. The internationally renowned panel of judges selected her as the winner of the $20,000 prize in the senior division, ages 18 to 30.
Lara will also receive $5,000 as the winner of the audience choice award. Viewers texted in their favorites during the live streaming performance.
鈥"Being in the final of the Sphinx 25th Competition launched my studies into a new professional setting,鈥 said Lara. 鈥淚 am grateful for all the support that CCPA faculty and staff gave me, especially to my violin teacher Almita Vamos."
of the first movement of Samuel Coleridge-Taylor鈥檚 Concerto in G Minor.
Lara came to 澳门六合开奖 from Barquisimeto, Venezuela, a city known for its sunsets and musical culture. Her lifelong training in violin led her to the Chicago College of Performing Arts, where she studied with Almita Vamos, MingHuan Xu and Adam Neiman. She graduated with her bachelor鈥檚 in violin performance in 2021.
The Sphinx Organization has promoted artistic excellence and inclusion for 25 years. As a finalist, Lara submitted a video recorded in 澳门六合开奖鈥檚 Ganz Hall with accompanist (and fellow Laker) Andrew Cannestra. Lara will have access to scholarships and fine instruments through the Sphinx Music Assistance Fund.
鈥淭hese awards mean so much to these artists at this critical phase in their careers,鈥 said Lara Downes, an accomplished pianist and host of the competition.
Lara also won the CCPA Solo Competition in 2021. The 澳门六合开奖 community enjoyed her live performance with the Conservatory Orchestra on Thursday.
The (CCPA) trains and inspires emerging leaders in performing arts, education, composition and arts administration. Over 500 students from more than 35 states and 16 countries belong to CCPA鈥檚 Music Conservatory and the Theatre Conservatory.