The University of Puget Sound Concerto-Aria Competition has been an honored tradition in the School of Music since 1981. Students participate each year in this highly competitive program that highlights their work as musical soloists. First, instrumental and vocal competitors prepare their chosen solos for a competition audition. Then, selected finalists perform in a celebratory public Final Round concert before an audience and a panel of guest judges. Winners are offered opportunities to perform as soloists with the School of Music’s Symphony Orchestra or Wind Ensemble. Prior years' winners have also gone on to win regional and national music competitions; and perform with professional ensembles and opera companies.
For information about the competition and to apply to be a contestant, please see bit.ly/UPScompetition
Past Competition Winners:
2024 - Maia Connelly, Trumpet
2024 - Larissa Gaulke, Voice (soprano)
2024 - Liana Greger, Voice (soprano)
2023 - Raine Filbert, Voice (Mezzo-soprano)
2023 - Jack Kuntz, Piano
2023 - William Lum, Euphonium
2022 - Jasmine Mikesell, Flute
2022 - Ivan Tarasenkov, Piano
2019 - Rosie Rogers, Bassoon
2019 - Eliott Wells, Cello
2019 - Emma Lenderink, Flute
2018 - William Miyahira, Marimba
2018 - Drew Shipman, Flute
2017 - Aric Macdavid, Bassoon
2017 - Danielle Rogers, Voice (soprano)
2016 - Timmy Flock, Saxophone
2016 - Taylor Gonzales, Piano
2016 - Davis Hampton, Bass clarinet
2015 - Alexandra Hospenthal, Voice (soprano)
2015 - Anna Schierbeek, Cello
2015 - Minna Stelzner, Saxophone
2014 - Stephen Abeshima, Euphonium
2014 - Clara Fuhrman, Violin
2014 - Brady McCowan, Saxophone
2013 - Bronwyn Hagerty, Cello
2013 - Maggie Manire, Voice (soprano)
2013 - Frances Welsh, Harp
2012 - Faithlina Chan, Cello
2012 - Andrew Friedman, Clarinet
2012 - Brenda Miller, Piano
2011 - Chet Baughman, Alto Saxophone
2011 - Joseph Bozich, Alto Saxophone
2011 - Rhiannon Guevin, Voice (soprano)
2010 - Daniel Bahr, Piano
2010 - Jinshil Yi, Piano
2010 - Grace Youn, Violin
2009 - Sara Johansen, Violin
2009 - Peter Nelson-King, Trumpet
2009 - Kaleb Shelton, Piano
2008 - Dan Goodrich, Saxophone
2008 - Linnea Johansen, Violin
2008 - Brian Roberts, French Horn
2007 - Colin Cronin, Piano
2007 - John Harrison, Voice
2007 - Katelinn Shaw, Violin
2006 - Meese Agrawal, Flute
2006 - Danya Clevenger, Voice
2006 - Brian McCarthy, Piano
2005 - Heidi Benson, Voice (mezzo-soprano)
2005 - Beverly Brossmann, Flute
2005 - Daniil Davydoff, Violin
2004 - Ryan Bede, Voice
2004 - Rebecca Fay, Voice
2004 - Maureen McGee, Percussion
2003 - Jennifer Creek, Piano
2003 - Erin McKibben, Flute
2003 - Bina Peters, Violin
2002 - Josefina Mutascu, Flute
2001 - Noah Hock, Viola
2001 - Joo Eun Pak, Piano
2001 - Natasha Parker, Voice (soprano)
2001 - Rebecca Schermerhorn, Voice (soprano)
2000 - Teresa Fay, Voice (soprano)
2000 - Richard Frey, Marimba
2000 - Erik Steighner, Saxophone
1999 - Tomiko Hamai, Flute
1998 - Joseph Li, Piano
1998 - Darren Sagawa, Violin
1997 - Andrea Sato, Piano
1997 - Jeremy Wendelin, Alto Saxophone
1996 - Keven Stewart, Trombone
1996 - Monica Yu, Piano
1995 - Erin Guinup, Voice (soprano)
1995 - Brett Johnson, Saxophone
1994 - Gwynne (Kuhner) Brown, Piano
1994 - Wayne Ledbetter, Saxophone
1993 - Michael Leon-Guerrero, Oboe
1993 - Danielle Munsell, Voice (soprano)
1992 - Alison George, Flute
1992 - Christine Padaca, Piano
1991 - Jodi (Albrecht) Thomas, Clarinet
1991 - Shanie Johnson, Oboe
1991 - Stephen Reiss, Cello
1990 - Miriam Chong, Double Bass
1990 - Robert McPherson, Voice (tenor)
1989 - Rachel Bowman, Voice (soprano)
1989 - Yoshikazu Nagai, Piano
1989 - Darrin Thaves, Flute
1988 - Darrell Hunt, Violin
1988 - Alexa Newby, Piano
1987 - Rachel Coloff, Voice (soprano)
1987 - Linda Stratton-Trott, Piano
1985 - Alayne Faraone, Voice (mezzo-soprano)
1985 - Laura Koehl, Cello
1985 - Tamara Meinecke, Violin
1984 - Timothy Bozarth, Piano
1984 - Douglas Hull, French Horn
1983 - Debra Kleiner, Voice (mezzo-soprano)
1983 - Cliff Robinson, Piano
1982 - Margaret McGee, Voice (soprano)
1982 - Marjorie Skreen-Dickerson, Piano
1981 - David Hensler, Trumpet
1981 - Duane Karna, Voice (tenor)