Montverde Academy is proud to announce that three students who participated in the Florida Keys International Competition for Young Talent were selected to perform as part of the Winner’s Circle Gala Concert at Carnegie Hall in November.
Yilin “Selina” Xu, a junior and sophomores Yanbo “Frank” Guo and Mariana Valderrama Alvarez were selected based on their video submissions in the Audition Round. The students will perform on November 17, 2018, as part of the Winner’s Circle Gala Concert at Carnegie Hall. As part of the competition, Selina, Frank and Mariana will also have the opportunity to attend seminars and a master class.
Selina will perform a Francouer Sonata in E Major for cello and piano, Frank will perform the Brahms Rhapsody in g minor, Op. 79, No. 2 and Mariana will perform Concerto in C major, Op. 48 for Violin and Piano by Dmitri Kabalevsky.
“We are enormously proud of our students, as we know and see how hard they have worked to earn this opportunity,” said Dean Bell, Director of Arts, Montverde Academy. “Our music conservatory program is designed to give students, who are committed to pursuing their passion, customized programs that encourage and assist their continued growth. Selina, Frank and Mariana are perfect examples of the success that can be achieved.
“My dream, since I was little, is to be a violin soloist, just like Maxim Vengerov or Itzhak Perlman,” said Mariana, who has played violin since she was 10. “I was mesmerized by their passion and emotion. I dream that I can one day be like them. I am very excited and honored to have been selected to play in one of the greatest performing halls in the world. I look forward to bringing beauty into a world that needs it.”
When asked how he felt about being selected as a performer in the Winner’s Circle, Frank said, “I’m extremely honored and excited that I am given the opportunity to perform in Carnegie Hall. At the same time, I feel a great amount of pressure to perform on this Grand stage. I want to bring inspiration to people around me by my music.” He has been playing the piano since he was six years old.
“Personally, each time I step onto the stage, I do not take that opportunity for granted. But rather, I feel really thankful to express my passion of music to more people around the world,” said Selina, who has been playing the cello since she was 11. “I’m really thankful for those mentors who have contributed to my path of music. My father, who instills in me the beauty of music, which made me fall in love with the cello. Mr. Claassen, my cello teacher at Montverde Academy, always offers feedback, perspective and helpful ideas for me to consider. The encouragement and support they provide are really influential in my success.”
The students are part of the Montverde Academy Music Conservatory. The program provides rigorous academics as well as the opportunity or students to pursue their musical ambitions to best prepare students for success in any college music program. The Music Conservatory features master classes with visiting artists, private lessons, practice time, and highly specialized curriculum for serious music students.
