SMAWINNERSOVERTHEYEARS2017 NygelWitherspoon,cello2016 AndersPeterson,clarinet2015 ZhenTu,piano2012 SedraBistodeau,violin2011 AustinFrohmader,piano2010 BoPeng,piano2009 MaxLundgren,cello2008 MagdalenaMullerperth,piano2007 BruceCho,clarinet2006 HannahKulpers,harp2005 BoHu,piano2004 HughPalmer,violin2003 AnnaClearman,violin2002 NicoleAli,piano2001 HollyStiles,violin2000 JordanHall,violin1999 NicoleKim,cello1998 SarahWorrell,harp1997 AliciaKoelz,violin1996 JessicaThompson,viola1995 AngelaFuller,violin1994 BjornRanheim,cello1993 AnnieTsong,piano1992 MeghanMcGuire,cello1991 KariDocter,cello 1990 RebeccaDaws,piano1990 MarkKosower,cello1989 AmyCyr,flute1988 NadjaRence,piano1987 BrianKrinke,violin1986 JosephMechavich,piano1985 LeicheanBjorkman,saxophone1984 KerriHyatt,piano 1983 WendyBenn,horn1982 ElsieWang-Weiler,piano1981 KarenLee,violin1980 PaulWinberg,piano1979 GretchenCarlson,violin1979 GaryLevinson,violin1978 LynnTschudy,piano1978 KenBaldwin,stringbass1977 ChrisHolm,piano1976 NealBolter,Frenchhorn1976 DavidBalazs,percussion1975 LauraSewell,cello1974 NatalieSynhalvsky,piano1974 MarkGibson,piano1973 SusanEnger,trumpet1973 PaulHuppert,violin1970 SharonIsbin,guitar1970 CindyNerenberg,piano1969 SusanJohnson,flute1969 MaryAnnRiley,piano

1968 MariTguchi,piano1967 KarenFollingstad,piano1967 JudyMendenhall,flute1966 SusanMathew,stringbass1966 NoelEngebretson,piano1965 KristinEvenson,viola1964 SandraSolheid,flute1964 JanSajka1964 HalwardBlegen,trumpet1964 FredJack,stringbass1963 RichardRoberts,violin1963 MaryKayBelanger,piano1963 LarryScully,piano1963 DamanAdams,piano1962 MaxwellSwanson,flute1962 JimHockin,piano1962 JeanneBaxtresser,flute1962 CarolynOlson,viola1961 HiramTitus,piano1961 BruceAllard,clarinet1960 SarahJohnson,violin1960 JohnBury,percussion1960 E.LeslieLarson,horn1960 ArneRunning,clarinet1959 KarenGriffen,flute1958 PhilisBlood,oboe1957 SanfordMargolis,piano1957 BrianGrivna,clarinet1956 PhilipSwanson,flute1955 MaryHelenSchmidt,piano

Cellist Nygel Witherspoon receiving congratulations from Pat Krueger and Karen Lundmark Holmes at the 2017 SMA Finals. Witherspoon won both the top SMA prize – $1,500 plus the chance to solo with the Minnesota Orchestra – and the Claire Givens Violin Award. Photo by Matt Brenengen.

The 2017 finalists onstage at Orchestra Hall.

SMA volunteers (from left) Mariellen Jacobsen, Judy Ranheim and Karen Lundmark Holmes.