Walking through a hospital lobby, you wouldn’t expect to hear the sounds of spirited strumming and captivating crooning; however, on this particular day at the Children’s Hospital of Michigan, a young singer on guitar is playing an energetic song she wrote about ending a frustrating relationship. The singer is Candace Sosa, one of the nine finalists who competed in this year’s second annual Sphinx Stars: Detroit competition made possible by the Ford Motor Company Fund. This performance is the first in a series set in the lobbies, waiting rooms and hallways for patients, families, visitors and staff to enjoy.

These performances will feature each of the nine Sphinx Stars: Detroit finalists. 15-year-old Kameron Johnson, a jazz pianist, was the recipient of this year’s $10,000 Grand Prize. Kameron competed in the inaugural Sphinx Stars: Detroit last year but didn’t advance to the top three spots. This year, Kameron’s long hours of practice and dedication at school, lessons and rehearsals with the Detroit Symphony Orchestra’s Civic Youth Ensembles clearly shone through. Not missing an opportunity to push himself further, Kameron is spending his summer on tour in France as part of the Blue Lake International Exchange Program.

The two runners-up were 18-year-old violinist Stuart Carlson and singer-songwriter Ali McManus, 17. Ali’s diminished lung capacity does not impede her ability to communicate a beautiful perseverance in her original music. Ali has previously volunteered at the hospital as a performer and knows the healing power of music personally. She shared during the semi-finals that, for her, performing is “three minutes when I don’t feel pain.” Ali and her family are currently working on a documentary about Ali’s life and how music has carried her through some of her most challenging times. Stuart’s playing is mesmerizing and conveys passion, skill and emotion. Continuing his musical journey, he will be pursuing dual degrees at the University of Michigan School of Music in violin performance and composition. Stuart’s impressive resume includes a growing list of compositions, such as his arrangement of Bach’s “Toccata and Fugue in D Minor,” which will be published by Lauren Keiser Music.

The other finalists include marimbist Oliver Xu, who took up percussion because he wanted to be like his older brother; Steffi Roche, whose powerful voice hearkens back to the golden age of theater and cinema; Aaron Simpson, a producer and lyricist who just graduated from the Detroit School of Arts; Erica Mourad, who has performed original music at festivals across Metro Detroit; and classical pianist Lizzy Xiong. Every finalist is unique and deeply committed, and they all form a rich mosaic that demonstrates how the language of music transcends all instruments, genres and backgrounds. Learn more about the finalists and watch the entire competition online at SphinxStars.org.

Photo: Kameron with the Sphinx Stars: Detroit Jury panel. From left to right: Howard Hertz, entertainment attorney; Carla Dirlikov, opera singer; Vince Paul, President and Artistic Director, Music Hall, Detroit; Monica Blaire, singer, songwriter and MC; Daniel Bernard Roumain, composer. Photo credit: Kenny Corbin

Sphinx Stars: Detroit AwardsJazz Pianist with $10,000 Top Prize

Vol. 15, No. 3

The Quarter NoteSummer 2014

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Aaron P. Dworkin Founder

Ana Galarza

Lecolion Washington

Carl St. Jacques

Angelica Durrell

Lisa Muci

Eric � ompson

Annelle Gregory

Melissa White

Gregorio Lopes

Alexander Cox

Rosalyn Story

Isabel Escalante Jessie Montgomery

Ana Lucía Galarza - $37,000 Sphinx Performance AcademyTo attend The City College of New York, private coachings, and lessons at The Factory Underground Studios

Angelica Durrell - $25,000 Sphinx Performance AcademyTo expand reach and multiply the impact of the INTAKE Organization

Annelle Gregory - $4,000 Sphinx Competition, Sphinx VirtuosiTo attend the 2014 California International Music Festival in Germany

Alexander Cox - $3,000 Sphinx CompetitionTo attend the Sitka Cello Symposium with International Artist, Zuill Bailey and pedagogue, Dr. Melissa Kraut

Carl St. Jacques - $15,000 Sphinx Competition, Sphinx Virtuosi, Sphinx Symphony OrchestraTo purchase a viola made by Paul Knorr, one of the leading German makers of the early 20th century

Eric Thompson - $32,000 Sphinx Competition, Sphinx Virtuosi, Sphinx Symphony OrchestraTo purchase a bass by Christopher Threlkeld-Wiegand of Heartland String Bass Shop

Gregorio Lopes - $3,500 Sphinx CompetitionTo attend the Domaine Forget Summer Music Festival and to purchase a viola bow

Isabel Escalante - $17,000 Sphinx Competition, Sphinx Virtuosi, Sphinx Symphony OrchestraTo attend the Longy School of Music Master of Arts in Teaching Program

Jessie Montgomery - $30,000 Sphinx Competition, Sphinx Virtuosi, Sphinx Symphony OrchestraTo record a debut album, which will include several of her most recent compositions for string quartet and string orchestra

Lecolion Washington - $27,000 Sphinx Symphony OrchestraTo embark on an international concert tour including South Africa, Portugal, Austria, Sweden, and others

Lisa Muci - $7,000 Sphinx Symphony OrchestraTo attend the Harvard Graduate School of Education Project Zero

Melissa White - $21,000 Sphinx Competition, Sphinx Virtuosi, Sphinx Symphony OrchestraTo purchase a violin by award-winning instrument-maker, Ryan Soltis

Rosalyn Story - $40,000 Sphinx Symphony OrchestraTo present a semi-staged performance of Wading Home, an Opera of New Orleans, and based on her book Wading Home; a novel of New Orleans

2014 MPower Artist Grants

Sphinx AnnouncesRecipients of

Inaugural MPowerArtist Grants!

The MPower Artist Grants were launched to empower alumni of the Sphinx Competition, Sphinx Symphony, Sphinx Virtuosi, Sphinx Performance Academy and Sphinx Medals of Excellence (years 2012 and 2013 only) to achieve their career objectives in classical music through granting competitive scholarships. Sphinx is honored to help transform so many careers through the MPower Artist Grant.

Congratulations to the 13 grantees who will collectively receive over $250,000!

Ana Lucía Galarza - $37,000Sphinx Performance AcademyTo attend The City College of New York, private coachings, and lessons at The Factory Underground Studios

Angelica Durrell - $25,000Sphinx Performance AcademyTo expand reach and multiply the impact of the INTAKE Organization

Annelle Gregory - $4,000Sphinx Competition, Sphinx VirtuosiTo attend the 2014 California International Music Festival in Germany

Alexander Cox - $3,000Sphinx CompetitionTo attend the Sitka Cello Symposium with International Artist, Zuill Bailey and pedagogue, Dr. Melissa Kraut

Carl St. Jacques - $15,000Sphinx Competition, Sphinx Virtuosi, Sphinx Symphony OrchestraTo purchase a viola made by Paul Knorr, one of the leading German makers of the early 20th century

Eric Thompson - $32,000Sphinx Competition, Sphinx Virtuosi, Sphinx Symphony OrchestraTo purchase a bass by Christopher Threlkeld-Wiegand of Heartland String Bass Shop

Gregorio Lopes - $3,500Sphinx CompetitionTo attend the Domaine Forget Summer Music Festival and to purchase a viola bow

Isabel Escalante - $17,000Sphinx Competition, Sphinx Virtuosi, Sphinx Symphony OrchestraTo attend the Longy School of Music Master of Arts in Teaching Program

Jessie Montgomery - $30,000Sphinx Competition, Sphinx Virtuosi, Sphinx Symphony OrchestraTo record a debut album, which will include several of her most recent compositions for string quartet and string orchestra

Lecolion Washington - $27,000Sphinx Symphony OrchestraTo embark on an international concert tour including South Africa, Portugal, Austria, Sweden, and others Lisa Muci - $7,000Sphinx Symphony OrchestraTo attend the Harvard Graduate School of Education Project Zero Melissa White - $21,000Sphinx Competition, Sphinx Virtuosi, Sphinx Symphony OrchestraTo purchase a violin by award-winning instrument-maker, Ryan Soltis Rosalyn Story - $40,000Sphinx Symphony OrchestraTo present a semi-staged performance of Wading Home, an Opera of New Orleans, and based on her book Wading Home; a novel of New Orleans

2014 MPower Artist Grant Recipients

PRESIDENT’S NOTE

Dear Friends,

I hope this message finds you well and enjoying a wonderful summer! Our summer travels recently brought us to the incredible Napa Valley Festival del Sole, where Sphinx’s own Sphinx Symphony Orchestra made its West Coast debut as the orchestra-in-residence of the festival. Thanks to the new partnership between Sphinx and IMG Artists, a global leader in performing arts and lifestyle events management, both the Sphinx Symphony and Sphinx Virtuosi were able to be a part of some truly fantastic performances.

The Sphinx Virtuosi had the honor of opening the festival on Friday, July 11th at the beautiful Castello di Amorosa alongside world-renowned violinist Joshua Bell. Together, they brought the house down with Vivaldi’s Four Seasons.

The Sphinx Symphony also wowed the audience with their performances of Dvorak’s celebrated 8th Symphony, conducted from memory by the talented Alondra de la Parra, coupled with a medley of opera classics with tenor James Valenti and a one-of-a-kind performance of Bruch’s G Minor Violin Concerto with another one of the world’s greatest violinists, Pinchas Zukerman.

The Festival del Sole was an inspiring celebration of artistic excellence, and Sphinx artists had many opportunities to shine. As always, we thank you all for your enthusiastic support of our mission – we would not be able to provide these transformative opportunities to our artists without you!

Take care,

Aaron

I am

“I was thrilled to receive one of the inaugural Sphinx Medals of Excellence, and I commend the strides that Sphinx continues to make toward increasing diversity in classical music. I will be joining the New York Philharmonic this fall as the first African-American principal player, which is a great honor. I look forward to playing wonderful repertoire with one of the world’s greatest orchestras.”

Aaron P. Dworkin Founder

Aaron P. Dworkin Founder

Editor: Therese GoussyContributors: Margaret Cassetto, Aaron Dworkin, Andre Dowell, Lindsay Vanfleteren, Xavier VernaDesign & Layout: Julie Renfro

Honorary CommitteeBranford Marsalis, ChairGlenn DicterowNikki GiovanniIda KavafianAni KavafianNigel KennedyJaime LaredoTania LeonYo-Yo E. MaMark O’ConnorChristopher O’RileyItzhak PerlmanToby PerlmanAndré PrevinAwadagin PrattBright ShengLeonard SlatkinNadja Salerno-SonnenbergArnold SteinhardtMichael Tilson ThomasGeorge WalkerJeffrey Zeigler

Board of DirectorsAnne L. Taylor, ChairWilliam H. Carson, Vice ChairAnthony Glover, TreasurerCarl Herstein, SecretaryRachel Barton PineDiana Bianchi MoisonMartha DarlingAaron P. DworkinKenneth FischerMaxine FrankelPatricia GarciaSandra GibsonLinda GillumNorman HerbertHoward HertzAndrea HoffmanDeidre Lambert-BoundsJoan IsraeliteMarianne LockwoodMajorie PearsallVivian PickardSally Stegeman DiCarloKathy WeaverBeverly WillisShaun Wilson

© 2014 Sphinx Organization400 Renaissance Center Ste 2550Detroit MI 48243 313-877-9100info@SphinxMusic.orgwww.SphinxMusic.org

Sphinx CompetitionPresenter

The Andrew W. Mellon Foundation

Special Artistic AdvisorYo-Yo Ma

Stella & Frederick LoebCharitable Trust

ADMINISTERED BY

www.53.com

Anthony McGill, one of the recipients of the inaugural Sphinx Medals of Excellence and a Sphinx Symphony alumnus, has been named the Principal Clarinetist for the New York Philharmonic.

The Sphinx Virtuosi with Joshua Bell. Photo: Drew Altizer

SPHINX NEWSProminent African-American composer Jeffrey Mumford is composing a concerto for the 2013 Sphinx first place Laureate, cellist Christine Lamprea. The concerto, written in memory of Mumford’s mentor, Elliott Carter, has garnered support from the Detroit Symphony, National Symphony, and Ensemble 212, and will be premiered in the 2016-17 season. Mumford and Lamprea continue to welcome performance partners - for more information or to become involved, please visit www.christinelamprea.com, or contact Jeffrey at jeffrey.mumford@oberlin.edu.

Megan Delatour, a 2013 and 2014 Sphinx Performance Academy student, is now part of the Crane School of Music Class of 2018.

Sphinx Performance Academy student Monica Nia Jones was accepted into Arizona State University with a focus on Pre-medicine and Kinesiology.

2014 senior division first place Laureate Xavier Foley and 2012 senior division first place Laureate Gabriel Cabezas became two of six selected to join the roster of Astral Artists this year. Astral Artists is a career development service organization for exceptionally talented classical musicians in the early stages of their careers.

Jasmine Tunac, who has attended Sphinx Performance Academy for 4 consecutive years, will be studying Viola Performance at Ohio University.

Christopher Jenkins, former Dean of Sphinx Performance Academy and former violist of Catalyst Quartet, has just accepted a position as Assistant Dean for Academic Support in the Conservatory of Music at Oberlin College.

Important Upcoming DatesSphinx Virtuosi Tour 2014Sept. 31 New World Center - Miami FLOct. 2 University of Austin - Austin, TXOct. 4 Kauffman Center - Kansas City, KSOct. 5 Lied Center - Lawrence, KSOct. 7 Krannert Center - Urbana, ILOct. 9 Honeywell Center - Wabash, INOct. 12 Ross Ragland - Klamath Falls, OROct. 14 Portland State University - Portland, OROct. 17 Myrna Loy Center - Helena, MTOct. 20 Kirkland Performance Arts Center - Kirkland, WAOct. 22 Harris Theater - Chicago, ILOct. 24 University of Vermont - Burlington, VTOct. 26 Rockport - Rockport, MAOct. 29 Carnegie Hall - New York, NY Oct. 31 Rockefeller University - New York, NY

Sphinx Competition Application DeadlineNovember 11, 2014Apply now at www.Sphinx.MyReviewRoom.com

SphinxCon - Engage 2015January 30 - February 1, 2015

The 2014 national Sphinx Virtuosi tour is made possible with the generous support of The Andrew W. Mellon Foundation.

SAVE THE DATE:Sphinx Virtuosi

at Carnegie Hall on Oct. 29

Join us on Wednesday, October 29th at 6 p.m. for the 2014 Sphinx Virtuosi

performance and gala at Carnegie Hall Co-presented by Bloomberg and the

Sander and Norma K. Buchman Fund.

Reserve your tickets today!Contact Therese Goussy at Therese@SphinxMusic.org or 313-877-9100, ext. 713

for Gala tickets & participation levels, which begin at $250 and support our

music education programs in the New York & tri-state area.

For General Admission, student & group ticket reservations, please contact

Margaret Cassetto at 313-877-9100, ext. 714

or Margaret@SphinxMusic.org.

We Came Together Purposefullyfor a Violinist

Life is sweet, especially when people unite for a beautiful cause. My husband and I have no classical music training - our musical heritage originates in the beautiful deep Mexican desert and the Guatemalan tropical forests. Although we love our families’ regional music, our daughter Emilia continues to challenge and expand our world through her classical violin playing.

On April 8th, Emilia’s great desire transformed our community! Her dream to challenge herself artistically through the Sphinx Performance Academy audition process fueled a community effort. Hours before the SPA application deadline, our neighbors and friends came together to record Emilia for her audition tape. We had just moved into our new place and we didn’t have a phone, camera or means of translating her musical piece into the computer, but we had caring and selfless people who came to the rescue! With the help of our benevolent friends, allies and neighbors - Amy, Roshawn, Krissy and Thatcher - we were able to assist Emilia. They all brought their hearts and love for one youth’s dream, and rearranged their schedules to meet the deadline. Krissy was especially patient as Emilia wondered about which recording sounded the best.

Emilia was accepted into SPA, and within minutes of receiving her acceptance letter, we shared the good news at our monthly community meeting of a hundred neighbors. We all cheered loudly! It was music to our ears. Joy was felt as we celebrated together. One dream is everybody’s dream! Thank you Sphinx!

In Gratitude y Harmonia, Familia Barrera and all our neighbors at Stephens Creek Crossing!

The Barrera family. Emilia, 14, will be attending SPA Oberlin this summer.

14-year-old cellist Sterling Elliott, the 2014 Sphinx Competition Junior Division first place Laureate, took the time to answer some questions from The Quarter Note about his musical background, his experiences in the Competition and his recent master class with Sphinx’s Special Artistic Advisor Yo-Yo Ma!

Quarter Note: Can you share the story behind “The Elliott Family String Quartet” and how that led to you playing the cello?Sterling Elliott: My mom’s dream

400 Renaissance CenterSuite 2550Detroit MI 48243

Somethingto Ponder:

“Diversity in the world is a basic characteristic of human society, and also the key condition for a lively and dynamic world as we see today.”

- Jinato Hu

was always to have a family string quartet and my older brother and sister already started violin. Therefore, she knew before I was even born that I was destined to play the cello. It was waiting for me when I came out the womb and I just grew into the idea.

QN: 2014 was your third year participating in the Sphinx Competition. How did you see yourself grow over those three years?SE: I’ve definitely seen myself grow musically. The judge’s comments and watching my audition over and over also helped me improve. Back in my first year I didn’t feel the music so much as just playing it. I just flat out played the written notes. Now it’s like I’ve put glasses on. I have a completely new view on the music I play, whether it be physically, internally, or something else.

QN: How has being involved with Sphinx and winning the Sphinx Competition Junior Division impacted your life?SE: Winning the Sphinx Competition has allowed me to get

exposure into the musical world. The scholarship has helped me not turn down opportunities because of flight tickets, or hotel fees. I am looking forward to the performance opportunities that winning the Sphinx Competition will bring me. Although it may seem that once you’ve played with one orchestra it’s all the same; however, performing with different orchestras brings a unique experience in its own way.

QN: Who are some of your musical inspirations or idols?SE: One of my biggest idols would probably have to be Rostropovich, the biggest reason being that he was still performing all around in his old age. However, another one of my biggest idols would have to be my older brother, Brendon. He has been a great role model for how to have a music career and has also shown me how much work is necessary to be successful as an African American classical musician.

QN: You recently had a one-on-one master class with Sphinx’s Special Artistic Advisor Yo-Yo Ma. Can you share what that was like?

Q & A with Sterling ElliottWhat was something valuable you took from that experience?SE: The masterclass with Yo-Yo Ma was probably the best day of my life. It was like meeting Barrack Obama. I was moved by his down to earth personality. He didn’t act like a celebrity or snobbish, but rather like a completely regular, cool guy. The idea of performing for someone who I have practically listened to and studied since I was three years old is unbelievable. I was on edge the week before the masterclass and very nervous about playing for someone so great, but as soon as Yo-Yo walked into the room, he put me at ease and made me feel very comfortable. He gave me one piece of advice I especially took favor to; He said that while it is important to focus on technique, I should try to make sure I am not using 100% brain power on just technique while performing. Save some of my focus for musicality, or how the audience is reacting: whether they are understanding your overall message to them.

To learn more about Sterling, visitwww.sphinxmusic.org/bio-sterling-elliott.html

Aaron P. Dworkin Founder