Tuesday, October 29, 2024 (Ann Arbor, MI) —The Ann Arbor Symphony Orchestra (A2SO) is delighted to announce violinist and Huron High School student Selah Dowell, 17, as the winner of its 2024 Young Artist Competition. Selah triumphed with a performance of French composer Camille Saint-Saëns’ Violin Concerto No. 3, taking home a $1,000 cash prize and the opportunity to perform at the A2SO’s Link Up youth concert, presented in partnership with Carnegie Hall’s Weill Music Institute.
The competition attracted entrants from all over the state of Michigan, with applicants performing on flute, oboe, clarinet, violin, viola, and cello. Seven finalists competed on Saturday, October 26 at Eastern Michigan University, and violinist and East Lansing High School student Serafima Bezuglova received a $500 cash prize as runner-up. The competition jury consisted of A2SO orchestra leadership, and the panelists praised the outstanding level of performance demonstrated by all of the finalists.
“(Selah is a) passionate, polished, mature, confident, and impressive performer”, remarked jury member and A2SO Principal Timpani John Dorsey. “(She possesses) astonishing technique, and expressive, musical playing.” Fellow jury members agreed: “She demonstrated excellent artistry. The performance was very polished, and her interpretation of the piece was powerful,” said Principal Bassoon Christian Green. For Principal Viola Scott Woolweaver, Selah’s command of her instrument was striking: “(she) has a broad palette of colors and sounds, from which she appropriately draws.”
Selah, a senior at Huron High School, studies with Professor Danielle Belen at the University of Michigan School of Music, Theatre, and Dance. In the summer of 2023, Selah attended the Interlochen Arts Camp as an Orchestral Scholar. She performed in the World Youth Symphony Orchestra and served as concertmaster for three concerts, performing the famous solo in the second movement of Brahms’ first symphony. Selah won the 2023 Michigan Pops Concerto Competition, appearing as a soloist with the Michigan Pops Orchestra, and has won awards in the Rosalie Edwards Youth Music Competition, MSBOA Outstanding Soloist Competition, MSBOA Outstanding Small Ensemble Competition, Interlochen Concerto Competition, and Glass City Chamber Music Competition. As concertmaster of the Huron Symphony Orchestra, Selah has had the opportunity to perform internationally at venues in Toronto and multiple cities in Spain such as Valencia, Llíria, Madrid, and Barcelona. Besides music, she is passionate about strength training and loves to travel.
16-year-old violinist Serafima Bezuglova began studies in music at age eight, and recently received first prize honors at the Vivaldi International Music Competition and London Young Musician. She has participated in the All-State Symphony Orchestra, the All-State High School Orchestra, and the Detroit Symphony Orchestra Civic Youth Ensembles Middle School Honor Orchestra, and received prizes at the Michigan Music Teachers Association Concerto Competition and the Baroque on Beaver Young Soloist competition. In her free time, Serafima enjoys volunteering, playing tennis, and crocheting.
Photo: Selah Dowell