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Sphinx Competition
28th Annual Sphinx Competition
January 22-25, 2025
Junior Division HONORS CONCERT
FRI | JAN 24, 2025 | 12:00 PM
Senior Division FINALS CONCERT
SAT| JAN 25, 2025 | 7:30 PM
Max M. & Marjorie S. Fisher Music Center
Detroit MI
The Sphinx Competition, held every year in Detroit (MI), is a national competition for string musicians, that transforms lives by celebrating the artistic talent, providing career advancement opportunities and addressing systemic obstacles within Black and Latino communities.
Finalists in both divisions have the opportunity to perform with the professional Sphinx Symphony Orchestra, comprised of top professionals from around the country, and compete for a total of more than $100,000 in prizes, including the top Robert Frederick Smith Prize.
All semi-finalists and finalists have access to scholarships and fine instruments through the Sphinx Music Assistance Fund.
Prizes
SENIOR DIVISION (Ages 18 – 30)
1st Place – $50,000 Robert Frederick Smith Prize and solo appearances with major orchestras
2nd Place – $20,000
3rd Place – $10,000
Audience Choice – $5,000
JUNIOR DIVISION (Ages 17 and under)
1st Place – $10,000, solo appearances with major orchestras
2nd Place – $5,000
3rd Place – $3,000
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Andre Dowell, Chief Programming Officer
Presented by
Application Information
Applications for the Sphinx Competition are processed through our online Acceptd portal.
For eligibility and application requirements, please review the information below.
2024 Senior Division Laureates
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1st Place, Robert Frederick Smith Prize - Nathan Amaral
Violin
Hometown: Rio de Janeiro, RJ - Brazil
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2nd Place - Aaron Olguin
Bass
Hometown: The Colony, TX
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3rd Place - Bethlehem Kelley
Violin
Hometown: Lenexa, KS
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2024 Junior Division Laureates
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Ana Isabella España - 1st Place
Violin
Hometown: New York, NY
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Rebecca Beato - 2nd Place
Violin
Forest Hills, NY
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Sonya Moomaw - 3rd Place
Cello
Hometown: Cincinnati, OH
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2024 Junior Division Semi-Finalists
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Rebecca Beato
Violin
Forest Hills, NY
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Noah Carr
Violin
Hometown: Portland, OR
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Anthony Dorsey
Violin
Hometown: Cincinnati, OH
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Quincy Alexander Eby
Viola
Hometown: Englewood, NJ
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Ana Isabella España
Violin
Hometown: New York, NY
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Sonya Moomaw
Cello
Hometown: Cincinnati, OH
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Gabriela Salvador Riera
Violin
Hometown: Wilmington, DE
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Jan Vargas Nedvetsky
Cello
Hometown: Wilmette, IL
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Catalina Wooldridge
Cello
Hometown: Rochester, NY
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2024 Senior Semi-Finalists
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Nathan Amaral
Violin
Hometown: Rio de Janeiro, RJ - Brazil
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Victor Daniel Diaz Sanchez
Viola
Hometown: Bogotá, Colombia
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Julimar Victoria Gonzalez Leon
Violin
Hometown: Maracay, Venezuela
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Bethlehem Kelley
Violin
Hometown: Lenexa, KS
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Edward Luengo
Cello
Hometown: Miami, FL
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Christian Luevano
Double Bass
Hometown: Denton, TX
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Virgil Moore
Violin
Hometown: Lynchburg, VA
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Aaron Olguin
Double Bass
Hometown: The Colony, TX
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Andres Sanchez
Cello
Hometown: Lansdale, PA
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Nazeeh Shahid
Viola
Hometown: Chicago, IL
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Hannah White
Violin
Hometown: Los Angeles, CA
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2024 Sphinx Competition Jury
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Joseph Conyers
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Randall Goosby
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Alasdair Tait
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George Taylor
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Elena Urioste
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Seth Parker Woods
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John Zion
“I’m deeply honored and grateful to the Sphinx organization for being the lighthouse for many young artists like me, who are looking with an open heart for an opportunity to share the purest essence of humanity through music. By winning the 24th Annual Sphinx Competition, I have been able to increase my impact and to continue with my artistic purpose of educating and sharing with the young generations the art of violin playing.”
— Samuel Vargas
2021 1st Place Sr. Laureate
Robert Frederick Smith Prize