2024 Eugene Symphony Guild Legacy Young Artist Competition Results

Announced May 6, 2024

On April 14, 2024, Eugene Symphony welcomed talented young musicians from across Oregon to perform and compete for prizes at the 2024 Eugene Symphony Guild Legacy Young Artist Competition, before a panel of Eugene Symphony judges at the University of Oregon. Seven prizes were awarded in the Senior and Junior Divisions, detailed below. The judging panel was comprised of Tim Cogswell, percussion; Kristen Halay, principal flute; Rodrigo Gonzalez Jacob, conducting fellow; and Sofie Yang, violin.

The Eugene Symphony Guild Legacy Young Artist Competition provides a platform for young musicians to practice their performance skills and an opportunity to receive feedback from professional musicians.

The Eugene Symphony Guild and their Legacy Fund has generously sponsored this annual competition since 2017.

Meet the 2024 Eugene Symphony Guild Legacy Young Artist Competition winners:

SENIOR DIVISION – 1st Prize ($1,000)
Thomas Snedeker, marimba
University of Oregon
Pius Cheung: Princess Chang Ping

Thomas Snedeker is originally from Ellensburg, Washington, but moved to Eugene in 2022 to pursue a Master’s Degree in Percussion Performance at the University of Oregon. He currently holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Percussion Performance from Central Washington University. Thomas’ musical interests encompass solo, orchestral, and marching percussion. In 2023 he was awarded a Section Percussion position with the Yakima Symphony Orchestra in Yakima, WA. He is also a Section Percussionist with Orchestra Next and the Eugene Concert Choir Orchestra. Other groups he has performed with around the state of Oregon include the Eugene Symphony, Beaverton Symphony, and the Oregon Mozart Players. Thomas’ primary instructors have been Mark Goodenberger (CWU), Pius Cheung (UO), and Ian Kerr (UO). When he is not performing in concert halls, Thomas can be found playing drums at church, playing golf, and exploring Eugene with his wife, Noëlle.

SENIOR DIVISION – 2nd Prize ($500)
Evelina Khoreshko, piano
University of Oregon
Rachmaninoff: Piano Concerto No. 1 in F-sharp minor, Op. 1
I. Vivace

Evelina Khoreshko is a senior at the University of Oregon pursuing a Bachelor of Music in Piano Performance. She is currently studying under internationally acclaimed pianist Dr. Alexandre Dossin but has also been under the guidance of esteemed mentors like Steinway Artist Dr. Claire Wachter and retired concert artist Barbara Parker. Evelina has been the first prize recipient in several piano competitions such as the Gladys Strong OMTA competition, the Great Composer Series for Best Bach Performance, and the 2024 UO Concerto Competition. Additionally, Evelina has been a member of the top award-winning university chamber ensemble directed by Dr. Sharon Paul. Balancing her passion for music with a commitment to healthcare, Evelina currently works at the Eugene Eye Center, laying the groundwork for her future aspirations in Physician Assistant school after graduation.

JUNIOR DIVISION – 1st Prize ($500)
Cyrus Ngan, piano
Clackamas High School (Happy Valley)
Grieg: Piano Concerto in A minor, Op. 16
I. Allegro molto moderato

Cyrus Ngan, a senior at Clackamas High School, was initially attracted to the drum set as a child. Fortunately, his parents managed to convince him to take up piano instead. He later picked up the cello in middle school because “it sounded cool and he wanted to sit down.” Today, Cyrus studies piano with María García and cello with Erin Ratzlaf. On piano, Cyrus was a winner of the 2024 Cognizart Young Artists Debut! Competition and the co-winner of the 2023 Metropolitan Youth Symphony Concerto Competition. Additionally, he has participated in masterclasses with renowned pianists such as William Chapman Nyaho & Janina Fialkowska. On cello, he had the privilege of serving as principal cellist of the 2024 OMEA All-State Symphony Orchestra and was featured on Thursdays @ Three with the Pacific Rose Ensemble, a group he co-founded with friends in the Metropolitan Youth Symphony. This year, Cyrus is also one of All Classical Radio’s Young Artist Ambassadors. Outside of music, Cyrus enjoys amateur photography and breadmaking. He’s also a varsity & club swimmer and often wonders if he has the lung capacity for a woodwind.

JUNIOR DIVISION – 2nd Prize ($250)
Andrew Lee, violin
Sunset High School (Portland)
Mendelssohn: Violin Concerto in E minor, Op. 64
I. Allegro molto appassionato

Andrew Lee is a 16-year-old sophomore at Sunset High School in Portland, Oregon. He has been playing the violin for ten years and currently studies with Carol Sindell. Andrew joined the Portland Youth Philharmonic in 2021, serving as assistant principal second violin, and before that, as the concertmaster of Portland Youth Conservatory Orchestra. As a soloist, he was the third place winner of the 2023 Oregon State Solo Contest and the 2023 ASTA Competition, an alternate winner of the MTNA Junior String Competition. Andrew also is the co-founder of Euphonos Ensemble, a nonprofit organization dedicated to bettering the community through music. Andrew is a 2023 graduate of the National Symphony Orchestra Summer Music Institute at the Kennedy Center, where he studied with Jennifer Kim. He served as associate concertmaster of the 2023 Oregon All-State Orchestra and was a member of the 2023 All-Northwest Orchestra. This summer he will be attending the Center Stage Strings Institute at the University of Michigan

JUNIOR DIVISION – Honorable Mention
Kai Kit "Alfie" Ong, piano
University of Oregon
Mendelssohn: Piano Concerto No. 1 in G minor, Op. 25
I. Molto allegro con fuoco

Alfie Ong is an aspiring pianist from Hong Kong. A graduate of the high school program at the University of North Carolina School of the Arts (UNCSA), his solo performances impressed audiences throughout the state. He received guidance from Dr. Dmitri Shteinberg and gained valuable experience performing with the UNCSA Symphony Orchestra and chamber ensembles there. Last summer, Alfie furthered his training at the Southeastern Piano Festival and Texas State International Piano Festival and is now pursuing his Bachelor's in Piano Performance at the University of Oregon with his teacher for many years Dr. Alexandre Dossin. Alfie also takes lessons from pianist Andrew von Oeyen. Through the mentorship of his distinguished instructors and ongoing musical development, Alfie aims to become a performing pianist and bring joy to the world through music.

JUNIOR DIVISION – Honorable Mention
Abigail Lee, violin
Westview High School (Portland)
Barber: Violin Concerto, Op.14
I. Allegro Moderato

Abigail Lee, age 15, began playing violin at age 7 and currently studies with Hae-Jin Kim. As an active soloist, she has won several competitions including American Protégé: International Piano and Strings Competition, Grand Metropolitan International Music Competition, OMTA Jeannette Scott Briggs Scholarship Award Competition and OMTA Trula Whelan Concerto Festival. She also was the finalist of 2022 Oregon ASTA Solo Competition and was selected and performed at CMNW Masterclass series led by Alexi Kenny. Alongside her solo studies, Abigail has been a part of the Portland Youth Philharmonic Association for 5 years and is currently a member of the Philharmonic orchestra. Also, she was honored to be selected to the 2024 All-State Orchestra as Assistant Concertmaster. For this summer (2024), she has been accepted to the Boston University Tanglewood Institute (BUTI) and will spend her summer there. Due to her passion for music, she is actively involved in non-profit community music education organizations, Project Prelude and Music4Harmony. Besides music, Abigail loves dancing, reading, and hanging out with her friends.

JUNIOR DIVISION - Honorable Mention
Amir Avsker, piano
Westview High School (Portland)
Mozart: Piano Concerto No. 24 in C minor, K. 491
I. Allegro

Israeli-born pianist, violinist, composer, and conductor Amir Avsker performs internationally as a soloist, a chamber musician, and an orchestra player. He was the 2023 Young Artist in Residence of All Classical Portland radio and a much sought-after accompanist, performer, composer, and arranger. His compositions have been performed by the Metropolitan Youth Symphony in Portland and faculty members of Indiana University's Jacobs School of Music. He has won numerous awards in composition and performance, and plans to pursue a career as a piano and violin soloist, and a conductor. Avsker is a co-founder of the Pacific Rose Ensemble, a chamber orchestra made up of young musicians, which performs music from the standard repertoire as well as works by young composers with limited outreach.