January 30, 2024
Kaufman Music Center students Ana Isabella España and Rebecca Beato won first and second prizes, respectively, in the Junior Division at the 2024 Sphinx Competition, one of the most prestigious national competitions for young musicians. Congratulations to these exceptional young violinists, who are both high school students at Kaufman’s Special Music School as well as their teachers, Lynelle Smith and Viktor Basis.
Held every year in Detroit, the Sphinx Competition is a national competition offering young Black and Latinx classical string players a chance to compete under the guidance of an internationally renowned panel of judges and to perform with and receive mentorship from established professional musicians. Finalists in both divisions have the opportunity to perform with the Sphinx Symphony Orchestra, the unique all Black and Latinx orchestra comprised of top professionals from around the country, and compete for a total of nearly $100,000 in prizes.
Watch Ana Isabella and Rebecca perform in the Final Round
(Rebecca starts at 14:25, Ana Isabella at 38:30).
Watch them interviewed on WNBC before the competition.
