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Violin Performer

Young Artist Solo Competition

Sponsored by the Colorado Springs Philharmonic Guild

The Young Artist Solo Competition is an annual event offering musicians in the CSYSA the opportunity to perform a solo in front of professional judges, with the First Place winner performing their piece with the Colorado Springs Youth Symphony. Musicians prepare a concerto and perform from memory with an accompanist. The top five performances receive scholarships sponsored by the Colorado Springs Philharmonic Guild.

  • The First Place winner performs with the Youth Symphony.

  • The top five winners are featured during a Philharmonic Guild meeting.

  • The 2nd-5th place winners perform on the Spring Chamber Ensemble Concert.

  • Musicians may use their scholarships for any music endeavor!

Young Artist Solo Competition 2021 Winners

First Place - Regan Buttermore, flute

Regan Buttermore is a senior at Pine Creek High School and has been playing flute since she was ten years old. She has been studying with Paul Nagem for the past four years, following two years of initial study with LeeCathy Highfield.This is Regan's fourth year playing flute and piccolo in the Youth Symphony Orchestra where she currently serves as section leader. One of the highlights of
her CSYSA career was the opportunity to perform in the Sydney Opera House during Youth Symphony's 2018 International Tour to New Zealand and Australia.


Over the past six years, Regan has had the privilege to play with every single auditioned group within the Colorado Springs Youth Symphony Association. She plays cello as a secondary instrument which she currently studies with James Bader.


During her high school career, Regan has earned top spots for three consecutive years in All-City Honor Band, three years in All State Orchestra, two years in All State Band, and two years in the University of Colorado High School Honor Band. She has also participated in summer music programs at the Oberlin Conservatory of Music with Alexa Still, the University of Michigan School of Music with Amy Porter, and the Lamont School of Music at the University of
Denver.


From 2018 to 2020, Regan played in the Collegiate Performance Preparation Program under the direction of Margaret Pressley which included many opportunities to perform in various settings such as nursing homes, recitals, and adjudications. In addition, Regan has enjoyed the opportunity to perform in several ensemble groups with both CSYSA and Chamber Music Days. In her spare time, Regan enjoys spending time with friends and family. She plans to attend college in the fall to major in music performance while also pursuing an interest in psychology as well.

Second Place - Theodore Tillman, string bass
Third Place - Caleb Seifert, cello
Fourth Place - Leon Baker III, violin
Fifth Place - Jasmine Mathisen, clarinet
Honorable Mention - William Simpfendorfer, oboe
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