Yamaha Announces Winners Of Prestigious National Young Performing Artist Awards
INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. Talented young artists from across the country were honored recently as Yamaha Corporation of America, Band & Orchestral Division, announced the winners of the 2007 Yamaha Young Performing Artist (YYPA) program.
The YYPA program is designed to provide early career recognition for outstanding young musicians in the United States. Hundreds of applicants, ages 16-21, apply annually and undergo a rigorous taped audition process for a panel of national celebrity musicians. The 2007 winners join a total of more than 150 others who have earned the distinction since the program's inception in 1989. Many have received scholarships to prestigious universities and conservatories, or are playing professionally with major jazz groups and top symphony orchestras.
This year's YYPA national awards concert was held on Monday, June 25 at 8:00 p.m. at Braden Auditorium on the campus of Illinois State University in Normal, Ill. The concert goes hand in hand with the Music for All (MFA) Summer Symposium, and serves as its kick-off concert. The winners were guests of Yamaha for a weekend of rehearsals, master classes, special awards concerts and social events.
In a new twist this year to the YYPA program, classical saxophonist Nathan Bogert was named Overall Winner, based on his live performance as reviewed by a panel of three judges. Bogert was awarded a $5,000 retail credit, good towards any professional level Yamaha instrument.
Former YYPA winners have gone on to very successful careers, with highlights including playing with world renowned musicians, winning international competitions and releasing albums. Jazz saxophone winner Walter Blanding (1990) has performed or recorded with many artists including Cab Calloway and the Wynton Marsalis Septet. His first recording, Tough Young Tenors, was acclaimed as one of the best jazz albums of 1991. YYPA winner Ricardo Morales (1990) began his professional career as principal clarinet of the Florida Symphony Orchestra, and is currently principal clarinet of the Philadelphia Orchestra. Saxophonist Otis Murphy (1994) has won numerous awards and prizes that include 2nd Prize in the Adolphe Sax International Saxophone Competition and1st Prize in the Heida Hermanns Young Artist Competition. He joined the faculty of the Indiana University School of Music in 2001 at the age of 28, becoming one of the youngest faculty members in the history of the IU School of Music. Hornist Michelle Perry (1997) was a winner in the Houston Symphony's prestigious 2000 Ima Hogg International Solo Competition, and recently served as principal horn of the Malaysian Philharmonic in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
The 2007 winners are:
For more information about the Yamaha Young Performing Artists Program, write Yamaha Corporation of America, Band & Orchestral Division, 39 West Jackson Place, Suite 150, Indianapolis, IN 46225; call (317) 524-6270; e-mail jwittmann@yamaha.com; or visit www.yamaha.com/band.
 2007 Yamaha Young Performing Artists |
This year's YYPA national awards concert was held on Monday, June 25 at 8:00 p.m. at Braden Auditorium on the campus of Illinois State University in Normal, Ill. The concert goes hand in hand with the Music for All (MFA) Summer Symposium, and serves as its kick-off concert. The winners were guests of Yamaha for a weekend of rehearsals, master classes, special awards concerts and social events.
In a new twist this year to the YYPA program, classical saxophonist Nathan Bogert was named Overall Winner, based on his live performance as reviewed by a panel of three judges. Bogert was awarded a $5,000 retail credit, good towards any professional level Yamaha instrument.
Former YYPA winners have gone on to very successful careers, with highlights including playing with world renowned musicians, winning international competitions and releasing albums. Jazz saxophone winner Walter Blanding (1990) has performed or recorded with many artists including Cab Calloway and the Wynton Marsalis Septet. His first recording, Tough Young Tenors, was acclaimed as one of the best jazz albums of 1991. YYPA winner Ricardo Morales (1990) began his professional career as principal clarinet of the Florida Symphony Orchestra, and is currently principal clarinet of the Philadelphia Orchestra. Saxophonist Otis Murphy (1994) has won numerous awards and prizes that include 2nd Prize in the Adolphe Sax International Saxophone Competition and1st Prize in the Heida Hermanns Young Artist Competition. He joined the faculty of the Indiana University School of Music in 2001 at the age of 28, becoming one of the youngest faculty members in the history of the IU School of Music. Hornist Michelle Perry (1997) was a winner in the Houston Symphony's prestigious 2000 Ima Hogg International Solo Competition, and recently served as principal horn of the Malaysian Philharmonic in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
The 2007 winners are:
| Winner | Hometown | Instrument |
| Edwin Barbash | Winston-Salem, N.C. | Saxophone |
| Nathan Bogert | Louisville, Ky. | Saxophone |
| Ryu Cipris | Baltimore, Md. | Flute |
| Jonathan Hill | Seattle, Wash. | Tuba |
| Patrick Hopkins | Fairbanks, Alaska | Cello |
| Emil Hudyyev | Cleveland, Ohio | Clarinet |
| Minjoo Jo | Prattville, Ala. | Piano |
| Stephen Renko | Euclid, Ohio | Percussion |
| Leelanee Sterrett | Madison, Wis. | Horn |
For more information about the Yamaha Young Performing Artists Program, write Yamaha Corporation of America, Band & Orchestral Division, 39 West Jackson Place, Suite 150, Indianapolis, IN 46225; call (317) 524-6270; e-mail jwittmann@yamaha.com; or visit www.yamaha.com/band.