North Allegheny Student Chosen as Winner in Classical Musical Competition

A Carson Middle School student was recently announced by Classical WQED-FM 89.3 as one of six winners in the Musical Kids classical music competition.

The judges panel of classical music experts chose pianist Rebecca Chen as a winner in the 2013 competition, which included students from grades six to eight and five finalists from North Allegheny.

Other winners included: Joey Comella of Export, violin, PA Cyber Charter School; Suvir Merchandani of Pittsburgh, piano, Dorseyville Middle School; Nathan Pallotta of McKeesport, piano, Mon Yough Catholic School; Fiona Stauffer of Murrysville, piano, Franklin Regional Middle School; and Lily Wang of Murysville, piano, “Public Choice Winner,” Franklin Regional Middle School.

Lily was selected as the “Public Choice Winner” from more than 2,700 online votes. The other winners were selected by the Musical Kids judges comprised of local classical music experts.

Winners will be recognized publicly Friday, May 10 at “Classical WQED-FM 89.3 Night” following the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra’s performance at Heinz Hall.

A special program hosted by Jim Cunningham with winner interviews and recorded performances will air at 7 p.m. Friday, May 17 on Performance in Pittsburgh, Classical WQED-FM 89.3.

Winners will also perform from 1 to 1:30 p.m. and 5 to 5:30 p.m. Monday, June 10 on the Dollar Bank Stage at the Three Rivers Arts Festival as part of “Classical Music Day.” 

In addition, presentations will be held at each winner’s school where prizes including a plaque will be awarded.

More than 60 entries were received for this year’s completion from young musicians around the region who played the French horn, piano, violin, cello, and clarinet or sang. 

Local finalists also included: Elizabeth Guo, piano, Marshall Middle School; William Wang, Ingomar Middle School; Amanda Lu, piano, Ingomar Middle School; and Thomas Kim, cello, Carson Middle School. Funding for Musical Kids is made possible by a grant from the Snee-Reinhardt Charitable Foundation.

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