Concerto Competition Winner’s Concert – February 17, 2019 4:00 pm

Zach Taylor – Age Category A

Bio coming soon!

Audrey Swank – Age Category B

Audrey Swank began her musical studies at age five, and currently takes viola and violin lessons from Dr. Gail Johansen. The first time she played the viola, she fell in love with its rich beautiful sound, and has now been playing viola as her primary instrument for five years. She feels blessed to participate in the Fairbanks Youth Symphony, the Fairbanks School of Talent Education, the Alaska Cello Intensive, and the Fairbanks Symphony Orchestra. Audrey traveled to Minneapolis for the Suzuki Association of the Americas conference last spring, where she participated in a viola masterclass, string orchestra, and viola choir. She loves arranging and preforming all kinds of music with her twin brothers in their trio Triple Play.

When not making music, Audrey enjoys reading, skiing, baseball, art, and anything that involves spending time with her twin brothers. She would like to thank all the teachers who helped her with her piece, Gail Johansen, Paula Elliot, James Spontak, and also her family and friends for their support and encouragement. She is excited and honored to perform with the Fairbanks Symphony.

Hannah Maria James – Age Category C

Hannah Maria James is a third-year Bachelor of Music Performance student at UAF. She has been playing the flute for 15 years, and currently plays for the University of Alaska Wind Symphony. Hannah Maria began her flute career under the baton of Dr. Thea Kano, performing as a 6-year-old flute soloist with choir, performing at many locations across Washington, D.C. including the Kennedy Center. Hannah Maria is a former flutist of the American Youth Philharmonic, and former principal flute of The Capitol Symphonic Youth Orchestra. A Washington, D.C. native and a Fairbanks transplant, Hannah Maria enjoys a bicoastal life, most recently working as a college intern in the U.S. House of Representatives. Hannah Maria is currently the flutist-in-residence at St. John’s Lafayette Square, known as the Church of the Presidents.

In high school, she studied with Dr. Jennifer Lapple of George Mason University and Nan Raphael, former U.S Army Field Band piccoloist. In 2016, Hannah Maria was the 1st chair All-Virginia piccoloist, and also played piccolo for the Northern Virginia Senior Regional Orchestra. She has played in masterclasses for Gary Schocker, Laurie Sokoloff, Erica Peel, Jonathan Snowden, and many others. When Hannah Maria isn’t playing the flute or piccolo, she enjoys competing in triathlons, reading, and playing with her dogs.