Zoe Kaltenbach, a sophomore at Liberty Bell High School, is the 2023 winner of Cascadia Music’s Cherrington Memorial Merit Scholarship award.
Kaltenbach, who is 16, studies violin with Pam Hunt. She played “La Folia” by Arcangelo Corelli, arranged by Shinichi Suzuki.
“I really enjoy how different each section is,” Kaltenbach said of the piece. “Some are very slow and legato and sound sad, while others are extremely fast and technical.”
In addition to the $300 cash prize, Kaltenbach will be featured in Cascadia’s spring concert on May 13 at the Methow Valley Community Center.
Kaltenbach is also the Winthrop ’49er Days junior royalty princess for 2023.
This year’s competition included five talented young musicians. Tied for second place ($150 prize) were Wylie Smith, age 13, violin and viola; and Sisu Clark, age 12, cello. Both musicians study with Pam Hunt. Tied for third place ($100 prize) were Freya Whipple, age 12, violin; and Orlo Parkinson, age 13, piano. Whipple studies with Pam Hunt and Parkinson studies with Michael Kamansky.
The judges were Marcy Stamper, Stephen Kish and Michael Brady.
The Cherrington Scholarship is awarded to the outstanding music student of the year determined by a live performance (video auditions have been accepted since COVID). The scholarship has been awarded annually since 2013.
