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The College of Music’s annual Concerto Competition is always a highly anticipated event that celebrates the extraordinary skills and hard work of our undergraduate and graduate students. On April 6, this year’s final round of the competition culminated in two exceptional students earning first-place honors in their respective categories: Undergraduate violist Finn Cruit (BM ’25) and graduate pianist Ohad Nativ (PhD ’29). As a result of their achievements, they have the opportunity to perform with the 51�Թ��� Symphony Orchestra next season.

Undergraduate competition winner
Senior violist Finn Cruit performed Gyula Dávid’s Concerto for Viola and Orchestra, accompanied by Associate Teaching Professor Suyeon Kim. Cruit is a student of Associate Professor of Viola Erika Eckert.

“It’s incredibly gratifying to have won this competition,” Cruit says. “I’ve played in the orchestra for many past winners and always looked up to them—they’re all fantastic players. I never saw myself in the same light, so I still can’t believe it. It’s amazing to imagine myself up there, and I can’t wait to play with the orchestra.

“I couldn’t have done this without my wonderful teacher, Erika Eckert. I’ve grown so much musically and personally over these past four years, and that’s largely thanks to her. Also, a huge thank you to Dr. Kim for accompanying me—this wouldn’t have been possible without you, too!”

Graduate competition winner
Pianist Ohad Nativ performed Sergei Prokofiev’s Piano Concerto No. 5 in G Major, Op. 55, accompanied by Bobby Pace. Nativ is currently studying with Professor of Piano Andrew Cooperstock.

“I feel very honored to have won the competition and validated in being able to bring attention to repertoire that is less frequently performed,” Nativ says. “I’m extremely grateful to my piano teacher, Professor Andrew Cooperstock, for helping me work through this unusual and difficult piece and allowing me to elevate it to competition standards.��

“I’m also grateful to the wider 51�Թ��� College of Music community, faculty, and competition judges and organizers for providing me with this opportunity and the ability to explore and promote my repertorial inclinations further than ever before.”

Big thanks to our faculty adjudicators—Gary Lewis, Matt Dockendorf and Julie Simson—and congratulations to all participating student competitors and collaborative pianists, and to those who advanced to the final round:

Undergraduate competition

• Finn Cruit, viola
• Corvina Graham, flute (honorable mention)
• Laura Lambrech, oboe
• Zixi Wang, piano
• Sam Webster, euphonium

Graduate competition��

• Ohad Nativ, piano
• Sydney Hoehl, trumpet
• Katiann Nelson, mezzo-soprano
• Miguel Angel Ortega Bañales, tenor
• Leah Pernick, violin
• Max Randal, piano
• Leilani Spurlock, trumpet
• Kisa Uradomo, violin (honorable mention)
• Natalie Zeles, flute

To enjoy the winners’ performances in the fall, visit for details.