2021 WINNERS
NATHAN SHEPHERD
FIRST PLACE
BASSOON
Enjoy Nathan Shepherds's virtual performance of
Rossini's Concerto for Bassoon and Orchestra
https://youtu.be/PZJIUfz1Uqk
Nathan Shepherd is a sixteen-year-old, homeschool student from Lanesville, Indiana. He began playing piano at the age of six and bassoon at 10. He studies bassoon with Francisco Joubert, Matthew Karr, and Roger Soren and piano with Dr. Anna Petrova and Dr. Louie Hehman.
Nathan spent a month in residence with the 2021 National Youth Orchestra of the United States (NYO-USA), comprised of select young musicians from across the country. He also participated in the 2019 NYO2 program, travelling to Miami to perform at the New World Center and finishing the tour at Carnegie Hall. Additionally, Nathan appeared on NPR’s From the Top show #397, hosted by Peter Dugan. Nathan has served as principal bassoonist of the University of Louisville Wind Ensemble and the Indiana All-State Orchestra, and has traveled with the Kentucky Ambassadors of Music European tour in 2016 and 2018. He has also played in masterclasses for bassoonists such as Miles Maner, Andrew Bradey, Catherine Chen, Ben Hoadley, and Alex Eastley. Outside of music, Nathan is passionate about visual design, including calligraphy, hand lettering, and creating logos and visual identities.
GRACE KIM
SECOND PLACE
FLUTE
See Grace Kim's virtual performance of Francois Borne's Fantasie Brilliante
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gs4gh2zE7OA
Grace Kim is a freshman at William Mason High School. She has been playing the flute for five years, and is studying under Randolph Bowman. She has been a member of the Cincinnati Symphony Youth Orchestra since the 2019-20 season and is in her school Wind Symphony and the marching band. She also enjoys collaborating with local music groups (Mason Chorale and Resurrection Ringers) and church choirs at retirement homes or churches. She recently performed as a soloist with the Blue Ash/Montgomery Symphony Orchestra (BAMSO) and participated as an orchestral member in the pit of the premiere of the musical McBride’s Call in Miami University. She is looking forward to playing in the newly forming Mason Symphony Orchestra. She won the second prize in the National Flute Association (NFA) Junior Soloist Competition in 2021. She received the first prizes in Laudie Porter Memorial Competition (Upper Midwest Flute Association) in 2021 (the Seventh and Eighth Grade Division), Jack & Lucille Wonnell Young Artist Concerto Competition (BAMSO) in 2020 (13 and under Division), and the Flute Society of Kentucky Junior Soloist Competition in 2019. She also won the second place in the Central Ohio Flute Association Junior High School Division Competition in 2019. Grace once received a masterclass from Zara Lawler in the 49th Annual NFA Convention.
MAYA OTTERBACK
THIRD PLACE
MARIMBA
Visit this link for Maya Otterback's virtual performance of
Kevin Puts: The Kevin Puts Marimba Concerto, Mvt. I
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k9iEeMYq5Cc
Maya Otterback is a seventeen year-old percussionist from La Grange, Kentucky. She began taking private percussion lessons from Jeremy McMonigle, who remains her current teacher, at age fourteen. She attends Oldham County High School, where she participates in numerous ensembles, and is the
center snare for the marching band. Maya has been a member of various ensembles and programs, such as the National Youth Orchestra (NYO2), KMEA All-State Symphonic Band and Percussion Ensemble, IMEA All-State Percussion Ensemble, and several honor bands. She’s been accepted to programs such
as BUTI, the Kentucky Governor’s School for the Arts, and the NAfME All-National Symphony Orchestra. Maya is currently co-principal timpanist of the Louisville Youth Orchestra, and has recently placed 2nd in the Louisville Youth Orchestra Concerto Competition. She was also a participant and scholarship recipient
of the NYU Sandbox Percussion Seminar.