Young Peninsula musicians earn cash prizes in symphony’s competitions

PORT ANGELES — Young musicians from Clallam and Jefferson counties have emerged as the winners in the Port Angeles Symphony’s 31st annual Young Artist Competition.

Violinist Lauren Rankin, 17, of Port Angeles and cellist Adlai Erickson, 11, of Port Townsend tied for first place Saturday for a win that came with a $500 prize, according to a press release.

Adlai’s younger sister Bina, a 7-year-old violinist, won the $250 second prize, while 16-year-old pianist Emilyann Peterson took $200 for third place in the main Young Artist Competition held at Holy Trinity Lutheran Church.

The Junior Young Artist Competition, for musicians in elementary and middle school, also had siblings among its winners.

Adam Weller of Port Angeles, a 12-year-old violin player, came in first, winning $250 in cash. His sister Emma, a pianist who is 14, won the $125 second prize. Shinia Kildall, a 13-year-old violin player from Port Angeles, won the $75 third prize.

The competitors performed concert-quality music by composers from J.S. Bach to Edvard Grieg and Antonio Vivaldi.

“You have great energy and fire. I love that,” adjudicator Jonathan Pasternack told Bina Erickson after her performance.

Pasternack, conductor of the Port Angeles Symphony, volunteered to judge the competition along with three other local musicians: violinist Sabrina Scruggs, flutist Patty Monson and pianist Carol Rich.

“Thank you so much; that was so much fun to listen to,” Scruggs, a schoolteacher and a member of the symphony, told Adlai Erickson after his cello performance.

The Port Angeles Symphony Orchestra and donors from the community sponsor these competitions, held every January.

For more information about the Port Angeles Symphony’s concerts and community programs, phone the Symphony office at 360-457-5579 or visit www.portangelessymphony.org.