23/24 Jane Rooks Ross & Barry Ross Youth Soloist Competition Winner
On Saturday, November 11, the Kalamazoo Symphony hosted the 23/24 Jane Rooks Ross & Barry Ross Youth Soloist Competition in Miller Auditorium. The competition welcomed 10 young musicians from Southwest Michigan to the stage, playing a piece of their choice.
Isaac brought home the win after performing the third movement of Edvard Grieg's Piano Concerto in A minor.
As part of the Jane Rooks Ross & Barry Ross Youth Soloist Competition, Isaac will perform with the Kalamazoo Symphony Orchestra on March 5 at the orchestra's Magical Melodies concert!
ABOUT ISAAC SANDELIN
Isaac Sandelin is 14-years-old and in ninth grade at Vicksburg High School. He started taking piano at the age of six with Emily Pausley, whom he studied with for three years. She constantly encouraged Isaac to pursue pieces that challenged him technically and musically. After Mrs. Pausley moved, Isaac had the opportunity to study with Becky Nichols for four years. Mrs. Nichols ensured he had a solid foundation in technique, and pushed him to think more critically about the pieces he was playing. Soon, she passed Isaac on to the Crescendo Music Academy, where he has been studying with Ronald Cung for over a year now. With Mr. Cung, Isaac has been introduced to a vast new variety of piano literature. He has allowed Isaac to progress through more advanced literature, like Rachmaninoff, Chopin, Liszt, Bach, and Beethoven. Now, Isaac enjoys playing jazz piano for Vicksburg’s top jazz ensemble, playing tenor drums in the marching band, and playing percussion for Vicksburg’s wind ensemble. He has participated in Honor Band for percussion, and won awards for piano and marimba at Solo & Ensemble.
