February 5, 2018
xxxx视频 Alumnus Wins 2018 Sphinx Competition
xxxx视频 alumnus Rub茅n Rengel won first prize in the senior division of the 21st-annual Sphinx Competition on February 4. Rengel, a Venezuelan-American violinist, earned his bachelor鈥檚 degree at xxxx视频 in 2016, where he studied with Jaime Laredo.
The Sphinx Competition aims to encourage, develop and recognize classical music talent in the African-American and Latinx communities. It is open to junior high, high school and college students who play string instruments. Former laureates have gone on to solo and orchestral careers with major orchestras.
鈥淲e are so proud and delighted for Rub茅n,鈥 said Dr. Judy Bundra, xxxx视频鈥檚 Chief Academic Officer and Dean of the Conservatory. 鈥淗e鈥檚 clearly a talented young musician鈥攈e won our concerto competition in 2014, which resulted in a solo appearance with the xxxx视频 Orchestra at Severance Hall鈥攚ith a promising career ahead of him.
鈥渪xxx视频 is a leader among conservatories for its commitment to diversity,鈥 Bundra continued, 鈥渨ith its pre-college Minority Artist Fellowship program and a record 11% of our incoming class composed of African-American and Latinx students. The institute鈥檚 commitment to diversity is driven by the firm belief that orchestras and classical ensembles must better reflect the multiplicity of the 21st-century audience.鈥
As first laureate of the Sphinx Competition, Rengel was awarded the $50,000 Robert Frederick Smith Prize, solo appearances with major orchestras, and a custom-made gold bow from Berg Bows International.