Semi-finalists Announced at 2024 Sphinx Competition

America's best young Black and Latinx string players will compete for a $100,000 prize pool in January 2024

The Sphinx Competition, which is held each year in Detroit, offers young Black and Latinx string players the opportunity to receive mentorship from established professional musicians and gain access to scholarships and fine instruments through the Sphinx Music Assistance Fund. In addition, finalists will get to perform with the Sphinx Symphony Orchestra.

First Place, the Robert Frederick Smith Prize, includes $50,000 cash — as well as the opportunity to appear solo with major orchestras.

Second Place and 3rd Place will receive $20,000 and $10,000 respectively, and there is also a $5,000 Audience Choice Prize up for grabs.

The selected semi-finalists are as follows:

Junior Division (age 17 and under)

• Ana Isabella España, violin
• Anthony Dorsey, violin
• Catalina Wooldridge, cello
• Gabriela Salvador Riera, violin
• Jan Vargas Nedvetsky, cello
• Noah Carr, violin
• Quincy Alexander Eby, viola
• Rebecca Beato, violin
• Sonya Moomaw, cello

Senior Division (age 18 to 30)

• Aaron Olguin, bass
• Andres Sanchez, cello
• Bethlehem Kelley, violin
• Christian Luevano, bass
• Edward Luengo, cello
• Hannah White, violin
• Julimar Victoria Gonzalez Leon, violin
• Nathan Amaral, violin
• Nazeeh Shahid, viola
• Victor Daniel Diaz Sanchez, viola
• Virgil Moore, violin

In 2024, the jury will comprise Joseph Conyers, Randall Goosby, Alasdair Tait, George Taylor, Elena Urioste, Seth Parker Woods, and John Zion.