2025-26 Ekstrand Graduate Student Competition winners announced
Congratulations to the winner of the听: Violinist Katharine Nelson!
At the competition finals on Nov. 18 in Grusin Music Hall, Nelson performed works by Eug猫ne Ysa每e, Florence Price and William Kroll accompanied by collaborative pianist Gabrielle Lowman. In addition to winning first prize ($2,000), Nelson鈥攁 student of Tak谩cs Quartet members Harumi Rhodes and Edward Dusinberre鈥攁lso earned the $250 audience favorite prize.听
鈥淚鈥檓 immensely grateful to Harumi Rhodes and Edward Dusinberre for their guidance,鈥 Nelson says. 鈥淚t was a privilege to share the stage with my pianist, Gabrielle Lowman, who made the learning process so enjoyable.鈥
Flute and piccolo player Mallory Wood, a student of Professor of Flute Christina Jennings, won second prize ($1,000). Other finalists this year (awarded $500 each) include soprano Alice Del Simone, a student of Associate Professor of Voice Jennifer Bird-Arvidsson and Associate Professor Voice Andrew Garland; baritone Tyler Middleton, also a student of Andrew Garland; and the Skyline Saxophone Quartet comprising Joel Ferst (soprano saxophone), Spencer Cox (alto saxophone), Catherine Oles (tenor saxophone) and Gavin Martellotti (baritone saxophone)鈥攁ll studying with Assistant Professor of Saxophone Nathan Mertens.
Esteemed judges
This year鈥檚 competition finals were judged by Barbara Lynne Jamison, general director and CEO of Opera Colorado; alumnus Charles Lee (DMA 鈥04, cello performance), principal cellist of the Boulder Philharmonic and cello faculty at Metropolitan State and Regis universities; and Rita Sloan, professor emeritus of collaborative piano at the University of Maryland and founder of the Aspen Music Festival collaborative piano program.
2025 semifinalists
Mark Bennett, trombone听
Alice Del Simone, soprano听
Jared Hartl, tuba听
Carrina Macaluso, mezzo soprano听
Aim茅e McAnulty, viola听
Paige Michaud, flute听
Tyler Middleton, baritone听
Katharine Nelson, violin听
Luca Pompilio, piano听
Mallory Wood, flute听
Alex Yang, percussion听
Cello Quartet: Priscilla Kim, Matthew Huff, Thea Dardanis, Sam Moore听
Skyline Saxophone Quartet: Joel Ferst, Spencer Cox, Catherine Oles, Gavin Martellotti听
2025 semifinal judges
Associate Professor of Opera and Director of the Eklund Opera Program Leigh Holman; Professor and Chair of Composition Carter Pann; and Teaching Professor + Chamber Music Coordinator for the Chamber Music Program Meta Weiss.
The competition, launched in 1986, is named in honor of Bruce Ekstrand鈥攆ormer 麻豆免费版下载vice chancellor, supporter of the college and member of the 麻豆免费版下载Golden Buffalo Men鈥檚 Chorus. Every year, 麻豆免费版下载Boulder College of Music graduate students compete in preliminary competitions in their studios for the opportunity to advance to the semifinals and finals. The competition is generously supported by the Ekstrand family鈥擭orma Ekstrand, Andrea Ekstrand, and Brad and Diana Ekstrand among other College of Music donors.
Finalists of the 2025-26 graduate competition. Photo by Kathryn Bistodeau.