Springfield Area
Young Musicians’ Free Concert
Sunday, May 4 | 4:00 PM
— in the sanctuary

First Presbyterian Church offers a concert of solo presentations, celebrating local young musicians in their award winning performances: Join us in this opportunity to provide encouragement and recognition, while experiencing wonderful music.

A reception in honor of the students follows.
Everyone is welcome. The church sanctuary and Commons are wheelchair accessible from the Garden Entrance.

Participants include:

Jill Haxel, violin
— The George Ecklund Jr. Scholarship —
Student of Kamen Petkov

Natalie Knox, oboe
— The Mary Sartorius Scholarship —
Natalie Knox, a 7th grader at Franklin Middle School, is in her fourth year of oboe study with Krista Steller. She also plays piano for Latta Suzuki School of music, where she is a member of the senior quartet, and the alto saxophone for Franklin's jazz band. Natalie enjoys playing for the SVYS and will be attending the U of I double reed camp this summer.

Ben Darneille, tuba/bass
— The Muriel Runyen Scholarship —

Carly Piland, flute
— The Arlowynne & Warren Pursell Scholarship —
Student of Debbie Eddy


Amanda Henton, oboe
— The John & Kibber Miller Scholarship —
Amanda Henton is14 and is in 8th grade at Tri-City Middle School. She has been playing oboe for three and a half years. She is a student of Krista Steller.


Anna Dang, piano
— 2007 First place winner in the Illinois Federation of Music
Clubs piano concerto event—
Student of George Ecklund

Samantha Hwang, violin
— The Eileen Ensel Scholarship —
Samantha Ann Hwang has been playing the piano since she was 4 and a half years old. And she has been playing the violin since she was 5. She writes: I was born in Indianapolis, Indiana. I was born in the year 1996. My birthday is May 13th. My family and I have moved to China and Taiwan a couple times. I enjoy music very much! I have had four piano teachers and three violin teachers. My favorite piano teacher was my first piano teacher. Her name was Mrs. Hatfield. I liked her because I had a lot of fun with her. And she was a good teacher. My first violin teacher was my favorite also. Her name was Miss Apple. I liked her because her last name was special and she had a way with children. But mostly, it has been my father teaching me. He is the best teacher ever! My piano teacher now is Mrs. Darnielle. My violin teacher now is Mrs. Hornbacker.

Lauren D. Nichols, flute
— The Willa Jean Jones Scholarship —
Lauren D. Nichols is twelve years old and is homeschooled. She started playing flute in the 4th grade band at Girard School. Her teachers have been Mike Barnard and Abby Eddy. Lauren's favorite Instrument - PIANO!!! Her other favorite activities include computer programming, writing, drawing, reading, and anything Broadway. She wants to study interior design and music in future.
Lauren's awards:
2006 — IL Music Federation Superior flute and piano | IESA solo/ensemble competition piano and flute superior
2007 — IL Music Federation Superior flute and piano | IESA solo/ensemble competition piano, flute, and cello - all superior
2008 — IL Music Federation Superior flute and piano GOLD CUP awards


David Cornell
— Illinois Federation of Music Clubs District 4 Senior Music
Camp Scholarship in 2008 —
Student of Denise Edwards

Laura Warren
Student of Ann Ker Hall

Julia Cao, piano
— 2008 First Place Winner
in the Illinois Federation of Music Clubs —
Student of George Ecklund
Julia Cao is 17 and has been practicing piano for eleven years.
Julia's awards:
Illinois State Concerto Competition Participant
(hosted by the Illinois Federation of Music Clubs)
2007 — 3nd place winner
2008 — 1st place winner
Illinois State Solo Competition Participant
(hosted by the Illinois Federation of Music Clubs)
2007 — 2nd place winner
2008 — 2nd place winner


Mada Larson, piano
— The Henry & Margaret Kirschner Scholarship —
Mada Larson, 15, a piano student of Jean Vitale, is a sophomore at Springfield High School. She began her piano studies under Aimee Gazda and Angela Mitchell-Simonson, both former students of Mrs. Vitale. She will attend Illinois Summer Youth Music at the University of Illinois for the sixth time in 2008, this year in the Advanced Piano session. Mada sings soprano in SHS’s Scarlet Harmony girls’ chorus, studied violin with Georgia Hornbacker for eight years and plays in the Sangamon Valley Youth Symphony, is a competitive gymnast at Gymnastics Zone under the coaching and direction of Jenny McClanahan, and is a starting wing for the SHS girls’ varsity soccer team. In her spare time, Mada enjoys practicing and performing with the Easily Amused Comedy Troupe, an outreach program of the Springfield Theatre Center. She is the daughter of Paul and Roma Larson.



Jesse Yu, piano
— The Shirley Ecklund Memorial Scholarship —
Jesse Yu is 14 years old and attends Glenwood Middle School. He has studied piano for nine years and is Jean Vitale's sudent.



Paul Liu
— 2008 participant in the Illinois Federation
of Music Clubs piano concerto and solo competitions —
Student of George Ecklund


Ariana Stark, voice  
—The Ada & Bill White Memorial Scholarship —
Ariana Stark is a sophomore at Sacred Heart Griffin High School. She sings in the school choir and was selected as an IMEA district choir member. She plays the flute and piccolo as a member of the Sangamon Valley Youth Symphony, the Debbie Eddy Flute Choir, and the SHG school band. She also plays the piano and has participated in the IMFC Piano Festival for several years Ariana is planning on attending the University of Illinois at Champaign Musical Theatre camp in June.

Carly Piland, voice  
— The Ada & Bill White Memorial Scholarship —


Rachel Wang
— 2008 First place winner in the Illinois Federation of Music Clubs —
Student of George Ecklund

David Dang
— 2007 co-2nd place winner in the Illinois Federation
of Music Clubs piano concerto event —
Student of George Ecklund

T. Duncan Parker, voice 
— The Ada & Bill White Memorial Scholarship —  
T. Duncan Parker is a piano student of Claudia Sewell – Serenata Studio in Springfield, and a former voice student of Randy Douglas. He is a Senior honor student at SHS and is a member of Seven & Senators, SHS’ Concert Band, Jazz I and Jazz II Bands and currently arranges music/plays for Scarlet Harmony. In addition, Duncan currently plays bass with the Illinois Youth Symphony. He is a piano student of Claudia Sewell – Serenata Studio in Springfield, and a former voice student of Randy Douglas. In January, Duncan was selected to play in IMEA’s All-State Concert Band, and last January (as a Junior), Duncan was selected to sing with IMEA’s All-State Vocal Jazz Ensemble. During the first of May, Duncan will play the role of Tom Sawyer in SHS’ The Adventures of Tom Sawyer. In addition, Duncan was “Bud Frump” in SHS’ How To Succeed, was “Marcellus Washburn” in SHS’ Music Man and was “Benny Southstreet” in SHS’ Guys N’ Dolls. Duncan recently appeared as “Doody” in Springfield Muni’s last summer sellout production of Grease, and played “Troy Bolton” in the Roxy Theatricals production of High School Musical at UIS Auditorium. In Fall 2007, Duncan was voted by Illinois Times readers as Springfield’s Best Actor/Actress, and he also received the State Journal Register’s Voice Abe Award for Outstanding Teen Performer in Theater the year before. He has had numerous roles at the Springfield Muni, New Salem’s Theatre in the Park and Springfield Theatre Center including playing “Jack” in Into the Woods; “Billy” in Big; and “Mrs. White” in Clue: The Musical. Duncan played the role of “Ren McCormick” in Springfield All-City’s production of Footloose.