Adlai Erickson, 11, a winner of Saturday’s Young Artist Competition, introduces himself to the judges at Holy Trinity Lutheran Church in Port Angeles.

Adlai Erickson, 11, a winner of Saturday’s Young Artist Competition, introduces himself to the judges at Holy Trinity Lutheran Church in Port Angeles.

Young Peninsula musicians earn cash prizes in symphony’s competitions

PORT ANGELES — Young musicians from Clallam and Jefferson counties have emerged as the winners in the Port Angeles Symphony’s 31st annual Young Artist Competition.

Violinist Lauren Rankin, 17, of Port Angeles and cellist Adlai Erickson, 11, of Port Townsend tied for first place Saturday for a win that came with a $500 prize, according to a press release.

Adlai’s younger sister Bina, a 7-year-old violinist, won the $250 second prize, while 16-year-old pianist Emilyann Peterson took $200 for third place in the main Young Artist Competition held at Holy Trinity Lutheran Church.

The Junior Young Artist Competition, for musicians in elementary and middle school, also had siblings among its winners.

Adam Weller of Port Angeles, a 12-year-old violin player, came in first, winning $250 in cash. His sister Emma, a pianist who is 14, won the $125 second prize. Shinia Kildall, a 13-year-old violin player from Port Angeles, won the $75 third prize.

The competitors performed concert-quality music by composers from J.S. Bach to Edvard Grieg and Antonio Vivaldi.

“You have great energy and fire. I love that,” adjudicator Jonathan Pasternack told Bina Erickson after her performance.

Pasternack, conductor of the Port Angeles Symphony, volunteered to judge the competition along with three other local musicians: violinist Sabrina Scruggs, flutist Patty Monson and pianist Carol Rich.

“Thank you so much; that was so much fun to listen to,” Scruggs, a schoolteacher and a member of the symphony, told Adlai Erickson after his cello performance.

The Port Angeles Symphony Orchestra and donors from the community sponsor these competitions, held every January.

For more information about the Port Angeles Symphony’s concerts and community programs, phone the Symphony office at 360-457-5579 or visit www.portangelessymphony.org.

Emma Weller, 14, of Port Angeles leans forward to hear comments from the Junior Young Artist Competition judges in Port Angeles on Saturday.

Emma Weller, 14, of Port Angeles leans forward to hear comments from the Junior Young Artist Competition judges in Port Angeles on Saturday.

Shinia Kildall, 13, was among the winners of the Junior Young Artist Competition in Port Angeles on Saturday.

Shinia Kildall, 13, was among the winners of the Junior Young Artist Competition in Port Angeles on Saturday.

More in News

Matthew Nash / Olympic Peninsula News Group
Rick Godfrey stands with his Boy Scouts of America achievements on his office’s wall, including his merit badges and Troop 490 photos. In 1950, he was the youngest scout in the state to earn his Eagle Scout, the highest rank in scouting. The troop celebrated 100 years at a special dinner on Saturday at the Sequim Masonic Lodge.
Sequim troop celebrates centennial with dinner

Scout organization began in 1925 in a Sunday school class

Jefferson County board takes on transportation benefit district

Tax, license fee expected to bring in $1 million

Clallam County commissioners discuss reservoir design

Consensus reached on two-cell option

Firefighters respond to a house fire at West Sixth Street and Cherry Street on Friday in Port Angeles. (Port Angeles Fire Department)
Home destroyed in Port Angeles house fire

Residents escaped a house fire at West Sixth Street… Continue reading

Five workshops to repair broken items set this spring

JeffCo Repair will sponsor five workshops where fixers will… Continue reading

Kathy Cruz/Olympic Peninsula News Group
Mary Montgomery-Crumley dishes up helpings of salad at “Soup’s On.” Lunch also included a biscuit, two versions of minestrone soup, one vegetarian, one with chicken, and chocolate chip butterscotch bars.
‘Soup’s On’ free lunch at St. Luke’s draws varied crowd of helpers, diners

Melissa, a member of Sequim’s Friends Together, a group that… Continue reading

At a recent site visit, North Olympic Library System Facilities Manager Brian Phillips and SHKS Architect Pia Westen examine construction progress at the Sequim Library as it’s being renovated and expanded. NOLS leaders anticipate reopening the facility in June. (North Olympic Library System)
Sequim library may open in June

Fall campaign brings in more than $500K in donations

Mike Speer of Bonney Lake, the brother of Sherry Nagel, a former board member of the YMCA of the Olympic Peninsula, cuts a ceremonial ribbon on Jan. 28 courtesy of the Sequim-Dungeness Valley Chamber of Commerce to commemorate a new bus that Nagel’s estate helped fund. The bus is dedicated in Nagel’s honor. (Matthew Nash/Olympic Peninsula News Group)
YMCA honors late board member with new bus

Sherry Nagel’s estate, Forest Foundation provide funds

Immigration fears hit Olympic Peninsula

Law enforcement agencies won’t deport individuals

Local immigrants worry about federal orders

As President Donald Trump steps into office and reports… Continue reading

Jefferson commissioners to discuss sheriff appointment

Three candidates named by Jefferson County Democrats

Eric Spencer, a landscaping and janitorial worker for New Life Open Bible Church, clears snow from a sidewalk next to the church at Sixth and Peabody streets in Port Angeles on Thursday morning. (Keith Thorpe/Peninsula Daily News)
After snowfall, cold temperatures expected today

Morning commutes could continue to be icy, weather service says