MMTA Foundation 2006 Student of the Year Winners Announced

Every year we receive many applications from talented and accomplished high school seniors for the MMTA Foundation Student of the Year award. The winner receives $500. This year the committee agreed that two candidates were outstanding and equally deserving of the award and after much debate, decided both would be given the award.

The first winner is Alex Corbett, a student of Kathy Younker, from St. Cloud. Alex passed the Level 7, 8 and 10 piano exams with high distinction and the Level 11 exam with distinction. He has passed Level 1, 2, and 3 theory exams with distinction and Level 4 with excellence. He has been an MMTA contest winner and played in the Honors Concert. He has received Superior Plus ratings in Guild auditions, participated in MMTA Ensemble Festivals, and National Federated Music Teachers auditions. As a violinist, he has played in All-State Orchestra, the University of Iowa Honors Orchestra and the pit orchestras for many musicals. He played violin in the St. Cloud Technical Senior High School orchestra, participated in the Minnesota High School Music Listening Contests and Dixieland Band Contests. He has been a volunteer for the Crow River Area Summer Youth Orchestra Camp. He also plays violin for mass at his church and senior centers and volunteers at the St. Cloud Hospital.

The second winner is Emily Larson, a student of Margaret Maxwell in Bemidji. Emily passed the Levels 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, and 10 piano exams with high distinction and the Level 11 exam with distinction. She passed Level 1 and 2 theory exams with distinction and Levels 3 and 4 with excellence. She has been an MMTA contest winner and played in the Honors Concert. She has been active as an accompanist in her school and community. As a cellist, she has played in All-State Orchestra, her school orchestras, and mentored middle school orchestra members. She sings in her high school choirs and leads her church’s children’s program. She is a musician for 3 churches in her area.

This is only a summary of the most significant accomplishments and contributions of these two fine young musicians. Congratulations to both of them, as well as their teachers.