Glenn Gould School Students Shine at Annual Chamber Music Competition Finals

Koerner Hall was filled with energy, excitement and artistry on March 31 as students from The Glenn Gould School (GGS) took the stage for the finals of its annual Chamber Music Competition. A beloved hallmark of the GGS performance calendar, the competition is made possible through generous support provided in honour of R.S. Williams & Sons Company Ltd., and by a generous gift from the late Claudia Krawchuk.

Following a highly competitive preliminary round featuring 20 chamber ensembles, six finalist groups were selected to perform in front of an enthusiastic Koerner Hall audience, competing for $11,000 in total cash prizes and the distinction of receiving top honours in their category.

The Aura Duo, featuring Maria Jojatu (BMus ’26, violin) and Jonathan Alter (BMus ’27, piano), captured the Grand Prize with a compelling performance of Brahms’ Violin Sonata No. 1 in G Major, Op. 78 (“Regensonate”).

“Each year, this competition reminds us of the extraordinary depth of musical insight, collaboration, and commitment our students bring to the chamber repertoire,” said Barry Shiffman, Dean Designate and Director of Chamber Music. “The performances this evening reflected not only technical excellence, but a shared sense of purpose and artistry. It is a privilege to witness these young musicians on stage.”

The Prizes were awarded as follows:

Chamber Groups (three or more musicians)

• 1st Prize | $3,500 – The Trio Mazz
  Owen Chen (ADP ’26, oboe), Spencer Mendez (BMus ’27, bassoon), Rowan Sawarna-Small (BMus ’28, piano)
• 2nd Prize | $2,250 – Lucent Quartet
  Ehrentraud Moser (BMus ’26, violin), Avery Tracy (BMus ’29, violin), Mira Kardan (BMus ’28, cello), Eric Guo (ADP ’26, piano)
• 3rd Prize | $1,500 – EASE String Quartet
  Ehrentraud Moser (BMus ’26, violin), Avery Tracy (BMus ’29, violin), Emma Dunbar (ADP ’27, viola), Samantha Yang (BMus ’26, cello)

Duos

• 1st Prize | $1,500 – Aura Duo*
  Maria Jojatu (BMus ’26, violin), Jonathan Alter (BMus ’27, piano)
• 2nd Prize | $1,000 – Duo Viridian
  Junia Friesen (BMus ’29, violin), Megan Lo (BMus ’29, piano)
• 3rd Prize | $500 – Double Double
  Nickolas Warwick (BMus ’27, violin), Jerry Hu (BMus ’27, piano)

*Grand Prize Winners – each student received an additional $500 cash prize


 

Both rounds of the competition were adjudicated by an esteemed panel of internationally acclaimed musicians and educators, including Hank Dutt, former violist of the Kronos Quartet; David Deveau, Steinway Artist and former Artistic Director of the Rockport Chamber Music Festival; celebrated violinist/violist and University of Southern California (USC) faculty Yura Lee; and internationally renowned American flautist and pedagogue Carol Wincenc from The Juilliard School.

Watch the Finals