The Clear Lake Symphony held its annual Youth Concerto Competition on January 18, 2025 for young artists from Houston area high schools, junior highs, and elementary schools. The winners will be provided with a scholarship and the opportunity to perform with the Symphony at the March 14, 2025 concert. A total of fifty eight (58) contestants participated in the 2025 competition.
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Joshua Ayala (Tuba) Winner, Junior Wind Division
Gregson – “Tuba Concerto, mvt. I”
Joshua is the son of Dorian and Kari Ayala. He is currently in 9th grade (age 15) at Clear Brook High School in Clear Creek ISD. He has studied tuba for 4 years and his music teachers are Jason Schloesser, Robert Beavers and Kyle Norman.
Joshua’s musical achievements are:
• 1st chair Region 8th grade
• Area 9th grade
• Solo/ensemble – Superior rating
Joshua’s interests are playing soccer, reading & playing with friends. He is interested in majoring in music.
Oliver Lampson (Trumpet) Winner, Senior Wind Division
Hayden – “Trumpet Concerto, mvt. I”
Oliver is the son of Samuel Lampson. He is 17 years old and attending Clear Lake High School in Clear Creek ISD. He has studied trumpet for 8 years and his music teacher is Roman Jakubas.
Renee Darling (Flute), Honorable Mention, Senior Wind Division
Doppler – “Fantasie Pastorale Hongroise for Flute”
Note: Honorable Mention contestants will not be performing with the competition winners at the March 14, 2025 concert unless otherwise noted.
Wendy Zhou (Piano), Winner, Junior Piano Division
Saint-Saens – “Concerto No. 2 in G Minor, mvt. III”
Wendy is the daughter of Peilin Yang & Jun Zhou. She is in the 6th grade (age 11) at Tays Junior High School in Katy ISD. She has studied piano for 7 years and is a student of Dr. Matthew Loudermilk.
Wendy’s musical achievements are:
• 1st place Texoma Piano Competition 2024
• 1st place Houston Forum Competition 2024
• Winner Clear Lake Symphony Concerto Competition 2023
Wendy, other than playing the piano, also enjoys swimming, reading, drawing, & tennis.
Luke Speller (Piano), Winner, Senior Piano Division
Gershwin – “Rhapsody in Blue“
Luke is the son of Stacy & Kevin Speller. At age 17, he is attending 11th grade at Clear Falls High School in Clear Creek ISD. He has been studying piano for 9 years and his music teacher is Dr. Ying Zhang.
Luke’s musical achievements are:
• Multi-time winner South Texas Piano Competition
• 2nd prize Houston Rachmaninoff competition
• Member Clear Falls Chamber Orchestra
Luke is a member of his high school orchestra which is ranked 4th in the state. He has ranked 7th in state UIL speech competition and also a 4X qualifier in National Speech & Debate.
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Gauri Shah (Piano), Honorable Mention, Senior Piano Division
Mozart – “Concerto in D Minor, mvt. III”
Note: Honorable Mention contestants will not be performing with the competition winners at the March 14, 2025 concert unless otherwise noted.
Gabrielle J. Shin (Violin), Winner, Junior String Division
Bruch – “Concerto No. 1 in G Minor, mvt. I “
Gabrielle is the daughter of Eun Joo & James Shin. She is attending 4th grade (age 10) at Second Baptist School University-Model. She has been studying violin for 2 years and is the student of Kathleen Winkler.
Gabrielle’s musical achievements are:
• Multiple performances in Duncan Recital Hall
• Other musical venues as former student Shepherd School of Music Preparatory Program
Gabrielle loves reading books, writing stories, drawing, playing chamber music & tennis.
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Alvin Zhou (Cello), Honorable Mention, Junior String Division
Tchaikovsky – “Variations on a Rococo Theme”
Alvin Zhou is the son of Lei Wu. He is attending 8th grade (age 13) at Fort Settlement Middle School in Fort Bend ISD. Alvin studied cello 6 years and his music teacher is Xiao Wong.
Alvin’s musical achievements are:
• 1st place & Judges Distinction Award American Protege International Concerto Competition 2022
• 1st place Fanny Mendelssohn International Competition
• Elite International Music Competition & Gustav Mahler Cello Competition 2023
• Winner Houston Civic Concerto Competition and held solo concert 2024
Alvin has played basketball since age 4 and has played for many top AAU teams in Houston. He also played basketball and football on 7th & 8th grade A-Team. Alvin enjoys teaching cello to little sister.
Note: Alvin will be performing with the competition winners at the March 14, 2025 concert.
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Jinlin Li (Cello), Honorable Mention, Junior String Division
Davidoff – “Concerto in D Minor, mvt. III”
Note: Honorable Mention contestants will not be performing with the competition winners at the March 14, 2025 concert unless otherwise noted.
Arturo Gonzalez (Cello) Justin Huang (Violin)
Winners of Senior Strings Division
Brahms – “Double Concerto in A Minor, mvt. III”
Arturo Gonzalez is the son of Beatriz Jaimes & Aroom Gonzalez. He is attending 12th grade (age 18) at Woodlands College Park High School. Arturo studied cello 7 years with Wendy Smith-Butler and piano 3yrs.
Arturo’s musical achievements are:
• Principal cellist Youth Orchestra Los Angeles 2024
• Principal cellist TMEA all-state philharmonic 2024
• 1st place Energy Corridor of Houston Concerto Competition 2024.
Arturo is passionate about using cello to teach and inspire others. He is a Mentor at El Sistema Texas and a volunteer performer at retirement homes. He has over 2,500 Instagram followers. Arturo hopes to attend UT Austin studying chemical engineering and continue music.
Justin Huang is the son of Hao Huang & Huaijin Zhou. He is attending 12th grade (age 18) at Woodlands College Park High School. Justin studied violin 14 years with Henry Rubin.
Justin’s musical achievements are:
• 3X TMEA All-State
• 3X Houston Civic Concerto Competition Finalist
• Region IX Concertmaster
Justin loves the environment outdoors, hiking and other excursions. He plans to continue studying and playing music with friends in college.
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Harry Barnett (Bass), Honorable Mention, Senior String Division
Proto – “Carmen Fantasy for Double Bass”
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Maureen Min (Violin), Honorable Mention, Senior String Division
Sibelius – “Concerto in D Minor, mvt. I ”
Note: Honorable Mention contestants will not be performing with the competition winners at the March 14, 2025 concert unless otherwise noted.
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Thank You Melodie Shelton!
Many thanks go to Competition Coordinator, Melodie Shelton for her tireless work to put this competition and concert together. A big thank you also goes to their committee who helped during the competition and the judges on January 18, 2025.
A fine job was done by the competition Judges. This year’s judges were the following:
Robert Wall
• Clear Lake Symphony Conductor
• Orchestra Director – University Baptist Church
Michael Kasinger
• Composer in Residence
• Clear Lake Symphony. Woodwind specialist
Lance Laster
• Music Professor, Lone Star College
• Brass specialist
Dr. Charles Johnson
• Clear Lake Symphony Artistic Director, retired
Dr. Andrew Staupe
• Professor of Piano, University of Houston
Dr. Bart Morrison
• Pianist/Organist
• Pastor of Worship Ministries, University Baptist Church
Fernando Medina
• Concertmaster – Clear Lake Symphony
• Clear Brook High School Orchestra Director
Brady Meyer
• Professional Cellist
• High School Orchestra Director
Dr. Trond Saeverud
•Music Director/Conductor Galveston Symphony Orchestra
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