PARADISE — Three music students who had the honor of winning a local competition will showcase their talents this weekend.
The Paradise Symphony Orchestra sponsors the Arlene Hams Young Artists competition. Paradise Adventist Academy student Ethan Kitto, 17, a cellist; Chico High School oboist Catalina Huss, 16, and Shasta High School cellist JJ Tiefenbach, 17, all won the competition’s senior division in February. Their tie is unprecedented.
“These three young people were so accomplished in their presentations that it was virtually impossible to choose between them,” said Sylvia Meyer, the competition chair, who plays violin for the Paradise Symphony Orchestra.
The applicants need to be accomplished enough to play a solo with the symphony, which is a part of their prize, according to a press release. The winners will be playing in a concert Sunday at the Paradise Performing Arts Center called “For the Kid in All of Us.” A panel of judges selected them.
“These kids are incredibly talented,” said Jan Kiefer Wade, publicist for the Paradise Symphony Orchestra.
Students for the senior division were required be in high school and perform in one of three categories: orchestral instrument, keyboard, or voice.
Huss, who has received numerous honors, said she has a “self-admitted obsession” for the oboe over other instruments she plays. Her selection for the concert is the Oboe Concerto in E Flat by Vincenzo Bellini.
“I feel so honored to be able to share this title with other amazing and dedicated musicians,” said Huss.
Cellists
Kitto has played the cello for 14 years and joined the Paradise Symphony Orchestra at the age of 10. Kitto plays several different instruments, with the cello being his true love.
Some of Kitto’s instructors have contributed to that passion, especially after his family was displaced after the Camp Fire. He will be playing the first movement of Camille St. Saëns Cello Concerto at the concert.
“I’m excited and nervous about the concert,” Kitto said. He also plays at Paradise Adventist Church and credits God for his talent and success.
Kitto said what he most likes about playing the cello is the different ways it can “speak.”
“There are happy tones and the next minute it’s kind of dark,” he said. “It’s fluid and not static. It makes it more interesting and I feel like it helps communicate without words.”
Kitto might study music in college but hasn’t completely decided on that yet. He played with a youth orchestra when he was younger.
“I’m excited about winning the competition,” Kitto said. “I wanted to compete to gain the experience of auditioning, but was also hoping I’d do well. I’m really thankful to have been given the opportunity to play with the orchestra — I’ve never won or entered in any competitions before this.”
Tiefenbach has played the cello for eight years and has a passion for it, which she said “provides pure joy and tranquility.” Tiefenbach, who uses they/them pronouns, has played with several symphonies and other groups. Their choice for the symphony performance is Cello Concerto by Sir Edward Elgar.
“I was so happy,” they said of winning the competition. “Any chance I get to play with a new group is so fun.”
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Tiefenbach also enjoys playing gigs and chamber music with fellow musicians. Their future plans include pursuing cello performance in college. They placed second in a competition in October and played with the Shasta Symphony orchestra in February.
“If you ask anyone in the North State, I’m constantly smiling when I play,” they said. “It’s an amazing outlet for me.”
“For the Kid in All of Us” will be presented at 3 p.m. Sunday at the Paradise Performing Arts Center located at 777 Nunneley Road in Paradise. The cost is $15 for adults, and children receive free admission. Tickets can be purchased at the door or by visiting paradisesymphony.org.
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