Newton Symphony Orchestra

2005 Lasker Lasker Young Soloist Competition Winners

The Newton Sympony Orchestra is proud to announce the following winners of the 2005 Henry and Gertrude Lasker Young Soloist Competition. There were three winners, one each in the Elementary, Middle, and High School level competitions.

Kanade Shibata, violinist, is a third grader at Ward Elementary School. She began studying violin at the age of five with Ms. Noriko Tashiro in Japan. After moving to Newton, Kanade studied under Ms, Fudeko Takahashi and currently studies with Ms. Esther deGrunigen. In 2003, she was the youngest member to playin the All City Orchestra. In 2004, she played in the Baroque Chamber Orchestra at the New England Conservatory also as the youngest member of the orchestra. Currently, she plays in the Junior Repertory Orchestra at Greater Boston Youth Symphony Orchestras. Even though she had a difficult time adjusting to the new culture, customs and language, she is now happy that she gained very valuable life experience, high quality music learning, life long friends and great achievements. She has also enjoys playing soccer, Aikido and painting.

Oliver Aldort gave his full debut recital on cello and piano at age seven, after one year of lessons. Since then he has given many recitals, won top awards and has been a soloist with three symphony orchestras in BC and WA state. Oliver has just returned from the west where he performed in a concert and won the "Most Promising Young Musician Award." Recently Oliver appeared on KOMO TV, and was featured on national public radio in the program "From the Top" which was recorded in Boston's Jordan Hall. The program will be aired on CBS "Sunday Morning". Oliver's half size cello was awarded to him as a loan by the Carlsen Foundation. Oliver Aldort moved to Newton, from Orcas island, WA, in order to study in the New England Conservatory with Laura Bluestein and Paul Katz. Oliver also plays the piano, conducts, plays chamber music and composes. He loves to ski, swim, listen to music, ride the roller coaster and is all together delighted with life. Playing as a soloist with an orchestra is one of Oliver's greatest loves.

Shoshanna Fine is a senior at Newton South High School. A current student of Andrew Mark, and former student of Nancy Hair and Laura Thielke, she is a member of the Greater Boston Youth Symphony's Senior Orchestra. Shoshanna has served as the principal cello of both the Massachusetts Northeast District Festival Orchestra and the Massachusetts Allstate Orchestra, and has happily spent the last three summers playing chamber music at the Kinhaven Music School in Weston, Vermont. In addition to her passion for classical music, Shoshanna enjoys playing and listening to jazz, and loves to read, run, and hike. An avid student with a strong interest in literature and history, Shoshanna hopes to pursue a double degree in liberal arts and music in college. She has been studying the cello for ten years.

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