Student playing the piano

ABERDEEN, S.D. – The Northern State University Department of Music recently held its 2021 Friends of the Arts/NSU Young Artist Competition, where 22 talented high school juniors and seniors from South Dakota, North Dakota and Minnesota submitted video recordings for NSU faculty judging panels.

The event was held virtually this year, and offered awards with a total of $6,250 in cash prizes, including $1,000 for first-place winners of each category, $500 for second-place winners, and $250 for third-place winners. Top music scholarships will also be available for those students who choose to attend Northern State University next year.

“The faculty and I were extremely pleased and impressed with the scope of talent and achievement demonstrated by each one of our entrants,” said Dr. Kenneth Boulton, Dean of the School of Fine Arts.

Listed below are all prize recipients from the competition:

Vocal Category

  • 1st Prize – Hannah Ray, soprano (Shattuck-St. Mary's School - Minn.)
  • 2nd Prize – Emily Palmer, soprano (Langford Area High School)
  • 3rd Prize – Annika Holdhusen, mezzo-soprano (Vermillion High School)
  • Honorable Mention – Easton Gleason, bass (Milnor/North Sargent High School - N.D.)

Brass/Woodwind/Percussion Category

  • 1st Prize – Glorya Ekstrand, trumpet (Rapid City Central High School)
  • 2nd Prize – Mariah Koenig, alto saxophone (Chamberlain High School)
  • 3rd Prize – Cameran Rathjen, trumpet (Huron High School)
  • Honorable Mention – Mary George, alto saxophone (Spearfish High School)

Piano Category

  • 1st Prize – Sylvie Winje, West Beaton Academy (N.D.)
  • 2nd Prize – Rebecca Kelley, Home School (Vermillion, S.D.)
  • 3rd Prize – Hannah Gasperich, Home School (Aberdeen, S.D.)
  • Honorable Mention – Gavin Sturm, Lincoln High School
  • Honorable Mention – Serena An, Brookings High School

Strings Category

  • 1st Prize – Sarah Hayden, cello (Aberdeen Central High School)

About Northern State University

Northern State University is a student-centered institution that provides an outstanding educational experience, preparing students through the liberal arts and professional education for their future endeavors. A regional university, Northern offers rigorous academics; diverse civic, social and cultural opportunities; and a commitment to building an inclusive environment for all points of view. Northern also offers a broad-based athletics program, sponsoring 15 NCAA Division II intercollegiate varsity sports that compete in the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (NSIC). The university strives to enrich the community through partnerships such as its Educational Impact Campaign, which opened a new South Dakota School for the Blind and Visually Impaired; new athletic and recreation fields; and, soon, an on-campus regional sports complex. With the $55 million campaign, NSU has been the recipient of more than $120 million in privately funded building projects and scholarships within a decade. To learn more, visit NSU Admissions