YOUNG ARTIST COMPETITION WINNERS SHOWCASE
Sunday, June 1st - 3:00PM | Broadmoor Community Church
The Next Generation of Local Music!
Listen to the next generation of local music - the incredible winning students of our 2025 Young Artist Competition are featured with the Chamber Orchestra of the Springs!
This year’s winners showcase features FOUR contestants from this year’s competition - exceptional students from the Pikes Peak Region who represent our city’s next wave of incredible musicians.
Bruch - Scottish Fantasy, op. 46 (Movement IV. Finale:)*
Rózsa - Viola Concerto, op. 37 (Movement IV. Allegro con spirito)*
Hoffmeister - Viola Concerto in D Major (Movement I. Allegro)
Fauré - Elegie for Cello & Orchestra, op. 24
Mozart - Divertimento in D major, K. 205
* = Honorable mention; soloist to perform with piano accompaniment.
Competition & Concert Sponsor:
Featuring:
CO-WINNER: SAMUEL ROLLENCE
Samuel Rollence, 18, began studying viola at age 10 through his public school music program. He is currently a senior at Doherty High School, where he has served as principal violist of the chamber orchestra since 2021. Samuel studies privately with Michael Sabatka and has previously worked with Carla Scott and Ekaterina Dobrotvorskaia.
Samuel has been a member of the Colorado Springs Youth Symphony since 2019, including participation in their 2024 international tour to Australia and New Zealand. He has also performed in the Colorado All State Orchestra (2022–present) and the Western States Chamber Orchestra (since 2021).
He has attended the Manitou Chamber Music Festival annually since 2021, performing a wide range of chamber repertoire. In 2023, he was selected as principal violist at the Lamont Summer Academy, where he was also featured in both the Honors Solo Recital and the Honors Chamber Recital.
Outside of music, Samuel enjoys hiking and spending time with friends and family.
CO-WINNER: ABIGAIL NELSON
Abby Nelson is a homeschooled high school junior in Colorado Springs. She started learning the cello at the age of 10 in the Mozart Strings Program and is currently studying music under the guidance of Megan Boyle. She is a member of the Colorado Springs Youth Symphony and The Istante String Quartet.
Recently, she was named honorable mention in the Colorado Springs Young Artist Solo Competition. She also placed 1st in the Colorado Homeschool Music Festival in 2021 & 2022. In the past 2 years, she has performed in places such as the Sydney Opera House and has played numerous times under Maestro Josep Caballe Domenech. Additionally, Abby has participated in numerous chamber orchestra & cello festivals.
Other than performing music herself, she enjoys teaching other young cellists in the Colorado Springs area. Music is a huge blessing in her life and she plans to share it with everyone.
HONORABLE MENTION: EZRA SONG
Ezra Song, 16, is a junior at TCA College Pathways and a dedicated violist. He began piano at age five and found his passion for viola at eleven under Ms. Vanessa White. Ezra has attended the Manitou Springs Chamber Music Festival (2021, 2022, 2024), the Lamont Summer Academy (2022), and Credo at Oberlin Conservatory (2023), studying with acclaimed mentors like Jeri Jorgensen, Cullan Bryant, and Peter Slowik.
His achievements include an honorable mention in the 2022 MTNA Colorado Junior Competition, 5th place in the CSYSA Young Artist Solo Competition in 2022, and 1st place in 2025 (being the first violist in the competition’s history to place or win). He has studied for four years with Mr. Michael Sabatka, and he currently plays as the principal violist in CSYSA’s Youth Symphony. Outside of music, Ezra enjoys yo-yoing, snowboarding, and tricking.
HONORABLE MENTION: JAITHAN MCECHRON
Jaithan McEchron is a violinist in the Colorado Springs Youth Symphony Association (CSYSA), where he thrives in both solo and ensemble settings. Since joining the Colorado Springs Youth Symphony in 2020, he has had the opportunity to tour internationally, including performances in Greece and Australia, with a standout concert at the Sydney Opera House. In 2023 and 2024, Jaithan served as concertmaster of the orchestra. He has won prizes in several concerto competitions, including 3rd place at CSYSA’s Young Artist Solo Competition, 2nd place at the Pikes Peak Philharmonic’s Youth Concerto Competition, and Honorable Mention at the Chamber Orchestra of the Springs’s Young Artist Competition.
Jaithan is also a three-time participant in the Manitou Chamber Music Festival, where he has performed in string quartets and piano ensembles with pianist Cullan Bryant. He currently studies violin under Jeri Jorgensen. Outside of music, Jaithan is currently a senior attending Lewis-Palmer High School. Once he graduates, he plans to study music and chemistry at the University of Colorado Boulder. In his free time, Jaithan enjoys playing tennis for his high school’s varsity team.
WHAT TO KNOW
VENUES
This concert is held at Broadmoor Community Church.
Doors open 1 hour prior to the performance.
PARKING
Parking is free on-site at Broadmoor Community Church.
PRE-CONCERT LECTURE
There is no pre-concert lecture for this performance.