April 18 @ 7:00 pm – 8:30 pm CDT
Online Program
This year’s Young Artist Competition produced not one, not two, but three outstanding winners – and all of them play violin. On Saturday, April 18, we are thrilled to celebrate Akiho Sugiyama, Auspy Li, and Faith Eugenia Scott as they take the stage with Orchestra Omaha under the baton of Dr. Kenneth Meints.
Each soloist earned their place through exceptional talent and hard work, and tonight they perform alongside our orchestra on some of the most beloved music in the violin repertoire.
The Program
Orchestra Omaha opens the evening with Cesar Franck’s Symphony in D minor, a sweeping, emotionally rich work that builds from brooding lyricism into one of the most triumphant finales in the symphonic canon.
Then the soloists take the spotlight:
Auspy Li performs Saint-Saens’ Introduction et Rondo Capriccioso, a brilliant showpiece that crackles with energy and elegance.
Faith Eugenia Scott brings Bach’s Concerto in A minor (3rd movement), it’s precise, expressive, and utterly alive in her hands.
Akiho Sugiyama closes with the first movement of Lalo’s Symphonie Espagnole, a lush, dramatic work full of color and fire.
Details
Doors open at 6:15pm
Concert begins at 7:00pm
Come celebrate these remarkable young artists and an unforgettable evening of live orchestral music.
Program
Symphony in D minor Cesar Franck
- I. Lento
- II. Allegretto
- III. Finale – Allegro non troppo
Introduction et Rondo Capriccioso Camille Saint-Saens
- Soloist: Auspy Li, violin
Concerto in A minor, 3rd movement J.S Bach
- Soloist: Faith Eugenia Scott, violin
Symphonie Espagnole, 1st movement Edouard Lalo
- Soloist: Akiho Sugiyama, violin
Meet our Young Artist Competition Winners
Akiho Sugiyama is a freshman at Iowa City West High School. She began playing violin at the age of four with Linda Judiesch at the Preucil School of Music, and currently studies with Dr. Scott Conklin at the University of Iowa. Akiho was a first-place winner of the Music Teachers National Association (MTNA) State String Competition. She performed as a soloist with Ottumwa Symphony Orchestra as a winner of their Young Artist Competition. Akiho enjoys playing violin and oboe in her school’s orchestra and band, and singing in her high school choir. She is dedicated to bringing classical music to her community. Akiho is a member of the music charity club at her school, which fundraises for non-profit organizations. She hopes to continue making music and sharing the joy of sound with audiences of all kinds.
Auspy Li is a sophomore at Millard North High School in Omaha, NE. He began to play violin at age 6 and currently studies violin with Olga Smola. His accomplishments include winning the Junior Division of Orchestra Omaha’s 2020 Young Artists Competition, the Merit Prize of OPUS National Music Competition, 1st place in the Omaha Music Teachers Association Young Artist Competition, two Honorable Mentions in the Music Teachers National Association (MTNA) Competition, and the Cherokee Symphony Youth Competition. He was also selected for the Nebraska All-State High School Orchestra in 2024 and 2025. Outside of music, Auspy pursues a wide range of interests including fashion design, medicine, basketball, and reading, among others.
Faith Eugenia Villar-Córdova Scott began her musical studies at the age of 4. She studies violin with Monica Lugo, and has received coaching from violinist John Helmich. In 2025, Ms. Scott was admitted as the youngest participant to the Francesco Cilea masterclass series in Varazze, Italy to study with Italian violinist Francesco De Angelis. In addition to violin, Ms. Scott is a very accomplished pianist, winning the Florida Young Artists International Piano Competition at age 5. She made her orchestral debut in Miami, FL at age 7, playing the Haydn Piano Concerto in C Major; she performed at Carnegie Hall’s Weill Recital Hall at age 8. Ms. Scott has received first prizes at many international piano competitions, including the Memphis International Piano Competition, Colors of Chopin, Berlioz and Saint Saens International Music Competitions, and the Central Iowa Symphony Young Artists Competition. This year, she won the MTNA West Central Division in Elementary Composition for her “Fables from the Countryside”, and received the third prize at the National level. Ms. Scott also studies cello with Michele Senger and continues her piano and composition studies with her parents, Dr. Marion and Rosa Scott.
