Halversen Concert Spotlights Five Outstanding Soloists
by Sara Penny
Five outstanding soloists perform with the Orchestra of Southern Utah on Thursday, April 17, at 7:30 p.m. in the Heritage Theatre in Cedar City. Tickets are now available at myosu.org. In addition to the five solo pieces OSU will perform the Easter Overture by Rimsky-Korsakov which features several soloists within the orchestra.
OSU honors Roy L. Halversen's memory with this Young Artist Concert. He was instrumental in expanding orchestral music in Cedar City as a college professor. Some of his students still play with OSU.
Leah Kim Keyes, flutist will perform Gordeli Concertino for Flute and Orch, Op. 8. She is a junior at Woods Cross High School in Bountiful. In fall 2024, she was a Salute to Youth soloist with the Utah Symphony. Leah is a four-time first place winner of the State MTNA solo division and a four-time first place winner State UMTA Concerto competition. In 2024 she won the Grand Prize of the Southwest Symphony Young Artist Competition.
Hannah Bradshaw has chosen the exciting Andante and Rondo Ungarese featuring the viola. The Hungarian excitement of this piece has gypsy influences. She is from Cedar City and has performed for 18 years with music degrees from SUU and the University of Colorado- Boulder. She has served as principal violist for several orchestras and has also played with prominent musicians like Marie Osmond and David Archuleta.
Kloie Humes presents the Bassoon Concerto in F by Weber. The Kannaraville musician is also an SUU graduate and is working towards a performance master's degree. Her teachers have included Dr. Virginia Stitt, Dr. Emily Grady, and Dr. Ben Bradshaw.
Trevyn Karkula tackles the third movement of the exuberant Piano Concerto in F by Gershwin. He is a 14 year old from St George, UT who has a passion for music. Trevyn has been playing piano for 6 years and has studied with Brandon Lee, Mark Gubler and Nancy Allred.
Sophie Wilkes shares Gypsy Airs for Violin, also known as Zigeunerweisen by Sarasate. She started violin at age five with Kristen Candland in St. George and also works with Jenny Oaks Baker on violin and Jason Bonham on viola. The 13 year old played in the Salute to Youth concert in 2023 with the Utah Symphony and is involved in ensembles and orchestras at the local and state level.
"We had an incredible showing of talent at the auditions for this concert," said Carylee Zwang, OSU Music Director. Alternates were Amanda Drake, Calli Price, and Elaina McEntee.
Assistant Conductor David Jordan will be conducting the soloist pieces with Zwang conducting the Easter Overture. The Romantic era piece takes music from the Orthodox liturgy and transforms it into a memorable masterpiece. In his autobiography Rimsky-Korsakov described the music as celebrating both "the legendary and heathen side of the holiday, the transition from the gloomy and mysterious evening of Passion Saturday to the unbridled pagan-religious merrymaking on Easter Sunday morning".
Lobby music before the concert is provided by the Utah Peaks Players. The ensemble originated in 2022, when Lauri Driggs, Nicole Macias, and Terry Fulwider decided they wanted to offer their students an additional group that would focus more on additional performance opportunities, for those students who were interested in playing their instruments more. "Our students range in age from 8-16, and have had the opportunity to perform all over Utah and Salt Lake Counties. We are excited to provide Lobby Music for the R.L. Halverson Young Artist Concert with the Orchestra of Southern Utah!."
Student tickets have been reduced to $5 for this special concert. Adult tickets are $15. Tickets are available at myosu.org. Children over six welcome with supervision and no babies please, as the concert will be recorded.
Preview the music at https://osulistening.blogspot.com/2025/03/r-l-halversen-young-artist-concert-2025.html
Full Bios:
Leah Kim Keyes, flutist will perform Gordeli Concertino for Flute and Orch, Op. 8. She is junior at Woods Cross High School in Bountiful. In fall 2024, she was a Salute to Youth soloist with the Utah Symphony. In the spring of 2024, she was the Grand Prize winner of the Southwest Symphony Young Artist Competition where she soloed with the Gordeli Flute Concertino.
Leah began the flute with Nancy Toone and continues her studies with Catherine Boyack of NYC and Lisa Byrnes with the Utah Symphony. This summer, Leah was accepted to attend the world renown Interlochen Music Camp in Michigan. Leah is the principal flutist in the Woods Cross Wind Ensemble, Davis Youth Philharmonic and Lyceum Symphony in Salt Lake City. Leah is a five-time first-place winner of the Utah Flute Sonata Competition, as well as a four-time winner of the State MTNA solo division and a four-time State UMTA Concerto Competition.
Leah has also performed with renowned artists such as Jenny Oaks Baker, Steven Sharp Nelson, and Nathan Pacheco. When she’s not performing, Leah enjoys journaling, mountain biking, weightlifting, and caring for her leopard gecko.
Hannah Bradshaw has been performing for over 18 years and she loves it above all else. Bradshaw has garnered awards as a soloist including runner up for the 2020 UMEA State Solo Competition and as a finalist for the 2020 Southwest Symphony Concerto Competition. She was the 2021 winner of the Halversen Young Artists Competition and is honored to be able to return to the competition this year. In addition to her solo appearances, Bradshaw has served as the principal violist for the SUU Symphony Orchestra, SUU String Ensemble, the Orchestra of Southern Utah, and the University of Colorado - Boulder Symphony. She has also performed with the Boulder Philharmonic as a section player. She has had the privilege of performing with incredible musicians such as Marie Osmond, Asleep at the Wheel, David Archuleta, and Colbie Calait. Bradshaw holds a Bachelor's Degree in Viola Performance from Southern Utah University and a Master's Degree in Viola Performance from the University of Colorado - Boulder.
Kloie Humes is a bassoon player from Kanarraville, Utah. She has studied bassoon since the age of 10 under the direction of Dr. Virginia Stitt, Dr. Emily Grady, and Dr. Ben Bradshaw. Kloie graduated from SUU with a bachelor's degree in music education in December and is currently applying to graduate schools to pursue a masters degree in performance. Aside from bassoon, Kloie loves spending time with her family and friends, writing and performing songs on her guitar, and traveling internationally. It’s been a longtime goal of Kloie’s to perform a concerto with an orchestra, and is thrilled to perform Weber with OSU.
Trevyn Karkula is a 14 year old from St George, Utah who has a passion for music. Trevyn has been playing piano for 6 years and has studied with Brandon Lee, Mark Gubler and Nancy Allred. Trevyn has completed level 9 in AIM, received several superior rankings in various performance evaluations, and has performed at numerous Honors recitals. Trevyn was a Southwest Symphony Youth finalist in 2020 and was the 2021 youth winner of Dixie’s Got Talent. Trevyn uses his talents to bless others by playing for residents in various care centers throughout Washington County as well as being an organist in his church. In addition to piano and organ, Trevyn studies guitar with Lisle Crowley. Trevyn currently takes classes at Dixie High and has attended music classes at Utah Tech University since he was 11 years old.
Amanda Drake fell in love with the flute from a very young age and started playing at 10 years old.Throughout the years she has been tutored by Jenni Perkins, Lisa Byrnes, Amy Lininger, Elaine Jorgenson, and Christina Castellenos. She has had the opportunity to perform with groups such as: Utah Youth Philharmonic Symphony, Utah Youth Wind Symphony, All-State Band, The 23rd Army Band, Snow College Wind Ensemble and Orchestra, and Orchestra of Southern Utah.
She graduated in 2021 with a Bachelor’s in Commercial Music and emphasis in Music Performance on flute and piccolo. She is the mother to two little boys and loves being able to be
with them every day.
Hornist Elaina McEntee seeks to tell a story the audience can connect with through her playing by finding the dialogue between each phrase and accentuating the emotion in the music. Elaina performed Camille Saint-Saëns’ Morceau de Concert as a soloist with the Southern Utah University (SUU) Symphony Orchestra in November 2024. She is pursuing a BM in Instrumental Music Performance at SUU. While at SUU, Elaina has been Principal Horn of the Symphony Orchestra since her freshman year and Principal Horn of the SUU Wind Symphony since her sophomore year. She has also participated in several other ensembles while at SUU: Brass Ensemble, Woodwind Quintet, Basketball Band, and Marching Band.
Calli Price has been playing the violin for 6 years now. She adores classical music! Calli hopes to play with many orchestras in the future. Some of her favorite things to do include baking, hiking, gardening, and playing her violin!
Utah Peaks Players will provide lobby music before the concert.
Student tickets have been reduced to $5 for this special concert. Adult tickets are $15. Tickets are available at myosu.org. Children over six welcome with supervision and no babies please, as the concert will be recorded.
Preview the music at https://osulistening.blogspot.com/2025/03/r-l-halversen-young-artist-concert-2025.html
###
Poster design by Shelly Forsman
More information: Amy Gold at 435-233-8185
Leah Kim Keyes, flutist will perform Gordeli Concertino for Flute and Orch, Op. 8. She is junior at Woods Cross High School in Bountiful. In fall 2024, she was a Salute to Youth soloist with the Utah Symphony. In the spring of 2024, she was the Grand Prize winner of the Southwest Symphony Young Artist Competition where she soloed with the Gordeli Flute Concertino.
Leah began the flute with Nancy Toone and continues her studies with Catherine Boyack of NYC and Lisa Byrnes with the Utah Symphony. This summer, Leah was accepted to attend the world renown Interlochen Music Camp in Michigan. Leah is the principal flutist in the Woods Cross Wind Ensemble, Davis Youth Philharmonic and Lyceum Symphony in Salt Lake City. Leah is a five-time first-place winner of the Utah Flute Sonata Competition, as well as a four-time winner of the State MTNA solo division and a four-time State UMTA Concerto Competition.
Leah has also performed with renowned artists such as Jenny Oaks Baker, Steven Sharp Nelson, and Nathan Pacheco. When she’s not performing, Leah enjoys journaling, mountain biking, weightlifting, and caring for her leopard gecko.
Hannah Bradshaw has been performing for over 18 years and she loves it above all else. Bradshaw has garnered awards as a soloist including runner up for the 2020 UMEA State Solo Competition and as a finalist for the 2020 Southwest Symphony Concerto Competition. She was the 2021 winner of the Halversen Young Artists Competition and is honored to be able to return to the competition this year. In addition to her solo appearances, Bradshaw has served as the principal violist for the SUU Symphony Orchestra, SUU String Ensemble, the Orchestra of Southern Utah, and the University of Colorado - Boulder Symphony. She has also performed with the Boulder Philharmonic as a section player. She has had the privilege of performing with incredible musicians such as Marie Osmond, Asleep at the Wheel, David Archuleta, and Colbie Calait. Bradshaw holds a Bachelor's Degree in Viola Performance from Southern Utah University and a Master's Degree in Viola Performance from the University of Colorado - Boulder.
Kloie Humes is a bassoon player from Kanarraville, Utah. She has studied bassoon since the age of 10 under the direction of Dr. Virginia Stitt, Dr. Emily Grady, and Dr. Ben Bradshaw. Kloie graduated from SUU with a bachelor's degree in music education in December and is currently applying to graduate schools to pursue a masters degree in performance. Aside from bassoon, Kloie loves spending time with her family and friends, writing and performing songs on her guitar, and traveling internationally. It’s been a longtime goal of Kloie’s to perform a concerto with an orchestra, and is thrilled to perform Weber with OSU.
Trevyn Karkula is a 14 year old from St George, Utah who has a passion for music. Trevyn has been playing piano for 6 years and has studied with Brandon Lee, Mark Gubler and Nancy Allred. Trevyn has completed level 9 in AIM, received several superior rankings in various performance evaluations, and has performed at numerous Honors recitals. Trevyn was a Southwest Symphony Youth finalist in 2020 and was the 2021 youth winner of Dixie’s Got Talent. Trevyn uses his talents to bless others by playing for residents in various care centers throughout Washington County as well as being an organist in his church. In addition to piano and organ, Trevyn studies guitar with Lisle Crowley. Trevyn currently takes classes at Dixie High and has attended music classes at Utah Tech University since he was 11 years old.
His favorite subjects are math, science, weights, and music. In his spare time, Trevyn enjoys swimming, mountain biking, and spending time with family and friends. He is grateful for this opportunity to share his love of music with others!
Sophie Wilkes (13) is from St. George, Utah. She currently studies violin and viola with Kirsten Candland, violin with Jenny Oaks Baker, and viola with Jason Bonham. Sophie began playing violin with Kristy Duncan when she was five years old. Sophie was a 2023 Salute to Youth Soloist with the Utah Symphony. She was concertmaster for the 2023 Utah All-State Junior High Orchestra, and she received honorable mention for 2022 Utah ASTA Solo Competition. She was a finalist for the Southwest Symphony Young Artist Competition in 2021, 2022 and 2023.
Sophie Wilkes (13) is from St. George, Utah. She currently studies violin and viola with Kirsten Candland, violin with Jenny Oaks Baker, and viola with Jason Bonham. Sophie began playing violin with Kristy Duncan when she was five years old. Sophie was a 2023 Salute to Youth Soloist with the Utah Symphony. She was concertmaster for the 2023 Utah All-State Junior High Orchestra, and she received honorable mention for 2022 Utah ASTA Solo Competition. She was a finalist for the Southwest Symphony Young Artist Competition in 2021, 2022 and 2023.
Sophie loves participating in the Zion Youth Symphony Orchestra and with her Pre-College
Chamber Academy ensemble group at Utah Tech. She also enjoys teaching private lessons and
an early morning string class to elementary students each weekday morning. Sophie is thrilled
to be playing Sarasate's "Zigeunerweisen" with the Orchestra of Southern Utah. The piece is
thrilling and fun to perform and she feels honored to be selected this year!
Alternates:
Chamber Academy ensemble group at Utah Tech. She also enjoys teaching private lessons and
an early morning string class to elementary students each weekday morning. Sophie is thrilled
to be playing Sarasate's "Zigeunerweisen" with the Orchestra of Southern Utah. The piece is
thrilling and fun to perform and she feels honored to be selected this year!
Alternates:
Amanda Drake fell in love with the flute from a very young age and started playing at 10 years old.Throughout the years she has been tutored by Jenni Perkins, Lisa Byrnes, Amy Lininger, Elaine Jorgenson, and Christina Castellenos. She has had the opportunity to perform with groups such as: Utah Youth Philharmonic Symphony, Utah Youth Wind Symphony, All-State Band, The 23rd Army Band, Snow College Wind Ensemble and Orchestra, and Orchestra of Southern Utah.
She graduated in 2021 with a Bachelor’s in Commercial Music and emphasis in Music Performance on flute and piccolo. She is the mother to two little boys and loves being able to be
with them every day.
Hornist Elaina McEntee seeks to tell a story the audience can connect with through her playing by finding the dialogue between each phrase and accentuating the emotion in the music. Elaina performed Camille Saint-Saëns’ Morceau de Concert as a soloist with the Southern Utah University (SUU) Symphony Orchestra in November 2024. She is pursuing a BM in Instrumental Music Performance at SUU. While at SUU, Elaina has been Principal Horn of the Symphony Orchestra since her freshman year and Principal Horn of the SUU Wind Symphony since her sophomore year. She has also participated in several other ensembles while at SUU: Brass Ensemble, Woodwind Quintet, Basketball Band, and Marching Band. 
Calli Price has been playing the violin for 6 years now. She adores classical music! Calli hopes to play with many orchestras in the future. Some of her favorite things to do include baking, hiking, gardening, and playing her violin!
Utah Peaks Players will provide lobby music before the concert.
