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2023 Young Artist Competition Winners
Jared Rountree is a percussionist, pianist, composer, and private instructor from Klamath Falls, Oregon who has been performing on a professional level locally and nationwide for the last several years, performing alongside nationally recognized musicians and ensembles. He has been tutored by master performers and instructors including Jared Brown, Reed Bentley, Bryan Jeffs, Alan and Matthew Keown, Drew Langley, Terry Longhsore, Iván Manzinilla, and Theresa McCoy. Jared has performed locally and nationwide at a professional level with notable groups like the Rogue Valley Chorale, Rogue Valley Symphony Orchestra, Rogue Valley Symphonic Band, SOU Salsa Orchestra, SOU Jazz band, SOU Wind Esnemble Left Edge Percussion Ensemble, Ashland City Band, and the Calypso/Jazz fusion band Tobago Breeze, the Oregon Shakespeare Festival band “Weiner Smack”, and the Maraval Road Steel Pan Ensemble. As well as appearing in performance alongside renowned artists and groups such as, Dr. Otis Murphy, Dr. Terry Longshore, Cabillito Negro, Donnie Yance, David Bolen, Brad Dutz, Dr. Morris Palter, and the Grammy award winning Sō Percussion. He has performed at numerous music festivals across the nation such as the Britt Festival, the Oregon Shakespeare Festival Green Show and 2022 production of “Revenge Song” and 2023 production of “Rent”, the Northwest Percussion Festival, the Oregon Music Educators Association Conference, the Oregon Fringe Festival, and the Bang On A Can Longplay Festival in New York City. Some of his recent accolades include winning the college division of the Rogue Valley Symphonic Band’s Young Artists Concerto Competition in 2021. His recorded works can be heard on the upcoming solo percussion album “Music Is Dumb”. Rountree is currently pursuing a Bachelor’s Degree in Music Performance at Southern Oregon University.
Jared Rountree, collegiate winner
“My name is Malykiah Johnson I’m a senior at North Medford high School and I’m super excited to have the opportunity to conduct and play with the RVSB. I currently play in my high schools Wind Ensemble as well as the Jazz band. I love getting involved in all of the music opportunities that we have here in the Rogue Valley. The biggest reason for me wanting to lead and play with this group is my future goals not only as a musician but as a future music educator. I have been accepted and am going to attend the University of Oregon next year to study Music Education. I also would like to thank Dr. Lundahl, and Mr. Kessler for this opportunity as well as the RSVB as a whole for being so open and welcoming to me.”
Malykiah Johnson, 1st place
"My name is Jillian Bridges, I am currently a senior at North Medford High School. I have been involved with music throughout my life, but I started playing an instrument a little over seven years ago.I am a percussionist in the NMHS Wind Ensemble and I am also one of the three drum majors for our marching band. I have not only played in large ensembles but have also participated in jazz bands and as a solo performer. I love music and the stories it tells along with the relationships it creates. I plan to study music education in the fall at The University of Oregon, while also participating in the marching band and other music ensembles on campus. After college I hope to teach music at either the middle or highschool level while also still playing music myself. Along with my love for music I also enjoy reading and spending time in nature. I’m so excited for my future within music and life in general!"
Jillian Bridges, 2nd place
"I’m a junior at NMHS, and I play the flute in wind ensemble, which is my favorite class! I am the pianist at my church and play the guitar there also. I joined this competition because when our band class first got the music piece I conducted in the video, I tried to figure out how to conduct it because of the different time signatures when I practiced. In the future, I want to be an electrician apprentice and go to college, and join band."
Rachel Rustad, 3rd place
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