Passport
Meet the 2023 ‘Final Forte’ musicians
February 8, 2023 Leave a Comment
Four of Wisconsin’s most talented young musicians take the stage at Overture Hall March 8 to perform with the Madison Symphony Orchestra in the final round of the 2023 Bolz Young Artist Competition.
Watch the competition live on PBS Wisconsin and streaming online at pbswisconsin.org at 7 p.m. Wednesday, March 8 in Wisconsin Young Artists Compete: The Final Forte. The full audio program will also air live on Wisconsin Public Radio’s NPR News & Music Network.
Meet the four finalists who will perform with the Madison Symphony Orchestra (MSO), led by associate conductor Kyle Knox.
Sophia Jiang, piano
Edvard Grieg’s Piano Concerto in A minor, Op. 16 – Mvts. II – III
Age: 15
Vel Phillips Memorial High School, Grade 11
Hometown: Madison
Parents: Hongrui Jiang and Guangyun Lin
“I think music is so special because there’s just so much diverse imagination coming from different people. Music is a way to just bring people together, and it’s a universal language that all people can enjoy.”
Arisa Okamoto, violin
Jean Sibelius’ Violin Concerto in D minor, Op. 47 – Mvt. I
Age: 18
Brookfield East High School, Grade 12
Hometown: Brookfield
Parents: Aki Okamoto and Nozomu Koamoto
“Although my parents both don’t play an instrument, I think they created an atmosphere in my house that’s full of classical music. Music was embraced in my family.”
Lucy Wu, cello
Edward Elgar’s Cello Concerto in E minor, Op. 85 – Mvt. IV
Age: 14
Whitefish Bay High School, Grade 9
Hometown: Milwaukee
Parents: Danqing Wu and Lei Wang
“I’m so excited to play in Overture Hall. I’m a little nervous, but I’m more excited to collaborate with the MSO musicians and the conductor, Kyle Knox. It’s definitely going to be a really interesting experience.”
Amelia Zitoun, cello
Samuel Barber’s Cello Concerto, Op. 22 – Mvt. I
Age: 16
Shorewood High School, Grade 11
Hometown: Shorewood
Parents: Adrien and Braden Zitoun
“Both of my parents are musicians. My life is basically music. I listen to it all the time. I’m always thinking about it. It’s my focus, it’s my goal.”
Wisconsin Young Artists Compete: The Final Forte Bolz Young Artist Competition
